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Punjab News: 2010

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ROTATIONAL IRRIGATION PROGRAMME FOR KHRIFF SEASON ANNOUNCED

Chandigarh,August 14:

The Irrigation Department, Punjab has announced the Rotational Programme for irrigation for the current Khriff Season through Canal water from 16.92010 to 23.9.2010. The channels of Sirhind Canal System would run on the priority basis from Sidhwan Branch, Bathinda Branch , Bist Doab Canal, Abohar Branch and Patiala feeder 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. Kasur Branch with its distributaries being in the first Preference would run to their indent .Balance water supplies water available would be utilised in , Sabraon Branch, Lahore Branch andMain Branch Lower with their distributaries respectively.

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One Lakh Saplings Planted under NAREGA:ADC(D),Patiala

Mohali (13/09/2010)

More than 1 lakh saplings have been planted in entire patiala district under NAREGA plan and 1 lakh would be planted in next few week.50,000 saplings have been planted in villages with the help of gram panchayat while 50,000 have been planted in government buildings like schools, hospitals, community centre etc.

This was stated by Dr Jaswant Singh, Additional Deputy Commissioner(Development) Patiala while inaugurating Tree Plantation Drive at Aryans Group of Colleges at village- Nepra on Chandigarh-Patiala road, here today.

On this occasion, the students, staff and management planted around 1,000 Saplings in 15 acre campus. Dr Anshu Kataria, Chairman, Aryans Group was also present on this occasion. The plants included Silver Oak, Gulmohar, Chakrasia, Neem, Ashoka, Amaltas, Kaner and Ton.

On this occasion, Dr Jaswant Singh said that greenery in the environment is essential for the survival of the human beings. He urged the students to participate in tree plantation drive and generate awareness about it. He further added that the cutting of the forests and pollution are the main problems.

Dr Anshu Kataria while talking about the current environment issues said that we should plant more trees in order to solve the environment related issues. Dr D.C Kataria, Vice- Chairman, Aryans Group while addressing the students said that they should participate actively in tree plantation drive and conserve our environment for the future generation.He motivated the students to plant trees in their homes, areas and cities and take care of those trees.

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CM OKAYS DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS WORTH RS. 77.48 CRORE FOR NANGAL CONSTITUENCY

Chandigarh September 13:

The Punjab Government would spend Rs. 77.48 crore on various development works for improving irrigation system along with Canalization of Sawan Rivulet and Road infrastructure improvement in the constituency of Nangal.

A decision to this effect was taken by Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal during a high level meeting held here this morning.

Taking part in the deliberations, Mr. Badal asked the Principal Secretary Irrigation Mr. Arun Goel to sort all the pending issues pertaining to the ownership of land and lease with Bhakara Beas Management Board (BBMB) at earliest. Member Irrigation BBMB, Mr. MK Gupta attended meeting on behalf of BBMB.

The Chief Minister assured the former Minister, Mr. M.M. Mittal who presented the case on behalf of the people of Nangal constituency for initiating various development projects of the area, that all the development works would be completed in a stipulated time frame. Mr. Badal asked the Deputy Commissioner Ropar for his active participation to expedite ongoing drip irrigation project by the Soil Conservation department in 10 villages by 31st. March, 2011, for which the government had already sanctioned Rs. 3 crore.

Mr. Badal directed the Irrigation Department to chalk out all the modalities for the implementation of Rs. 63 crore Irrigation projects which would cover 1100 acres in 26 villages of Nangal Constituency. He also approved Rs. 3.5 crores for the installation of Tubewells in the villages where irrigation through canal water was not feasible. He also approved 14.4 kms. new roads project at a cost of Rs. 3.40 crores for the constituency.

Mr. Badal also announced the strengthening and widening of two important stretches of half-a-km each to the Gurdawara Sahib of Baba Buddhan Shah and Baba Gurdita ji at a cost of Rs. 76 lac in next three months.

Prominent amongst those who were present in the meeting included Adviser to Chief Minister Dr. D.S. Cheema, Chief Secretary Mr. S.C. Agrawal, Special Principal Secretary Mr. K.J.S. Cheema, Principal Secretary Technical Education Mr. Suresh Kumar, Deputy Commissioner Ropar A.S. Miglani, M.D. Punjab Tourism Development Corporation Mr. Hussan Lal, Director Industries Mr. S.S. Bains, Director Local government Mr. S.K. Sharma, President Municipal Council Nangal Mr. Rajesh Kumar Chaudhry, Chairman Improvement Trust Nangal Mr. Chander Bajaj, Mr. Jaidev Singh, Mr. Jagdev Singh and Mr. Kuldip Singh (all SAD leaders) from Nangal. Besides, the officers of Irrigation, Soil Conservation, PWD (B&R) and other departments.

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INFORMATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS DEPARTMENT PUNJAB

PUNJAB TO EQUIP EACH POLICE STATION WITH MULTIFUNCTIONAL VEHICLE, 150 SCORPIO GETAWAY VEHICLES PURCHASED IN FIRST PHASE

DGP FLAGS OFF 30 VEHICLES FOR BATHINDA, MUKTSAR AND MANSA DISTRICTS POLICE STATIONS

Chandigarh, September 13:

The Punjab Police has decided to provide each police station with a multifunctional vehicle to ensure greater mobility thereby reducing the police response time in case of any eventuality.

Flagging Off a convoy of 30 Scorpio Getaway vehicles allotted to the police stations of three districts namely Bathinda, Mansa and Muktsar, Punjab DGP Mr. P.S. Gill said that the State police have purchased 150 Scorpio Getaway vehicles at the cost of Rs. 7.25 crore in the first phase. These 150 vehicles would cover almost half of the Police stations of the state while the remaining would be covered in next phase. He said that the idea behind opting for these vehicles to reduce the response time of police stations as now these days most of the criminals uses fast mobility resources. To counter them effectively it becomes imperative to provide force robust, powerful and multifunctional vehicles and the newly acquired vehicle fulfills these conditions, he said.

The Police Chief informed that the State police had recently provided 63 new PCR vehicles to the different districts aimed at upgrading the communication infrastructure of Punjab Police to the World class level so that all these efforts could act in complete synergy to respond to any crises in any part of the state. He said that those vehicles were fully equipped with Global Positioning System (GPS) and other emergency tools and had been deployed at strategic points to respond to any distress call at the earliest.

Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion included; Mr. S.M.Sharma, ADGP/C&T, Mr. Rajan Gupta, ADGP/Law & Order, Mr. Sanjiv Gupta, ADGP/ Crime, Mr. Suresh Arora, ADGP/Intelligence, Mr. S.K.Sharma, ADGP/HRD & C.P., Mr. H.S.Dhillon, ADGP/Admn., Mr. R.P.Singh, ADGP/Traffic, Mr. Jasminder Singh , IGP/Provisioning, Mr. S.S.Chauhan, IGP/HQRS and Mr. Arpit Shukla, DIG/Administration.

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INFORMATION AND PUBLIC REALTIONS DEPARTMENT PUNJAB

ETT TEACHERS ON STRIKE TO BE TREATED AS ABSENT : PB. GOVT.

CHANDIGARH SEPTEMBER 13:

The Punjab government today decided to treat those ETT teachers as absent from duty with immediate effect, who did not report for duty in the wake of their state-wide strike.

Declaring the ongoing agitation of ETT teachers as totally illegal and irrational, a spokesperson of the Punjab government strongly assailed the adamant attitude of ETT teachers for shifting their services from the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) to the Education department. He blamed these erring teachers for making mockery of the existing system established under 73rd amendment of the Indian Constitution for empowering the PRIs to achieve the goal of universal elementary education through exercising its effective control at the grass root level to ensure accountability and efficiency.

The spokesperson further said that the participation of the elective representatives as per the present arrangement had not only ensured the desired results in facilitating the learning process of children in these rural schools but also elicited community involvement. Therefore, the demand of the ETT teachers was absolutely unjustified and even against the interests of the rural masses especially the students for their loss in studies. The schools under the control of Zila Prishads were offering better opportunities of quality education to the students due to close liaison and effective coordination with the representatives of the PRIs, being the elected representatives of the rural masses. Any attempt to disturb the existing framework would not only be detrimental to the process of rural development but also against the basic spirit of the Indian Constitution.

Decrying this move on the part of the ETT teachers as totally illogical and against the public interest, the spokesperson revealed that as many as 13034 ETT teachers working in 5752 schools have already been granted all the benefits at par with other government school teachers in terms of the payment of DA, annual increments, opening of Contribution Provident Fund account, clearance of probation periods and regular payment of salaries.

The state government made an impassioned appeal to these teachers to shun the agitational path and resume their duties in the larger public interest as the confrontational approach would not help them in any way in getting their issues addressed, the spokesperson added.

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Information & Public Relations Department Punjab

PRESS NOTE

Chandigarh September 13:-

The Thirteenth Punjab Vidhan Sabha has been summoned by the Governor to meet for its Tenth Session on Friday, the 24th September, 2010 at 2:00PM, in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Hall, Vidhan Bhavan, Chandigarh.

This was disclosed by a spokesman of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha.

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To get One Rank-One Pension implemented is my first priority-Er. Sidhu

Chandigarh September 13, 2010:

“To fight for One Rank-One Pension and get it implemented from Central Government will be my first priority”, this was stated here from Shiromani Akali Dal Party Head Office in Sector 28, Chandigarh while addressing the Ist meeting of State Office Bearers and District Presidents by State President Ex-Servicemen Wing Shiromani Akali Dal Er. Gurjinder Singh Sidhu after assuming the office on Ist September, 2010. He said that the New General Body and District Presidents will be appointed with the approval of S. Sukhbir Singh Badal President, Shiromani Akali Dal. He further said that the membership of the wing will be raised to one lac and identity cards will be issued to all the members in the first phase. He said that planned strategies will be chalked out to accelerate their struggle for One Rank-One Pension. He appealed to all his ex-servicemen brothers to get united under the flag of Ex-Servicemen Wing of Shiromani Akali Dal so that this can give effective fight against Centre Government to achieve their One Rank-One Pension. He thanked all the Ex-Servicemen who had participated at Jantar Mantar New Delhi Rally on 22 August, 2010. He also thanked S. Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa Member Parliament and Mrs. Harsimrat Kaur Badal Member Parliament for raising this issue in the Parliament through Mr. Arun Jaitley M.P. He requested all Ex-Servicemen to take part in political activities of the State and Country. Er. Sidhu especially thanked S. Parkash Singh Badal Chief Minister Punjab, S. Sukhbir Singh Badal Deputy Chief Minister, Punjab and S. Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa MP for assigning him the responsibilities as State President of the Ex-Servicemen Wing. He assured that he will come up to expectation of his party leaders. He also thanked Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema Advisor to Chief Minister Punjab, S. Parminder Singh Dhindsa PWD B&R Minister and S. Paramjit Singh Sidhwan Political Secretary to Deputy Chief Minister for supporting him in leading the Ex-Servicemen Wing of the party.

(Er. Gurjinder Singh Sidhu)
President

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CM OKAYS DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS WORTH RS. 77.48 CRORE FOR NANGAL CONSTITUENCY

Chandigarh September 13:

The Punjab government would spend Rs. 77.48 crore on various development works for improving irrigation system along with Canalization of Sawan Rivulet and Road infrastructure improvement in the constituency of Nangal.

A decision to this effect was taken by Punjab Chief minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal during a high level meeting held here this morning.

Mr. Badal directed the Irrigation Department to chalk out all the modalities for the implementation of Rs. 63 crore Irrigation project which would cover 1100 acres in 26 villages of Nanagal Constituency. He also approved Rs. 3.5 crores for the installation of Tubewells in the villages where irrigation through canal water was not feasible. He also approved 14.4 kms. new roads project at a cost of Rs. 3.40 crores for the constituency.

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ETT TEACHERS ON STRIKE TO BE TREATED AS ABSENT : PB. GOVT.

CHANDIGARH SEPTEMBER 13:

The Punjab government today decided to treat those ETT teachers as absent from duty with immediate effect, who did not report for duty in the wake of their state-wide strike.

Therefore, the demand of the ETT teachers was absolutely unjustified and even against the interests of the rural masses especially the students for their loss in studies. The schools under the control of Zila Prishads were offering better opportunities of quality education to the students due to close liaison and effective coordination with the representatives of the PRIs, being the elected representatives of the rural masses. Any attempt to disturb the existing framework would not only be detrimental to the process of rural development but also against the basic spirit of the Indian Constitution.

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“Allow Punjabi in AIB exam”-Punjab shoots letter
to BCI and Union Minister

Chandigarh September 11:

The Punjab Government has asked the Bar Council of India (BCI) and Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister to allow the candidates to opt for taking All India Bar (AIB) Examination in Punjabi language also as nine other regional languages such as Telgu, Tamil, Kannada, Marathi, Bengali, Gujarati and Oriya have already been permitted for this test.

In a letter to Mr. Gopal Subramanium, Chairman, Bar Council of India, Dr. Upinderjit Kaur, Education and Languages Minister, Punjab apprised that the Punjabi is one of the languages specified in the Eighth Schedule of our Constitution and is at par with other regional languages which have been allowed to use as official languages. Besides, even the Union Public Service Commission had also permitted to take the Civil Services Examination in Punjabi language.

It mentioned here that the Bar Council of India (BCI) has stipulated an All India Bar Examination (AIBE), the passing of which entitles an advocate to a Certificate of Practice permitting to practice the profession of law under the Advocates Act 1961. This examination is scheduled to be held on 5th December 2010. The last date for filing applications is 30th September 2010.

She informed that a large number of advocates from Punjab have brought to her notice that the BCI surprisingly has not included Punjabi as a Language in which the examination could be taken whereas nine other regional languages have been permitted to take this test. “They have also pointed out that this unilateral provision is highly discriminatory and unjust to the candidates who wish to take this exam in Punjabi language” she lamented.

The Minister further added that Punjabi language had already been specified with other languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India. “Keeping in view the Article 345 of the Constitution, the Punjab Legislative Assembly has adopted Punjabi as the official language of the State for all purposes and the same had also been notified for use in the subordinate courts in Punjab. Most of the working in the lower courts is in Punjabi language”. She said.

Dr. Upinderjit Kaur also apprised the BCI that Punjabi University, Patiala has allowed Punjabi as a medium of examination in the LL.B courses and the law degrees were duly recognized by the BCI. “Keeping in view the larger interests of the advocates from Punjab and to honour the Punjabi language, allow the candidates to opt for taking this examination in Punjabi” she demanded.

In another letter to Mr Kapil Sibal Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Dr. Upinderjit Kaur stated that advocates are agitated that the action of BCI is highly discriminatory and unjust. “The omission of Punjabi language as a medium for taking the AIB examination would unduly deprive the candidates from Punjab from taking this examination and thereby restricts their right to practice as an advocate in the Courts” said the Minister.

She has requested the Union Minister to take up the matter immediately with BCI to allow for taking this examination in Punjabi as the last date for applications, i.e. 30th September 2010, is fast approaching.

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FEDRATION OF ALL INDIA PETROLEAUM TRADERS
(INCORPORATED UNDER THE INDIAN COMPANIES ACT’ 1913)

Head Off: 2 SHAM NATH MARG, CIVIL LINES, NEW DELHI-110054.

Ashok Badhwar Sukhminderpal Singh Grewal Ajay Bansal
National President National Joint Secretary National Gen-Secretary

Hand Phone: + 91 9814000337

(Note: Letter of Petroleum Ministry Govt. Of India is inclosed)

11 September, 2010.

Sukhminderpal Singh Grewal National Joint Secretary, Federation of All India Petroleum Traders told that the Petroleum Minister Sh. Murli Deovra call a meeting 0n 13 September at 3.30 pm at New Delhi with FAIPT National President Sh. Ashok Badhwar , Our managing committee and Oil Companies to solve the issues of Petrol Pumps and 38,700 Petroleum Traders across India. He also clear that if MOP not fulfil their demands in this meeting our future course of action INDEFINITE ALL INDIA STRIKE from 20th September, 2010 under the Presidentship of Sh. Ashok Badhwar National President, FAIPT will be sure. There is No Change in our Federation Programme.

Grewal stated that Dealers have been forced for take this extreme step as Union Government is not paying any heed to their genuine demands for a long time. Grewal said Dealers and Traders have been bleeding profusely due to inadequate margins and rise in operational expenditure. Evaporation or Leakage of fuel oil takes away 1% of the 2% margin being provided by the Oil Companies on the Sales of Fuel Oil. Rest of the margins are now been taken away with the rise in Wages or Salaries; hike in Electricity, Water & Sewage Charges; increase in Expenditure towards Interest which may be attributed due to rise in Capital requirement due to rise in Fuel Prices.

Grewal aggrieved that commissioning of New Retail Outlets (NROs) by the competing PSU Oil companies around existing Retail Outlets against the orders of Ministry of Petroleum and Honourable High Courts is another rationale for the above call for Nationwide Strike. Grewal added that commissioning of such NROs not only burdens PSU Oil companies as the site is generally leased and cost of construction, dispensing machines and underground tanks etc are borne by the company but also doesn’t serves any Public Utility as another Retail Outlet is serving people in that area. It only deprives the Dealers or Traders off 2 square meals, they were managing somehow.

Grewal added that the oil companies shall follow reciprocal system of quality checks as while delivering the products they only mention density of the product being delivered on the Invoice whereas they conduct innumerable tests on the samples they collect from the Retail Outlets/Petrol Pumps which is discriminatory and illogical. There should be a common and a reciprocal system to establish quality of the product being delivered to the Retail Outlet.

Further, there should be a single rate of Petroleum Products across India as the variation in Duties and Taxes from State to State leads to variation in Fuel Prices which only leads to smuggling of Fuel Oil from one state to another.

Grewal said that Traders or Dealers are soft targets for anti-social elements and despite serving the Nation no security is being provided to us, which only leads to thefts and dacoity incidents. So, Oil companies should be asked to install CCTV and other accessories as the Dealers are not in a position to install the same.

Grewal stated that Federation expects a fair solution from the Petroleum Ministry as Dealers/Traders across the country are serving Nation selflessly and added that we understand the fact that agitation is not the solution but out of compulsion, we have been forced to take such a step. At this time Ashok Jain Ludhiana, Rajinder Cheema Cheema mandi, Ashok Kumar Dhanula, Brij lal Nabha, Balwinder Singh Lehal, Kultar singh Sandhwan, Jeewan kumar Dirba, Raman Kumar, Tejinder singh Fathegarh Sahib, Gurmeet singh Bhamian, Vikramdutt Kapoor Roby Raikot, Parmjit Singh Kapurthala, PremSagar Vig Nakodar, Gagandeep and Other Petrol Pump owners from Punjab were present.

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SUKHBIR VISITS SUGARCANE FARMS IN BRAZIL

PUNJAB TO GO FOR MECHANIZED SOWING AND HARVESTING OF SUGARCANE-SUKHBIR

LABOUR SHORTAGE AND COST EFFECTIVENESS ATTRACTS PUNJAB FARMERS TO MECHANIZATION
SUKHBIR IMPRESSED BY FLEXIFUEL CARS

Lins (Brazil), September 11:

Punjab is all set to go for mechanization of sowing and harvesting process of sugarcane crop, keeping in view the cost effectiveness of mechanization besides seasonal shortage of labour during peak seasons.

This was indicated by Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, who is part of Indian delegation to Brazil that is led by Union Agriculture Minister Mr. Sharad Pawar. Mr. Badal said that Punjab’s farmers would have to adopt automated technology to keep the cost of agricultural inputs in the lower bracket, besides endeavoring for efficient new technology.

The Deputy Chief Minister along with Ministers from other States today visited the farmers and their fields in rural Brazil in the state of Sao Paulo. The delegation on the second day to their visit to Brazil, had on the spot assessment of the sugar cane production technology. Mr. Badal evinced great interest in the actual display of the fully mechanized sowing techniques where a highly mechanical planter completes the entire process, of furrow opening, placement of seed, application of fungicide and coverage of the seed with earth, in a single pass. He was informed that machine can plant upto 10 acres in a day without involving any manual labour. The Deputy Chief Minister also watched the display of ‘single row mechanical harvester’ this can harvest clean, cut and load the cane into trucks for transportation to the sugar mill. Mr. Badal was told that this machine can harvest upto 25 acres of sugar cane in a day.

Mr. Badal along with the delegation also visited Eqipav Sugar Mill near the city of Lins in Sao Paulo state of Brazil. The delegation was also informed that mill has a crushing capacity of 30,000 tons per day. Mr. Badal saw the complete process of crushing sugarcane to production of sugar and ethanol. The Deputy Chief Minister said that this basic idea of his visit was to understand the technological intervention in the field of cultivation of sugarcane and production of sugar and ethanol in Brazil that could be replicated in Punjab.

The Deputy Chief Minister observed that this exchange of technology in the field of agriculture particularly sugar and its processing and cogeneration can help the farmers of Punjab in a big way. He said that this would not only help in rejuvenating and improving the economic viability of the sugar industry in the state but will also contribute in improving the returns to the cane growers.

The delegation led by Mr. Sharad Pawar Union Agricultural Minister also had a meeting with Mr. Wagner Rossi, Agriculture Minister of Brazil. In the meeting, the issues of bilateral cooperation in the field of agriculture particularly exchange and adaption of sugarcane varieties and their management, development of ethanol and cogeneration were discussed. The ministers deliberated the issues relating to industrial processing of sugarcane and regulation of production and use of ethanol. The facilitation of direct investment in agriculture in Brazil by Indian farmers and entrepreneurs was also discussed.

Interestingly India is the second largest producer of sugarcane in the world after Brazil. The sugar produced by India is completely utilized at home whereas Brazil is the largest exporter of sugar and is the largest producer of ethanol in the world. In Brazil it is mandatory to blend gasoline(petrol) with 25% ethanol.

Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal was impressed by flexifuel cars which can run on 100% ethanol or 100% gasoline. He was informed that Brazil has reduced its fuel bill by marketing 100% ethanol on 92.7% of its gas stations. This has been possible in Brazil due to abundant availability of land suitable for sugarcane growing and adequate rainfall. As there is shortage of labour in Brazil they have highly mechanized the cultivation of sugarcane and atomized its processing into sugar and ethanol. The average of sugarcane per hectare is higher than India and is about 80tons.

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