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Punjab Congress resolves to force govt to withdraw punitive taxes

CHANDIGARH, September 3: Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee today resolved to force the Akali-BJP government in the state to withdraw the punitive taxes it has imposed on the people of the state. The party will hold massive dharnas on September 7 at all the district headquarters. The PCC President will attend the dharna at Ludhiana.
A meeting of the party office bearers, district presidents, MLAs and those who contested the last assembly election unsuccessfully was held at the Congress Bhawan today. It was presided over by the PCC President Capt Amarinder Singh and attended among others by the senior leaders including the Congress Legislative Party leader Sunil Jakhar, vice presidents Laal Singh, Rana KP, Fateh Bajwa, Ashwani Sekhri, Chaduahry Jagjit, Aruna Chudhary,
Vikram Bajwa,  NSUI president Gobind Khatra and others.
23 district presidents, 29 MLAs and 30 defeated candidates also attended the meeting.
The meeting resolved to ensure maximum participation of people in the dharnas to protest against the anti people policies of the Punjab government.
Addressing the meeting Capt Amarinder said, the government had betrayed the trust of the people and let them down. He said, every section of the society was upset and unhappy and they wanted the Congress to provide lead to voice their protest and resentment against them.

CENTRE SHOULD PERFORM ITS DUTY TO CHECK NARCOTIC SMUGGLING-SUKHBIR
STATE SHOULD BE GIVEN FLEXIBILITY TO MOULD CENTRAL SCHEMES ACCORDING TO LOCAL NEEDS
UNION GOVERNMENT COMPELLED PUNJAB TO IMPOSE PROPERTY TAX FOR RELEASING JNRUM GRANTS
Bathinda/Chandigarh, September 3 :
Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today asked Union government to perform its duty to effectively check smuggling of narcotics through Indo-Pak border.
            Speaking to media persons here today after inauguration of sub office of a media house, Mr. Badal rued that increasing failures of narcotics by Punjab police suggested that first line of defence manned by BSF on Indo-Pak border seems to be quite porous. Mr. Badal said that he had given single point agenda to Punjab police to crack down on narcotic mafia to save the future of our young generation. He said that he had vowed at Sri Harmandir Sahib to launch a campaign against drug trafficiking and he was quiet hopefull that with the blessings of the almighty he would take out Punjab from this menace of drug addiction. Mr. Badal said that with BSF posted at Indo-Pak border, Punjab police  could play only a second line of defence and we have recovered more than 265 kg of Heroine during last few months against total seizure of 500 kgs in whole country suggesting that Punjab police has intensified its war against drug mafia.
            Mr. Badal said that large scale arrests, auction of properties of drug lords besides coordinated campaign with Narcotic Bureau of India would be instrumental in finishing this menace forever.
            When asked about property tax, Mr. Badal said that Punjab government was arm twisted to levy this tax on urban population as Union government had stopped the release of grants under JNRUM schemes. He said that pre conditions of forcing states to levy taxes against its wishes was against the principle of constitutional principles. Seeking flexibility in fixing the norms for the Central schemes according to the state’s needs, Mr. Badal said that in a vast and diversified country like India, a single nor for implementation of all schemes was not practical. He said that states should be given its allocated funds and they should be given freedom to spend the funds as per immediate development requirements of the states.
            Mr. Badal said that  last year Rs. 1100 crore was withheld by Union government as we refused to levy property tax and this year they had stopped the release of Rs. 900 crore grant. He said that we were forced by the Union government to levy this tax against our wishes.
            When asked about PPCC Chief Capt. Amarinder Singh’s protest against imposition of taxes, Mr. Badal said that instead of protesting in the state, he should stage dharna before 10 Janpath to get these anti people directions on JNRUM withdrawn. He said that people of Punjab were vigilant enough as they were fully aware that these taxes were levied on Centre’s directions and Capt’s road shows cannot change the reality.
             Earlier, Mr. Badal inaugurated a sub office of a vernacular daily. He also reviewed the implementation of various development schemes in the Bathinda city.

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CONGRESS MAY USE MANPREET IN WHATEVER WAY IT LIKES-SAD
MANPREET AND CAPT. AMARINDER SINGH  ARE TWO SIDES OF
SAME COIN-DR. CHEEMA
Chandigarh, September 3 : Commenting on the statement of Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee Chief Capt. Amarinder Singh that Congress may form alliance with Manpreet Singh Badal, the Shiromani Akali Dal  said that  the Congress party is free to use the services of Manpreet Singh Badal in whatever way it wants. Everybody knows that  Congress party and Manpreet Badal are two sides of the same coin.
In a statement released from the party head office here today the party Secretary and Spokesman Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema said that in Punjab assembly polls Congress was under the impression that if Manpreet Singh Badal goes to polls as a separate group, it will benefit the Congress but the people of the state were aware of the unprincipled and selfish understanding of both of them and they taught them a lesson. But now the beleaguered Capt. Amarinder Singh, under attack from the leaders of his own party, is playing another tactics of declaring a pre- poll alliance with Mr Manpreet Singh Badal. It shows the bankruptcy of both the leaders and their last ditch effort for political survival. Dr. Cheema also said that only similarity between the two leaders is that before elections both of them make tall promises with the public and after elections they advocate banning of subsidies and other welfare measures.
Dr. Cheema further said that keeping in view the circumstances in Delhi where the Congress party has been totally exposed as the mother of corruption as well as the mandate for the Punjab assembly and the Civic body elections, Capt. Amarinder Singh should stop daydreaming. “Whatever may be alliance the Congress will face the same fate as that of Manpreet Singh Badal”, he added.
Replying to the issue of election manifesto, the SAD leader reminded Capt. Amarinder Singh that instead of advising the SAD-BJP alliance,  the Congress leader should read the election manifesto he released during assembly polls in 2002. After remaining in power for full five years, the Congress party  failed to  provide free power to the farmers, shagun scheme to dalit girls, 4-9-14 promotion scheme to the employees, abolition of octroi for traders, job to one member each of the scheduled castes families and so on. It looks funny that the same Capt. Amarinder Singh who backtracked from all the promises he made to the public, is questioning the SAD-BJP alliance on the issue.
 He said that SAD-BJP alliance has a history of fulfilling what it promises and will repeat it during its present tenure.

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CM GREETS VIPUL MEHTA FOR ACHIEVING INDIAN IDOL TITLE
PUNJAB GOVT. TO HONOUR VIPUL – HARCHARAN BAINS
 CHANDIGARH SEPTEMBER 03:
          The Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today felicitated the talented Punjabi youth from Amritsar Vipul Mehta for winning the prestigious title of Indian Idol-6 after a tough singing competition.
          In his message, Mr. Badal said that it was a matter of great honour for all Punjabis that Vipul had achieved this title with his sheer hard work thereby exhibiting his extra ordinary talent to become the heart throb of millions of his admirers not with in the country but across the globe. The Chief Minister wished him a bright future and success in his life.  He also congratulated the Vipul’s parents, friends and relatives on his rare feat.      
Meanwhile, the Advisor for National Affairs & Media to the Chief Minister, Mr. Harcharan Bains informed that Punjab government would also honour Vipul for his eventful accomplishment.
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FARMERS’ DELEGATION FROM GUJARAT CALLS ON BADAL
CM ASSURES TO TAKE UP AGRI-LAND OWNERSHIP ISSUE WITH MODI

CHANDIGARH, SEPTEMBER 3
            A 17-member delegation of Punjabi farmers from Bhuj and Kutch (Gujarat) led by Spokesperson of SAD Mr. Balwant Singh Ramoowalia called on the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal to seek his personal intervention for resolving the issue of their legitimate ownership right over the agriculture land being ploughed by  them over past 40 years.
            Expressing the plight of more than thousand farmers, a member of the deputation Mr. Surinder Singh Bhullar informed the Chief Minister that Gujrat Government was uprooting these farmers with Punjab and Haryana origin  under the Bombay Tenancy and Agricultural Lands (Vidarbha Region) Act, which was totally unjust and unreasonable as these farmers had developed the barren land of Gujarat in to fertile one with their constant hard work and labour. Despite having all legal and revenue documents in their possession, now they were being denied from the legitimate ownership rights over the agricultural land, he further informed. 

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CM ASSURES KANG FOR SEEKING RELAXATION IN NORMS OF PLPA FROM GOI
ASKS LOCAL GOVT. TO PROVIDE BASIC CIVIC AMENITIES TO RESIDENTS OF NAC NAYAGAON ON PRIORITY
CHANDIGARH SEPTEMBER 03:
          Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today said that the state government would soon take up the matter with the Ministry of Environment and Forests, GoI for seeking relaxations in the conditions of delisted land under the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA) to allow the construction of residential premises within the jurisdiction of NAC Nayagaon.
          An assurance of this effect was given by Mr. Badal during a meeting with delegation of councilors of Nayagaon Notified Area Committee (NAC) led by the Congress MLA from Kharar Mr. Jagmohan Singh Kang, who called on him here at Chief Minister Residence this morning. 
          Taking part in the deliberations, Principal Secretary Local Govt. Mr. Suresh Kumar apprised the Chief Minister that the Ministry of Environment & Forests GoI has clearly asked the state government not to permit any commercial activity on the delisted land and also further instructed the government to ensure the bonafide use of this land only for agriculture and sustaining the livelihood of the person/owner. 
          The Chief Minister asked the Principal Local government to tie up with the Advocate General Punjab and Mr. Kang to discuss the issue threadbare so that a consensus could be evolved on this vexed issue before sending a concrete proposal to GoI for seeking relaxations in the norms of delisted land.  Mr. Badal assured the delegation that he would also personally take up this issue with the Union Minister Environment & Forests for its early resolution to the advantage of the residents of Nayagaon. 
          On the issue of poor conditions of roads and sewerage system raised by Mr. Kang, the Chief Minister informed the MLA Kharar that the state government had already released first installment of Rs.12 crore for the laying of sewerage system in Nayagaon. He said the state government was committed to provide the basic civic amenities to the residents of Nayagaon on priority.  He also told Mr. Kang that the Technical Advisor to Punjab Government Lt. Gen.(Retd.) Mr. BS Dhaliwal was personally monitoring the ongoing sewerage projects in Kurali and Kharar to ensure its proper alignment.  Mr. Badal also directed the Local Govt. department to ensure the timely construction of roads, sewerage system, street lights besides the supply of potable drinking water and the approval of site plans for the construction of houses in Nayagaon.  Mr. Badal also directed CMD PSPCL Mr. KD Chaudhary to allow installation of electricity meters which had been temporarily stopped by the corporation. 
          Meanwhile, Mr. Kang thanked the Chief Minister for giving patient hearing to the delegation and redressing their grievances to their satisfaction.
          Prominent amongst others who attended the meeting included Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. SK Sandhu, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Gurkirat Kirpal Singh and Director Local Govt. Mr. Ashok Gupta.
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PUNJAB ISSUES GUIDELINES FOR REVIVAL AND CREATION OF POSTS

• ADMINISTRATIVE DEPARTMENTS URGED TO SEND PROPOSALS BY 31ST MARCH, 2013

CHANDIGARH, SEPTEMBER 3:

The Punjab Government has issued comprehensive guidelines for the creation of new posts, revival of posts and the recruitment against these posts, conversion of temporary posts into permanent, abolition and transfer of posts, fresh recruitment against existing vacancies or new vacancies and restructuring/re-organizing of the government departments. These guidelines have been issued in the suppression of all previous instructions on the subject issued time to time.
Disclosing this here, Finance Minister Mr. Parminder Singh Dhindsa said that as per the instructions of the department issued at different times in the past, all the departments were required to complete the restructuring exercise by 31st March, 2010. He said that there was confusion regarding the procedure to be adopted for the creation of new posts. Besides, there are large numbers of temporary posts, which have continued from year to year with the approval of Finance Department. It was therefore necessary to issued fresh instructions to the departments for the creation, revival, fresh recruitment and abolition of posts.
Mr. Dhindsa said that many departments have temporary posts like; Education, Health and Police Departments. He said that the Finance Department, while allowing continuation during 2012-13, has clearly stipulated that departments would either get these posts converted into permanent or get them abolished. He further said that Finance Department would not entertain any proposal for continuation of temporary posts during the year 2013-14. Finance Minister said that it is therefore imperative that all Administrative Departments send there proposals in time for the necessary approval of Council of Ministers by 31st March, 2013.
Clarifying the procedure of the this whole exercise, the Minister said that the Administrative Departments would submit their proposals to the Department of Personnel, which further be put before the Officers Committee headed by Chief Secretary, Punjab with its comments. Administrative Departments would then obtain the comments from Finance Department; thereafter Administrative Departments would seek the approval of Council of Ministers.

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INTRUCTIONS REGARDING THE PUBLICATION OF NOTIFICATIONS

CHANDIGARH, SEPTEMBER 3:
The Punjab Government today issued strict instructions regarding the publication of notifications in the gazette. The Legal Remembrance, Punjab today said that under the new instructions all the departments have been asked to send the matter in CD or pen drive to be published along with the copies of the blue print of the matter.
He further said that besides that all the departments have also been asked to compare the matter with the blue print of the Law Department and also to send the three attested copies to the Law Department, so that the possibilities of error should be removed during publication. He said that all departments should send the matter up to 12.30pm, which they want to be published on the same day; otherwise they should send it on the very next day. He said that it has also made mandatory to clarify that the sent matter to be published in special or ordinary gazette.
The spokesman further said that the concerned department should also make it clear that how many copies they want to publish for their use. The phone numbers of concerned superintendent should also be mention in the matter, so that Law Department could contact directly to the superintendent in case of any enquiry.

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DATE EXTENDED FOR PRESS COUNCIL JOURNALISM AWARDS

• NOMINATIONS BE SENT TILL SEPTEMBER 20

CHANDIGARH, SEPTEMBER 3:

The Press Council of India (PCI) extended the last date of sending entries for its newly instituted National Awards to promote excellence in print media.
Disclosing this here today, an official spokesman of council said that as the awards instituted by PCI carry national importance, it was felt that the time given for filling of nominations from all over the country was too short to give wide publicity to the event. He further said that nominations could now be sent till September 20. The earlier deadline for these awards was 16th August, 2012.
The spokesman said that the awards to be given in six categories, with the Raja Ram Mohan Roy National Award for Excellence in Journalism carrying the highest cash prize of Rs.1,00,000. The other categories are Rural Journalism, Development Reporting, Women Empowerment and Photo Journalism, in which there are two sub categories; Single news picture and photo feature. These awards carry a cash component of Rs.50,000 each besides the cash awards these awards consist of a plaque and a citation.

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GRANTS WOULD DIRECTLY DEPOSIT IN PANCHAYATS BANK ACCOUNTS: RAKHRA

• Rs. 52.93 CRORE HAS DIRECTELY CREDITED IN PANCHAYATS BANK ACCOUNS
• AUDIT OF PANCHAYATS ACCOUNTS WOULD BRING TRANSPARECNY
• ALSO PROVIDE BOOST TO DEVELOPMENT WORKS IN RURAL AREAS

CHANDIGARH, SEPTEMBER 3:
            The amount of grants would now be directly credited in the bank accounts of Panchayats in the state as the Punjab Government has taken this decision with a view to give a boost to ongoing development projects besides bringing transparency in disbursement and use of grants.
            Disclosing this here today, Mr. Surjit Singh Rakhra, Rural Development and Panchayats Minster, Punjab said that the Punjab Government has also made the audit of panchayats mandatory to bring further transparency and constructive use of grants. He said that process of direct deposit of grants has been started and a total amount of Rs. 52.93 crore has been directly credited in the bank accounts of Panchayats for the purpose of water supply, sanitation, street lights, cleanliness of ponds and other development works in rural areas.
            Mr. Rakhra said that the issue of delay in disbursement of grants to the Panchayats has come to the notice of department leading to create hurdles in the development projects. He said that online payment of grants to the panchayats would bring more transparency, efficiency in the overall development of rural areas besides eliminating alleged irregularities in use of grants. The Minister said that the amounts would be credited same day in the bank accounts of panchayats through BDPO. 
            Informing about the Audit process of panchayats accounts, Mr. Rakhra said that the regular audits of banks accounts would be mandatory and the state government has finalised the process of audit through a pact with Charted Accountant Association.

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PUNJAB GOVERNMENT SANCTIONS RS 10 CRORE FOR FOCAL POINTS-JOSHI
CHANDIGAH, September 3:
The Punjab Government today sanctioned Rs 10 crore for the development of Focal Points across the state. The Special Purpose Vehicle would also be set up to ensure quality infrastructure and facilities in all Focal Points through at the state.
Disclosing this here today Industry and commerce Minister, Punjab Mr. Anil Joshi said Besides that Punjab Government has also issued notification for the Punjab Common Infrastructure (Regulation and Maintenance) act 2012 with an aim to  uplift the basic Infrastructure in all Focal Points.
The Minister further said that the Punjab Government has made necessary changes in the Act to attract the private players for the maintenance of Focal Points. He said that Industrial Focal Points and Parks would be set up in all Focal Points under the Public-Private partnership.
He said that Punjab Government has committed to provide all kind of facilities in Focal points to attract the Investment in the state. He said that with the money facility of roads, street lights, water supply, sewerage connections, Garbage treatment plants would be provided in Focal Points.
The Minister said that to improve the condition of Focal Points, the SAD-BJP Government led by Chief Minister has taken many initiatives, so that the target of Rs 1 lakh crore investments could be met.
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PB GOVT RECONSTITUTES KANDI AREA ADVISORY COUNCIL

• CM WOULD BE CHAIRMAN, WHILE DY CM, VARIOUS MPS, MLAS AND PRINCIPAL SECRETARY INDUCTED AS MEMBERS

CHANDIGARH, SEPTEMBER 3:

The Punjab Government has reconstituted Punjab State Submontane and Kandi Area Advisory Council for the all round development of the Kandi area. Mr. Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, Punjab would be chairman of this council, whereas Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, various MPs, MLAs and Principal Secretaries of different departments have been inducted as members in this council.
Disclosing this here today, an official spokesman said that this council would act to define the submontane and Kandi area of the state. Similarly, it would also be the function of this council to aid and advice the government in drawing up schemes and programmes for the development of this Kandi area.
Enumerating the various other functions this council supposed to play, he said that this committee would undertake the area planning of these areas in order to ensure integrated and all round development of this area, to fix priorities of various development works to be executed in these areas, to co-ordinate and review the activities of various departments with a view to remove the bottlenecks in the speedy implementation of programmes, to take effective steps for spreading literacy in these areas and to devise measures to raise the standard of living of the backward section, landless labourers and agricultural works in these area.
The spokesman further said that apart from Deputy Chief Minister, the other official members of these council included Revenue Minister, Finance Minister, Chief Secretary, Financial Commissioner, Development, Financial Commissioner, Forest and Wild Life, Principal Secretary, Finance, Principal Secretary, Industries and Commerce, Principal Secretary, Irrigation, Principal Secretary, Planning, Secretary, Power, Secretary, School Education, Secretary, PWD B&R, Secretary, Water Supply and Sanitation, Chairman cum MD, Punjab State Transmission Corporation Limited, Chairman cum MD, Punjab State Power Corporation Limited and Deputy Commissioners of Hoshiarpur, Roop Nagar, SAS Nagar, SBS Nagar and Pathankot. He said that the non-official members from district Hoshiarpur are MP Hoshiarpur, MLAs of Mukerian, Dasuya, Chabbewal, Garhshankar, Sham Churasi and Hoshiarpur, from district Roop Nagar; MP Anandpur Sahib and MLAs Anandpur Sahib and Roop Nagar, from district SAS Nagar; MP Patiala, MLAs Dera Bassi, SAS Nagar and Kharar, from district SBS Nagar; MP Anandpur Sahi and MLA Balachaur and from district Pathankot MP Gurdaspur and MLAs from Sujanpur, Bhoa and Pathankot have been inducted in this council.

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Use E- mail for routine corresspondence,
PUnjab education department orders

Chandigarh, September 3:
          The Education Department Punjab is all set to emrace modern technology for its daily routine departmental works. Director General School Education has issued instruction to the District authorities to use e-mail to routine daily corresspondence and not to precure hard copies where ever not neccessary.
          Disclosing this here today a official spokesman said that all the District Education Officer, Block Primary Education Officers and Main office of the department have been instructed to use e-mail for their daily corresspondence. The spokesperson said that most of the District Education Offices ask for e-mail as well as hard copy of the required information which on one hand is the wastage of time and wastage of paper on the other hand. He said that officers have been directed to precure hard copies on those circumstances where the internet facility is not available. He said that most of the times performas are send to the schools to get informations. He said that this kind of information should be get only through e-mails. He said that the department has provide internet facilities in all the offices including Governement High School, Senior secendary School and Middle Schools. He said that stern action would be taken against all those officers, who would not adhere to this instructions.
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One IPS and one pps TRANSFERRED

Chandigarh, September 3:

The Punjab Government today issued postings and transfer orders of 1 IPS and 1 PPS officers with immediate effect.
Mr Inderbir Singh, IPS , SSP Khana  has been transferred and posted as SSP Kapurthala and Mr. Ravcharan Singh Brar, PPS, SSP Kapurthala has been transferred and posted as SSP Khana.
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Capt Amarinder says no matter how much vendetta Badals resort to Congress stands firm

PATTI (TARN TARAN), September 2: Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee President Capt Amarinder Singh today said that no matter how much vendetta the Akalis resort to, the Congress workers were firm in their resolve to fight against all odds. He said, nothing was going to deter them from standing up against the government no matter to what extent the government unleashed its vendetta.
Addressing a largely attended public meeting organised by the Punjab Congress Secretary and local party candidate Harminder Gill, Capt Amarinder said, this government had lost all the faith and goodwill of the people and it had now started not only targeting its opponents but even discriminating against them by keeping them out of various welfare schemes.
Capt Amarinder accompanied by senior party leaders including Mr Laal Singh, Fateh Jang Bajwa, Rana Gurjit, Ramanjit Singh Sikki and others, reached here around 1 pm driving from Chandigarh. He was stopped by party workers and supporters on the way at Mullanpur Dakha, Moga, Makhu and Zira before reaching to a tumultuous welcome here. At Moga local MLA Joginder Pal Jain led hundreds of party workers to receive the PCC President.
Lashing out at the government for failing the expectations of the people, he said, it had resorted to punitive taxation stealthily by imposing the taxes outside the budget. He said, had the government imposed the taxes in the budget it would have been wiped out in the corporation elections.
The PCC President said, instead of imposing the taxes the government should have widened the tax base by encouraging investment which would not only have generated revenue but created jobs as well. Instead, he remarked, it preferred the short term measures to strangulate everyone even the small 50 yards plot holders.
He also questioned the government's logic in purchasing a helicopter for Rs 38 crores. "You are taxing people for your own luxuries and profligacies”, he remarked while pointing out how the government had appointed 22 Chief Parliamentary Secretaries and advisors with cabinet rank and all benefits at the cost of the state exchequer.
He also referred to the appointment of 150 additional, assistant and deputy advocates general by the government, most of whom are the kith and kin of the Akali and BJP leaders. While government is spending about Rs one crores every month on them when it comes to pleading the cases the government has to hire lawyers from Delhi as most of these law officers are not competent enough.
Referring to the problem of drug addiction and law and order raised by Harminder Gill, Capt Amarinder said, it was the natural fallout of the economic problems. When economy gets weaker the issues related to law and order are bound to rise and there are going to be thefts and dacoities.
He remarked, there was also nothing unusual about the Akalis promoting the drug trade as several Akali leaders were known to be drug paddlers.
Prominent among those present today included Mr Laal Singh, Fatehjang Bajwa, Rana Gurjeet, Rmanjit Singh Sikki, Gurchet Singh Bhullar, Dharamveer Agnihotri, Harminder Gill, Gurjeet Aujla, Major Amardeep, Sonu Dhesi, Jugal Kishore Sharma and others.

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MAJITHIA GREETS VIPUL MEHTA FOR WINNING THE TITLE OF INDIAN IDOL
Chandigarh, SEPTEMBER 2:

Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia, Revenue and Public Relations Minister, Punjab today felicitated Amritsar lad Vipul Mehta for clinching a prestigious title of Indian Idol-6 through a tough competition, which was a matter of great pride for Punjab.
          In a greeting message, Mr. Majithia said that it was not easy to win the title of Indian Idol as numbers of budding talented stars from across the country were performing in the competition but the performance of Vipul was unmatchable. He said that Amritsar has already given top icons to Indian Cinema including world renowned actors Mr. Rajesh Khanna, Mr. Dara Singh and legendary singer Mohammad Rafi and now Vipul is going to add new feather in the cap thereof.
          Extending congratulations to the Vipul’s family, Mr. Majithia said that it was too a matter of great pride from Punjab that the other two participants of final round Mr. Davinder Pal Singh and Mr. Amit Kumar were also from Ludhiana and Amritsar respectively. He said that this unique performance and achievement of Vipul would not only give a boost to the music industry of Punjab but also motivate the youngsters towards music.

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Rebels' activities helping govt: Capt Amarinder

PATTI (TARN TARAN),September 2: Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee President Capt Amarinder Singh today said the rebels' activities were indeed helping the ruling Akali-BJP alliance government particularly at a time when Congress had launched an action programme against it (the government).

Replying to a question whether the rebels were doing it at the behest of the government, Capt Amarinder said, he really did not know at whose behest they were doing it, but their activities were certainly helping the government.

In answer to another question about the allegations that he was not accessible, he asked, "how come they realised after the elections only that I was inaccessible  and not during the last 14 years I have been at the forefront of the Punjab Congress holding various positions like that of the Chief Minister, PCC President and the Chairman of the Campaign Committee?"

Asked whether he planned or proposed any action against the rebels since they had breached the party discipline, the PCC President said, he did not favour any action against anyone and he treated everbody as his colleague and friend. However, he added, the high command was also seized of the matter as everything was being taken note of by the party high command.

Capt Amarinder asserted that the party was united and there was no change in the enthusiasm among the party workers. He pointed out the presence of thousands of workers at today's programme was enough indication that they were very much attached to the Congress.

About his appeal to other opposition parties to participate in the anti-government dharnas he clarified, it was related only to a particular issue of protesting against the anti-people policies of the government. He said, political alliance if any can be worked at and decided later and the final decision will be taken by the high command only.

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ABOLISH THE CRITERIA OF ARMY RECRUITMENT ON THE BASIS OF ‘RECRUITABLE MALE POPULATION’- CM URGES GOI
•     BADAL AND UNION MINISTER OF STATE FOR DEFENCE JOINTLY INAUGURATE
NATION’S FIRST NCC TRAINING ACADEMY IN MALOUT
•     NOW PUNJAB WILL BE ABLE TO HOLD NATIONAL NCC CAMPS
•     55,000 NCC CADETS OF THE STATE TO GET WORLD CLASS TRAINING

Malout (Sri Muktsar Sahib), September 2
      Punjab Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal today urged the Government of India (GoI) to abolish the existing criteria of Army recruitment on the basis of ‘Recruitable Male population’ and replace it with the one on the basis of capability and merit as done in the past, to enable more and more Punjabis to join the Armed forces on the basis of merit.
      Addressing the gathering here after inaugurating the first NCC Academy of the country jointly with the Union Minister of State for Defence Dr. M. Mangapatti Pallam Raju, Mr Badal said that there was a time when Punjabis dominated the Indian army with majority of soldiers
(Jawans) besides the top brass including Generals, Major Generals, Brigadiers and Colonels hailing from state. However he bemoaned that the state had suffered adversely after the GoI had adopted the criteria of recruitment on the basis of ‘Recruitable Male population’
of the state as a result of which the share of Punjab in Army has been restricted because it constitutes only 2.5% of the national population. The Chief Minister impressed upon Dr Raju that it was the need of the hour to change the formula so as to allow more and more youth of state to join the Army.
The Chief Minister said that today was a ‘Red Letter day’ for Punjab as two NCC training academies were being inaugurated at Rupnagar and Malout for imparting the best training facilities to National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets from state for further grooming them for Indian Armed forces. Mr. Badal said that it was indeed a matter of pride and honor for them that Punjab was the first state in the country to have two world class training centers for imparting coaching to the NCC cadets. He further said that though the NCC was started in the year
1948 in the country but Punjabi youth had to face several difficulties due to the lack of any professional academy in the state to impart training to them.
The Chief Minister further said that to aggrieve the situation the insufficient infra structure of NCC deprived the state from holding national level camps here and bereft the Punjabi youth from the opportunities to share experiences with the cadets of other states by holding a joint camp. However, Mr. Badal said that with the opening of these prestigious NCC training academies new avenues would be opened for Punjabis youth to join the Armed forces. He also said that by opening these academies the SAD-BJP government has fulfilled its promise made to youth for imparting training to them for preparing them for the Armed forces.
The Chief Minister said that the NCC training centre for the boys at Rupnagar has been constructed over an area of 9 acres at a cost of Rs
9 crore and in the same manner the NCC training centre for the girls at Malout has been constructed over an area of 6 acres at a cost of Rs
9.80 crore. He pointed out that with the opening of these academies around 55 thousand cadets from the state would be imparted training for joining the Army, Navy and Air Force under one roof thereby brightening their chances to join the Armed forces. Mr. Badal said that not only this but these newly set up NCC training academies would be instrumental in organizing the national level camps of the NCC in Punjab from time to time, which would prove to be a boon for the NCC cadets from the state.
Expressing gratitude to Union Defence Minister Mr. AK Antony and Union State Minister for Defence Dr. M. Mangapatti Pallam Raju for their active co-operation and support in the completion of both these academies, the Chief Minister said that these training centers would prove to be milestone in the history of the NCC and would act as a source of inspiration for cadets to excel in the field of Defence services and becoming ideal citizens of society. Emphasizing on the need of imparting military training to the youth for making them ideal and disciplined citizens of the country, Mr Badal said that realizing its importance the state Government has already allotted Rs 1.5 crore for the NCC Training Centers and for the purchase of requisite infra structure in the units so that world class training could be imparted to the youth. Besides, the state government had already made budgetary provision of Rs 18 crore to be spent on training of 55,000 cadets and for other activities, he added.
The Chief Minister further said that in order to prepare the youth for the Armed forces the state government has also opened 4 New NCC units in Punjab which included 23 NCC Boys battalion at Rupnagar, 6 Punjab NCC Girls Battalion at Malout, 2 Punjab R&V Squadron at Ghuda and 3 Punjab Navel Unit NCC at Bathinda. He said that apart from these NCC academies the SAD-BJP government has also established Maharaja Ranjit Singh Armed Forces Preparatory Institute at Mohali to motivate the budding youth to join the Armed forces, where free training and education is provided to them. Likewise Mr Badal said that to provide best training opportunities to youth for joining Armed forces a Service Selection Centre was being set up over an area of 200 acre at Rupnagar, for which the state government has already provided its land. He urged the Union Minister of State for Defense to get the work started on the construction of centre with immediate effect.
The Chief Minister further said to encourage and train the youth for joining the Merchant Navy a Naval Academy was also being established at Rupnagar. Likewise he said that as many as 16 C-PYTE Centres have been set up across the state to provide training to nearly 10,000 youth for recruitment in Military and Para Military forces.
Mr Badal pointed out that the very spirit of patriotism was in the blood of Punjabis since birth which had always kept them in forefront for safeguarding the unity and integrity of the country besides making countless sacrifices during internal as well as external aggression even after independence. He said that it was a matter of fact that 80% of the Punjabis were amongst the countrymen who either faced gallows or were imprisoned for life displaying their firm resolve to free their motherland from the yoke of foreign imperialism. The Chief Minister said that even in post independence Punjabis played a pivotal role in safeguarding the unity and integrity of the country besides making it self reliant in food production.
Addressing the gathering Union Minister of State for Defence Dr. M.
Mangapatti Pallam Raju said that the two NCC Academies inaugurated in Punjab today would go a long way in imparting quality training to the NCC cadets of the state. Thanking the Punjab Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal for the timely completion of the work on both these projects, Dr. Raju said that due to the untiring efforts of the state government Punjab has become the maiden state of the country to have such state of art academies for training the cadets. Lauding the role of Punjabis in safeguarding the frontiers of the country and making the country self sufficient in food production, the Union Defence Minister said that the nation was indebted for their marvelous contribution.
The leader of opposition in state assembly Chaudhary Sunil Kumar Jakhar also addressed the gathering.
Earlier welcoming the guests, the Director General of NCC Lieutenant General PS Bhalla A.V.S.M apprised them about the activities of the NCC. On the occasion the NCC cadets presented ‘Guard of Honor’ to Union Minister of State for Defence.
Prominent amongst those present on the occasion included Lok Sabha MP Mr. Sher Singh Ghubaya, Mr. Harpreet Singh and Mrs Karan Kaur Brar (both MLAs) and Special Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr KJS Cheema.

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PUNJAB DRAWS WELFARE PACKAGE WORTH Rs.  2113.09 CRORES FOR SCHEDULED CASTES: RANIKE
·        RS. 828.47 FOR BASIC INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT
·        CARELESSNESS IN IMPLEMENTATION OF SC SUBPLAN AND WELFARE SCHEMES WOULD NOT BE TOLERATED

CHANDIGARH, SEPTEMBER 2: The Punjab Government has allocated a dedicated fund of Rs. 2113.09 crore for the welfare of Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes and for the welfare of economic weaker sections of the society besides issuing strict directions for speedy and proper implementation of SC Sub Plan and welfare schemes in the state.

          Disclosing this here today, Mr. Gulzar Singh Ranike, Minister for SC/BC Welfare, said that Punjab Government would strictly implement the SC Sub Plan in the state to provide benefits of the scheme at ground level. He said that Rs. 2113.09 crores would be spent under the SC Sub Plan for the welfare of Scheduled Castes facilitating them all necessary benefits. He said that in the budget for current 2012-13 session Rs. 1284.62 crore out of total 2113.09 crore would be spent through Welfare Department under various welfare schemes while the Finance Department would control the remaining 824.47 crore, which would be spend on the development of basic infrastructure to be provided to the beneficiaries.

          Speaking about the already existing welfare schemes for the different sections of the society, Mr. Ranike said that the SAD-BJP government is successfully running the welfare schemes for SC/BCs, Minorities and other economically weaker sections of the society including shagun scheme, scholarships, free power and pensions. He said that Punjab Government has been providing Rs. 15000 financial help as Shagun to the girls belonging to SC/BC Communities, Christians and economically weaker families of other communities. He said that the state government has made the process of getting Shagun more easy by disbursing the amount directly in the bank account of beneficiary  He said that now the applicants would have to submit their applications before 15 days of marriage.

          Mr. Ranike asserted that Punjab Government was very particular for the speedy and proper implementation of welfare schemes so no carelessness would be tolerated in this regard.  He said that necessary directions in this regard have already been issued to all Principal Secretary, Commissioners of Divisions, Deputy Commissioners and other concerned officers.

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FINLAND UNIVERSITY OFFERS TO SET UP WORLD CLASS RESEARCH FACILITY AT MOHALI
v    RS.30 CRORE PROJECT TO PROVIDE LATEST R&D TO PHARMA AND BIOTECH SECTORS
v    WOULD BE THE 3RD LARGEST COMMERCIAL RESEARCH LAB IN THE WORLD

Chandigarh, September 2: OULU University- a Finland’s Technical University and globally acknowledged as a great centre of learning and research in joint collaboration with VTT Technical Research Group has approached Punjab government to set up a world class Biotech & Pharma research lab at Mohali to give a real boost to knowledge based industry in the state.
A delegation of Finland entrepreneur group headed by an Indian entrepreneur Mr. Atul Khanna last evening called on Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal with their offer to set up Rs.30 crore high-tech research and development lab at Mohali to promote R&D linkages with industry, its expansion into biotech and to explore how to use such linkages to create a light house for knowledge industry to take root in Punjab.
Interacting with them Mr. Badal said that he was envisioning Mohali as an IT, Electronic and Knowledge hub of south East Asia and he would welcome such world class research facility in the knowledge city that would provide R&D base to upcoming knowledge Industry, Pharma and Biotech sectors all over the world. He said that he would ask Punjab Technical University who was looking for a reputed knowledge partner to work out the process for joint venture with Finland.
Mr. Atul Khanna informed the Deputy Chief Minister that this world class lab would be catalytic in providing access to world class knowledge for faculty teaching and students, knowhow in translational research, knowhow for converting this research into application in Industry and Agriculture and enabling Industry and Agriculture in Punjab to adopt products and technologies generated.
They informed that this Rs.30 crore lab would be set up on a piece of land of 3 acre and the lab would be completed within 12 months.
Mr. Badal assured the Finland delegation to provide total support of Punjab government for finalization of conceptual plan of research lab at the earliest.
Prominent amongst those who participated in the meeting included Mr. Rakesh Singh, Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary Technical Education Mr. S.S. Channi, Principal Secretary to Deputy Chief Minister Mr. P.S. Aujla, Special Principal Secretaries to Deputy Chief Minister Mr. A.K. Mahajan and Mr. Manvesh Singh Sidhu.

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Capt Amarinder appeals all opposition parties to unite against govt

CHANDIGARH, September 1:

Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee President Capt Amarinder Singh today appealed to all the opposition parties in Punjab, including the People’s Party of Punjab, the Communist Party of India, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Bahujan Samaj Party to come together to fight against the anti-people policies of the Akali-BJP government. He also invited them to join the statewide dharnas being staged by the Congress at all the district headquarters on September 7.
Addressing a press conference at the Punjab Congress Bhawan here today, the PCC President said, there was a strong and genuine cause for all the like minded opposition political parties to come together and prevent this government from imposing punitive taxes on the people of the state. He pointed out, the spate of taxation had affected all the people across all social and economic spheres and people were angry and disappointed.
He expressed hope and confidence that the opposition parties and leaders will come together in the interest of the people. He maintained that as on now there was no political agenda in getting together the political parties and the only purpose was to save the people of Punjab from a regime that is highly insensitive towards the public interest.
Capt Amarinder maintained that the taxes imposed by the state government were illegal since any financial matter needs the approval of the state legislature. He pointed out, they circumvented the legislative process by way of showing a “tax-free” budget while imposing heavy taxes on the people subsequently. He said, this was a total fraud with the people.
The former Chief Minister said, this was purely a short term measure of the state government and it cannot help revive the economy. He said, he had reports that the government was planning to mop up about Rs 9000 crores in taxes and this was just a beginning. He said, the statewide protests with participation by all the political parties was aimed at preventing the government from imposing further taxes while withdrawing the ones it had imposed.
He stated that such taxation will rather damage the economy as the industry will become less competitive. The result will be the industry will move out and there will be more problems for the economy.
Asked whether PPP Chief Manpreet Badal was trying to join the Congress and keen to contest as party candidate from Bathinda, Capt Amarinder said, Manpreet had never met him hence he was not in a position to comment.
To another question about the leadership issue, Capt Amarinder reiterated that it was the discretion and prerogative of the Congress President Ms Sonia Gandhi. He said, he decision will be acceptable to him and till the time he was the PCC president he will continue to work vigorously for the party.
He refused to comment on the activities of some party leaders who had held a meeting at Chandigarh yesterday. Asked whether he will take any action or recommend any action against them since they had breached the party discipline he said, he was not keen to recommend any action against anybody.
Capt Amarinder was today accompanied by senior party leaders and MLAs who included Mr Laal Singh, Rana Sodhi, Rana Gurjeet, OP Soni, Chaudhary Jagjeet, Bharat Bhushan Ashu, Mohd Sadique, Hardayal Kambhoj, Balbir Sidhu, Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa, Amrik Dhillon, Ajaib Singh Bhatti, Charanjit Singh Channi, Kikki Dhillon, Fateh Jang Bajwa, Ajit Singh Shant, Joginder Singh Panjgraian, Surinder Gupta, Satbir Singh, Jugal Sharma and others.

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Panchayat's approval must for its elevation as Nagar panchayat -Chunni Lal Bhagat
Chandigarh, September 1:
          Mr. Chunni Lal Bhagat Minister for Local Bodies today issued directions that only those Panchayats would be elevated as Nagar Panchayats that would meet the set norms and obtain the concerned Panchayat's approval.
 Presiding over a meeting of the department to review the working of all Municipal Corporations, Municipal Committees and Panchayats, he categorically said that Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal has ordered to obtain the permission of concerned Panchayat before its elevation as Nagar Panchayat to check the unplanned expansion of urban sprawls.
          While monitoring the working of the department he instructed the officers to continue development works and complete them in stipulated time period. He said that it was the duty of officers to monitor the quality of work being executed and any compromise over quality would not be tolerated. He also instructed them to spend the allotted budget in the given time frame. He ordered to chalk out a special campaign to remove the un authorized colonies in the state.
          The Minister urged the officers to generate revenue through pligging the loopholes. He said that a gainful amount of revenue could be generated by the installation of hordings and putting up of advertisement on walls and important places of the respective towns. He said that before putting up any advertisement in the city officers must adhere to the set guidelines so that the city character and its beauty remain intact. He said that hoarding at the National Highways must not cause any hindrance to the traffic.
          Prominent amongst other present in the meeting Mr. Som Parkash Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Mr. Suresh Kumar Principal Secretary, Mr. Ashok Gupta Director and Miss Khusboo Goyal Additional Secretary.

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NK SHARMA PROMISES TO MEET THE RESPONSIBILITY CONFERRED BY PARTY

·        warm welcome at party Head office by office staff

Chandigarh, September 1
Shiromani Akali Dal Joint Secretary and newly appointed Treasurer Mr. N. K. Sharma today promised that he would do his best to meet the responsibilities conferred on him by the party.
          Mr. Sharma said that he had started his political career as a village Sarpanch and it was the guidance of party President Mr. Sukhbir Singh that enabled him to effectively serve for people of the state and party at this young age. He said that party’ support helped him to achieve people love and faith in a short period. He said that administrative skill of party President had not only helped SAD-BJP alliance to creat history by repeating the government in the state but also put the state on the path of rapid development. He said that only a visit to party head office can give anybody an idea of his administrative skill. He said that he was impressed by the working of office administrative and media staff which was working as a bridge between party and the government besides strengthening the coordination between the party members.
          Earlier, office staff gave a warm welcome to Mr. Sharma on his maiden visit to party head office after being nominated as Treasurer of the party. Familiarizing with the office staff, Mr. Sharma had a word of mouth with each. The members of office staff conveyed their regards to Mr. Sharma by offering sweets to him.

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Congress president will take final call on the leadership issue in Punjab: Avtar Brar, Darshan Singh Brar, Randip Singh Nabha

Chandigarh: 01-09-12
The three member committee formed to take the feedback from the senior leaders of the Punjab congress reiterated its stand that the final call on the issue of party president in Punjab will be taken by the congress president. The committee will talk to the senior leaders of Pradesh congress and submit a report of the feedback taken to the high command.
Avtar Brar, Darshan Singh Brar, Randip Singh Nabha in a joint statement issued here today clarified that however all the party leaders will participate in the programs issued by the PPCC. These programs are being organized to strengthen the party in the state so there is absolutely no point to boycott the given programs.
The committee will update the party high command about the current political issues of the state too

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Inauguration of NCC academy at Rupnagar

BADAL APPEALS ALL POLITICAL PARTIES TO REJECT THE POLITICS OF VENDETTA AND CONFRONTATION

CALLS FOR CONSENSUS POLITICS FOR THE WELFARE OF COUNTRY AND STATE

PALLAM RAJU ASSURES CM TO TAKE UP THE ISSUE OF RESTORATION OF RECRUITMENT IN ARMY ON CAPABILITY AND MERIT BASIS WITH UNION DEFENCE MINISTER

RUPRNAGAR SEPTEMBER 02:
      Cutting across the political affiliations Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today called upon all the political parties to sink their differences and work in harmony for the overall development and prosperity of the country as well as state.
      Addressing a massive gathering here after the inauguration of the Rs.9 crore NCC Academy over an area of 8 acre by the Minister of State for Defence Mr. MM Pallam Raju along with the Chief Minister, Mr. Badal said that it was the high time for all the political parties to discard the politics of vendetta and confrontation which must be replaced by the politics based on consensus as the divisive politics was absolutely meaningless and could not yield any tangible results for the growth of the state as well as the prosperity of its people.

The Chief Minister asked the political parties of different shades and opinions to come forward to work zealously especially the Congress in the process of development of Punjab right from the grass root level of village panchayat to the state government.  He thanked Mr. Raju for offering an opportunity to all the major political parties viz.
Shiromani Akali Dal, BJP and Congress to share a common platform on this historic occasion, when two state-or-the-art NCC academies, first of its kind in the country has been dedicated to the nation adding in a lighter vein the Chief Minister urged Mr. Raju to visit Punjab quite often to keep this congenial political atmosphere intact.

      On the occasion, the Chief Minister sought Mr. Raju’s personal intervention to impress upon the Union Ministry of Defence for reversing the existing criteria of recruitment in Armed forces, which was now being done on the basis of population to the earlier one based on the parameters of capability and merit to accommodate our youth.
He pointed out that our state had been adversely affected as there was a time when Punjabis dominated the defence services with majority say nearly 50% of soldiers from state besides the top brass.  Punjab soldiers and farmers were known for their patriotism and enormous contribution in making our country self reliant in food production for which Punjab was aptly referred as ‘sword arm’ and ‘food bowl’ of
India.    He said we the Punjabis have inherited the legacy of bravery
from  Sri Guru Arjan Dev ji, Sri Guru Teg Bahadur ji and Sri Gobind Singh ji who made supreme sacrifices and the same tradition and spirit of gallantry was still alive even as today.
      The Chief Minister also requested Mr. Raju to take up the issue of expeditious construction of the North Zone Service Selection Center, to be come up at Rupnagar for which a the state government had already provided a land of 200 acres.
      Mr. Badal hoped that these NCC training academies at Ropar & Malout would prove to be a milestone in the history of NCC and would act as a catalyst to imbibe a spirit of bravery and patriotism amongst the
young cadets.   He said that the NCC academy would exclusively impart
training to 3500 boy cadets.
      With the opening of these academies around 55000 cadets from the state would be imparted training to enable them to join Army, Navy and Air force thereby brightening their prospects to choose defence services as their career.
      In his address, Mr. MM Pallam Raju complimented the Punjab government who pioneered in establishing these NCC Academies in the country at the request of Defence Ministry.  He said India was a young nation with nearly 55 million youth falling in this category.  This potent force, in true terms, was our future.  We need to ensure the growth of our youth by empowering them with skills and these skills have to be relevant to the emerging economic environment.  He said that we would need to skill/upskill 500 million youth by 2022.  This was a challenging task and would require fundamental education reform and enhancement of supplementary skill development.  He apprised the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and set up National Skill Development Corporation to facilitate the development and upgrading of skills through Skill Training Program.  Mr. Raju envisioned that NCC could play a major in inculcating the basic core values important for this workforce to be effective and productive which included the values enshrined in the motto of the NCC "Unity and Discipline".
      Responding to the issues raised by the Chief Minister, Mr. Raju assured him that he would soon take up the matter of recruitment on the basis of capability and merit instead of population criteria with the union Defence Minister Mr. AK Antony besides ensuring the speedy completion of North Service Center at Rupnagar. The State Minister for Defence also informed Mr. Badal that he was alive to the problems of ex-servicemen, who constituted a sizeable chunk of state's population in Punjab and assured the best health care facilities besides post retirement employment opportunities to them to enable them to rehabilitate so that they could lead a life with dignity.
      Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion included Health & Family Welfare Minister Mr. Madan Mohan Mittal, MP Anandpur Sahib Mr. Ravneet Singh Bitu, leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Mr. Sunil Jakhar, MLA Ropar Dr. Daljeet Singh Cheema, MLA Chamkaur Sahib Mr. Charanjit Singh Channi, former Minister Mrs.
Satwant Kaur Sandhu.  Besides Director General NCC Lt. Gen. Mr. PS Bhalla and Additional Director General NCC Maj. Gen. PS Mander, Deputy Commissioner Mr. Pardeep Kumar Aggarwal and SSP Mr. Jatinder Singh Aulakh.
      NCC boys and girls cadets from all over Punjab participated in the function and regaled the audience with horse riding skills, bhangra and gidha.  Apart from these the function was largely attended by the people from different walks of life, senior leaders and party workers of SAD/BJP besides members of SGPC.

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Industries Corporation delegation return home from US, finds heavy demand of Indian handicrafts

Amritsar, August 31, 2012

A high-level delegation of Punjab Small-scale Industries and Export Corporation (PSIEC), led by its Chairman Mr. Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina, has returned home from United States (US), after a week-long program to take part in international trade fair at Manhattan in New York.  Having explored the possibilities of export, the delegates found a heavy demand of handicrafts in US and feel that if small scale industry innovate itself, export to US may rise manifold.

Mr. Chhina who along with his Executive Director Sanjeev Bawa, led the delegation, on the directions of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal found huge market for handicrafts items. ``The household items including furniture, decorating pieces, crafted utensils, stones, dresses, carpets and even crockery are in huge demand. As ivory is banned, the US administration allows the camel bones might be used in decorating pieces’’, said Chhina, adding that export of these items might earn foreign currency to the country.

He said the stalls from all over the world and various Indian states were installed and Punjab’s stall was also a major attraction. ``The hand woven carpets and handicrafts received maximum queries’’, said he adding that if export rises the Punjab’s small scale and cottage industry would be immensely benefitted. He said Indian Consulate General in New York Mr. Prabhu Dyal was helpful in arranging an interaction of Indian businessmen accompanying them with the US counterparts which was highly fruitful.

``The US market requires variety and did not like the same kinds of product being produced. If ivory is banned, they want that the bones of other animals including that of camels are perfectly used in the decorative items’’, said he. He further said that on the eve of Christmas and New Year, the US citizen go rampant to buy the goods and we must focus on exploring the export of these goods to US in coming three months. ``The US businessmen are ready to place orders, only we have to fit in their demand and innovate ourselves to produce more attractive items’’, said Mr. Chhina.

He said their delegation was sponsored jointly by Central and State governments and we want the closer coordination with the Union Commerce Ministry to provide a fillip to export of Punjab’s handicrafts to the US and even other Western countries.

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CENTRE GOVERNMENT COMPELS PUNJAB TO LEVY NEW TAXES-CHANDUMAJRA

·        CONGRESS LED UPA FORCES STATE TO IMPOSE TAXES TO AVAIL DEVELOPMENT GRANTS

Chandigarh, August 31 : Shiromani Akali Dal’s general Secretary and Spokesman Prof. Prem Singh Chandumajra today lashed at Congress led UPA for compelling Punjab government to levy new taxes to avail funds from the centre government under various schemes.
          In a statement issued here, Prof. Chandumajra said that Punjab government was forced to impose tax on urban property as Centre government has made this compulsory in its policy of granting funds to state for urban development. He said that if state government refused to impose this tax it has to be devoid of Rs 900 Crore urban development grant by centre government. He said that Centre government has refused to grant a fund of Rs 1100 crore last year for the same reason.
          Describing the Centre government’s act of centralising all administrative powers in its hands as undemocratic and anti people, Prof. Chandumajra said that conditions and instructions imposed by Centre government on state governments while issuing grants could not be justified in any case. He said that there was a strong need of planning at district level rather than at national level because every state has its own geographical, social and economic needs.
          Criticising the formula adopted by Centre government for paying back share in the central taxes collected from the states, Prof. Chandumajra said that on one hand centre government has repeatedly reduced this share and on other hand it imposed restrictions on states to use this.
          Describing Punjab Congress’s cry over new taxes mere a cheap publicity stunt, Prof. Chandumajra said that Congress leaders, who were well aware of reality, were doing so just to misguide the people of Punjab. He said that if the leaders of Punjab Congress have love for state in any corner of their heart than they should agitate at Delhi and pressurize the Congress led UPA government to mend its anti state policies and let states decide how to utilize the funds.
          Challenging Punjab Congress leaders to get the condition of property tax withdrawn from the Centre government in granting funds to the state, Prof. Chandumajra promised that if they succeed, Punjab government would immediately withdraw this tax. He said that not only this but taxes like service tax and VAT were also imposed by state government under the centre government’s pressure. He said that Punjab government has always tried its best to keep the underprivileged sanctions of society out of the circle while imposing these taxes.
          Prof. Chandumajra concluded that the only solution for this problem was to bring a real federal structure in the country and Shiromani Akali Dal along with other like minded parties would outline a program to achieve this goal.

NCC TRAINING ACADEMIES AT MALOUT AND RUPNAGAR TO BE INAUGURATED BY CM AND UNION STATE MINISTER FOR DEFENCE ON SEPTEMBER 2

·        ACADEMIES TO TRAIN 55000 NCC CADETS

Chandigarh, August 31-
            The prestigious NCC training academies at Malout and Rupnagar would be dedicated to nation jointly by the Punjab Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal and Union State Minister of Defence Dr. M. Mangapatti Pallam Raju on Sunday, September 2.
Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that Punjab was the first state in the country to have two world class training centers for imparting coaching to the NCC cadets. The NCC training centre for the boys at Rupnagar has been constructed over an area of 9 acre at a cost of Rs 9 crore and another for the girls at Malout over an area of 6 acre at a cost of Rs 9.80 crore. With the opening of these academies around 55 thousand cadets from the state would be imparted training for joining the Army, Navy and Air Force under one roof thereby brightening their chances to join the Armed forces. These training centers would be milestone in the history of the NCC as they would be instrumental in organizing the national level camps of the NCC in Punjab from time to time.
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SHIVALI SUICIDE CASE
SUKHBIR ORDERS INQUIRY BY IG ZONAL JALANDHAR
v   INSPECTOR BALWINDER KAUR PLACED UNDER SUSPENSION

Chandigarh/Jalandhar, August 31: The Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today asked Inspector General, Zonal Jalandhar Mrs. Gurpreet Deo to conduct a thorough inquiry in the circumstances leading to the unfortunate suicide of a young girl Shivali, the BA student of Prem Chand Markanda SD College, Jalandhar. It may be added that it has been pointed out in media that Shivali committed suicide after being hounded by overzealous cops on a naka led by Inspector Balwinder Kaur, who had allegedly humiliated the young girl in the full glare of media. The IG has been asked to submit complete report within three days so that deterrent action could be taken against guilty.
Meanwhile, Principal Secretary Home Mr. D.S. Bains after receipt of preliminary report of the incident has placed Inspector Balwinder Kaur under suspension with immediate effect.

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PUNJAB TEMPORARILY WITHDRAWS LTC FACILITY FOR A YEAR
Chandigarh, August 31: The Punjab government has temporarily withdrawn the LTC facility for one year from September 1, 2012 to August 31, 2013 of LTC block year 2010-13 under its austerity measures.
Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the government said that these instructions would not be implemented on the employees going to retire during this period.
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Punjab Government ADPOTS tough stanD against fake universities
EMPLOYEES FURNISHED FAKE CERTIFICATES TO FACE ACTION-MALUKA
Chandigarh, August 31:      
            The Punjab Government issued instructions to the district education officers to start departmental action against all those employees, working on the basis of certificates from fake Universities.
            Disclosing this here today Punjab Education Minister Punjab Mr. Sikander Singh Maluka said that written instruction to all the district education authorities has been issued. He said that 21 universities have been enlisted as fake by the university grant commission (UGC). He said that the Punjab Government would not consider certificates of these fake universities while appointing a candidate for the government service. He said that district Education Authority would be responsible for the scrutiny of the certificates of the employees at the district headquarters. He said that District education officers would strictly implement the instructions so that an imposter could not get government service through bogus certificates. He said that universities which has registered as fake by the UGC included :Maithili University/Vishwavidalaya, Darbhanga, Bihar. Varanaseya Sanskrit Vishwavidalaya, Varanasi (UP)/Jagatpuri, Delhi, Commercial University Ltd. Daryaganj, Delhi. United Nations University, Delhi, Vocational University, Delhi, ADR-Centric Juridical University, ADR House 8J, Gopala Tower, 25 Rajendra Place, New Delhi-110008, Indian Institute of Science and Engineering, New Delhi, Badaganvi Sarkar World Open University Education Society, Gokak, Belgaum (Karnataka), ST. John's University, Kishanattam, Kerala, Keserwani Vidyapith, Jabalpur (M.P), Raja Arabic University, Nagpur, DDB Sanskrit University Putur, Trichi, Tamil Nadu, Indian Institute of Alternative Medicine Kolkatta, Mahila Gram Vidyapith/vishwavidyalaya, (Women's University) Prayag. Allahabad (UP), Gandhi Hindi Vidyapith, Prayag, Allahabad (UP), National University of Electro Complex Homeopathy, Kanpur, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose University ( Open University), Achaltal, Aligarh (UP), Uttar Pradesh Vishwavidyalya, Kosi Kalan, Mathura (UP), Maharana Partap Shiksha Niketan Vishwavidyalaya Pratapgarh (UP), Indraprastha Shiksha Parishad, Institutional Area, Khoda, Makanpur, Noida Phase-II (UP), Gurukul Vishwavidyalaya Vrindavan, Mathura (UP).
            He said that the complete list would also be seen on UGC website Education Department has also urged the students and teachers not to attain fake certificates from the bogus universities through illegal means.
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PB TO INCUR RS.1034 CR. FOR POTABLE WATER IN 2481 VILLAGES IN TWO YEARS: VALTOHA

CHANDIGARH, AUGUST 31:
The Punjab Government would spend Rs.1034 crore to provide potable water in 2481 villages of the state. The Government would also ensure that all the 15170 rural inhabitations get an assured water supply of 70 lpppd by the end of December, 2013. It was disclosed by Mr. Virsa Singh Valtoha, Chief Parliament Secretary, Rural Water Supply and Sanitation.
He said that the Punjab Government has chalked out a comprehensive plan for the current year 2012-13 to provide clean and safe drinking water to the villages. He said that under this scheme 600 villages would be covered and 70 liters water per person per day would be supplied. He said that water meter would also be installed, which would check illegal connection and wastage of water. He said that water bills would range from Rs.70 to 100 per month. Mr. Valtoha said that it would be strictly ensured that the presence of uranium and heavy metals in the drinking water should not exceed than the set parameters.
Mr. Valtoha said that in some of the rural areas of the state water supply schemes didn't work and the set targets have not achieved. He appealed the local leaders to bring such cases into his notice so that water supply scheme could be implemented in true spirit. He said that all the District Officers of the Department have been asked to send the status reports of the water supply schemes in 10 days. 
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Govt. doctor caught red-handed for working at private sector

Dr. Navjot Kaur Sidhu, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Health & Family Welfare, Pb.

Dr. Navjot Kaur Sidhu, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Department of Health and Family Welfare today i.e. 30-08-12 visited the hospital named “Amar Hospital Super Specialty and Heart Centre” Sec.-70, Mohali-160071 at 11.33 A.M and got a OPD Slip made by the name “Nafiza”, UHID 3844 and paid Rs.250/- for OPD Slip. I complained of pain abdomen and asked for emergency care. Dr. Sameer Kaushal who is posted at Community Health Centre, Village Kohrian in District Sangrur as a Government Doctor examined me wherein the press (Electronic & Print Media) caught him on camera examining me lying on the emergency bed.

                   On the main board displayed at the entry of the hospital the name of “DR. SAMEER KAUSHAL” was displayed at the top of the list as Chief Medical Officer with official timings displayed as Monday to Saturday 10.00 A.M to 2.00 P.M and  6.00 PM to 8.00 PM. It is a shame that he is practicing openly privately inspite of being in Government service. He visits his place of posting once in 1 or 2 months and put his attendance on the register inspite of dots of absence having put by SMO or Civil Surgeon.

                   I had received a complaint from Punjab Panchayats President residing in the same area that this doctor is never present on duty but still fills the attendance register, has never seen a patient and has never participated in any Health National Programme.

                   I had requested that Civil Surgeon, Sangrur, Dr. Bali on 06-08-2012 to hold a detailed inquiry about him, but because had not received a reply till date, decided to check the Centre myself. His report is being faxed immediately.

                   I would request the Hon’ble Minister Health and Deputy Chief Minister to immediately suspend the doctor just to send a message to the remaining few Govt. doctors who are indulging in malpractices to stop them immediately and not bring a bad name to the most respected profession where Govt. doctors are working around the clock to provide services at par with private sector under the leadership of our magnanimous Chief Minister S. Parkash Singh Badal.

FRESH ORDERS FOR CHILD CARE LEAVE IN PUNJAB

CHANDIGARH, AUGUST 30:

The Punjab Government today issued fresh orders for child care leave for the women employees of the state.
Disclosing this, an official spokesman of the Personnel Department said that child care leave could be availed only for two living children. He said that in case a child is studying abroad, ex India child care leave for the women employees could be given only for two reasons, first during exam of the child and during illness. He said that women employees would also have to furnish required documents for availing ex India child care leave, like; certificate from the education institute and authorized doctor. The spokesman further said that woman employee would have to ensure 80 per cent of stay abroad.
He said that any kind of leave already availed by the employee could not be converted into child care leave. He said that during child care leave, LTC could not be availed.

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INSTRUCTIONS FOR TIMELY DISBURSEMENT OF POST METRIC SCHOLARSHIP TO MINORITY STUDENTS

CHANDIGARH, AUGUST 30:
The Punjab Government has issued strict instructions for timely disbursement of post metric scholarships to the minority students studying in the various schools in the state.
Disclosing this here today, an official spokesman of the Education Department said that District Education Officers (DEO) have been asked to strictly adhere to the instructions of the Education Department, failing which departmental action would be initiated against the erring officers. He said that it would be the responsibility of DEOs to ensure timely disbursement of the post metric scholarship. He said that some of the DEOs didn't encash the cheques meant for scholarship for the year 2011-12. He said that all these DEOs have been asked to send these cheques back to Director, Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes, Punjab for re-validation.
The spokesman informed that software has been developed, which would enable the candidate to send his/her application for scholarship. It could be downloaded from the website www.ssapunjab,org of Sarb Sikhya Abhiyan. He said that District Co-coordinator could also be contacted for filling scholarship forms.

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KOHAR DIRECTS TO ENSURE THE PLYING OF BUSES AS PER THE KILOMETER ALLOTTED TO EACH

Chandigarh August 30:-
To improve the financial condition of Punjab Roadways and Punjab Road Transport Corporation  Mr. Ajit Singh Kohar, Transport Minister Punjab has directed to ensure the plying of buses as per the Kilometer allotted to each.      
While presiding over a meeting of the General Managers of PRTC and Punjab Roadways here at Punjab Bhawan, Mr. Kohar asked them to ensure the maintenance of buses  as per  requirements. He also asked to the officers to achieve the time bound fixed targets of providing quality transport facilities to the people and work with full commitment & dedication. He said that the officers concerned would be held responsible for any delay in public works and would be punished for that.
Mr. Kohar also emphasized the rationalization of Roadways staff. He said that all the drivers and conductors must respect the passengers and misbehavior with the any passengers would not be tolerated at any cost.
                Prominent among others Chairman PRTC Mr. Ranjit Singh Balian, Secretary Transport Mr. Mandeep Singh and MD PRTC Mr. DPS Kharbanda and General Managers of Roadways and PRTC were present in the meeting.

PUNJAB IMPOSES COMPLETE BAN ON TRANSFERS IN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT FROM AUGUST 31
v ONLY SURPLUS TEACHERS WILL BE ADJUSTED- MALUKA

Chandigarh, August 30: The Punjab government has imposed a complete ban on the transfers in Education department from August 31.
Disclosing this here today, Mr. Sikander Singh Maluka, Education Minister said that there would be no single transfer in the department except the adjustments of those teachers who have been declared surplus during ongoing rationalization process. He categorically said that no teacher should approach his office for the purpose of transfer.
The Minister said that number of periods for teachers have been rescheduled under rationalization policy.
It may be mentioned here that according to the new norms proposed number of periods for a Principal was six in a week and if the principal was Cluster In-charge, he would be exempted from taking such periods. Similarly, for Headmasters of schools up to 500 students, the number of periods was 15, up to 1000 students 12, up to 1500 students 10 and up to 2000 students the number of proposed periods would be 7.
In case of lecturers, 32 periods have been made mandatory in a week. In case number of periods were not completed in plus 1 and plus 2 classes, the lecturers would be given junior classes and if then there was shortfall, such lecturer could be given period of those subjects in which he has been promoted. In case of Master/Mistress, the number of weekly periods would be 34. If a lecturer was taking the periods of master cadre then they should be given periods according to the policy. Besides this, number of weekly periods was 36 for C&V teachers.
It may also be mentioned here that in case of any surplus post of any subject, the teacher working on demand post should be relieved but there would be an exception to those teachers who have joined there under rationalization policy in last 2 years. According to the policy, the teacher with longer stay would be shifted. In case of surplus post, any teacher deputed under Sarv Sikhya, RMSA or CSS should be shifted. It has been clarified that teachers suffering from any complicated chronic disease and were having medical certificate issued from medical board of a medical college be exempted from shifting.
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INEFFICIENT AND CORRUPT EMPLOYEES TO BE PRE-MATURELY RETIRED

• PUNJAB TO REVIEW SERVICE RECORD OF EVERY OFFICER AFTER EVERY FIVE YEAR
• DIFFERENT COMMITTEES CONSTITUTED TO REVIEW RECORDS OF PCS, PPS, CLASS A&B OFFICERS
• CLASS C&D EMPLOYEES TO BE ALSO UNDER SCANNER

Chandigarh, August 30: The Punjab government today reiterated its instructions issued under Punjab Civil Services Rule 1975 (pre-mature retirement), asking its all departments to pre-maturely retire corrupt and inefficient officers and employees to tone up the administration.
According to an official spokesman the Punjab government is committed to provide clean, honest, transparent and efficient administration and has decided that under Punjab Civil Services Rule (pre-mature retirement 3(1)(a), the record of every officer/employee be reviewed after completion of 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 years of qualifying service and after thoroughly reviewing the service record, the officer/employee may be allowed to continue in the service.
The spokesman said that to review the service records of Punjab Civil Service Officers, a committee under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary with two Financial Commissioner/Principal Secretaries (to be nominated by Chief Secretary), Principal Secretary of Welfare SCs/BCs as members and Secretary Personnel as member Secretary has been constituted.
Similarly, for Punjab Police Service Officers (PPS) a separate committee under Chief Secretary as Chairman with Principal Secretary Home, Principal Secretary Welfare of SCs/BCs, DGP, Secretary Personnel as members and Secretary/Special Secretary/Additional Secretary Home as Member Secretary has been constituted to review their service records.
The spokesman clarified that for Class A&B officers committees under Chairmanship of concerned Administrative Secretary as Chairman, Head of the Department, representative of personnel department, department of welfare of SCs/BCs as members and Special Secretary of department as member secretary would review their service records.
He said that separate instruction were already in operation for Class C&D employees.
All Heads of departments, Commissioners of Divisions, Registrar Punjab & Haryana High Court, Deputy Commissioners and SDMs have been told to strictly implement the latest instructions.
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PUNJAB BANS JOURNALISTIC ACTIVITIES BY TEACHERS
v ALLOWS ONLY TO CONTRIBUTE PURE LITERARY, CLASSIC OR SCIENTIFIC ARTICLES TO NEWSAPERS AND MAGAZINES
Chandigarh, August 30: The Punjab government today completely banned journalistic activities by government teachers and other employees of education department and categorically made it clear that strict disciplinary action would be initiated against such erring teachers and employees under the provisions of civil service rules.
Disclosing this here today, Punjab Education Minister Mr. Sikander Singh Maluka said that journalistic activities by teachers or other education department employees would not be allowed at any cost and if anyone found guilty of this violation, a strict action would be initiated under Punjab Civil Service rules against him. The Minister pointed out that teachers or other employees would, however, can contribute pure literary, classic or scientific nature articles to newspapers and magazines or broadcast on radio and television. He said that the education department was in favour of grooming talent of teaching fraternity by encouraging them to make their contribution in creation of quality literature besides developing the interest of students towards sciences through their articles on such issues. He said that in this regard the departmental instructions have been issued by the DGSE. 
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• Sukhminderpal Singh Grewal said that trees are necessary to maintain the ecological balance.

ICAR TO SHIFT DMR TO LUDHIANA TO INTENSIFY RESEARCH ON MAIZE PRODUCTION IN PUNJAB
CM THANKS PAWAR FOR THIS INITIATIVE, ENVISIONS MAIZE AS ‘FUTURE KHARIF CROP’

CHANDIGARH AUGUST 29:

            Realizing the paramount significance of diversification of agriculture in Punjab at this critical juncture, the Government of India has decided to shift the Directorate of Maize Research (DMR) from Delhi to Ladowal near Ludhiana.
            Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that Union Agriculture Minister Mr. Sharad Pawar has informed the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal regarding the decision through a DO letter addressed to the latter adding Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) has been asked to shift the DMR to Ladowal on the land adjoining to Borlaug Institute of South East Asia (BISA).
Expressing gratitude to Mr. Pawar, the Chief Minister in a communiqué said the shifting of DMR would greatly strengthen the research on Maize and would be highly beneficial to Punjab and its farmer as the state government was in the forefront to enhance the area under Maize cultivation and considerably decrease the area under Paddy in order to provide farmers with an alternative crop. Mr Badal hoped that this initiative would go a long way in motivating the Punjab farmers to wean them away from the wheat-paddy rotation by switching over to alternate crops in order to give the much needed push towards heralding a second green revolution in the form of diversification of agriculture in the state.
      It may be recalled that Mr. Badal in his previous letter to the Union Agriculture Minister had apprised him about the over exploitation of the natural resources in terms of soil and water of the state up to the danger mark in order to transform the country from food deficit country to the food surplus one by producing bumper paddy crop after the Green Revolution. Of late, the soil has also started showing signs of multi nutrient deficiencies particularly in micro-nutrients. Attributing all the ill effects of the plundering of state’s natural resources coupled with depleting underground water table and the degradation of soil’s quality due to massive paddy cultivation, the Chief Minister had impressed upon Mr. Pawar to shift DMR in the state to promote Maize cultivation as this ‘kharif crop of future’ holds the suitable potential to replace the Rice. 
…

Congress leaders seek CBI probe against Valtoha

AMRITSAR, August 29: Senior Congress leaders from Majha today demanded the Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the cases of corruption against Khmekaran MLA Virsa Singh Valtoha. They said, nobody had any faith in the vigilance bureau as it was running straightway under the directions of the Shiromani Akali Dal.
Referring to the vigilance bureau’s U-turn in his case which paved way for his getting exonerated senior Congress leaders including Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Gurchet Singh Bhullar, Haminder Singh Gill and Sukhpal Bhullar said, they had no faith in the state vigilance bureeau as it had proved to be the hand-maid of the ruling Akali Dal.
They alleged that Valtoha’s corruption was beyond any doubt and still the vigilance bureau let him off just under the pressure of the ruling Akali Dal. Hence, they added, it was important to get the probe done by an indpendent and neutral agency. 

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CM APPROVES RS. 4 CRORE FOR WATER SUPPLY, SEWERAGE AND SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT AT RAJPURA
ASKS DC FOR VIDEO GRAPHING THE ENTIRE PROCESS OF PLOT AUCTION AT RAJPURA
CONSTITUTES 7-MEMBER SOCIETY FOR MANAGEMENT OF TRIPARI COMMUNITY CENTRE

CHANDIGARH AUGUST 29:
            Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today gave nod to sanction Rs. 4 crore for the ongoing water supply, Sewerage and setting up of Sewage Treatment Plant works at Rajpura.
A decision to this effect was taken by Mr. Badal during the 94th meeting of the PEPSU Township Development Board (PTDB) here at Chief Minister’s office.
Taking part in the deliberations, Mr. Badal categorically said that Sewerage and Sewage Treatment Plant works must be given top priority and directed the Deputy Commissioner to review the development works regularly.
The Chief Minister also approved to constitute a 7-membere society headed by Deputy Commissioner Patiala and comprising three each official and non-official members for the management of newly constructed Community centre at a cost of Rs. 2.51 crore over 1.25 acre  at Tripari.
It was also informed in the meeting that several government offices had been shifted to newly constructed Mini Secretariat complex at Rajpura with a cost of Rs. 14.36 crore, whereas the phase-I of Multi-disciplinary academy at a cost of Rs. 8.31 crore had also been completed. Regarding the prestigious Rs. 29.74 crore Rain Basera project, under which 720 flats for the poor families were being constructed, the Board had contributed Rs. 11 crore against its share of Rs. 21.52 crore and Government of India Rs. 4.11 crore against its share of Rs. 8.22 crore.
Reviewing the process of auction to be held for different residential and commercial plots over vacant land of the Board at Bhogla colony, Shaheed Bhagat Singh colony, Partap colony, Guru Arjan Dev extension colony and other places in Rajpura, Mr. Badal asked the deputy commissioner to conduct a auction in a transparent manner through video graphing the entire process.
Regarding the issue of resumption of plots under Pepsu Township Development Board Disposal of Property Rules -2003 of 14 defaulters on account of non payment, Mr. Badal asked the administration to grant them a last chance by giving two months time for clearing their dues.  He also approved to constitute a panel of Advocates to peruse various cases of the Board in different Courts.
Prominent amongst those who were present in the meeting included, former Chief Parliamentary Secretary Raj Khurana, Financial Commissioner (Revenue) NS Kang, Director Technical Education B Purushartha, Special Secretary Housing Prithi Chand, Secretary Revenue-cum-Administrator PEPSU Board DD Tarnach, Special Principal Secretary to CM Gurkirat Kirpal Singh, Director Local Govt. Ashok Kumar Gupta, Deputy Commissioner Patiala GK Singh, Special Secretary Expenditure Dalip Kumar, MD Punjab Water Supply & Sewerage Board Satpal Angrula, Additional Administrator PEPSU Board  Gurmander Singh and MC Patiala Sarita Gera.        
…

Just beginning of punitive tax regime: Capt Amarinder

CHANDIGARH, August 29: Criticising the spate of taxes imposed by the Akali-BJP government in the state yesterday, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee President Capt  Amarinder Singh today said, this was just the beginning of a punitive taxation regime that was going to be unleashed on the people of Punjab in the coming days.

Reacting to the increase in VAT, infrastructure cess, tax imposed on all the properties and other taxes, the PCC President said, this was quite expected as this government was already bankrupt and was now trying to rob people of the state by imposing taxes by deceit after presenting a “tax free” budget in the assembly.

Capt Amarinder reiterated that imposing punitive taxes was no solution to revive the state economy. He said, the government should rather boost the confidence of the investors who can invest and generate jobs and resources. He pointed out, imposing such taxes will only discourage the investors who will have second thoughts even if they ever thought of investing in Punjab. 

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SUKHBIR APPROVES SPECIAL CADRE FOR THE SANJH KENDRAS

• ASKS DGP TO EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITY OF ADDING MORE CIVIL SERVICES
• UNION HOME MINISTRY SEEKS DETAILS OF SANJH KENDRA CONCEPT TO REPLICATE IN OTHER STATES

Chandigarh, August 29: The Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal has approved the special and non-transferable cadre for Sanjh Kendras to create a permanent, dedicated and specialized civil face of Punjab Police.
Reviewing the working of Sanjh Kendras in a high level meeting late last evening with DGP Mr. Sumedh Singh Saini, Mr. Badal said that by establishing 114 State-of-art Sanjh Kendras, the Punjab Police has shown to the whole country that how to project the civil face of the Police. He said that Union Home Ministry was so impressed with the concept of Sanjh Kendras that they have sought details from Punjab government to replicate the same people friendly experiment with all the states.
Mr. Badal said that to make Sanjh Kendras a permanent fixture, it has been decided to create a special cadre for the employees working in Sanjh Kendras with separate working conditions. He said that only computer literate, highly educated, suave youth with professional communication skills in Punjabi and English should be given opportunity to opt for this cadre. He said that employees opting for this cadre would permanently remain in this cadre and their job would be non-transferable back to the police. He said that DGP should work out an incentive scheme to attract best talent to Sanjh kendras. He said that even DSPs, SPs or supervisors of the Sanjh Kendras should be given special orientation courses in Public dealing to project the best civil face of the Police.
Suggesting a special civil dress code for the employees working in the Sanjh Kendras, Mr. Badal said that the dress code should give a corporate look to the employees and the ambience of the Sanjh Kendras should not give a feeling of Police Thana but of a corporate office.
Stressing upon the need for toning up Police out reach centres, Mr. Badal said that Punjab Police must launch an awareness campaign to educate the people regarding services being provided in Police out reach centres and Sanjh Kendras.
Dr. Parmod Kumar, Chairman Governance Reforms Commission, Mr. D.S. Bains, Principal Secretary Home, Mr. S.K. Sharma, ADGP, Mr. Hardeep Singh Dhillon, ADGP, Mr. Manvesh Singh Sidhu, Special Principal Secretary to Deputy Chief Minister, Mr. Ajay Kumar Mahajan, Special Principal Secretary to Deputy Chief Minister were also present in the meeting. 
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PUNJAB TO LAUNCH RAPID POLICE RESPONSE SYSTEM IN OCTOBER- SUKHBIR

• MOOTS TO SEPARATE LAW AND ORDER WING FROM INVESTIGATION FOR SCIENTIFIC AND FOCUSED INVESTIGATIONS OF CRIMES
• ORDERS SHIFTING OF DSPs/SPs IN EVERY DISTRICT WITH FIVE YEAR STAY

Chandigarh, August 29: ‘Rapid Rural Police Response System’ (RRPRS), one of its own kind of intensive rural patrolling system envisioned by Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal would be operational in the first week of October.
A decision to this effect was taken in a high level meeting to review the progress of decisions taken by the Deputy Chief Minister in Police review meeting last month. Presiding over the meeting the Punjab Deputy Chief Minister said that this system has to become a model of Rural Policing as it would reduce police response time to distress calls in rural areas by providing state-of-the-art networking of GPS-fitted fully equipped and manned vehicles with the district control rooms. Participating in the meeting Punjab DGP Mr. Sumedh Singh Saini said that Punjab Police has already received Rs.52 crore sanctioned by Deputy Chief Minister for RRPRS and Punjab Police has already placed orders for 724 high acceleration motorcycles, computer server, hardware and software for Rural Police Control Room and Punjab Police has tied up the loose ends to make this scheme a grand success. He said that Punjab Police would divide rural area of Punjab into 724 traditional rural ‘zails’ with 16 to 18 villages under one zail. He said that 1 ASI would be in charge of each zail and he would be responsible for law and order, patrolling of his own zail. Mr. Saini informed that the total system has been networked and rural police control room would be in total integration with police control room and 3 digit telephone number on the pattern of 108 ambulance would be worked out for RRPRS. He said that by first week of October the RRPRS would be launched throughout the state.
Mr. Badal said that the main objectives of the Rapid Rural Police Response System include immediate and timely response ofpolice to any situation, especially crime, law & order, women in distress, emergency needs of senior citizens, maintaining high visibility of police force and providing comprehensive and round-the-clock security cover in rural areas by strengthening area security. He said that this wing would be headed by ADGP and sanctioned 724 GPS equipped motorcycles, 289 GPS and CCTV camera equipped MUVs. Mr. Saini informed that specially designed motorcycles on the pattern of Scotland Yard would have warning lights, GPS, Walkie Talkie mobile phones, Siren and mega phone re-chargeable torch, expandable baton, holster and policemen would be wearing reflective jackets. Similarly, MUVs of this force have warning lights, CCTV camera, PA system, GPS, Traffic Cones, Yellow warning tape, dragon light, stretcher, first aid kit, multi-purpose police waist belt, reflective jackets, video cameras, mobile phones and wireless set.
Suggesting separation of law and order wing from investigation wing, Mr. Badal said that he was concerned about the shoddy and unprofessional investigation in the crimes being done by the police in the crime cases. He said that police was not focusing on professional crimes as it was busy with the law and order duties. He said that separation of investigation wing, manning this wing with professional police personnel with flair for investigation would increase the successive rate of cracking the crimes besides increasing conviction rate in the courts.
Expressing concern over DSPs and SPs in the districts enjoying long tenures in the same district, he said that long posting of an officer in the same district develops vested interests and asked DGP to start an exercise to shift all DSPs and SPs with total 5 year tenure in a district outside the district to break this nexus. He said that it should be ensured that DSP is not posted in that district throughout his career in which he has completed his 5 year tenure.
Dr. Parmod Kumar, Chairman Governance Reforms Commission, Mr. D.S. Bains, Principal Secretary Home, Mr. S.K. Sharma, ADGP, Mr. Hardeep Singh Dhillon, ADGP, Mr. Manvesh Singh Sidhu, Special Principal Secretary to Deputy Chief Minister, Mr. Ajay Kumar Mahajan, Special Principal Secretary to Deputy Chief Minister were also present in the meeting. 

SUKHBIR OKAYS MULLANPUR EXTENSION PLAN

• NO UNAUTHORIZED CONSTRUCTION TO BE ALLOWED IN PLANNED MULLANPUR AREA
• MEDI-CITY AND EDU-CITY TO BE THE MAGNETS OF DEVELOPMENT
• GMADA TOLD TO DEVELOP NEW TOWNSHIP NEAR ZIRAKPUR AND DERABASSI
• PUDA TOLD TO FINALIZE LUDHIANA, JALANDHAR, AMRITSAR AND BATHINDA EXTENSION PLANS

SAS Nagar (Mohali), August 29: The Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal has Okayed the extension plan of Mullanpur paving the way for developing this area as magnet for futuristic development.
Presiding over a meeting of Punjab Urban Development Authority late last evening, Mr. Badal said that Mullanpur Township has to be developed as a futuristic township with state-of-the-art facilities. He said that the road grid of the Mullanpur city has to be in total synchronization with master plan and road network should be planned keeping in view the pressure of development for next 50 years. He said that it was imperative that medi-city and edu-city to be developed in the vicinity of Mullanpur should attract world class hospitals and universities in their campus. He said that edu-city has to be developed on the pattern of Oxford University.
Cautioning about mushrooming of unauthorized or non-sanctioned colonies in the Mullanpur planned area, Mr. Badal said that it was imperative for the authorities to check the growth of un-authorized construction with stern hand. He said that no colonizer should be allowed to start construction before getting his plan sanctioned from the authorities and it was for GMADA to ensure that every colony should provide world class road infrastructure besides under ground water and sewerage network. He said that norms for checking facilities should be strictly adhered while monitoring the work of private colonies.
Asking GMADA to explore the possibility of setting up new township near Zirakpur and Derabassi, Mr. Badal said that GMADA has to plan for challenges of future to check the mushrooming of unauthorized colonies. He said that we have to plan for future as with the growing need for housing we have to carve out new townships with ultra modern facilities.
Mr. Badal asked PUDA to put up conceptual plans for extension plans for Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Amritsar and Bathinda at the earliest so that people could be provided houses at reasonable rates.
Prominent amongst those who participated in the meeting included Mr. Ajoy Sinha, Chief Administrator GMADA, Mr. Manvesh Singh Sidhu, Chief Administrator PUDA, Mr. Manjit Brar, Additional Chief Administrator GMADA, Mr. Ajay Kumar Mahajan, Special Principal Secretary to Deputy Chief Minister.

NRI COMMISSION ISSUES NOTICE TO MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS

 CHANDIGARH, August 29
The NRI Commission today issued notice to the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas on a complaint filed by Baldev Singh , who hails from District Moga, but a British Citizen and holds PIO (Person of Indian Origin) card.

A spokesperson of the Commission today said that in his complaint Baldev Singh alleged that many benefits have been given to the Persons of Indian Origins with regard to their stay in India, but they cannot live without having a Gas Cylinder for cooking, for which, one has to apply with a declaration that “I am an Indian Citizen” and since he is not, he could not apply for a Gas cylinder, which frustrates his intention to stay in India for a longer period. He said that the Claimant seeks only relief to the extent that in the declaration, where it was written that “I am an Indian Citizen”, OCI/PIO card-holders should be incorporated.

He said that the NRI Commission issued notice to the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas to look into this issue and asked to file a reply on or before 5-10-2012 , so that PIO/OCI card-holders can be benefited in this regard.
         He further said that a copy of this order be sent to the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs to take up this issue at their own end also, for the benefit of said categories of persons.          

RS.1485 CRORE TEXTILE PROJECT TO CHANGE THE FACE OF MALWA BELT- SUKHBIR
·        INTERNATIONAL DENIM UNITS TO PROCURE RAW MATERIAL FROM PUNJAB
·        TEXTILE PARK TO PROVIDE JOBS TO 1 LAC YOUTH
·        MALWA SET TO EMERGE NEXT TEXTILE HUB OF SOUTH-EAST ASIA

Chandigarh, August 29: The Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today expressed satisfaction over the progress of Rs.1485 crore textile unit coming up expeditiously on 350 acre of land in district Muktsar under the new Textile Park Policy announced by Punjab government.

Reviewing the progress of Textile Park in a meeting with Industry & Commerce Minister Mr. Anil Joshi here last evening, Mr. Badal said that with the operationalization of this unit in Malwa area all international denim units would procure their denim from this company. He said that textile industry was the labour intensive industry and with the completion of Textile Park in the Malwa area there was possibility of generation of 1 lac jobs
          The State Government is hopeful that this policy would help in optimum utilisation and value addition of the home produced cotton thereby adding to the State revenue besides providing employment to the youth. He said that Punjab was making special efforts to boost Textile sector. He said that in order to promote the value addition for this sector, the State Govt. has come out with an integrated textile park policy with a special package of incentives.
Under the policy a Textile Park having composite Textile Processing units from Cotton to Garment may be setup with minimum Fixed Capital Investment of Rs.250 crore in the districts of Bathinda, Mansa, Faridkot, Ferozepur, Mukatsar, Sangrur, Barnala, Taran Taran and Amritsar is covered under this policy.
The concessions available in the policy include 50% exemption from Market Fee, RDF and ID Cess for 10 years or upto 50% of Fixed Capital Investment, whichever is earlier, may be provided on purchase of cotton. It also mentions that 10% land of the total land acquired/purchased by the Promoter for such projects may be allowed for commercial use without payment of any CLU, EDC and License fee charges. The policy also envisages Clubbing of investments in the units setup at multiple locations (not more than 2), on minimum 50 acres of land will be allowed. However, the usage of not more than 10% commercial area in proportionate to the land at each location will be allowed.
Mr. Badal said that 100% power at doorstep with the facility of Power Grid at the cost of the unit in the textile park was the main attraction of the policy. He said that however setting up of their own power plant would be allowed for self consumption.
He said that Water at doorstep subject to availability of Canal water (other than the closer of Canal) after being studied by the Irrigation Department. The cost of the land and cost of construction of the water carriage channel will be borne by the Developer; however no departmental charges of the Irrigation Department will be taken for this purpose. Water charges as applicable will be paid by the developer.
Mr. Joshi said that courses for the skills required by the Park would be allowed to be introduced in the nearest Industrial Training Institutes. He said that each unit setup within the Park will get all the above benefits. In case the Developer, instead of a Park sets up a single unit and fulfils the condition of composite unit, he will also get these benefits. Mr. Joshi said that these incentives will be in addition to the incentives admissible under the Textile Policy of the State Government which are the exemption from the payment of stamp duty on purchase of land and electricity duty exemption. He clarified that implementation period to complete the project will be 5 years from the date of signing of agreement for Mega Project.
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TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TO BE ONLINE----KOHAR
·        MINISTER ORDERS STRICT AND TIME BOUND
                  COMPLIANCE IN HIGH SECURITY NUMBER PLATES

Chandigarh August 29: To ensure complete transparency and accountability in the Transport department Punjab, Mr. Ajit Singh Kohar, Transport Minister has directed the senior officers of the department to do all the day to day departmental work online.
                      Stating this here today while addressing the review meeting of the District Transport Officers (DTOs) and Regional Transport Authorities (RTAs), Mr. Kohar emphasized the need of improving and strengthening the existing transport system in order to provide smooth transport facilities in the state. He has also directed the officers to expedite and monitor the work of putting high security number plates on the vehicles on top priority. Reviewing the ongoing work on high security number plates in the state, the minister asked the representatives, present in the meeting, of the companies engaged for this task, to completed the work within the stipulated time frame so that people do not face any kind of harassment.
                 Addressing the officers the minister asked them to discharge their duties with utmost sincerity and dedication and be extremely polite towards the people who visit them in offices. He said that the government had already fixed the period for the registration of vehicles, issuing of fitness certificates to the commercial vehicles, driving license of motor car/motor cycle, issuing tax clearance certificate, issuing of rout permit or National permit and transfer of vehicles under the Right to service Act.
                  Earlier Mr. Mandeep Singh Secretary Transport presented a complete report of the departmental activities and also sought report from the district officers. Prominent among others who were present in the meeting included Mr. Harjeet Singh, State Transport Commissioner, Mr. Harmel Singh, Additional Transport Commissioner, Mr. Jarnail Singh, Additional Director Transport and all the District Transport Officers of the state.

LOCAL BODIES DEPT. TO CONSTITUTE SEPARATE PENSION FUND FOR PENSIONER: CHUNNI LAL BHAGAT
CHANDIGARH, August 29:
The Local Bodies department of Punjab government in principal has decided to constitute separate pension fund for pensioner of the department. It was disclosed by Mr. Chunni Lal Bhagat, Minister for Local Bodies, while presiding over a high level meeting of the department.
Mr. Bhagat has also issued instructions to all the local bodies of the state to ensure timely release of pensions to the pensioner of the department. He said that no laxity would be tolerated and strict action would be taken against the erring officers/public officials. He exhorted the officers of the department to provide transparent, corruption free administration.
The Minister apprised that special drive has been started to ensure the recruitment on compassionate ground. He said that the departmental heads have been directed to ensure that there must not be any pending case related to compassionate ground. He said that local bodies have been asked to check the problems of water stagnation in the low lying area and health hygiene problems during rainy season. Local bodies have been directed to set up control rooms for monitoring the situation round the clock.
Prominent among others present included Mr. Som Parkash, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Mr. Suresh Kumar, Principal Secretary Local Bodies, Mr. J.M. Bala Murugan, Secretary, Mr. Ashok Kumar Gupta, Director, Ms. Khusbo Goyal, Additional Secretary and Mr. Satpal Angurala, M.D., Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board.

PUNJAB TO FILL 134 POSTS IN GENERAL MIDWIFERY SCHOOLS

• ANOTHER 124 POSTS ALSO BE FILLED

CHANDIGARH, AUGUST 29:
The Punjab Government has given nod to create and fill 134 posts of Principal, Vice Principal, Tutor, Additional Tutor (Intern) in new General Midwifery (GNM) Schools in the state. Besides this, the approval of filling 124 contractual posts has also been given.
Disclosing this here today, an official spokesman of Health and Family Welfare Department said that in accordance with the decision taken in the Cabinet's previous meeting, 6 posts of Principal, 7 posts of Vice Principal, 100 posts of Tutors (50 posts of first year, 30 posts of second year and 20 post of third year), 21 posts of Additional Tutors (Intern) would be created and filled in GNM schools. He further said that 19 posts of warden/Lady House Keeper, 7 Stenographer, 7 Accountant, 7 Typists, 7 Laboratory Assistant, 7 Librarian, 7 Drivers, 14 Chaukidars, 21 Group D, Photostat Machine Operator, 14 Safai Sewak and 14 posts of Helpers for Wardens would also be filled of contractual basis in Nursing Schools. He said that these posts would be filled by the respective institutions taken into consideration the finances available under user charges/fee collection.
He said that these posts have been taken out of the purview of Subordinate Services Selection Board, Punjab. He said that the Directorate, Health Services has been authorized to fill these posts as per the rules and criteria of Indian Nursing Council, subject to the condition that there must not be separate marks for interview to fill these posts.

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PUBLIC ANALYST, PB COMPETENT AUTHORITY TO TEST TOBACCO & NICOTINE IN PRODUCTS

CHANDIGARH, AUGUST 29:
The Punjab Government has notified Public Analyst, State Food Laboratory, Punjab at Chandigarh as the competent authority to test for Tobacco and Nicotine in any product under section 2, 3 and 4 of Food Safety And Standards Act, 2006 and its rules and regulations, 2011. This was informed by an official spokesman of the Punjab Government.

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Punjab Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal would be unable to meet MPs, MLAs

Chandigarh, August 28-
Punjab Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal would be unable to meet MPs, MLAs and the senior party leaders at CMO in Punjab Civil Secretariat and general public at his residence till August 31 due to his prior pressing engagements.  
            Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that Mr Badal would not attend his office on August 30 to meet the MPs, MLAs and the senior party leaders from 11am to 1pm as per schedule. Likewise, the Chief Minister would also be unavailable for the general public on August 29 (Wednesday) from 4 to 6 pm at his residence. However, Mr Badal would meet the MPs, MLAs and senior party leaders as usual in his office tomorrow (Wednesday) from 11 to 12:30pm. Inconvenience caused to MPs, MLAs besides general public was highly regretted, the spokesperson added.

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CABINET TOOK SLEW OF MEASURES TO MOP UP ADDITIONAL RESOURCES WORTH RS.900 CRORE ANNUALLY TO PUT THE STATE ON HIGH GROWTH TRAJECTORY ROLLS BACK 5% VAT ON SUGAR
OFFERS AN OPTION OF RE-EMPLOYMENT TO ITS RETIRING EMPLOYEES FOR ONE YEAR
MINIMUM RECRUITMENT AGE TO BE ENHANCED FROM 37 TO 38
12970 TEACHERS UNDER SSA AND RMSA TO GET SALARY AT PAR WITH REGULAR GOVERNMENT TEACHERS
CHANDIGARH AUGUST 28:
            In a bid to step up the pace of development and streamline delivery of services to the people at the cutting edge, the Punjab Council of Ministers under the chairmanship of Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today took a series of decisions to mop up additional resources and streamline governance.  All these tax proposals would yield about Rs.900 crore per year.    
            Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that the Cabinet decided to offer an option of re-employment for the period of one year to all its retiring employees at the age of 58 years.  This has been done to cope up the shortage of 35000 employees whose recruitment would take about a year’s time. 
            To ensure that the decision does not adversely affect the employment prospects of the youth, the maximum age limit for recruitment to government services would be enhanced from 37 to 38 years. 
            On the resource management side, the Cabinet decided to roll back its earlier decision to levy 5% VAT on sugar.  The government would thus take a liability of Rs.100 crore to ensure that the common man got sugar at cheaper rates. 
The Cabinet also approved the proposals of the Excise & Taxation department which would generate an additional revenue of Rs.400 and loss of Rs.100 crore on account of the withdrawal of VAT on sugar thereby giving Rs.300 crore net every year.  The rates of VAT would be increased by 0.5% from the existing rates.  However, the declared goods mainly food items have been exempted from this hike.  Other proposals include the enhancement of luxury tax on the Hotels and marriage palaces from the existing 4% to 8%, rationalization of VAT on shoes, imposition of processing fee of Rs.800 on VAT dealers and increase in lump sum tax payable by brick kiln owners.
The Cabinet also gave go ahead to the proposal of the Local Government department to levy property tax on the unit area basis.  The tax would be payable on self assessment basis, based on the actual market value of the property to be determined by the municipal corporations/committees in consultation with the concerned deputy commissioners.  This step would generate an additional revenue Rs.180 crore annually.    
The Cabinet also approved to constitute one member tribunal for the quick disposal of land acquisition cases by amending Section 60 and other related sections of Punjab Town Improvement Act, 1922.  The member shall be called the President of the tribunal, who would be a person qualified for appointment as a judge of the High Court of Punjab or be a retired or serving officer not below the rank of the Financial Commissioner Punjab.   The term of the President of the tribunal would be for two years and shall be eligible for the reappointment at the end of the term. 
The Cabinet also approved to amend Punjab Motor Vehicle Taxation Act 1924 for the provision of penalty and punishments against the defaulters for not paying vehicle tax at the state entry points. Buses plying on contract carriage permit or tourist permit of other States entering into the State of Punjab without payment of Motor Vehicles Tax on entry point would be liable to imposition of penalty for the first offence of Rs. 50 thousand and Rs.1 lac for the subsequent offence and subsequently the erring owner or driver of such vehicle would be punished with imprisonment up to two years.
The Cabinet also approved to rationalize the motor vehicle tax on different types of vehicles which was likely to generate an additional revenue of Rs.108 crore annually.  The motor vehicle tax would be levied at the uniform rate of 6% on all types of vehicles besides lump sum motor vehicle tax would also be levied on the transfer of all kinds of vehicles ranging from Rs.250 to Rs.7500.  Similarly, the motor vehicle tax has been enhanced on goods carriage, contract carriage, private service vehicles, tourist buses and vehicles plying on the All India Tourist Permit. 
The Cabinet also approved the proposal of Revenue department for levying the social infrastructure cess for health and education at the rate of 1% on the time of registration of land.  The upper limit for registration fee had been increased from Rs.30000 to Rs.2 lakh.  The increase in mutation fee and facilitations charges at the Fard Kendras and suvidha centers had also been approved by the Cabinet.  All these proposals would fetch additional revenue of Rs.480 crore every year. 
The Cabinet also approved the Mining Policy-2012 for the auction of Sand and Stone mines in the state along with the policy guide lines for the registration & working of Stone Crushers with a clause that Environmental clearance fee would be borne by the contractor.   Number of mines had also been increased to bring down the prices of sand and gravel under the new policy. 
The Cabinet also gave nod for recruitment of 5078 teachers of the Master Cadre and 100 of Art & Craft on consolidated pay of Rs 6000 and Rs 5800 per month for three years on the contract basis amongst the TET qualified candidates. Similarly, the cabinet also approved to increase the contractual pay of 12970 teachers working in SSA and RMSA equivalent to the pay of regular government teachers.  This decision would entail a financial liability of Rs.70 crore on Punjab government and Rs.130 crore on GoI.     
The Cabinet also approved to revive 60 vacancies of the PCS (Executive Branch) cadre, of which 30 would be filled through direct recruitment and 30 by promotion.
The Cabinet also gave approval to fill 250 vacancies of class-IV on contingent paid basis (full time) out of total 460 such vacant posts in police department after reviving these posts.  These class-IV employees would be paid salary of Rs.4000 per month.
The Cabinet also gave approval for filling 292 posts of different categories in the Punjab Home Guards & Civil Defence department by taking them out of the purview of Punjab Subordinate Services Selection Board through a departmental selection committee after following the prescribed recruitment process. 
The Cabinet also approved the creation and recruitment of 23 posts including one Senior Medical Officer, four Medical Officers Specialists, one Medical Officer Dental, 14 Para Medical Staff and three Clerical staff on regular basis for Community Health Centre at Kamahi Devi in Hoshiarpur district.
The Cabinet also approved the new policy of placement/ transfer/ posting of the Medical Officers (Specialist and MBBS or BDS).   All the health institutions have been divided into 4 different categories A, B, C & D depending upon the level of difficulty.  New MBBS doctors would be required to serve for atleast 4 years in most difficult “D” category hospitals or 6 years in less difficult “C” category.  Only thereafter they would be eligible for posting in district/sub divisional hospitals in category A and B.    The cabinet also approved the recruitment of specialist doctors on the basis of both walk-in and campus interviews. 
             The Cabinet also gave nod to enhance the pension of Chairman and the Members of the Punjab Public Service Commission at the rate of Rs.1300 and Rs.1100 per month respectively for each completed year of service as the chairman or member as the case may be subject to a maximum of Rs.7800 and Rs.6600 per month for chairman and member respectively. 
            The Cabinet also gave approved the setting up of Common Facility Center (CFC) for sanitary fittings manufacturers at Mohali through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV).  The SPV has been allotted a plot D-191 focal point Phase 8-B in Mohali to enable the establishment of the said CFC.
             The Cabinet also gave ex-post facto approval to the policy of 3% reservation in the promotions to the disabled employees of Group A, B, C, D w.e.f. March 6, 2011.  Likewise, the Cabinet also exempted the disabled persons from 50% fee charged for direct recruitment test for Group A, B, C & D posts. 
            In an endeavour to create excellent infrastructure in the state, the Cabinet also approved a new bus stand at Rupnagar thereby transferring of 4.54 acre land of Improvement trust Rupnagar to the Depot Manager PUNBUS Rupnagar and 2 acre to General Manager Punjab Roadways Rupnagar.  In lieu of it, 40 kanal land of Punjab Roadways Rupnagar depot workshop and administrative complex besides 21 kanal 9 marla land of existing bus stand of PUNBUS would be transferred to Improvement Trust Rupnagar and PUDA respectively. 
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CABINET CONDOLES UNFORTUNATE SHOOTOUT INCIDENT IN OAK CREEK GURDWARA
OBSERVES TWO MINUTE SILENCE IN THE MEMORY OF DECEASED
CHANDIGARH AUGUST 28:
At the very outset, the Punjab Cabinet today deeply mourned the unfortunate shootout incident at Oak Creek Gurdwara in Wisconsin (US) on August 6 in which six innocent Sikhs were killed. 
Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the CMO said that the Council of Ministers under the chairmanship of Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal shared heartfelt sympathies with the members of bereaved families in this hour of crisis.  The Cabinet also appreciated the US administration forextending all necessary logistic and diplomatic support in providing relief and succour to the families of the victims. 
Meanwhile, the Cabinet also observed two minutes silence in the memory of the deceased and prayed to the Almighty to grant peace to the departed souls besides giving strength to the family members to bear this huge loss.
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SUKHBIR WRITES TO PM FOR GREATER TRADE AND CULTURAL INTERACTION BETWEEN PUNJAB AND IRAN

Chandigarh August 28 – The Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today asked  the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to initiate a dialogue with Iran for  greater trade and commerce interaction between the business communities in Punjab and their  counterparts in the Middle East and West Asian countries. He also sought greater religious and  cultural exchanges between Punjabis and Iran especially in the light of strong heritage going back to the times of  Guru Nanak Dev ji.
In a letter to the Prime Minister ahead of his visit to Iran to take part in the16th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement there, Mr. Badal said , " With the setting up of the ICD at Attari Border, strong  possibilities have emerged for greater trade ties between Punjab and the Middle East,   West Asia and Africa through land route ."  Mr. Badal asked Dr Singh to request the  government of Iran to expedite this process.
   The Deputy Chief Minister also asked Dr Singh to take up with his Iranian counterpart some of the other issues involving the concerns and sentiments the Sikhs and other Punjabis settled in that country.   "There has been a strong feeling in the minds of the Sikhs that some kind of regular cultural exchange to highlight this heritage should be put in place. The Government of Iran should be requested to facilitate this process through issuance of special group visa in coordination with the elected religious body of the Sikhs, the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC), " said Mr. Badal in his letter to the PM, adding that  the Sikhs have strong cultural and emotional bonds with Iran as Guru Nanak Dev ji visited this land during the course of his journey to the Holy Mecca. Guru Sahib interacted closely with saints and seers from Iran. There is also a Gurdwara in Tehran where Sikhs recall this heritage.
   Mr. Badal also pointed out that the Sikhs in Iran had   been requesting that they may be allowed ownership rights on their property and business establishments. "This would give them a feeling of greater security and thus encourage them to place even greater stakes in that country.  You may kindly take this issue up with the Iranian Government, "  Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal asked Dr Singh. .
          Mr. Badal also asked the Prime Minister to convey the best wishes of  the Sikhs and the people of Punjab to their Iranian brethren , especially in the light of congenial atmosphere for the Sikhs in Iran. "It is a matter of great satisfaction that members of the Sikh community settled in Iran have excellent relations with the local populace and are generally satisfied with the respect and affection they enjoy from their Iranian brothers and sisters," Mr. Badal concluded. 
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PUNJAB PROMOTES 11 DROs TO PCS CADRE

Chandigarh, August 28: The Punjab government has promoted 11 District Revenue Officers to the cadre of Punjab Civil Service (Executive) on the recommendations of Punjab Public Service Commission.
According a spokesman of state personnel department those DROs who have been promoted to the PCS (Executive) Cadre included Arina Duggal, Inderbir Kaur Mann, Paramjit Singh, Hardip Singh Dhaliwal, Sanjeev Kumar, Barjinder Singh, Darbara Singh, Varinder Pal Singh Bajwa, Rajiv Kumar Verma, Amandeep Singh Bhatti and Anuprita Johal.

CABINET GIVES NOD TO NEW PLACEMENT POLICY AND APPOINTMENT POLICY FOR DOCTORS

• WALK-IN-INTERVIEWS AND CAMPUS RECRUITMENTS FOR SPECIALIST DOCTORS

Chandigarh August 28:
 In order to provide better health care facilities to the people and bridge the gap of shortage of doctors in the state, a special placement, transfer and appointment policy has been approved by the Punjab Council of Ministers in today’s Cabinet meeting held under the Chairmanship of S. Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, Punjab. The Cabinet also gave its nod for filling the posts of doctors through the procedure of Walk-in-interviews and campus placements for the specialist doctors.
            Disclosing this here today, Sh. Madan Mohan Mittal, Health and Family Welfare Minister, Punjab said that according to the newly formed policy, all the health institutions have been divided into four categories namely A, B, C and D. Category A would include the major cities like Amritsar, Patiala, Ludhiana and Jalandhar etc; Category B would cover semi-urban and urban areas, Category C would have other difficult areas which are not included in category B, while the Category D would cover the more difficult rural areas of the State. According to the new policy, now a basic minimum tenure of service has been fixed for doctors in health institutions falling under each of these categories, i.e. in Category D minimum tenure of 4 years, Category C minimum time for posting would be for 5 years, Category B- 7 years and remaining tenure can be served in the institutions falling under Category A. The Minister further stated that this policy would however not be applicable to those Medical Officers, who have already completed their five years of service as on 1-1-2012. Adding further, he said that once a medical officers completes the specified period of service in a particular category, he/she shall be given some preference regarding their choice of posting under the next eligible category. However, he informed that the first posting shall only be given in the health institutions falling under the Category- D. Similarly, a minimum period of 9 years of service shall be pre-requisite for the doctors for deputations to Chandigarh or other places. 
            Referring to yet another important decision taken by the Council of Ministers, Sh Madan Mohan Mittal said that all the posts of the specialist doctors have been taken out of the purview of the PPSC and these posts would now be filled through ‘walk-in- interviews’ as well as campus recruitments from the Medical Colleges of Punjab state and amongst the doctors pursuing MD courses at PGIMER, Chandigarh. The department would update the status of vacant posts monthly on its website and the special Selection Committee constituted by the government would hold walk-in-interview on the 16th of each month for filling these posts.            The Minister reiterated his resolve to provide better health care facilities to the people and said that with the new policy in place there shall be no shortage of the MBBS and other specialist doctors in the state. 

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CM GIVES NOD TO PROVIDE URBAN PATTERN POWER SUPPLY IN DHANIS COMPRISING THREE OR MORE HOUSES
DHANIS OF BORDER AREAS UNDER THE SCHEME WOULD BE COVERED ON PRIORITY

CHANDIGARH AUGUST 27:

The Punjab Government has now decided to provide domestic power supply on the urban pattern in all the habitations (Dhanis) consisting of even three or more houses across the state.
            Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of CMO said that this decision had been taken by the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal and he had asked the Chairman cum Managing Director Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd. Mr. KD Chaudhary to ensure urban pattern power supply to these Dhanis at the earliest, for which the state government had already sanctioned Rs.75 crore.  Mr. Badal also asked the CMD PSPCL to ensure the urban pattern supply in the dhanis of border areas on the top priority.    
            It may be recalled that the state government had already fulfilled its promise by providing urban pattern supply to the habitations consisting of five or more houses in the dhanis of the state at a cost of Rs.70 crore. 
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BADAL WOO INDUSTRIALISTS TO MAKE HUGE INVESTMENTS IN PUNJAB
FOUR MULTI-SKILLED CENTERS TO BE SET UP IN COLLABORATION WITH A GIZ GERMAN COMPANY TO IMPART TRAINING TO YOUTH

VIDEOCON GROUP FIRMS UP INVESTMENT OF RS.1500 CRORE IN PUNJAB
CHANDIGARH AUGUST 27:
            Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today called upon the industrialists and entrepreneurs to set up their ventures in the state to boost the pace of industrialization and assured all possible help and support to them for emerging Punjab as a front runner state on the country’s industrial map. 
Addressing a galaxy of industrialists during an Investment Promotion Summit on ‘Punjab Calling’ Getting Growth Back: “Government- Industry Partnership for Building Sustainable Tomorrow” organized by ASSOCHAM in collaboration with the Punjab government here at Hotel Taj, Mr. Badal said that state’s existing industrial policy would be fine tuned according to the felt need of the industry because the organizations like ASSOCHAM, PHD Chamber, CII and FICCI could give vital inputs for making further improvements in the policy as these organizations had a vast practical experience and knowledge as compared to government, which could be aptly utilized for making the industrial policy an investor friendly in the right earnest to fulfill the aspirations of the prospective entrepreneurs for attracting huge investments in the state. 
Mr. Badal said that it was a high time for state’s agrarian economy to switch over in the mode of industrialization as agro-processing units have a vast scope in Punjab and interested industrialists could reap the benefits in this regard.  He said that Punjab had an excellent infrastructure network coupled with industrial peace and skilled labour which has made the state as the most preferred investment destination as per World Bank study.  He mentioned industrial sector in Punjab had 31.69% share in State Domestic Product and grew at 8.46% in the year 2011-12 against national level of 7.5% which is a matter of great satisfaction and pride.  Mr. Badal also pointed out that Punjab had also been adjudged the No.1 state in infrastructure development.  He said that Punjab was indeed the most peaceful state in the country where communal harmony and amity were the most redeeming factor to woo investors.  Apart from this, as all of us know, Mr. Badal said that power was the engine of growth of any economy and therefore the state has rightly taken specific initiatives to make Punjab power surplus in the next one-and-a-half-year.  Air connectivity in terms of the upcoming International Airport at Mohali, Sri Guru Ramdass International Airport at Amritsar besides three domestic airports at Bathinda, Ludhiana and Pathankot would certainly accelerate the pace of industrialization.   
Showing deep concern over the heavy exodus of industry from state due to grant of special industrial concessions to the neigbouring states of J&K, Himachal Pradesh and Uttrakhand, Mr. Badal said that he was personally not against these packages  given to these states but at the same time Center should had also extended the same to Punjab.  Denial of this package to Punjab by the GoI for the best reasons known to them had not only ruined our industry but had also adversely impacted it for the times to come.   He sought slew of special incentives for Punjab being the land locked state such as; restoration of subsidy on freight equalization, enhancing the currently 137 items being exported through ICP at Attari Wagha at par with nearly 6000 exported via Mumbai-Karachi sea route besides allowing Punjab to have coal linkage from the existing coal blocks of the country to augment its thermal power generation.
Highlighting the path braking initiatives to propel industrialization in the state, the Chief Minister said 1700 acre IT Park was being set up at Mohali besides five integrated textile industrial parks in Malwa and integrated sugar parks in Majha region.  Likewise, a general focal point near Kapurthala was also being developed to cater the needs of industrialists.  Strenuous efforts have been made to horn the skills of youth by imparting them state-or-the-art training through a network of skill centers across the state.  He said that the state government had signed a MoU with the world renowned German company GIZ for setting up four advanced multi skill centers at Bathinda, Hoshiarpur, Ludhiana and Amritsar at a cost of Rs.250 crore.  He said that these centers would train nearly 1 lac youth by the next four years. 
The Chief Minister lamented that majority of decisions taken by the Center thereby completely ignoring the interests of the states thus showing scant respect to the federalism.  He blamed the Center for usurping the powers of the states contrary to the spirit of true federal structure as enshrined in the Constitution of India.  Even for petty demands like sanctioning of link roads, the states have to look upon the Center, added Mr. Badal. 
On the occasion, the Chief Minister lighted a lamp to mark the inauguration of Investment Promotion Summit. 
Speaking on the occasion, Industry & Commerce Minister Mr. Anil Joshi said that the state’s endeavour was to bring the industry out of the clutches of real estate with a sole objective to allot industrial plots to only genuine industrialists who were willing to set up their units.  He said that concerted efforts had been taken to revive the industry in the state by sanctioning 17 special economic zones and ensuring single window clearances.  We have also enacted the Punjab Common Infrastructure Regulation and Maintenance Act 2012 to enable the industrialists to form their own special purpose vehicles to develop and maintain industrial focal points. 
In his address, the Member Parliament and President of ASSOCHAM Mr. Rajkumar Dhoot appreciated the initiatives taken by the Punjab government in providing the best infrastructure for the growth of trade, business and industry in the state and exhorted the industrialists from across the country to invest in Punjab in a big way for reaping the benefits of its development and prosperity.   Mr. Dhoot announced that his group Videocon International would invest Rs.1500 crore in the state, of which Rs.1000 would be invested in the group’s IT company at Mohali and Rs.500 crore in setting up a manufacturing facility of washing machines and televisions in Punjab. 
Prominent amongst others who spoke on the occasion included Secretary General ASSOCHAM Mr. DS Rawat, Chairman Punjab Development Council ASSOCHAM Mr. Ravi Wig, Co-chairman Northern Region Punjab Development Council ASSOCHAM Mr. Ashok Kajaria and Chairman PSIDC Mr. Onkar Singh Thapar. 
The Chief Minister was accompanied by his Special Principal Secretary Mr. KJS Cheema, Principal Secretary Industries & Commerce Mr. AR Talwar and Principal Secretary Technical Education Mr. SS Channy. 
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PUNJAB GOVT. BANS SALE OF GUTKHA AND PAN MASALA IN STATE

CHANDIGARH AUGUST 27:
The Punjab government today banned the sale, storage, manufacture and distribution of tobacco product ‘Gutkha’ and ‘Pan Masala’ in the state from the date of issuance of Notification in this regard. 
Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the CMO said that Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal had cleared the file this morning thereby approving the proposal of the state Health & Family Welfare department for banning the Gutkha and Pan Masala in the larger interest of public health. The chewing of gutkha, pan masala and other tobacco products was a potent health hazard and responsible for deadly disease of cancer especially of mouth and throat.  Likewise, any other food products containing Tobacco or Nicotine as ingredients by whatsoever name available in the market had also been banned.
It may be recalled that the Punjab Government had already banned the sale and consumption of Gutkha and Pan Masala in four districts of Ropar, Mohali, Amritsar and Mansa. 
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NOMINATIONS INVITED FOR NATIONAL AWARDS FOR                  E-GOVERNANCE

CHANDIGARH, AUGUST 27:
The Union Ministry for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions has sought nominations from all the state governments, central ministry department, UTs, district, local bodies, public sector undertakings, civil societies organizations and industry for different categories of National Awards for e-governance.
According to an official spokespersons these awards have been instituted in the areas of Excellence in Government Process Re-engineering, Exemplary Re-use of ICT-based solutions, Outstanding performance in Citizen-Centric Service Delivery, Innovative Use of Technology in e-Governance, Innovative Use of ICT by PSUs for Customer’s Benefits, Best Government Portal and Specific Sectoral Award: Focus sector for current year: Social Sector Programs to recognize and promote excellence in implementation of e-Governance initiatives.
The Spokesman said that these awards would be presented during 16th National Conference on e-Governance scheduled to be held on February 2013.

PUNJAB BAGS TOP POSITION IN MILK PRODUCTION AND DAIRY FARMING-RANIKE
·        PRODUCED 95.4 LAKH MT MILK IN A YEAR

AFTER RECORD PRODUCTION OF WHEAT,  PUNJAB CREATES NATIONAL RECORD IN MILK PRODUCTION

CHANDIGARH, AUGUST 26

Punjab has bagged the top position in the field of dairy farming with the production of 95.4 lakh MT milk annually.
Disclosing this here today Animal Husbandry Minister of Punjab Mr Gulzar Singh Ranike said that Punjab has the highest milk availability (944 gm per person) across the country. He said that after the record production of wheat 179 Lakh MT during last season, Punjab has also set an another mile stone in the field of milk production.
Talking about the latest report of Union Government about the Livestock, Mr. Ranike said that an average daily milk production by a cow in the state of Punjab was 10.947 kg , which was highest in the country. He said that Meghalaya was on the second spot with 8.983 kg per cow, followed by Kerala 8.920 kg.

He further said that in Punjab Local breed of cows have also produced highest milk 6.501 kg in a day, leaving behind Haryana 4.769 kg per day.

          He said that buffalos in the Punjab have also shown a great improvement in milk production. He said that buffalos in the Punjab have produced 8.585 kg milk, which was also highest in the country.
He said that presently livestock’s has playing an important role in the economy of the Punjab as it was contributing 13 percent in the states income. He said that Punjab Government has set a target to establish 200 hospitals, a polyclinic in each block in the next three years, Besides giving a new look to veterinary dispensaries.    

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PUNJAB GOVERNMENT TO COVER 2481 PARTIALLY /NOT COVERED VILLAGES UNDER SAFE DRINKING WATER PROGRAM AT A COST OF Rs 1034 CRORE

GOVERNMENT COMMITTED TO PROVIDE SAFE DRINKING WATER TO THE PEOPLE @70LPPPD

Chandigarh, August 26-
            In a bid to provide potable drinking water to the people in all the villages across the state, the Punjab government has embarked upon an ambitious project at the cost of Rs 1034 crore to ensure supply of safe drinking water in 2481 partially /not covered villages within next two years.
            Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that the Punjab Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal has already given clear cut instructions to the officers of the Water Supply and Sanitation department to give top priority to the provision of safe drinking water and assured paucity of funds would not be allowed to remain bottleneck in the way of smooth execution of drinking water schemes.  It may be recalled that by covering 10025 villages and habitations, Punjab has emerged as the leading state of the country for providing safe and clean drinking water to the people. Similarly, the concerted efforts of the state government had resulted in providing safe drinking water in 1925 villages partially.  
In fulfilment of its firm commitment to supply safe drinking water to the people, the SAD-BJP government had spent Rs 1424 crore during last five years to supply potable drinking water in 7244 villages across the state. Continuing its spree to ensure regular and potable drinking water supply, the state government has now decided to cover 2481 partially covered/uncovered villages within two years. The state government was also committed to ensure the supply of clean and safe drinking water to the people in all the villages @70lpppd (Litre per person per day) by December 2013.
            Likewise the state government has also focused sharply on the quality analysis of water supplied to the villages through various sources viz. groundwater, canal based schemes and others for detecting impurities in it. Strenuous efforts were also afoot to trace the presence of uranium and other heavy metals from the analysis of drinking water samples collected by September 30. A state of the art Uranium testing laboratory equipped with ultra modern techniques was being set up by the state government in Mohali at the cost of Rs 1.25 crore.
Realizing the utmost need to ensure supply of potable drinking water to the people across the state, the Chief Minister had recently constituted an expert committee to study the different aspects related to supply of safe drinking water besides suggesting corrective measures to ensure quality drinking water free from any health hazard and subsequently suggest a suitable technology and methods of intervention. The committee consisted of Principal Secretary Science, Technology and Environment, Punjab Mr. Karan Avtar Singh as the Chairman whereas Secretary Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Mr. Sanjay Kumar would be its Member Secretary. Apart from them, Advisor and Head of Department of Science and Technology Government of India (GoI), Dr. Prasada Raju, Deputy Advisor Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation GoI, Mr. D Raj Shekhar and Chief Engineer (Central) Department of Water Supply and Sanitation, Punjab Mr. AK Sony were the other members of this committee.
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BADAL MORNS SAD DEMISE OF VETERAN HINDI ACTOR A.K HUNGAL

Chandigarh August 26:

Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today expressed profound grief and sorrow over the passing away of veteran Indian cinema actor Mr. A.K. Hungal (95) who died at Mumbai this morning.
          In a condolence message the Chief Minister said, "Mr. Hungal was a versatile actor and his unforgettable roles in nearly more than 200 films would ever regale his fans for his superb performance. The Chief Minister said that Mr. Hungal was a Punjabi who left an indelible mark on the Indian cinema through his offbeat performance and charismatic personality and would be ever remembered by one and all for his unique performance both in Hindi films and TV serials.
          In the death of Mr. Hungal a void has been created in the Indian Cinema and television which was difficult to be filled, added Mr. Badal.
          Sharing his condolences with the bereaved family of Mr. Hungal, the Chief Minister prayed to the Almighty  to give courage to bear this huge loss and grant eternal peace to the departed soul.
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SUKHBIR GREETS UNDER-19 CRICKET TEAM FOR CLINCHING JUNIOR WORLD CUP
·        VICTORY WOULD INSPIRE BUDDING PLAYERS
·        SPECIAL FELICITATIONS FOR PUNJABI TRIO PRASHANT CHOPRA, SANDEEP SHARMA AND KAMAL PASI

CHANDIGARH, AUGUST 26: Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister, Punjab today felicitated the Under-19 cricket team of India on its historic victory against world’s top Australian cricket team in the final of Junior World Cup.  He said that this triumph would inspire budding stars towards more achievements in various fields.
          Mr. Badal, who is also holding sports portfolio, said that by winning Under-19 Junior World Cup, Indian Cricket Team has proved that Indian youngsters have lots of caliber and talent and nobody could compete with them. He said that it was matter of proud for us that Indian cricket team has won under-19 title third time.

          Extending greetings to the team led by Captain Unmukt Chand, especially Punjabi trinity Mr. Prashant Chopra from Faridkot, Mr. Sandeep Sharma from Patiala and Mr. Kamal Pasi of Amritsar for their hard work and performance shown on the land of Australia.   
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GREAT LOSS TO INDIAN CINEMA: SUKHBIR
CHANDIGARH, AUGUST 26: Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister, Punjab today expressed deep grief on the demise of great Indian cinema icon Sh. A.K. Hangal, who passed away today at the age of 95 in Mumbai.

          In a condolence message, Mr. Badal said described the death of Mr. Hangal as great shock to the entire Indian cinema and end of an era of Indian cinema. He said that Mr. Hangal has a massive contribution to Indian cinema and theater by acting in more than 225 films especially his act as ‘Rahim Chacha’ in world renowned ‘Sholay’ was unforgettable. He said that beside Bollywood, Mr. Hangal also put scores of milestones on television.
          Sharing his heartfelt sympathies with the bereaved family, Mr. Badal said that basically Mr. Hangal belongs to Punjab and he was born in Sialkot (In Pakistan now) before independence. Mr. Badal also prayed the Almighty to give strength to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss and grant peace to the departed soul.

…….

MAJITHIA CONDOLE THE DEATH  OF A.K.HANGAL

CHANDIGARH, AUGUST 26 : Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia, Revenue and Public Relations Minister, Punjab today expressed deep grief on the sad demise of veteran actor A.K.Hangal (95) , who died at Mumbai.
In a condolence message, Mr. Majithia said that with the death of world renowned actor V.K.Hangal the nation has lost a great personality, who brought glories for the country by touching new heights in the field of cinema.
He said that Mr. Hungal was always acted against the social evils through his films. He said that he would always be remembered for his great contribution in cinema.
Expressing sympathy with the bereaved family, Mr. Majithia prayed to the God to grant peace to the departed soul and strength to the family to bear this irreparable loss.

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PUNJAB STATE IAS OFFICERS’ ASSOCIATION ORGANISES “WALK THE LAKE”
PRESS RELEASE

Chandigarh, August 26 : The Punjab State IAS Officers’ Association today organised the event – “Walk the Lake” to show it’s solidarity with the public in combating the social evils plaguing the society besides encouraging  people to stay healthy. Retired and serving IAS officers of the Punjab cadre with their families participated in the event, which saw an attendance of almost 100 participants. The participation was voluntary and the large turnout showed the enthusiasm of the officers to associate with this event.

            Mr. Rakesh Singh, IAS, Chief Secretary, Punjab accompanied by his wife Ms. Vandana Singh not only inaugurated the event but also participated in it. They were welcomed by Sh. Sarvesh Kaushal, IAS, the President of the Association. The event also saw the participation of senior retired IAS Officers including Sh. Rajan Kashyap, who retired as the Chief Secretary of the State and Ms. Rupan Deol Bajaj.

            The walk started at 7-30 AM with the ladies being flagged off, followed by the children and then the gentlemen. There was an initial flurry of excitement with some participants jogging off to take the lead. As the walk progressed and the humidity began to take its toll, many preferred to walk rather than jog. But all of them showed a sense of urgency, to outperform their fellow competitors. And this was most evident among the senior officers who seemed determined to make a point or two to their juniors. One could see retired officers like Sh. H.R Gangar and Sh. Rajan Kashyap jogging past young officers, much to the embarrassment of the youngsters. But there was little they could do as some of them couldn’t compete with their stamina and fitness.

            All the participants were cheered on their arrival and treated to refreshments to replenish the sapped energy. And then, followed the prize distribution ceremony. Mr. Rakesh Singh and Ms. Vandana Singh gave away all the prizes. Karanbir Singh s/o Sh P S Aujla got a special prize for being overall first among all the participants. In the Retired Officers (Male) category Sh. Hans Raj Gangar, Sh. B.R.Banga and Sh. B.B.Mahajan grabbed the first second and third prize respectively while in the Retired officers (Female) category Ms. Tejinder Kaur and Ms. Rupen Deol Bajaj grabbed the top positions. In the Serving IAS Officers (Male) category Sh Aravind Kumar grabbed the pole position followed by Sh. Vijay Namdeo Zade and Sh. Anurag Agarwal. In the Serving IAS Officers (Female)/wives of officers category Ms. Bhawna Garg came first followed by Ms. Namrata Prasad and Ms. Rupanjali Karthik. In the Children (under 10 years) category Pratik, Vedant and Maitreya shared the top honours while Atharva, Malavika and Ishant grabbed the top positions in the Children (Above 10 years) Category.

Speaking to the Press, Sh. Rakesh Singh, Chief Secretary, Punjab, lauded the efforts of the Association in bringing all the officers on a common platform to promote awareness against social evils. He asked the IAS Association to continue to organise such events in the future. He emphasised that IAS Officers had a key role in Governance and the officers should strive to meet the expectations of the public in providing an efficient, clean and corruption free Administrative setup.
Mr.  Sarvesh Kaushal, President of the Punjab State IAS officers’ Association appreciated the efforts of the Organising Committee comprising Ms. Bhawna Garg, Mr. Neelkanth S. Avadh and S. K.S. Pannu in organinsing the event. He made a special mention of the the efforts put in by Sh. Satish Chandra, Vice President  and S. Gurkirat Kirpal Singh, General Secretary of the IAS Association in making the event a grand success. He also appreciated the efforts of all the volunteers who worked hard at the various counters set up for the event. Mr. Kaushal stated that the event is the first in a series of Sporting events being organised by the Association for it’s members. In the coming days, the Association shall organise competitive events in sports/games such as Badminton, Lawn Tennis, Chess, Golf, Bridge and Cricket.

            Mr. Kaushal also thanked HDFC Bank for sponsoring the event. The Punjab State IAS Officers’ Association presented a special memorabilia to Sh. Gobind Panday, Regional Head, HDFC Bank Ltd, Chandigarh in recognition of the Bank’s contribution in making the event a success. Sh. Vineet Arora, Mr. Vikas Kochhar and Mr. Munish Arora from HDFC Bank Ltd were also present.

The Sukhna Lake is a popular destination for morning walkers. Everyday hundreds of people from all walks of life frequent this place throughout the day, The serene atmosphere, pierced occasionally by the cackling of the ducks, is a perfect way to unwind yourself for the day. The morning of the 26th of August seemed no different, quiet and tranquil.
            But contrary to normal days when there is no activity in the wee hours at the Café Lake View, today the place was bustling with activity. There were banners dotting the area containing messages against social evils like Drugs, female foeticide, etc. There were others which called for Conservation of Water and Saving the Sukhna. Yet others were exhorting people to plant trees and protect the Environment.

            Earlier at around 6-30 AM the place began to fill up with people sporting Red T-shirts and bright orange caps. There were registration counters where they got their chest numbers. Sporting these numbers on their chest and their back, they began chatting and preparing for a Walk from the Cafetaria to the Regulator End and back.
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PUNJAB TO SET UP MACHINE TOOLS CLUSTER WORTH RS 83 CRORE  AT BATALA -JOSHI
CHANDIGARH, August 26

Punjab Government has decided to set up a Machine Tools Cluster at Batala with the cost of Rs 83 crore with an aim to develop the small and medium scale industry in border areas.

Disclosing this here today , Industry Minister of Punjab Mr Anil Joshi said that keeping in view the potential of small scale industry at Batala, Punjab Government has already moved a proposal in this regard. He said that it would be a boon for the industry at  Batala besides creating employment opportunities for thousands of youths .

Mr Joshi said that Punjab Government has taken massive steps to attract the investment in industrial sector. He said that Special Purpose Vehicles has been installed for the maintenance of Industrial Focal Points across the state besides that a Handloom Tools Cluster has also been set up at Jalandhar with the cost of Rs 79 crore.

He said that to make the sanctioning process easier for investors, Punjab Government has been directed all concerned officials of Industry department to provide all kind of approvals within 30 days. In the first of its own kind of initiatives, Punjab has started a Sangat Darshans to solve the problems of Industrialists on the spot, Mr Joshi added.   
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HI-TECH LOCAL BODIES WOULD PROVIDE 90 ESSENTIAL SERVICES UNDER ONE ROOF: CHUNI LAL BHAGAT

·       FUNCTIONING OF LOCAL BODIES DEPARTMETN TO BE PUT ONLINE
·       DEPARTMETN ADOPTS E-GOVERNANCE PROGRAM
·       SINGLE WINDOW SYSTEM WOULD CURB UNNECESSARY HARRASSMENT OF PEOPLE AND RED TAPISM

CHANDIGARH, AUGUST 26:
Punjab is all set to provide 90 essential Local Bodies services to the people under one roof by putting the whole functioning of Local Bodies Department online as the Punjab Government has given its nod to implement e-governance program.
            Disclosing this here today, Bhagat Chunni Lal, Local Bodies Minister, Punjab said that after realizing the grand success of Suwidha Kendras, Fard Kendras and Police Sanjh Kendras, now the Punjab Government has in principal decided to provide all essential services of local bodies department through such state-of-the-art hi-tech centers for facilitation of common masses. He said that as per the e-governance program for Local Bodies Department besides state headquarter the functioning of all Regional Deputy Director Offices, Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils and Nagar Panchayats would be online.
            Stating that it would prove a revolutionary and pro-urban population initiative after independence, Mr. Bhagat said that Punjab Government has fixed a time period to provide civic services to the people. He said that the 9 Municipal Corporation, 133 Municipal Councils and other offices of local bodies department would provide 90 essential civil services under one roof through single window system. He said that this system would also eliminate the alleged red-tapism, unnecessary harassment of common masses besides saving time and energy of them.
Explaining about the services to be covered under this e-governance program, Mr. Bhagat said that now the services regarding birth and death certificates, building maps, property taxes, sewerage and water supply connection, building construction approval, health and sanitation services, fire brigade and drinking water services, rent lease, advertisement hoardings, Right to Information Act, Right to Service Act, complaints and their redressal, permission for usage of public places for commercial accesses, construction of parks, parking sites, approvals from tehbazari branch, billboards and permission for organizing public functions on lands belonging to MCs etc would be provided in state-of-the-art complexes at Municipal Corporations headquarters and Municipal Council offices. He said that SAD-BJP government was committed to provide all essential services hassle-free and it was under consideration of Local Bodies department to put all services of department on e-governance project.  
Mr. Bhagat said that the implementation of e-governance project was under progress on war footing and with the completion of this ambitious plan all the offices of regional deputy director, municipal corporation and municipal councils would be interconnected with the headquarter of department. He said that the necessary directions to complete the project within given time frame have been issued to the concerned authorities for the facilitation of general public.
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BADAL SEEKS 1000 CRORE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR DIVERSIFICATION OF AGRICULTURE

ASKS PAWAR TO EXPEDITE THE RELEASE OF RS 5112 CRORE AS RELIEF TO COMBAT DROUGHT LIKE SITUATION 

PAWAR ASSURES BADAL OF ALL POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE IN TACKLING DROUGHT LIKE SITUATION, PATS PUNJABI FARMERS FOR THEIR COMMITMENT TO ACHIEVE PADDY PRODUCTION TARGETS

GoI TO HOLD A TWO DAY SEMINAR AT CHANDIGARH TO CREATE AWARENESS ABOUT DIVERSIFICATION OF AGRICULTURE
 
New Delhi/ Chandigarh, August 25-
                                Punjab Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal today urged the Union Agriculture Minister Mr Sharad Pawar to sanction a financial assistance of Rs1000 crores to the state for creating necessary infrastructure to develop technology for production of alternate crops and their post harvest handling towards a major push for diversification of agriculture.
                                Taking part in the deliberations the Chief Minister, who called on the Union Agriculture Minister at his residence here today, apprised him that diversification of the agriculture was the need of the hour to bail out the beleaguered peasantry of the state from the conventional wheat-paddy rotation besides motivating them to go for other alternate crops by ensuring remunerative returns to them. He said that the institutional and infrastructural support provided to the state would go a long way towards a paradigm shift from paddy to alternate crops. Mr Badal also asked the Union Agriculture Minister to ensure that a remunerative Minimum Support Price for alternate crops may be announced well in advance of the sowing season and an efficient procurement mechanism should be assured for the marketing of these crops, through a designated agency of the Government of India, as in case of wheat and paddy, so that proper marketing of these crops could be guaranteed.
                                The Chief Minister said that these initiatives would help the state to diversify away from rice in wake of its increasing production in the Eastern States including Eastern U.P., Bihar, Odhisa, West Bengal, Assam and Madhya Pradesh during the last three years.  He further said that being an irrigated area, a large number of crops could be successfully cultivated in Punjab, which could easily replace paddy and help in conservation of natural resource base for agriculture i.e. soil and water in the State. Pleading for handsome returns on alternate crops in lieu of paddy, the Chief Minister underscored the need to give atleast 15% more returns as compared to paddy to encourage the farmers to shift to alternate crops. Mr Badal apprised the Union Minister that as the GoI had ensured procurement of paddy at minimum support price, Punjab, conventionally a non-rice producing area, took up its production on a large scale.  He said that the area under paddy which was about 2.4 lakh hectares in 1961 has now increased to about 28 lakh hectares. The State has been contributing about 90 LMT of rice (135 LMT of paddy) to the Central Pool.
                                Seeking immediate release of Relief package of Rs 5112 crore to bail the Punjab farmers out of the crisis following the drought like condition due to deficit rains in the region, the Chief Minister sought personal intervention of Mr Pawar for sanctioning the same at the earliest. Mr Badal apprised the Union agriculture Minister that he along with Union Rural Development Minister Mr Jai Ram Ramesh visited the state on August 10 to have the first hand information about the extra expenditure incurred by the farmers and the state government in sowing and nurturing the paddy due to truant monsoon in the state. It may be recalled the package demanded by the State Govt. includes Rs. 2531 crore  for purchase and arrangement of additional power, Rs. 850.80 crore to compensate for additional cost incurred by the farmers on of high speed diesel, Rs. 893.49 for conversion/rescheduling of cooperative credit, Rs. 300 crore on account of additional ground water Irrigation, Rs. 300 crore for restoration of capacity and installation of alternative tube-wells, Rs. 211.60 crore for arrangement of feed and fodder for livestock sector and Rs. 26 crore for drinking water supply.
                                Besides this, the Chief Minister also demanded a bonus of Rs 100 per quintal for paddy over and above the MSP which itself needed significant upward revision. The State had already demanded a MSP of Rs1650 per quintal for paddy in view of the increase in prices of fertilizers, diesel, labour etc. Likewise, the MSP of cotton should be raised by Rs 500 per quintal over and above the MSP announced this year. A drought relief of Rs. 200 per quintal for maize may be provided. The GoI should direct the Public Sector Banks to reschedule the repayment of loans from Short Term to Medium Term and a subvention to compensate them for additional burden of interest due to such conversion of loans may also be provided.  
                                Responding to the demands put forth by the Chief Minister, Mr Pawar assured him that GoI would extend all possible help and support to the state in this hour of crisis. On the issue of diversification of agriculture the Union Minister assured Mr Badal that the GoI would help Punjab financially for diversifying to alternate crops. Showing concern for motivating the Punjab farmers towards diversification, Mr Pawar informed the Chief Minister that a two day seminar was being organized at Chandigarh from September 28-29 to create awareness about the significance of the much needed push towards heralding a second green revolution in the form of diversification of agriculture.
                                The seminar would be addressed by the senior officers of Agriculture department of GoI besides eminent agriculture experts and scientists from the country to apprise the officers of the Punjab government, progressive farmers of the state and researchers of Punjab Agriculture University about the significance of agriculture diversification especially in the context of Punjab on one hand and to evolve the consensus on this vital issue on the other. Regarding the subvention of the loan Mr Pawar assured the Chief Minister that he would soon take up the matter with the Union Finance minister Mr P Chidambaram. He also appreciated the efforts of the brave Punjab farmers for their outstanding contribution in making the country self reliant in food production and hoped that this year also they would replicate the same despite the vagaries of weather.
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YOUTH SHOULD COME FORWARD TO COMBAT SOCIAL MENACES: MAJITHIA
·       SHOULD CONVERT THE DREAMS OF GREAT MARTYRS INTO REALITY

CHANDIGARH, AUGUST 25: Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia, Information and Public Relations Minister, Punjab today urged the youth to come forward in true spirit to combat the social evils by following the footsteps of great Indian icons.
          Presiding over a function organized for motivating youth icons of Northern Region here, Mr. Majithia laid stress on the need for active participation of our youngsters in the campaigns and movements against social menaces. He said that it would be helpful for us to build a strong nation and for the development of country in all spheres. Mr. Majithia called upon the education faculty and parents to increase the participation of youngsters in the social activities to spread a massive message to fight against the wrongdoings in the system including corruption, drug addiction, dowry, female foeticide.
          Mr Majithia also called upon the young generations to convert the dreams envisioned by Shaheed Bhagat Singh and other great martyrs and freedom fighters into reality to enjoy the real independence. “Any individual, who has positive impact on the society, is an icon and to my mind every individual should stride hard to be an icon as India is a young nation having very bright future. But it all depends how actively our young generation takes part in nation building. I urged all the youngster to actively participate for this cause as our patriots restless efforts became India an independent nation,” Mr. Majithia quipped.
          Describing Youth Welfare Board, a boon, constituted by Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, the Minister said that by setting up of such platforms for the welfare of youth, we can channelized the energy and caliber of them in a positive way. He said that Punjab Government has facilitated more than 1.25 lakh youth with employment in various public sectors to bring more efficiency in the government functioning. He said that we should launch collective efforts on war level to utilize the talent of youth properly for the betterment of society, states and country.
          On being asked about his inspirational icon, Mr. Majithia said that all those people who inspire and motivate the people in positive direction and leave imprint on the minds leave a constructive impact like Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar etc are the inspirational sources for all of us. He also exhorted the budding stars and the established icons to encourage the young generations by adopting their expertness in the respective fields for building of strong nation.
          Honouring the under 30 young icons, Mr. Majithia said that the youth of our country should get motivation from the hard works of these budding stars to brush aside the threats to society.
          Meanwhile he also announced all possible help from the Punjab Government for youngsters in the direction of development and betterment of state and country besides tackling all social evils.
          Prominent amongst those were present on the occasion Actress Gul Panag, Miss India 2012 Vanya Mishra, Writer Kanika Dhillon and Actor Kunal Kapoor, Comedian Kapil Sharma.

OPPOSITION STALLS SEESIONS OVER CORRUPTION ISSUES: HARSIMRAT BADAL
·        VISITS SITES OF MEDICAL CAMPS ORGANISED UNDER NANHI CHAAN CAMPAIGN

MANSA/Chandigarh AUGUST 25: Mrs. Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Member Parliament from Bathinda, today slamming the  corrupt Congress led UPA Government over controversy on the issue of ‘Coal Blocks Allocation’, said that it was the result of rampant corruption right under the nose of Congress led UPA government that the session has been stalled for THE entire week.

          Mrs. Badal, who was here to review the status of ongoing projects under ‘Nanhi Chaan’-a campaign against social menaces, said that Congress has been brought to book in the session for scams, which took place during last few years but now the latest is Coal Blocks Allocations (CBA). She said congress has no answer in this regard instead of misguiding the nation by giving false statements. She said that there was a long series of corruption cases, which have been unfolded every months, whether it was 2G Scam or Coal Blocks Allocation controversy.
         
          Answering a query, Mrs. Badal said that Congress led UPA Government was trying its level best to save its image from constant over CBA and the Union Ministers were repeatedly claiming that there was no loss due to CBA, which are sheer misleading statements.  Mrs. Badal also demanded a fair inquiry and necessary action over the issue and said that Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh should clear the position regarding CBA besides initiating war level steps on national level for the welfare of common masses. She said that Congress remained answerless in the session on the issue of inflation, corruption cases and issues pertaining to general public.  

          Mrs. Badal also visited the villages Joga and Jhunir, where medical check-up camps were organized under Nanhi Chaan campaign. She also assured the people residing in remote areas of the district that the SAD-BJP government is committed to provide better health facilities besides upgraded educational infrastructure to uplift their living standard.

          Welcoming and congratulating team of Punjabi Doctors from United States, Mrs. Badal said that she was pleased to know that in future more Punjabi doctors from America would come to our state for providing free treatment to the poverty stricken people.  She said that all the medicines would be given free of cost and Civil Surgeon has been directed to arrange ultrasound mobile van at the camp site.
          Prominent amongst those were present on the occasion included Member Parliament Mr. Balwinder singh Bhundar, MLA Mansa Mr. Prem Mittal, Budhlada MLA Chattin Singh Samao and Deputy Commissioner Mr. Amit Dhaka. 

PUNJAB TO FORMULATE CULTURAL POLICY-PHILLAUR
ANTI PIRACY CELL TO BE STRENGTHENED

Chandigarh, August 23: Mr. Sarwan Singh Phillaur, Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Punjab emphasized the need of preserving and promoting rich cultural heritage of Punjab by taking certain strategic decisions involving various renowned Punjab related Intellectuals, Writers & Artists from across the country and abroad.
            While presiding over a high level meeting of the officers of the department and renowned artists of Punjab, Mr. Phillaur said that the Punjab Government has already chalked out extensive plan to formulate Cultural Policy aiming at  curbing the practice of piracy of Punjabi music by making and enforcing the related law. He regretted the vulgar words/lyrics used in the various latest songs by some particular singers these days and also the obscenity in the video content of Punjabi songs and movies diverting the mind and actions of youth from the basic ethos of Punjab. The real Punjabi culture lies in the folk songs, folk instruments, drama, literature and the rich heritage of Punjab, said Mr. Phillaur. A censor board for screening the content shown in videos and the lyrics would be set up so that the censored content reaches the public, said Mr. Phillour
            A step forward towards checking the audio-video piracy, the Minister said that Punjab government would strengthen the already constituted state level anti piracy cell headed by IGP/Crime for ensuring proper coordination and the multi-pronged action against Audio/Video Piracy. He said that the state government had been receiving a large number of complaints from genuine manufacturers and producers of Audio/ Video cassettes, CDs regarding large scale unauthorized copying and sale of this material by certain unscrupulous and anti-social elements.
            Speaking on the occasion, Mr. S.S.Channi, Principal Secretary Cultural Affairs said that with a view to encouraging youth towards preserving and promoting rich cultural values, the Cultural Affairs department together with the department of Education would organize workshops, fairs, events, etc. being organized at various schools and colleges of Punjab.
         Dr. Karamjit Singh Sra, Director Cultural Affairs mentioned that the meeting held will prove to be a turning point and a milestone for the Culture of Punjab. He also mentioned that the Government is very serious about conserving and promoting the culture and was happy and satisfied that not only in Afghanistan, but in Goa, Mumbai and across the globe the Punjabi music is people’s favorite. He also assured that such meetings would take place on regular basis to keep the follow up on the suggestions and to improvise and add more ideas and suggestions to make things flow more effectively.
   Famous Singer and Chairman, Mohali Planning and Development Board, Mr. Harbhajan Mann said, the children and youth of Punjab need to be to be guided thoroughly about the rich cultural heritage of our state and deflect them from listening vulgar music. He also suggested that renowned artist and noted singer Gurdas Mann should be made the brand ambassador of Punjab to promote culture of Punjab across the country and world. He also suggested, various cultural melas/fairs should be organized and the new and upcoming artists should be given a platform to perform in such melas along with the legendary ones.
            S. Balvir Singh Ghunas, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Ravel Singh from Delhi, Vice Chancellor of GNDU, Amritsar, Dr. Inderjit Singh, renowned folk artist S. Pammi Bai, Dr. Sarabjit Kaur Sohal, Sh. Raj Brar from Mumbai, S. G. S. Sandhu from Ferozepur also present in the meeting and stressed on the need of constituting a cultural policy and strengthening the anti-piracy Law.

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Rs.150 CRORE TO BE SPENT FOR REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE OF NATIONAL HIGHWAYS: SHARANJIT DHILLON

• 9 HIGH LEVEL BRIDGES WORTH Rs. 182 CRORES WOULD BECOME OPERATIONAL BY DECEMBER NEXT YEAR

• CONSTRUCTION OF 4 LANE ROADS ON 4 NATIONAL HIGHWAYS WOULD BE COMPLETED BY MARCH 2014

CHANDIGARH, AUGUST 23: The Punjab Government has approved a budget of Rs. 150 crore for the purpose of repair and maintenance of National Highways in the state for the current session 2012-13.

Disclosing this here today, PWD Minister Mr. Sharanjit Singh Dhillon said that this was decided in a high level meeting, which was held to review the status of ongoing construction works of 4/6 roads in the state. He said that besides issuing directions to the concerned officials to monitor the work properly, it has also been asked to the contractors to complete the constructions within stipulated time frame. 

Mr. Dhillon said that the construction of 4/6 lanes at National Highways including Shambhu-Jalandhar, Pathankot-Amrtisar, Ludhiana-Talwandi Bhai and Bhogpur-Mukerian was on full swing and these highways would become operational by the end of March 2014. He said that the Punjab Government has also directed the contractors and concerned officials of PWD to expedite the work  of under construction 9 high-level bridges-a Rs 182 crore project, including Mattewara bridge on Satluj river between Rahon (Nawan Shahr) and Mattewara, two bridges in Ropar district on Sarhind Canal and Satluj River, Makhu-Ferozepur Bridge over Satluj River, a multi lane high level bridge in Amritsar district, Samana-Gulla Road bridge and Muradpur Bridge in Tarn Taran district. The Minister informed that these bridges would be operational by December 2013.

The Minister also informed that the construction work of 4/6 lanes of Zirakpur-Patiala, Patiala-Bathinda National Highways would start by next month while the construction of 4/6 lanes on Sri Amritsar-Sri Ganga Nagar and Jalandhar-Jind National Highways would start by October next year. He said that the duo projects would be completed by October 2016

Reiterating the commitment of SAD-BJP Government for the constant development of basic infrastructure in the state, Mr. Dhillon said that the continuity of converting the busy roads into 4/6 lanes, construction of ROB/RUB and High Level Bridges would remain in process. He said that the SAD-BJP Government had spent Rs. 350 crores to make 4/6 lane on a total 405 kilometer roads in the state besides construction of 25 ROB/RUBs.
  

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PB GOVT ISSUES NEW INSTRUCTIONS FOR INCOME TAX DEDUCTION

• DDOS MADE RESPONSIBLE FOR REGULAR DEDUCTION OF INCOME TAX FROM EMPLOYEES' SALARY

CHANDIGARH, AUGUST 23:
         
The Punjab Government has issued new set of instructions for the deduction of income tax from employees' salary. DDOs (Drawing and Disbursement Officers) were made responsible for the regular deduction of income tax and to deposit it to Income Tax Department.
Disclosing this here today, an official spokesman of the General Administration Department said that all the officials/officers, whose salary through all means is more than Rs.2 lakh in the financial year 2012-13, should furnish the information on prescribed Performa by 15 September, 2012. He said that the employees should also mention the tax relief-able savings in given column of the Performa. He said that this information would enable the authorities to deduct the income tax in equitable installments.
The spokesman clarified that the any employee, who wished to change the GPF subscription for the year 2012-13, he could get it done in the salaries of months March and October. He said that this information should reach the office by 10th of above mentioned months. He said that in the absence of this required information, the income tax would be deducted every month on average in equitable installments. He further said that as par the guidelines of Income Tax Act, this income deduction from the salary would be the responsibility of DDOs.
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EXPENDITURE ON ELECTRICITY AND WATER BE WITHIN ALLOCATED BUDGET

• FINANCE DEPARTMENT ISSUED WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS  

CHANDIGARH, AUGUST 23:
            The Punjab Government issued directions to all the departments to restrict the spending on power and water bills on the premises within the allocated budget limit as no further enhancement in the budget would be allowed to any office.
Disclosing this here today, an official spokesman of the Finance Department said that all the departments have been asked to pursue austerity measures while spending money from their allocated budget for the year 2012-13. He said that departments have been instructed to meet their expenses of water and electricity with allocated budget and no additional budget would be provided for such things.

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PUNJAB GOVERNMENT STRIVES TO ENSURE TRANSPARENCY IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF FERTILIZERS TO COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES THROUGH SMS ALERT
Chandigarh, August 22, 2012

            In a bid to bring transparency and check the malpractice of black marketing in the distribution of fertilizers in the open market, the Punjab government has evolved a SMS system to share information regarding the distribution of fertilizers amongst the members of cooperative societies.
            Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that the decision to this effect has been taken by the Cooperation department after seeking directions from the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal for ensuring absolute transparency in the entire process of fertilizer distribution. The new SMS system was aimed at bringing efficiency in the existing procedure of distribution on one hand besides ensuring the governance reforms in Cooperation department. This scheme was successfully implemented on trial basis in Sri Muktsar Sahib, Bathinda and Jalandhar districts where around 10,000 SMSes were sent to the members of the cooperative societies to update them about the status of the fertilizers.
According to this new technique 10-20 members each from nearly 4000 cooperative societies of the state were shortlisted by the department and their relevant details were forwarded to the service providers for SMS service.  However in order to widen the scope of scheme the government has now decided to send SMSes to 50 members of each society. Asc a part of this unique program, the mobile numbers of about 71000 members have been fed into the system by Spice Digital limited, the service provider agency which has been selected and entrusted with this task by PUNCOFED. Under this system SMSes would be sent by the fertilizers distributing agencies viz. MARKFED and IFFCO to the nominated service provider immediately after the trucks were dispatched from rack point to the societies. These SMSes would be in turn forwarded by the service provider to the members of the concerned societies so that they could be updated about the latest status of the fertilizers supply and could get it in time. The spokesperson further said that the information regarding the advance stock of the DAP and other fertilizers to be allocated to the societies in the coming Rabi season would also intimated to the members through SMS service.
Newly evolved SMS service would not only help the cooperative societies in keeping a strict vigil over the uniform distribution of fertilizers but would also be instrumental in ensuring better supervision and coordination amongst the agencies and the societies through the specially designed software, the spokesperson added.
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 PRINCIPAL SUSPENDED ON THE CHARGE OF FINANCIAL IRREGULARITIES
CHANDIGARH, AUGUST 22:
          The Punjab Government today placed the services of Principal Gurjinder Singh Grewal of Government Senior Secondary School, Bhadson, Patiala under suspension with immediate effect besides asking District Education Officer (Senior Secondary) to get a case register against the principal.
          According to an Official spokesperson, on the directions of Director General School Education Mr. Kahan Singh Pannu had ordered an enquiry against Mr. Grewal. He said that enquiry officer Deputy State Project Director Mr. Gurmej Singh Kainth has found financial irregularities committed by Principal Grewal during enquiry and on the basis of enquiry report Mr. Grewal has been suspended with immediate effect.
          The Spokesperson said that it had come to the notice of DGSE that the suspended principal has been drawing the salary of his wife Malwinder Kaur, who is also a teacher in the same school and has been absent from her duty for a long time. He said that the enquiry team has found that the principal has been drawing the salary of absent teacher on his own behalf committing grave financial irregularities by misusing his official powers. He said that the enquiry team has also found that the principal has also drawn the amounts from the GPF of his wife, who was in Canada for last few months.
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222 MIDDLE SCHOOLS UPGRADED TO ENSURE UNIVERSAL ACCESS OF SECONDARY EDUCATION-MALUKA

• Govt. would spent 369 crore
• Punjab to ensure a secondary school within 5 k.m. radius

·         
Chandigarh August 22: With a view to achieve the goal of universalisation of secondary education (USE) in the state, The Punjab Government is ahead in the implementation of Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan scheme (RSMA) aimed at expanding and improving the standards of secondary education for classes VIII to X by ensuring a secondary school within a radius of 5 km for every neighborhood.
            Disclosing this here today Education Minister Punjab Mr. Sikandar Singh Maluka said that under the RMSA, the Education department has upgraded 222 middle schools to secondary schools in deficit areas of the state with a vision to make good quality education available, accessible and affordable to all students  in the age group of 14-18 years. “This project is for the bright future and careers of the children visualizing attainment of 75% Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) by 2012-13 and 100% GER by 2016-17 ensuring universal access of secondary education by 2017 and universal retention by 2020, added Mr. Maluka.
            Mr. Maluka said that the Punjab State was included in the four states approved by the Central Government for the year 2012-2013 to implement RMSA. “For this the state government would spend Rs. 369 crore to provide inputs in terms of additional classrooms, teachers and other facilities in these upgraded schools to meet the challenges, he added.
            The Minister expressed said that after successful implementation of this centrally sponsored scheme by five years, the State Government would continue all the upgraded schools in the state. Allying the apprehension of privatization of RMSA schools, he categorically said that it was the responsibility of the State to provide education to the educationally backward and economically weaker sections including other marginalized categories of the society especially the girls and disabled children residing in rural areas.
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PUNJAB GOVERNMENT SETS UP ANTI RAGGING CELL
CHANDIGARH, AUGUST 22:
The Punjab Government today set up Anti-Ragging cell to curb the menace of ragging in Technical Education Institutions of the state.
Technical Education and Industrial Training Minister of Punjab Mr. Anil Joshi today said that the new cell has been set up at Director Technical Education in the Technical Education Bhavan situated at Chandigarh.
He said that the Punjab Government has taken all required steps to stop the ragging as it was declared a crime by the Apex Court of India. He said that anti ragging committees has already been set up in all the technical education institutions including teachers and parents of students as members. Any ragging victim students can calls on anti ragging committees in their concerned institution or directly to Anti ragging cell at Director Technical Education at Chandigarh, he added.
Mr Joshi said that the victims can call on @AGB-E@BBCCB and mobile no 9501001578, 9814804321 for to file their complaint against ragging. Besides that students would also be able to file their complaint via E-mailcomputer_section_dte@yahoo.com. He further said that UGC has also set up toll free no 1800-180-5522 and helpline@antiragging.in to file any complaint regarding the ragging.
The Minister said that Punjab Government has issued strict instructions to all the concerned officials to implement the anti ragging guidelines in true manner in all educational institutions and a strict action would be taken against the Institutions failing to follow the instructions in this regard.

PUNJAB CONSTITUTES HIGH POWERED COMMITTEE TO SENSITISE PEASANTRY
CHANDIGARH, AUGUST 22:
The Punjab Government today constituted a state level ‘Agriculture Mass Media Monitoring Committee with a view to make aware and educate the state’s peasantry to meet the emerging challenges in Agriculture Sector using mass media.
An official spokesman said that the committee would be headed by the Financial Commissioner, Development while Director, Agriculture would be the Secretary of the committee. The committee would approve the policy and broad guidelines for content creation for the LPTs/HPTs and FM stations of All India Radio.
He said that Committee would lay down the broad guidelines indicating the directions and the content creation would be monthly basis. He said that headquarter of the committee will be at Chandigarh and the term of non official members of the committee will be for three years.
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ADOPT PROACTIVE APPROACH FOR OFFICIAL FUNCTIONING AND PUBLIC DEALING: PUNJAB ENJOINED UPON ITS OFFICERS

CHANDIGARH, AUGUST 19: The Punjab Government today enjoined upon its officers to conclude the public dealings and official functioning within stipulated time frame with a view to strengthen cooperation between general public, concerned departments of Union Government and the Punjab Government. 

          Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson said that this was decided in a high-level attended by all Administrative Secretaries presided over by Mr. Rakesh Singh, Chief Secretary, Punjab. He said that necessary instructions have been issued to all Revenue Commissioners, Principal Secretaries and Administrative Secretaries in this regard. He said that all the officers of various departments have been asked to adopt proactive approach for official functioning and public dealing. He said that all the departments of Punjab were also directed to establish maximum cooperation with its counterparts in the Union Government so that the center schemes can be vigorously implemented.

          The Spokesperson said that this was also decided in the meeting that all Cabinet agenda should also be sent only after interdepartmental deliberations with not only the Personnel and Finance but also with other concerned departments. He said that Cabinet agenda pertaining to creations of posts must be first screened by committee of officers headed by Chief Secretary as per the instructions of circulated earlier.
         
          He said that in future the Administrative Secretaries of all the departments would have to submit their detailed report on one page with Chief Secretary after reviewing the monthly report submitted by department in the cases needed immediate action. He said that besides this all Administrative Secretaries would also ensure the conduction of quarterly meetings of their respective departments and they would have to send the reports to Cooperation Wing in this regard.

The Spokesperson informed that all Administrative Secretaries would have to take a monthly review of pending court cases of Punjab Government and would also appoint Nodal Officers, who could ensure weekly review in such cases. He said that Information Technology Department was also directed to create a pool of e-mail IDs of all Administrative Secretaries and intimate user ID and password to them besides preparing a directory of such addresses including field officers as per the discussions in the meeting.

CHANDIGARH, AUGUST 19:
The Punjab Government today formed 8 'Metropolitan Planning Committees' for the overall and constant development in urban belts of the state.
          Mr. Chunni Lal Bhagat, Local Bodies Minister, disclosing this, said that the Punjab Government has formed these 8 metropolitan committees for the proper execution of development projects besides to monitor the progress of projects. He said that these committees have been formed in the districts including Ajit Garh (Mohali), Amritsar, Patiala, Bathinda, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Moga and Pathankot. He said that all MLAs and MPs of the district concerned, all Presidents of the Municipalities,Mayors of the Municipal Corporations in the district, Principal Secretary to Government of Punjab, Department of Local Government or his nominee not below the rank of Additional Secretary Local Government, Principal Secretary to Government of Punjab, Department of Finance or his nominee not below the rank of Additional Secretary, Finance, Principal Secretary to Government of Punjab, Department of Housing and Urban Development or his nominee not below the rank of Additional Secretary Housing and Urban Development, Chief Administrator of the Development Authority in the districts, Director, Local Government Department, Punjab and Deputy Commissioner of the district concerned would be the ex-officio members of the committee.   
          Mr. Bhagat said that besides ex-officio members there would be number of nominated members including five subject matter specialists including specialists in Architecture, Urban Planning, Finance, Environment, Industries and Structural Engineering to be nominated by the State Government, Five senior citizens or representatives of Non-Governmental Organizations from the districts to be nominated by the State Government, Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation at the concerned district headquarter shall be the ex-officio Member Secretary of the Committee while the Chairman would be nominated by the State Government from amongst the members of the Committee and the Committee can co-opt any subject matter specialist or any of the person so required to carry out its task for a period not exceeding one year.
Regarding functions of the committees, Mr. Bhagat said that these committees would prepare the draft of district urban development plan keeping in view the matters of common interest between all the urban areas of the district including spatial planning sharing of water and other physical and natural resources. He said that the committees would also look after the integrated development of infrastructure and environment conservation, the plans prepared at the grass-root level by the concerned Municipality and the extent and type of available resources whether financial or otherwise. He said that the district urban development plan would be an amalgam of all the city development plans prepared by the Corporation and the Municipalities of the district.
          Mr. Bhagat said that the committees would have to prepare priority-wise list of schemes and programs taking into account the resources available with the Committee and the resources provided by the State Government and also to take appropriate measures for proper implementation of the development schemes, programs and projects besides timely monitoring the progress of projects. He said that committees would also encourage the Municipal Corporations and the Municipalities to expedite the implementation of development projects. He said that the meetings of the Committees would be held at the District Headquarters or at such other suitable place and it is mandatory to organize a meeting once in a quarter.
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PUNJAB ORDERS SPEEDY IMPLEMENTATION OF WELFARE SCHEMES FOR SCHEDULED CASTES AND WEAKER SECTIONS
·        NEW DIRECTIONS TO PROVIDE BENEFITS AT GROUND LEVEL
·        ALSO ISSUED STRICT DIRECTIONS TO IMPLEMENT SC SUB PLAN
CHANDIGARH, AUGUST 19: 
The Punjab Government has strictly directed all its departments for speedy implementation of welfare schemes for Scheduled Castes and other Weaker Sections of the society to facilitate the beneficiaries at ground level.
          Disclosing this here today, Mr. Gulzar Singh Ranike, Minister for Welfare of SC/BC, said that Punjab Government was committed for the welfare of Scheduled Castes and other weaker sections of the society by ensuring the implementation of all welfare schemes. He said that the directions in this regard have already been issued to all Principal Secretaries, Commissioners of Divisions, Deputy Commissioners and other concerned officers besides instructing them to strictly implement the Scheduled Castes Sub Plan. He said that to make all the exercises easy Punjab government has also issued new directions to withdrawal of funds.  
          Mr. Ranike said that the state government has also amended the process of withdrawing funds by including demand no. 25 for the welfare funds, which were earlier booked under section 789 of Sub Plan, in the recently issued notification for 2012-13. He said that though all the welfare schemes of SC Plan has included in demand no. 25, but the major head would be remain the previous one and DDOs of concerned departments would also remain the same. He said that the heads of concerned departments would distribute sub-heads of 789 SC Sub Plan through its DDOs and concerned DDOs would withdraw the funds from treasury.  He said that all the concerned authorities have been directed for proper implementation of Welfare Schemes for SC and other weaker sections of the society.
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MAJITHIA FELICITATES PEOPLE ON THE EVE OF EID

CHANDIGARH AUGUST 19: Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia, Revenue and Public Relations Minister, Punjab today greeted people of Punjab especially Muslim community on the eve of Eid-ul-Fitr.

Extending his warm greetings, Mr. Majithia said that this festival inspires the people to follow the path of love and compassion and further strengthen the bonds of brotherhood. He said that Eid marks the culmination of the holy month of Ramzan and reflects the true spirit of our composite culture. “May this festival rekindle the spirit of sacrifice and promote deep bonds of harmony and brotherhood”, Mr. Majithia added.
CHIEF MINISTER’S OFFICE PUNJAB

PUNJAB CM GREETS PEOPLE ON ID-UL-FITR
CHANDIGARH AUGUST 19:
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today felicitated the people of Punjab especially the Muslim brethren on the eve of Id-ul-Fitr.
In his message, Mr. Badal said that the festival marks the culmination of the holy month of Ramzan and symbolizes brotherhood, compassion and spirit of sharing. Id-ul-Fitr also reflects the true spirit of our composite culture. 
‘May this festival strengthen our resolve to spread peace, harmony and mutual tolerance among the people of Punjab’, Mr. Badal added.
….
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SUKHBIR GREETS PEOPLE ON THE EVE OF EID-UL-FITR
 
Chandigarh, August 19: Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister Punjab today greeted the people on the eve of Eid-ul-Fitr.  
       Felicitating the people on the eve of holy festival, Mr. Badal said that Eid-ul-Fitr brings joy and happiness to the people on the culmination of the month of holy Ramadan, a period of fasting, prayer and charity.
       Calling upon to people to celebrate this festival collectively in the true spirit of Punjabiat , Mr. Badal wished that celebrations would inspire people to follow the path of love and compassion besides strengthening  mutual goodwill.
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CHUNNI LAL BHAGAT GREETS PEOPLE ON THE EVE OF EID-UL-FITR
 Chandigarh, August 19:
Punjab Local Bodies Minister Mr. Chunni Lal Bhagat today greeted the people on the eve of Eid-ul-Fitr.
       Felicitating the people on the eve of holy festival, Mr. Chunni Lal Bhagat said that Eid-ul-Fitr brings joy and happiness to the people on the culmination of the month of holy Ramadan, a period of fasting, prayer and charity.

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Committee submits reports on death of a new born at Jalandhar

• 12 Special New Born care units to be established 

Chandigarh, 17th August:

                        The enquiry into the unfortunate incident of the death of a new born at Civil Hospital, Jalandhar on 25th August, 2012 had been entrusted to a Committee chaired by the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Jalandhar.  After going through the inquiry report submitted by the ADC Jalandhar and Director Health and Family Welfare, Punjab through Principal Secretary Health and Family Welfare Punjab as well as the views of the Chief Parliamentary Secretary, the Health and Family Welfare Minister Shri Madan Mohan Mittal has ordered the transfer of Medical Superintendent of Civil Hospital, Jalandhar.  The 3 Staff Nurses and 1 Emergency Medical Officer will be charge sheeted for negligence in performing their duties. 
            In order to prevent recurrence of such unfortunate event and to improve the child care in the state, 12 special new-born care units will be established during the year 2012-13.  Two of these special new born care units (one at Mother and Child Care Hospital, Bathinda and the other at Mata Kaushalya Hospital, Patiala) are being set up shortly to provide the specialised new born care in every aspect.  50 new born stabilization units will also be set up in all the District Hospitals, Sub-Divisional Hospitals and Community Health Centres to provide specialized care to the new born. 
            The user charges for the services to be provided to the new born and the mothers has already been waived off, going by the commitment of free services to the new born and the pregnant women under JSSK scheme.  The Government will leave no stone unturned to implement this scheme properly.

CM MOURNS KILLING OF DALBIR SINGH IN US

ASKS PM TO TAKE UP MATTER WITH US ADMINISTRATION FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY OF MINORITIES

CHANDIGARH AUGUST 17:
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today expressed profound grief over the killing of 56 years old Dalbir Singh of Milwaukee in US, who was shot dead by an unidentified gunman on Wednesday. 
Mr. Badal asked the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to take up the matter with US administration to curb such incidents of brutal violence and ensure safety and security of minorities in general and Sikhs in particular.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister also shared his heartfelt sympathies with the members of the bereaved family to bear this huge lose and prayed to the Almighty to grant peace to the departed soul.
…

CANCELLATION OF ENTRANCE EXAM OF M.PHIL IN PUNJABI MEDIUM BY PANJAB UNIVERSITY
·        SIKANDER SINGH MALUKA SEEKS INTERVENTION OF ANSARI
·        WON’T TOLERATE NEGLECT OF PUNJABI LANGUAGE IN PANJAB UNIVERSITY
·        SAD MPS TO CALL ON PRIME MINISTER

Chandigarh, August 17: The Punjab Education & Languages Minister Mr. Sikander Singh Maluka today took a serious notice of cancellation of entrance exam of M.Phil submitted in Punjabi medium by Panjab University, Chandigarh and sought the intervention of Vice-President Mr. Hamid Ansari who is also the Chancellor of University to reverse this anti-Punjabi decision.
Mr. Maluka said that this was a dangerous and strange decision against Punjab and Punjabi language that reflects systematic plan to decimate Punjabi language in the Capital of Punjab itself. He said that  the Punjab government would not tolerate neglect of Punjabi language by Panjab University, which was being provided 60% financial aid by the state government. He said that Punjab has full right on Panjab University and protection of Punjabi language was the duty of University Administration. He pointed out that even the Country’s highest administrative job test Civil Services was also being allowed in Punjabi medium too.
Demanding intervention of the Vice President Mr. Hamid Ansari, who was also the Chancellor of the University, he categorically said that the Punjab government would never tolerate discrimination with Punjabi language and the University would have to withdraw this anti-Punjabi language decision. He said that the University students have every right to appear in any examination in their mother language.
The Education Minister said that taking in view the seriousness of the issue SAD MPs from Punjab would soon call on Prime Minister to impress on this issue.

CM NOT TO MEET MLAs, MPs, PARTY LEADERS AND GENERAL PUBLIC TILL AUGUST 26
Chandigarh, August 17-
Punjab Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal would not be available to meet MPs, MLAs and the senior party leaders at CMO in Punjab Civil Secretariat and general public at his residence till August 26 as he was on foreign tour.
            Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that Mr Badal would not attend his office till August 26 to meet the MPs, MLAs and the senior party leaders from 11am to 1pm as per schedule. Likewise, the Chief Minister would also be unavailable to the general public on August 21 (Tuesday) and August 22 (Wednesday) from 4 to 6 pm at his residence. Inconvenience caused to MPs, MLAs besides general public was highly regretted, the spokesperson added.

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DEPARTMENTS DIRECTED TO IMMEDIATELY FILL ALL VACANT POSTS

Chandigarh, August 17:
The Punjab government today issued directions to various departments to take necessary steps to fill all vacant posts in their departments expeditiously.
According to an official spokesman, the recent Cabinet meeting had taken a decision to fill all vacant posts in Local Government department, Panchayati Raj Institutions without any delay. The Cabinet also decided to fill all vacant posts in revenue generating and revenue spending departments immediately.
The spokesman said that all Financial Commissioner/Principal Secretaries/Administrative Secretaries have been issued directions to take steps to fill all the vacant posts with immediate effect and send compliance report to the Cabinet branch for the information of Chief Minister.
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PUNJAB TO IMPART FREE STENOGRAPHY TRAINING TO SC STUDENTS: RANIKE

• Rs. 250 MONTHLY SCHOLARSHIP TO EACH CANDIDATE

• PREFERENCE TO CANDIDATES BELONGING TO BPL FAMILIES

Chandigarh, August 17:
The Punjab Government would impart one year free stenography training to the graduates belonging to Scheduled Castes besides providing them a monthly stipend of Rs. 250.
Disclosing this here today, SC/BC Welfare Minister Mr. Gulzar Singh Ranike said that the free stenography training would be given by the Language Department through its all district level training centers. He said that the students from Chandigarh would get the training at the center of language department setup in the premises of Government College, Phase-6, SAS Nagar (Mohali). He said that desiring candidates can send or submit their detailed applications with the District Language Officer or Assistant Director Language Department, Punjab Chandigarh by August 27.
          Mr. Ranike said thatthe candidate should be resident of Punjab and belongs to Scheduled Castes. He said that priority would be given to the candidates from the below poverty line families. He said that in absence of BPL category students, the candidates having annual income of less than Rs. 1 lakh would be considered.  He said that if again the seats would remain vacant, the candidates having annual income of more than Rs. 1 lakh would be considered but they would not be able to get the stipends.   
          The Minister informed that there were minimum 15 seats in this training program at each district except Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Moga, Tarn Taran and Barnala besides Mohali would have 20 seats. He said that the interview would be conducted on August 29 from 9 am.
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EMPLOYEES INSTRUCTED TO PURCHASE NSC BEFORE AUGUST 31

 CHANDIGARH, August 17
          The Punjab Government has issued instructions to all the government employees and personal staff of Ministers, who had joined after January 1, 2004 to purchase NSC equal to the amount of DA.
          Disclosing this here today an official spokesman of Punjab Government said that these employees must purchase NSC from post offices located in Punjab and submit the photocopy of this NSC till August 31, 2012

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CM NOT TO MEET MLAs, MPs, PARTY LEADERS AND GENERAL PUBLIC TILL AUGUST 26
Chandigarh, August 17-
Punjab Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal would not be available to meet MPs, MLAs and the senior party leaders at CMO in Punjab Civil Secretariat and general public at his residence till August 26 as he was on foreign tour.
            Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that Mr Badal would not attend his office till August 26 to meet the MPs, MLAs and the senior party leaders from 11am to 1pm as per schedule. Likewise, the Chief Minister would also be unavailable to the general public on August 21 (Tuesday) and August 22 (Wednesday) from 4 to 6 pm at his residence. Inconvenience caused to MPs, MLAs besides general public was highly regretted, the spokesperson added.

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SUKHBIR INSTRUCTS TO CHECK ILLEGAL MINING WITH HEAVY HAND

• DCS INSTRUCTED TO ENSURE SUPPLY OF MINING MATERIAL AT APPROVED RATES OF MINING POLICY
• SSPs AND MINING DEPARTMENT TO LAUNCH COORDINATED CAMPAIGN AGAINST ILLEGAL MINING
• SSPs TO SUBMIT MONTHLY REPORT ON PROGRESS OF INVESTIGATION IN ILLEGAL MINING CASES

 CHANDIGARH, AUGUST 16:
Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today issued strict instructions to all SSPs of the state to work in total tandem with the industry department and mining department to check the illegal mining in the state.
             In the instructions issued to all SSPs of the districts through Director General of Police, Mr. Badal said that it would be their responsibility to launch a coordinated campaign against illegal mining of minerals in the state and launch prosecution against offenders as per law. Mr. Badal said that he would personally monitor the performance of each SSP. Instructions have also been issued to all SSPs to submit detailed monthly report to Deputy Chief Minister’s Office giving details of number of cases of illegal mining detected in that month, progress of investigation or submission of challan in the court in such cases besides progress in the court cases of illegal mining.
             The Deputy Chief Minister also asked Chief Secretary Mr. Rakesh Singh to issue instructions to all Deputy Commissioners to check such cases and keep a watch on availability of mining products to the general public. He said that it would be the responsibility of every Deputy Commissioner to ensure that there was no artificial shortage of mining products. He said that it would be also responsibility of DCs to ensure that public was supplied mining products as per the rates approved in the mining policy.
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NAVJOT SIDHU MEETS UNION HEALTH MINISTER:
DISCUSSES VITAL ISSUES ON HEALTH

Chandigarh August 16: The Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Punjab, Dr Navjot Sidhu met Union Health Minister Mr. Gulam Nabi Azad and discussed vital steps to be taken in improving the overall health scenario in Punjab. She apprised him of the existing health care system prevailing in the state.
          Dr. Sidhu laid emphasis on the formation of a uniform drug policy with a view to breaking the nexus between drug manufacturers, Drug Inspectors, Chemists, Medical Representatives and Doctors. She said that for all companies the maximum inflation in the price of any drug should not exceed 5% between actual production cost and MRP of generic drug. Medical Traders can earn 200- 300% profit on generic drugs compared to branded drugs because multinational companies are buying generic drugs at very low cost and selling them under their brand names at exorbitant prices. So doctors should prescribe branded drugs only with least margin of profit if generic drugs are not available in their hospitals.
          She said that the state Government was already taking strict measures to handle drug addiction. Mass scale counseling centers would be promoted, which could be effective in preventing drug abuse because drug addiction is generally an end product of stress in life, could be because of multiple factors. She also said that Psychiatry should be promoted as major subject in MBBS besides attaching NGOs to coordinate with psychiatrists to teach yoga, meditation and pranayama to target groups.
      Dr. Sidhu urged the Union Minister for Health to formulate more rigorous rules in checking quacks and female foeticide spread all over. Unwanted surgeries could be checked by forming scanning teams at Govt. hospitals if the patient wants consultation, even if he wants to be operated in a private hospital. Uniform pattern test for all Govt. /Private medical and nursing colleges to check mushrooming of private colleges giving substandard education for overall improvement in performance levels in health services. She also said that some work policy for medical representatives should be formed for promoting the drug and some seniority policy should have been there so that they are not replaced by lower salaried youngsters without valid reason or misconduct.
          Dr. Sidhu expressed concern over the rise of medico legal cases and said that mass scale reforms in Medico legal cases were required to save doctors from undue pressure from any department and save genuine patients from harassment at the hands of over influential opposite parties.

OFFICERS’ LOUNGE FOR POLICE OFFICERS AND JOURNALISTS
VISITING PUNJAB POLICE HEADQUARTERS

Chandigarh, August 16: The Punjab Police has set up an Officers’ lounge at its headquarter on 6th floor adjoining Conference Hall to facilitate Police officers and Journalists visiting Police headquarters regarding their meetings with  officers.
According to an official spokesman, this lounge have a work station with facilities like LCD, Computer with internet connection, printer, scanner, photostat, mobile charging and newspapers/magazines. Besides this, Beverages and food & snacks were available on payment basis. An EPABX has been installed at the lounge to contact officers stationed at PPHQ, so that there is no inconvenience in meeting the officers. The spokesman said that this lounge would also give an opportunity to the Journalists and Officers from the field to interact with each other.
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