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1. |
Issue of Notification |
16.06.2012 (Saturday) |
2. |
Last date of making Nominations |
23.06.2012 (Saturday) |
3. |
Scrutiny of Nominations |
25.06.2012 (Monday) |
4. |
Last date for withdrawal of Candidature |
27.06.2012 (Wednesday) |
5. |
Date of Poll |
11.07.2012 (Wednesday)* |
6. |
Counting of Votes |
14.07.2012 (Saturday) |
7. |
Date before which election shall be completed |
16.07.2012 (Monday) |
He said that the hours of Poll will be from 08.00 A.M. to 5 PM. He further said that the Nomination papers are to be filed with the Sub Divisional Magistrate, Dasuya, who is the Returning Officer for 40-Dasuya Assembly Constituency, between the hours of 11am and 3pm in the afternoon on any day other than a public holiday from 16.06.2012 to 23.06.2012.
The nominations are to be filed in form 2-B for Assembly elections. Blank forms are available with the District Election Officer/Returning Officer. Typed nomination papers will also be accepted provided they are in the prescribed format. He said that In order to qualify for a Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) seat, a candidate should be registered as an elector in any Assembly Constituency in Punjab.
To satisfy the aforementioned Returning Officer on this point, candidates should produce a certified copy of the relevant entry of the electoral roll in force. He said that a candidate is also required to make and subscribe to an oath or affirmation in the prescribed form before the aforementioned. Returning Officer or any other person so authorized by the Election Commission of India. The oath/affirmation should be taken/made by a candidate after his nomination paper has been filed and before the date fixed for the scrutiny of nominations.
Spokesman further added that 16th June, 2012 and 23 June, 2012 being a Saturday is not a holiday under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881; therefore, nomination papers can be presented to the Returning Officer on that day also. He said that 17th June, 2012 being a Sunday is a holiday under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881; therefore, nomination papers cannot be presented to the Returning Officer on that day.
The Model code of conduct has come into force in the District Hoshiarpur from the date of announcement of elections, i.e. 11.06.2012 by the Election Commission of India and shall remain in force till the completion of the election process.
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FULL PENSION TO EMPLOYEE AFTER 25 YEARS SERVICE INSTEAD OF EARLIER 33 YEARS: DHINDSA
- ORDERS TO COME INTO FORCE W.E.F. 1ST DECEMBER, 2011
CHANDIGARH, JUNE 15:
The Punjab Government has decided that the linkage of full pension with qualifying service of 33 years would be dispensed with. It has been decided that Government employees, who has rendered minimum qualifying service of 25 years, would be entitled to full pension equal to 50 per cent of emoluments i.e. last pay drawn or average emoluments, whichever was beneficial to him.
Disclosing this here today, Mr. Parminder Singh Dhindsa, Finance Minister, Punjab said that the method of calculation of proportionate pension in those cases, where the actual qualifying service rendered by a retiree was less than 25 years, the amount of proportionate pension would be calculated by dividing the actual qualifying service (in six-monthly periods) by fifty (i.e. six-monthly periods of 25 years). He said that suppose a Government employee at the time of his retirement was drawing pay @ Rs.25,000 per month, which is more beneficial in case as compared to his average emoluments and the actual qualifying service rendered by him at the time of his retirement on superannuation is 20 years (or say 40 six-monthly periods), his proportionate pension would be calculated as under:-
50 % of Rs.25,000 X 40/50 = Rs.10.000 per men sum
Mr. Dhindsa said that these orders would be deemed to have come into force with effect from the 1st December, 2011.
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ORDERS ISSUED TO ACKNOWLEDGE SUMMONS THROUGH E-MAILS
- PUNJAB AND HARYANA HIGH COURT IS IN THE PROCESS OF SERVICE NOTICE/SUMMONS THROUGH E-MAILS
- COURT NOTICES TO BE SERVED THROUGH E-MAIL WITH EFFECT FROM 2ND JULY, 2012.
CHANDIGARH, JUNE 15:
The Punjab Government has issued instructions to all the Financial Commissioners, Principal Secretaries and Administrative Secretaries to update E-mail IDs of their respective department and forwarded it to the office of Advocate General of Punjab. These E-mail IDs would further be forwarded to the Registrar General, Punjab and Haryana High Court, which was in the process of sending notices/summons through E-mails.
Disclosing this here today, an official spokesman said that General Administration Department has issued written directions to all the Department Heads and Chairman of Board/Corporations to furnish the E-mail IDs. He said that the Punjab and Haryana High Court was in the process of serving notices through E-mails. The Spokesman said that all the Department Heads have also been instructed to issue directions to the nodal officers of their respective department to regularly check their E-mail accounts and receive and acknowledge the court notices send through E-mail for speedy delivery of justice and in case there was any change in their E-mail accounts, the same must be intimated to the court, immediately.
He said that the court notices would be served through E-mail with effect from 2nd July, 2012.
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4 NEW HIGH COURT JUDGES SWORN IN
CHANDIGARH: 15 JUNE
Four newly appointed Judges of Punjab and Haryana High Court was administrated the oath of office of secrecy by Acting Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court Mr. Justice Jasbir Singh today in the premises of Punjab and Haryana High Court here in a simple but impressive ceremony.
Disclosing this here today a spokesman of Punjab and Haryana High Court said that Sh. Ravinder Parkash Nagrath, Sh. Sat Paul Bangarh, Mrs. Rekha Mittal and Sh. Inderjit Singh have been elevated as High Court Judges on promotion.
He further said that with the elevation of these four new Judges the strength of the Judges in High Court has become 39 against the Sanctioned Strength 68 Judges.
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NEW PROTOCOL INSTRUCTIONS FOR SWEARING IN CEREMONY OF CM AND MINISTERS ISSUED
Chandigarh, June 15: The Punjab Government today made amendments in the Protocol Manual and approved a detailed protocol for swearing in ceremonies of Chief Minister and Ministers in the State.
According to an official spokesman according to new protocol instructions after the Governor would reaches the dais for swearing in ceremony and before he took the seat, the National Anthem would be played by the Police Band. The Chief Secretary would request seeking permission to begin the proceedings. On permission being granted, he would conduct and present the Chief Minister-designate to the Governor. The Chief Secretary would hand over to the Governor the Oaths of office and of Secrecy. The Governor would read out these oaths clause by clause and the Chief Minister-designate would repeat them. The Chief Minister-designate would then signs both the forms of Oath and of Secrecy and would take his seat on the dais.
The Chief Secretary would then announce the names of other Ministers-designate, whom the Chief Minister would present turn by turn and they would be sworn-in by the Governor. As each Minister-designatewould complete his Oath, he would take his seat near the dais. According to the new detailed instructions when all the Ministers-designate have been sworn-in, the Governor would resume his seat. The Chief Secretary would then ask for permission of the Governor to close the ceremony. On permission being granted, all present would rise. National Anthem would be played by the Police band where after the Governor would leave the dais in procession and the function comes to an end followed by buffet tea party.
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WHISTLEBLOWERS OF TAX EVASION TO GET AWARDS- PUNJAB TIGHTENS ITS NOOSE ON TAX EVADERS
· INFORMERS WOULD BE BESTOWED WITH ATTRACTIVE AWARDS WITH THEIR ANONYMITY ASSURED
· FIRMS AND DEALERS PREPARING FAKE BILLS ALSO ON TARGET
CHANDIGARH, JUNE 14: The Punjab Government today tightened its noose on tax evaders by coming out with a comprehensive policy to honour whistleblowers giving reliable information on tax evasion. The policy aimed at involving pubic at large in assuring tax compliance by the traders and industrialists and individual tax payers assures anonymity of the informers besides offering them attractive prizes.
Mr. A. Venu Prasad, Excise and Taxation Commissioner disclosing this said that the excise and taxation department has girded up its loins to eliminate the menace of tax evasion from the state by starting this exclusive campaign against the tax evaders. He said that the informers would be awarded confidentially with attractive prizes for helping the department by preventing evasion of taxes. He said that the particulars of the informers would be kept secret and the tax evaders would not be spared at any cost.
The Commissioner asserted that under this scheme the firms and dealers involved in preparation of fake bills would also be on target besides the tax evaders concealing the information at Information Centers of department. He said that informers, who would inform the department regarding dealers and transporters carrying the goods from the railway stations without giving requisite information to the department, would also be awarded.
Giving details for registration of information, Mr. Prasad said that the informers can register the information at the following numbers of mobile teams of departments, for Patiala Division 98729-10050, for Jalandhar Division 98729-10017, for Amritsar Division 98729-10132, for Ferozepur Division 98729-10018, for Faridkot Division 98729-10049, for Ludhiana Division 98729-10009 and on some other numbers of team including 98729-10004, 98729-10007, 98729-10008, 9872910052, 98729-10016 and 98729-10047.
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Aryans Group of Colleges, Chandigarh would give Scholarship worth Rs 6 Crore
Dr.Kiran Bedi to select and award scholarship to Aryans students
Mohali 14th June, 2012
To celebrate 6th year of excellence in education Aryans Group of Colleges has announced scholarships worth Rs 6 crores to be distributed in next 2 years. This scholarship would be given in various professional courses like MBA, BBA, BCA, B.Tech 1st Year, B.Tech (LEET) in Civil, Mechanical, CSE, EEE, ECE & B.Ed courses.
Aryans Group of Colleges has started inviting applications to award scholarships. Those who want to avail scholarships need to get prior registration on Helpline Number 098762-99888, 098765-99888, scholarship@aryans.edu.in or on www.aryans.edu.in. Scholarship would be given purely on Merit-cum-Means basis.
Dr. Kiran Bedi, 1st woman IPS of India and a social activist would personally be travelling to various parts of the country to finally select and award the scholarships to the Candidates. She would be going to Dharmasala on 26th June, Kangra on 27th June, Patna on 29th June, North east region in first week of July and in Srinagar in the second week of July.
It is worth mentioning that After the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Punjab Sh. Parkash Singh Badal & H.E. the Governor of Punjab and Administrator Chandigarh, Sh. Shivraj V Patil awarded Aryans Group of Colleges for Excellence in Education .Recently , His Excellency Dr.A.P.J.Abdul Kalam, former President has also awarded Aryans Group of Colleges (AGC) for “Excellence in Education
Earlier also Aryans Business School (ABS) has also been ranked 48th in India by Dainik Bhaskar. ABS has recently been awarded the Best upcoming B-School of North India by the renowned Magazine "Business and Management Chronicle" and Dr. Kiran Bedi, 1st Woman IPS of India, has also awarded ABS as the Best upcoming B-School of North India.
It is to be mentioned that Earlier also, Dr. Kiran Bedi, 1st Woman IPS of India, has awarded ABS as the Best upcoming B-School of North India. Apart from this, Dr.Anshu Kataria, Chairman, Aryans Group got Young Entrepreneurship award by Thailand Labor Minister. Many reputed personalities like Dr. Kiran Bedi, S.Joginder Singh (Ex-Director, CBI) etc. have visited Aryans campus several times.
It is to be mentioned that Aryans Group of Colleges is GMAT, GRE and XAT allied college of this region also the college uses CAT and MAT scores for admitting the candidates. The college has in its name the prestigious membership of Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business’ (AACSB), USA. In India only 22 Business Schools are the members of AACSB. The college is also having membership of CII, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, CMA and AIMA.
To expose the students to international education standards, employment facilities and opportunities of education abroad Aryans Group has entered into number of tie-ups / collaborations with foreign institutions such as Outline System (USA); LMSE (London); AUPP (Australia) & Fontys University (Netherland).
It is to be mentioned that Established in 2007, Aryans campus is located at Chandigarh–Patiala highway, near Chandigarh on lush green 20 acres pollution free campus. The group is running Management College, Engineering College, Education College & Junior Science College (+1 & +2 Non Medical).
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SHIROMANI AKALI DAL REJECTS MEAGER HIKE IN PADDY MSP
• WOULD NOT ALLOW THE DESIGN OF MAKING FARMERS PAUPER TO SUCCEED: SUKHBIR
• SEEKS IMPLEMENTATION OF SWAMINATHAN COMMISSION REPORT
CHANDIGARH, JUNE 14: The Shiromani Akali Dal today rejected meager 16 per cent hike in support price of paddy to Rs.1250 for ongoing Kharif season and said that nothing below minimum 50 per cent hike in MSP was acceptable to it. The Party also rejected the cotton MSP of Rs.3600 and Rs,3900 and said that nothing below Rs.5000 MSP for cotton and Rs. 1750 for paddynwould be acceptable to the peasantry.
It may be added that Union Government today enhanced Paddy MSP from Rs 1,080 per quintal to Rs 1,250 per quintal (common variety) and for 'A' grade variety of paddy, the support price has been raised to Rs 1,280 per quintal from Rs 1,110. The MSP of cotton has been increased to Rs 3,600 and 3,900 per quintal for medium and long staple, each.
Describing it a cruel joke with the farming community, already reeling under ever mounting debt, the Party President Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal said that he would not allow the nefarious designs of Congress led UPA Government to make farmers pauper, succeed and the Party would struggle till the acceptance of recommendations of Swaminathan Commission report, linking MSP with the Price Index.
He said that during last 6 months there has been 50- 60% rise in the cost of agricultural inputs including more than 100% rise in the cost of fertilizers after its decontrol by the Union government. He said that last few days have witnessed 36 per cent hike in the cost of DAP, whereas Union Cabinet was contemplating to further raise the price of urea by 10 per cent. Mr. Badal said that nothing less than 50% hike in last year’s MSP or fixation of MSP as per Swaminathan Commission report was acceptable. He said that Union Government itself had admitted that there was 64 per cent rise in the cost of agriculture inputs on one hand and by proposing MSP hike by only 16 per cent was deliberately making farming community poorer by 48 per cent in a single stroke.
Lashing at Congress led UPA for their anti-farmer bias; the SAD President said that by sleeping over the recommendations of Swaminathan Commission report linking MSP with Wholesale Price Index (WPI), the Congress party was reflecting its pro MNC bias. He said that recent study of a Consortium of Indian Farmers Association ( CIFA) has concluded that every year Union Government was squeezing out Rs. 6000 crore from the pocket of Punjab Farmers by offering lower MSP.
SAD President said that while Punjab Government was giving free power worth more than Rs. 400 crore per anum to sustain the farmers and state was bleeding itself to death by over drawing precious ground water recourses, just to ensure that Punjabi farmers fulfill their national duty to make country secure on food security front, this anti farmers attitude may force the farmers to say goodbye to farming profession. He said that this year by ensuring historic record production of wheat, Punjabi farmer has put country on driving seat on food security front but instead of sanctioning Rs. 500 as wheat bonus to the farmers to honour them, it has rubbed salt on their wounds by offering them meager hike in paddy MSP.
Demanding immediate announcement of Rs. 1750 MSP for Paddy and Rs 5000 for Cotton for current Kharif season and acceptance of Swaminathan Commission report to link MSP with WPI, Mr. Badal said that Union Government must understand the urgency of making agriculture a viable profession. The SAD President said that he along with Chief Minister S. Parkash Singh Badal would soon call on Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to impress upon him to raise MSP.
INSTRUCTIONS TO SUBMIT
LEGISLATIVE MATERIAL IN TIME
CHANDIGARH, JUNE 14:
The Department of Parliamentary Affairs, Punjab has instructed all the Financial Commissioners, Principal Secretaries and Administrative Secretaries to submit material related with Legislative Business to be tabled in the second session of Punjab Legislative Assembly, scheduled for June 19.
According to the spokesperson of Punjab Government, all the officers have been instructed to send relevant legislative business material, papers/reports to convert ordinance into bill, those were to be tabled in the house must be sent to Information Secretary, Punjab Legislative Assembly.
No. PR-12/368
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PUNJAB AYUSH ENTRANCE TEST FOR GURU RAVIDASS AYURVED UNIVERSITY ON JUNE 17: MOHINDER KAUR JOSH
CHANDIGARH, JUNE 14: Guru Ravidass Ayurved University, Hoshiarpur would conduct the Punjab Ayush Entrace Test for session 2012-13 on June 17 for students desirous to get admission in BAMS and BHMS. The test would be conducted from 11am to 2 pm.
Disclosing this here today Mrs. Mohinder Kaur Josh, Chief Parliamentary Secretary for Medical Education and Research said that Punjab government was taking revolutionary steps to promote ayurvedic system and treatment through Greek medicinal system. She said that the scheduled entrance test for the second consecutive session is also part of the revolutionary steps taken by the state government.
Mrs. Josh said that Guru Ravidass Ayurved University had started the admissions in the university last year and now it would conduct the entrance test to fill 780 seats of BAMS and BHMS through joint entrance test. She said that the entrance test would be conducted in Computer, Arts and Science block of DAV College, Hoshiarpur. She said that the candidates must carry their entrance test roll card along with an attested photograph.
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PUNJAB TO FRAME POLICY TO CHECK DECREASING WATER TABLE AND ITS CONTAMINATION: THANDAL
CHANDIGARH, JUNE 14:
The Punjab Government, in principle, has framed a comprehensive plan to check the ever decreasing water table and contamination of natural water resources. Under this plan various department would closely coordinate for framing a joint policy. Department of Irrigation, Education, Local Bodies, Agriculture, Industries and Pollution Control Board etc., would jointly strive to preserve the natural water resources, to check the contamination of water and to sensitize farmers about the judicious use of ground water. Education department has been requested to introduce courses in school curriculum to educate the new generation about the importance of water and its astute use.
It was disclosed by Mr. Sohan Singh Thandal, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Irrigation. He said that the situation in Punjab has come to a alarming stage, because the water table in state was decreasing day by day. He said that out of 130 Blocks 100 Blocks has been enlisted in the Dark Zone. Rich uranium contents were present in the sub-soil water of most Blocks of Malwa region, which rendered the ground water unfit for human consumption. He said that the Punjab Government, in order to deal with this grim scenario has decided to make a joint task force including various departments. These departments would jointly frame a policy for effective implementation for rain water harvesting, preservation of natural water resources, judicious use of underground, canal and river water for irrigation and to check the contamination of water by industrial units. Besides this, the irrigation has decided to conduct weekly awareness camps at the district level to educate the farmers and general public about the scarcity of water and its rational and judicious use.
He said that the farmer of Punjab was in the grip of two crop (wheat and paddy) vicious cycle. He said that in the absence of suitable marketing infrastructure by the Centre Government, the farmer of Punjab was reluctant to adopt crop diversification. Divulging the facts, Mr. Thandal said that 5500 liter water was consumed for having 1kg rice.
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Parminder Dhindsa meets Parnab Mukherjee.
- Punjab to be recruited in the Debt relief package.
- Special Financial Support sought for Punjab.
New Delhi/Chandigarh June, 14: The Punjab Finance and Planning Minister Mr. Parminder Singh Dhindsa called on Mr. Parnab Mukherjee, Union Finance Minister, yesterday late evening in his office North Block here. It was his first meeting with the Union Finance Minister.
During the meeting Mr. Dhindsa requested for a Debt Relief Package for the Punjab. He also requested to include the Punjab along with West Bengal and Kerla whenever a debt relief package is announced by the Govt. of India.
Mr. Dhindsa pleaded that a committee of the finance commission has already been recommended for a debt relief package to the Punjab, West Bengal & Kerla. He also sought the financial support from the Govt. of India under various central schemes to help the common men and particularly poor peoples of the state.
Responding to all the points raised by the Punjab Finance Minister, Mr. Parnab Mukherjee, Union Finance Minister assured Mr. Dhindsa for all possible financial help to the Punjab and also include the Punjab in debt relief package whenever it is announced by the Govt. of India on the recommendation of the finance commission.
Mr. Sumit Bose, Secretary Expenditure, Govt. of India was also present in the meeting.
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UNION HOME MINISTER UPDATES BADAL ON RECRUITMENT OF 144 CONDUCTORS IN CTU
RECRUITMENT PROCESS SCRAPPED: CHIDAMBARAM WRITES TO BADAL
CHANDIGARH JUNE 14:
Union Home Minister Mr. P. Chidambaram apprised the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal that the entire recruitment process of 144 conductors in the transport department of UT administration Chandigarh has been scrapped owing to large scale impersonation in respect of short listed candidates and the matter was under further investigation.
In a letter to Mr. Badal, Union Home Minister said that he had thoroughly examined the matter in consultation with Chandigarh Administration and the detailed reply on the similarly issue had already been sent to the Chief Minister by the Administrator UT.
It may be recalled the recruitment of 144 conductors also rocked the Punjab Vidhan Sabha in March 2011 as the ruling SAD-BJP alliance and opposition adopted a unanimous resolution demanding a thorough probe into the tainted recruitment process, in which nearly all the chosen candidates hailed from Haryana.
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ADMISSION IN 2ND YEAR OF DIPLOMA COURSES THROUGH LATERAL ENTRY TILL JUNE 25
CHANDIGARH, JUNE 14
The Punjab State Board of Technical Education & Industrial Training has fixed 25th June 2012 as the last date for submission of Admission Application Forms for direct admission to 2nd year of the Diploma Courses through Lateral Entry.
Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the punjab government said that The prospectuses-cum- Admission Application Form are available in the Affiliated Polytechnic Colleges and the office of the Board. The forms can also be downloaded from the Board’s website: www.punjabteched.com and www.punjabteched.net.
He said that More than 20,000 seats in 129 institutes are available for direct admission to 2nd year diploma course through lateral Entry. Candidates who have cleared 10+2 Vocational / two years ITI courses are also eligible for admission to 2nd year Diploma Courses. Even the candidates who have qualified 10+2 Non-medical or one year ITI has also been eligible for admissions for vacant seats if any. For further details candidates can visit the Board’s websites.
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MAJITHIA GREETS NEW BATCH OF PCS OFFICERS
Chandigarh, June 14;
Revenue and Public Relations Minister of Punjab Mr Bikram Singh Majithia today greeted the newly selected PCS officers in the state.
Mr Majithia said that it was a results of hard work put in by these youngsters to achieve their objective with the grace of the Almighty. He said that the SAD-BJP Government is committed to generate more job avenues in various fields to cut down the ratio of unemployment in the state.
He said that he is fully confident that the success of these new faces will be instrumental in making Punjab more prosperous state.
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CHUNI LAL BHAGAT AND RAKHRA GREETS NEWLY SELECTED PCS OFFICERS
CHANDIGARH, June 14;
Punjab Local Bodies Minister Mr. Chuni Lal Bhagat and Rural Development and Panchyat Minister Mr. Surjit Singh Rakhra today greeted the newly selected PCS officers in the state.
Mr. Chuni Lal Bhagat and Mr. Rakhra said that it was a result of hard work put in by these youngsters to achieve their objective with the grace of the Almighty. The ministers said that state has lot of hopes that these young and calibered officers prove boon for the state and its people.
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JOSHI INVITES INDUSTRIAL GIANTS TO INVEST IN PUNJAB
- FIRST PUNJAB’S INDUSTRY MINISTER TO APPROACH TO RATAN TATA, AJIJ PREMJI, ANAND MOHINDRA AND AMBANI BROTHERS FOR INVESTMENT
- SETS A TARGET OF RS ONE LAKH CRORE INVESTMENT IN THE STATE
CHANDIGARH, JUNE 14:
Industry Minister of Punjab Mr. Anil Joshi today invites big Industrial houses of the country to invest in Punjab with an endeavor to make Punjab no 1 industrial state of the country.
Mr. Joshi has written a letter to the heads of some front runner industrial groups which included Mr Ratan Tata , Mukesh Ambani, Anil Ambani, Ajij Premji and Anand Mahindra inviting them to invest in the state and offered them full support to set up their ventures in the state. Mr Joshi said that the Akali Dal-BJP Government has established a world class infrastructure to attract the industrial investment.
He said that keeping in view the basic need of electricity for the industry, the Punjab Government has set up four Thermal Plants which would be functional in next six months. Besides that Punjab was the only state to have distinction of four International Airport , providing best air connectivity.
Seeking investment in the state, Mr. Joshi further pointed out that Punjab Government has linked all its major cities with 4/6 lane roads. Along with this Punjab Government has also started Single window system which would provide all kind of sanctions required for industry within 30 days.
He said that with the inauguration of Integrated Check Post at Attari-Wagha border, industrials would be able to export their products to Central Asia through road. He said that Punjab Government has set a target of Rs one lakh crore investment in Punjab and to achieve this target Punjab Government would ensure all kind of cooperation to investors.
KOHAR WARNS OFFICERS - ACHIVE TARGET OR FACE THE MUSIC
Chandigarh June 14:-
To streamline the public dealing, the Punjab Government has directed to all the officers of Transport Department, PRTC and Punjab Roadways to work with honesty, cooperation and utmost sincerity to achieve the fixed target and warned that the concerned officers would be held responsible for the delay in public works.
Presiding over a high level meeting with the District Transport Officers (DTOs) and State Transport Authorities (STAs), Mr. Ajit Singh Kohar, Transport Minister emphasized to rationalize the functioning of Department and asked them to work with zeal and dedication to meet the fixed target for collection of revenue. He informed that Punjab Government had already fixed the period for the registration of vehicles, issuing of fitness certificate to the commercial vehicles, driving license of motor car/motor cycle, issuing tax clearance certificate, issuing of rout permit of National permit and transfer of vehicles under the Right to Service Act. "Whosoever delays or defaults in his duty will face the music", he warned.
Prominent among others Mr. Ranjit Singh Balian Chairman PRTC, Mr. Mandeep Singh Secretary Transport, Mr. Harmel Singh officiating STC, all the GMs of Punjab Roadways and PRTC and DTOs of all districts were present in the meeting.
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A S PRASHAR ELECTED PRESIDENT OF
PUNJAB VIDHAN SABHA PRESS GALLERY COMMITTEE
Chandigarh, June 14: Senior Journalist Mr. AS Prashar has been today elected President of Punjab Vidhan Sabha Press Gallery Committee unanimously. Mr. Harpreet Singh Bajwa and Mr. Inderpreet Singh have been elected Vice President and Secretary respectively.
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VIGILANCE BUREAU PUNJAB
VIGILANCE NABS FIVE OFFICIALS IN BRIBERY CASES
FOURTEEN OFFICIALS CONVICTED BY SPECIAL COURTS
Chandigarh June 14: State Vigilance Bureau has arrested one gazetted officer and four non-gazetted officers red handed in different corruption cases and was able to secure the convictions of three gazetted officers, eleven non-gazetted officers and three private persons in eleven different prosecution cases contested by the Bureau in the last month.
Disclosing this here today, Mr. Sursh Arora, Chief Director-cum-DGP Vigilance Bureau Punjab said that Bureau has put up its best efforts to eradicate corruption amongst public servants and others in every sphere in the State. In this direction, the Vigilance officers have ensured that suspect did not escape judicial punishment in the various courts in the State.
He added that during the last month of May, the Vigilance had nabbed Jaswinderpal Singh, Executive Engineer, Powercom posted at Batala red handedly demanding and accepting bribe of Rs. one lac from the complainant (consumer) to curtail the fine of Rs. 6.50 lac that was imposed by the concerned SDO during checking of power theft at his shop. Besides this, four more corrupt officials namely Harpinder Singh Pharmacist posted at Civil Hospital Batala, ASI Balwinder Singh (1786/Ldh) Police Station Sadar Ludhiana, Manga Singh Drug Clerk at Civil Hospital Fatehgarh Sahib and Atama Singh Upper Division Clerk Powercom Malerkotla have also been caught red handed accepting bribes in different bribery cases. He further added that the Bureau has also registered a criminal case against a suspect corrupt official to probe into the alleged allegations.
The Vigilance Chief said that during the month of May the special courts have sentenced three gazetted officers, eleven non-gazetted officers and three private persons in eleven different prosecution cases after finding them guilty. The accused Mrs Sushila Rani Executive Officer, Municipal Council, Dinanagar (Gurdaspur), Dr Manwinder Singh Medical Officer, Civil Hospital Bhagta Bahika (Bathinda), Sub-Inspector Bakhsish Singh (887/PAP) Police Station Sadar Patiala, Constable Shukar Singh (1774/Patiala) Police Post Kasturba Rajpura, Constable Yadwinder Singh Gunman to ETO Excise Mobile Wing Amritsar, Avtar Singh Lineman and Jatinder Singh Assistant Lineman Powercom Atam Nagar Ludhiana, Satinderpal Singh Patwari revenue halqa Pamal, Ludhiana and Raj Kumar Secretray Co-operative Agricultural Society Khunkhun Kalan Hoshiarpur including Devinder Kumar Panchayat Secretary, Dev Raj District Gram Udyog Organiser Rupnagar, Sarpanch Amar Singh Mehma Salempur Block Bhunnarheri (Patiala), Nahar Singh, Balraj Singh and Angrej Singh (private persons) were sentenced for two years to four years imprisonment alongwith fines.
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PUNJAB TO FILL ALL VACANT POSTS AT GOVERNMENT AYURVEDIC COLLEGE PATIALA
· INVITES APPLICATION TILL JUNE 29
CHANDIGARH, June 14
The Punjab Government has decided to fill all vacant posts at Government Ayurvedic College Patiala.
A spokesman of the Punjab Government today said that Punjab Government has invited applications for the posts of Professors, Readers and Lecturers in the Women diseases, Salya, Salkya, Kumar Variat and Swasath Varit departments of Government college Patilala till June 29. He said that the eligible candidates can download the Performa for application form from the www.Punjabmedicaleducation or www.punjabmedicalcouncil.com. He said that the candidates related to General category would have to attach postal orders worth Rs 200 with application form whereas Candidates belongs to Backward class and Schedule cast have been asked to send the postal orders of Rs 50 only. He said that these postal orders should be payable to Director , Research and Medical Education.
Spokesman further said that the applications should be sent only on the prescribed format along with the attested copies of all testimonials via Post or by hand to SCO NO 87, Sector 40-C, Chandigarh till June 29. He said that the interview schedule would be uploaded later on the official website of the department.
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BADAL ANNOUNCES COWS' MEMORIAL TO BE SET UP IN FACTORY PREMISES AT JOGA
ASKS DGP TO PROBE INTO ALL PENDING CASES OF COW SLAUGHTER ON PRIORITY
CHANDIGARH JUNE 13:
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal announced to set up a Cows' Memorial at the site of the factory in Joga of Mansa district, where carcasses of several cattle were recovered recently.
An announcement to this effect was made after a delegation of the representatives of various Hindu organizations called on the Chief Minister last evening. The delegation was led by Punjab Gau Sewa Board Chairman Mr. Kimti Bhagat.
It may be recalled that Punjab is the first state in the country to have enacted a law for cow protection making an offence punishable with imprisonment for ten years. Under this, even a person connected in any way with the sale of a cow purportedly for slaughter would also be liable for penal action and imprisonment as per the Act.
Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister's office said that the Chief Minister had assured the delegation that the state government would acquire the factory premises in Joga for setting up the cow memorial. This would also send a strong signal to all those involved in such illegal trade.
Mr. Badal also asked the Director General of Police to thoroughly probe all cases pertaining to Cow slaughter pending at different levels to ensure the 'strictest punishment' as per the law of the land to the culprits responsible for this heinous crime. There are cases of this nature against 270 persons in the state.
Responding to other demands put fourth by the delegation, Mr. Badal assured them that the state government would sympathetically look into their issues such as creation of a legal cell to take up cases of cow slaughter, exemption of stamp fee on the purchase of land for Gaushalas and VAT on articles/material purchased for Gaushalas. Mr. Badal also promised to the delegation that he would soon take up the issue with Centre for getting small power plants in Gaushalas sanctioned on which huge subsidy worth crore was given by GoI, as already done in the case of Haryana, to meet their demand for power.
Mr. Badal also directed the Local Government department to ask all the Municipal Corporations to sign a MoU with the local Gaushalas for the protection and proper up keep of the cows on the pattern of the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister also appealed to the people to exercise restraint in such circumstances thereby maintaining unity, communal harmony and brotherhood in the state. He categorically said that no one would be allowed to disrupt the congenial atmosphere of peace and harmony in the state at any cost.
Prominent amongst others who attended the meeting included DGP Mr. Sumedh Singh Saini, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. S.K. Sandhu, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar.
The delegation comprised Chairman Punjab Gau Sewa Board Mr. Kimti Bhagat, Vice Chairman Mr. Devi Dayal Prasher, President Shiv Sena Hindustan Mr. Pawan Gupta, Chairman Gau Dhaam Mr. Sunder Dass Dhamija, President Hindu Welfare Development Board Mahant Ravi Kant and Mr. Vijay Bhardwaj of RSS Punjab besides Mr. Krishan Sharma and Dr. Bindu Sar Shukla both members of the Gau Sewa Board.
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BADAL MOURNS SAD DEMISE OF NOTED PAK
GHAZAL SINGER MEHDI HASSAN
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today expressed profound grief and sorrow over the sad demise of the noted Pakistani Ghazal Maestro Mehdi Hassan, who passed away at Karachi after a protracted illness this afternoon.
In a condolence message, the Chief Minister described Mehdi Hassan as a versatile classical singer who gave new dimension to the Ghazal singing and regaled millions of music lovers with his enchanting voice not only in his country but across the globe. Mr. Badal said that Hassan’s death has created a void in the arena of classical music which was difficult to be filled. The Chief Minister hoped that the rich legacy of Mehdi Hassan, famously known as ‘Shahenshah-e-Ghazal’ (Ghazal King) would ever remain a heart throb of millions of his fans through his golden voice for centuries to come.
The Chief Minister also shared his heart-felt sympathies with the members of the bereaved family and prayed to the Almighty to give strength to bear this huge loss and grant peace to the departed soul.
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SUKHBIR CONDOLES THE DEATH OF GHAZAL MAESTRO MEHDI HASSAN
Chandigarh, June 13: Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister Punjab has expressed shock at the demise of Ghazal Maestro Mehdi Hassan, who expired today at Karachi after multi-organ failure.
In a condolence message Mr. Badal said that Mehdi Hassan who ho had millions of fans in India and Pakistan would be remembered for bringing Ghazal at the centre stage even in the age of Pop Music. He said that his melodious voice gave a new identity to the Ghazal singing and due to his remarkable & unique style he was titled Shahenshah-e-Ghazal.
Expressing heartfelt sympathies with the bereaved family Mr. Badal prayed Almighty to give peace to the departed soul and strength to them to bear this irreparable loss.
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PUNJAB GOVERNMENT ORDERS CENSUS OF WOMEN WITH DISABILITY
CHANDIGARH. June 13,
The Punjab government today issued instructions to all the departments to conduct census of women with disabilities. The data thus collected would be used to frame policies for the welfare of this marginalized section of society.
Disclosing this here today a spokesman of Punjab government said that the government was fully committed for the over all development of weaker sections of society.
He said that the state government had issued instructions to all the department heads and deputy commissioners to prepare a data base of all the women with disability working in all government departments by conducting census. They have been directed to send this data to the state government. He said that this report would further be sent to union government
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CM ISSUES DIRECTIONS TO SELLOLD STOCK
OF DAP FERTILIZERS AT OLD RATES
Chandigarh: 13 June
Punjab Government has directed the Agriculture Department to ensure selling of old stock of DAP Fertilizers on the old rates.
Disclosing this here today Director of Agriculture Deartmment Dr.Mangal Singh Sandhu said that Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal has issued order in this matter and directed the Agriculture Department, Food and Civil Supplies Department and other sister concerns to disburse the stocked DAP fertilizer on the old rates. He said that it has also been directed to initiate departmental or legal action against all the companies/dealers/co-operative societies which are found selling fertilizers on higher rates to the farmers.
He said that earring companies would be penalized under Fertilizers Control Act 1985.
Dr.Sandhu also urged the farmers to verify the rates printed on the bags during purchase of fertilizers.
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DERELICTION IN OFFICIAL DUTY WONT BE TOLERATED----KOHAR
FIVE EMPLOYEES OF TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT FACE SUSPENSION
Chandigarh June 13: Mr. Ajit Singh Kohar, Transport Minister Punjab has ordered immediate suspension of five employees of District Transport Office Fatehgarh Sahib who were found absent from office during a surprise check made by the minister-in charge.
Mr. Kohar, who was present in the DTO office at 9 am, found five employees out of ten posted in the office absent from office. He has asked the Secretary Transport to order their immediate suspension and issue stern warning to those who came late. The minister also went through the office records minutely.
The Minister has also directed the officers in the districts and state headquarters to be punctual and truthfully discharge their official duties. Anybody, howsoever senior he may be, found absent from work without any prior intimation to the officers concerned, would not be spared. Strict departmental action would be initiated against the officers exhibiting negligence in duty. He reiterated that the government was committed to provide free, fair and transparent governance to the people and any kind of inconvenience caused to public would not be tolerated.
Adding further, he said that State Transport department has already taken adequate measures to streamlining the functioning of the department. The government has fixed a period of seven days for the registration of vehicles, issuing of fitness certificates to the vehicles and driving licenses, tax clearance certificate, issuing of either route permit or national permit, said the Minister. The officers concerned would be liable to action if the time frame was not observed in such cases.
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VIDHAN SABHA SUMMONED ON JUNE 19
Chandigarh, June 13: The Punjab Governor has summoned the second session of 14th Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Tuesday the 19th June, 2012 at 2:00 PM in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Hall, Vidhan Bhawan, Chandigarh.
This was disclosed by Mr. Ved Parkash, Secretary Punjab Vidhan Sabha here today.
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ENSURE REPLY TO COMPLAINTS AND NOTICES BY MPs WITHIN 15 DAYS –INSTRUCTIONS ISSUED TO ALL OFFICERS
CHANDIGARH, JUNE 13:
The Punjab Government has instructed all the Financial Commissioners, Principal Secretaries and Administrative Secretaries of the state to furnish detailed reply on all the notices of question of privilege/complaints against the District Administration, Magistrates, Collectors and Deputy Collectors etc within 15 days of receipt of question.
An official spokesperson today said that Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Secretariat seek actual reports on complaints/Notices of question of privilege addressed by MPs, Speaker and Chairman against District Administration/Magistrates/Collectors/Deputy Collectors. He said that it has been noticed that states take undue long time in replying to these complaints and it has been noticed that often state government refer the privilege notices to concerned officers/functionaries and reports received from them were forwarded to them without the comments of the state government.
The spokesman said that directions have been issued to promptly reply to the complaints received from Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Secretariat within a period of 15 days.
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ADMISSIONS TO NEWLY SET UP 7 POLYTECHNICS TO START FROM THIS ACADEMIC SESSION- JOSHI
Chandigarh, June 13:
Admissions in the newly set up 7 polytechnics would start from this academic session giving an opportunity to thousands of students to get quality vocational education.
Stating this here today Technical Education and Industry Minister Mr Anil Joshi said that the Punjab Government has set up 7 new polytechnic colleges in semi urban and rural areas of those districts that had no government technical college till now across the state.
He said that Punjab Government was fully committed to provide technical education to students residing in the semi urban and rural areas of Punjab. He said that earlier the Punjab Government has identified seven Districts who had no government polytechnic college and student had to travel miles to go for study in adjoining districts. He said that admission in new colleges would be started from the current session.
Mr Joshi said that the new polytechnic colleges has been set up at Breta in Mansa, Kotkapura in Faridkot, Fatuhi Khera in Mukatsar, Behram in SBS Nagar, Begowal in Kapurthala, Ranvan in Fatehgarh Sahib and Badbar in District Barnala.
The Minister said that the construction of buildings for these colleges has been completed. Besides that ultra modern technical equipments and other requirements has been provided in these colleges and these polytechnics are now ready to welcome new students.
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PUNJAB TO ESTABLISH 1107 MORE EDUSAT LABS-MALUKA
Chandigarh June 13: To provide quality education to the remotest student of the State, the Punjab Government have established 2077 EDUSAT Computer Labs under NABARD Project to enhance teaching and learning process in the state schools. Besides, 1107 more such EDUSAT Labs would be established in the remaining schools.
Disclosing this here today Mr Sikandar Singh Maluka, Education Minister Punjab said that rural students who were not able to a pay hefty fees to the coaching centers were able to prepare themselves through satellite learning and as many as 1719 students from the rural areas were selected in Engineering and Medical Colleges through this e-learning programme.
The Education Minister informed that 1016 EDUSAT classroom ends have been established with 516 Satellite Interactive Terminals (SITs) and 500 Receive Only Terminals (ROTs) in various government secondary schools in the state.
He added that this year a crash course was conducted from 28th February to 5th May for competitive coaching to enable the students to review the lectures at their convenience. "The EDUSAT society have enrolled more than 3000 students at 100 classroom ends for programme of six weeks duration and study material consisting more than 800 pages was supplied free of cost to every student" he said.
Expressing satisfaction over the EDUSAT system providing tele-teaching in the government schools, the Education Minister said that the Punjab EDUSAT Society had provided free coaching tele-services to the 10+2 students of medical and non-medical streams for competitive examinations who were unable to pay the unaffordable fees of private coaching centers. "Due to the free coaching services about 300 students belonging to poor strata of society were able to got admissions into the medical and engineering colleges", he added.
Mr Maluka further said that in addition to these competitive coaching classes, the society was broadcasting regular lectures on hard topics in the subjects of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, English and Commerce to the students of Medical, Non-Medical, and Commerce. "The best of the faculty available in India have been roped in to deliver the best of the competitive educational content for the usage of the aspiring students", he added.
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PUNJAB TO LAUNCH A MONTH LONG CAMPAIGN OF VOLUNTARY
BLOOD DONATION-MITTAL
Chandigarh June 13:-
The State Government would launch a month long awareness campaign for voluntary blood donation in the state for safe and secure supply of blood for blood banks from June 14th.
Disclosing this here today Mr. Madan Mohan Mittal Health & Family Welfare Minister Punjab said tht Punjab State Blood Transfusion Council would observe World Blood Donor's day on 14th June to raise awareness regarding the need for safe Blood Donation and Transfusion to the needy persons.
He added that nationwide approximate 9 million units of blood were donated every year, however the demand for blood transfusion increasing every year & many states were unable to meet their current needs.
He said that necessary instructions have already been issued to Deputy Commissioners and Civil Surgeons to mark the day at district headquarters by organizing various activities and also by honouring voluntary blood donors. Revised funds have also been released to all the t Blood Banks to ensure celebration of the day and organize activities during one month as campaign, he added.. He also informed that voluntary blood donor Mr. Bhupinder Singh Grewal who have donated blood more than 100 times, would be honoured at World Blood Donor's Day organised by National Aids Control Society (NACO)at New Delhi.
M.r Mittal said that in the past 3 years, Punjab has improved collection of blood through Voluntary Blood Donation from 50% (2009-10) to 78% (2011-12). However, more efforts are needed to achieve 100% Voluntary Blood Collection. In Punjab, every district is uniquely equipped with a Blood Bank as well as a Blood Component Separation Unit facility, he added.
The Minister further said that theme of this year is " Every Blood Donor is a Hero", so youth should play an important role in the noble cause by donating blood regularly after every three months and also by motivating fellow youth to become regular voluntary unpaid blood donors to ensure sufficient stocks of blood needed for routine and emergency treatment.
He said that the Punjabis are known for their velour and dedication towardshard work all over the world. Thus there is no reason that Punjabis should lag behind in achieving the goal of 100% voluntary blood donation. He informed that Blood donation does not cause any weakness, rather it makes one energetic and builds self esteem. He appeals to all eligible persons of Punjab in the age group of 18 to 65 years to come forward without any hesitation and donate blood voluntarily and regularly.
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BADAL SEEKS INPUTS FROM EMINENT INTELLECTUALS AND HISTORIANS BEFORE FINALIZATION OF CONCEPTUAL DESIGN OF WORLD CLASS FREEDOM MARTYRS' MEMORIAL (JANG-E-AZADI) TO COME AT KARTARPUR
CHANDIGARH JUNE 12
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal held a marathon discussions with noted historians, intellectuals, academicians and Sikh scholars to solicit their views on the concept and design of the world class Freedom Martyrs' Memorial (Jang-e-Azadi) to come up at Kartarpur, in commemoration of the remarkable contribution made by the freedom fighters of the country in general and Punjabis in particular during the nation’s freedom struggle.
Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the CMO said that a meeting to this effect was held at official residence of Mr. Badal on Monday to discuss the conceptual design and other modalities related to the planning and construction of state-of-the-art memorial, which lasted about three hours.
It may be recalled that the state government had already allotted 20 acres of land to set up this historic memorial at Kartarpur on Jalandhar-Amritsar national highway.
Taking part in the deliberations, Mr. Badal said that this prestigious monument has been planned to showcase the rich legacy and the exemplary valor displayed by the countless freedom fighters, patriots and martyrs from Punjab during the Indian independence movement. The upcoming memorial, he said would play a vital role and act as a beacon to acquaint our younger generations about the saga of great sacrifices made by our martyrs especially from Punjab to free their motherland from the yoke of British imperialism.
Mr. Badal sought the views from the participants in the meeting to develop this world class memorial in such a manner to make it a perfect blend of grandeur, aesthetics and architecture. He asked the Director Cultural Affairs to invite a panel of world renowned architects and consultants so that this classic memorial of utmost historical significance and immense emotive value especially to Punjabis could come on the ground at the earliest in order to pay befitting tributes to several unsung heroes of national freedom struggle. He urged the historians and scholars present in the meeting to give their free and frank suggestions after deep insight into the annals of Indian history of independence. He also invited vital inputs from various intellectuals and academicians which would be incorporated in the conceptual design of the memorial before its finalization.
The Chief Minister also underscored the need to execute this entire project in a time bound manner right from its conception to completion so that the supreme and unparalleled sacrifices made by the martyrs of the freedom struggle could be showcased in a proper perspective.
Prominent amongst others who attended the meeting included Tourism & Cultural Affairs Minister Mr. Sarwan Singh Phillaur, Managing Editor Ajit Group of Newspapers Dr. Barjinder Singh Hamdard, Vice Chancellor Punjabi University Patiala Dr. Jaspal Singh, eminent Sikh historian Prof. Kirpal Singh, former professor of Political Science GNDU Amritsar Dr.Harish Puri, former Pro-VC GNDU Amritsar and Sikh historian Dr. Prithipal Singh Kapur and Sikh intellectual Dr. JS Grewal besides Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. SK Sandhu, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. KJS Cheema, Chief Minister’s former Media Advisor Mr. Harcharan Bains, Director Cultural Affairs Dr. KS Sra.
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Capt Amarinder seeks probe into EVM tampering; writes to CEC
CHANDIGARH, June 12:
Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee President Captain Amarinder Singh today sought probe into the reports of tampering of the electronic voting machines (EVMs) in Amritsar.
He has also written to the Chief Election Commissioner of India seeking detailed investigation about the EVM working and if and how these can be made foolproof as some developed democracies had already reverted back to ballot papers.
Referring to the reports of EVM tampering in Amritsar by the hackers hired by the Akalis, PCC President said that the Congress in Punjab has been consistently maintaining that the EVMs were not tamper-proof and these can be manipulated and these have been manipulated time and again.
He disclosed that the Deputy Commissioner of Amritsar had reportedly raised the matter with the State Election Commission for ordering repolling in some wards were some youth were found to be using wireless technology like Wifi and Bluetooth to tamper the EVMs to alter the results.
The PCC President stated that similar things were reported during the assembly election as well and now these have been repeated in the Municipal Corporation elections also. He pointed out during the MC elections the total control is with the state administration which is under direct control of the Punjab government. Even during the assembly elections the EVMs remain in the custody of the state officials.
Moreover, he added, when there are reports that Wifi and Bluetooth technology was being used in tampering the machines even the tight security will not be any deterrent. He said, the issue needs a thorough investigation by the technical experts from the field. Otherwise, he added, the elections will hardly served any purpose as long as the EVMs are programmed for a particular result as has been reported from different places.
Capt Amarinder remarked, “you never know whether it has happened at other places as well, as also during the assembly elections which now appears be a strong possibility, as the doubts have started being confirmed”. This, he added, calls for a thorough investigation from all aspects.
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Congress retort to Sh. Bikram Majithia
Sukhpal Singh Khaira
Ex MLA
The reported statement of Sh. Bikram Majithia predicting collapse of the Congress in Punjab smacks of a typical arrogant feudal brat, drunk by the power of the state. It also reflects his ungrateful character as it was the glorious Congress party that gave political identity to his forefathers, otherwise considered stooges of the erstwhile British.
The fact is that the new feudal lords (Sukhbir- Majithia) of Punjab are hell bent on ruining democracy in the state. During the last five years of their misrule, they had hijacked all vital trades of sand mining-quarrying, cable network (owning PTC channel), transport, bulk liquor besides amassing enormous ill gotten wealth from rampantly corrupt and scandalous deals like the PIMS Jalandhar.
These feudals very cleverly diverted the agenda of the just concluded Vidhan Sabha elections from the vital issues of the people such as education, health, unemployment, drugs, road accidents etc. to manipulation and management by pumping in huge sums of money from their ill gotten resources.
It is noteworthy that all recent defections from the Congress rank and file towards the Akali Dal are through arm twisting and intimidating methods adopted by these feudals. These forced defections are a result of gross misuse of the government machinery particularly the police, which has become a handy tool and is working as a private army of the Akali’s. All those who have left the Congress have done it out of coercion and are likely to revert back to their parent party at the right time.
In so far the claims of victory in the just concluded Municipal elections are concerned, it was nothing but murder and rape of democracy as highlighted by the entire media. There was a poll related murder, booth capturing, violence by Akali goons backed by the police, hacking of the EVM machines, state sponsored intimidation of not only candidates but even Capt Amarinder Singh and Ms Preneet Kaur MOS. Elections in Punjab have been reduced to a farce with these ruling feudals having no digestion for opposition from any quarter.
As far as the tall claims of Sh Majithia are concerned, he must first look within self for qualities as a leader. All candidates of the SAD-BJP where Sh. Majithia campaigned lost the elections, will such a leader be able to wipe out the Congress?
To sum it up, it is high time that the people of Punjab get liberation from the new and old feudals on both sides of the political spectrum. Let the unresolved issues of the people take centre stage and let not the egos of hot headed leaders like Sh. Majithia dominate the politics of Punjab.
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SHIROMANI AKALI DAL
SAD TO GO ALONG WITH NDA IN THE PRESIDENTIAL POLLS- BADAL
CENTRE WAS DUTY BOUND TO BAIL OUT THE DEBT STRESSED STATES OF THE COUNTRY- CM
SAD TO ABIDE BY DECISION OF BJP REGARDING DASUYA ASSEMBLY BYE-ELECTION- BADAL
BADAL EXHORTS ALL THE POLITICAL PARTIES OF STATE TO CURB THE NEFARIOUS DESIGNS OF ANTI STATE FORCES TO DISTURB COMMUNAL HARMONY AND PEACE OF PUNJAB
BADAL AND MAJITHIA PAYS TRIBUTE TO SAHI
Dasuya (Hoshiarpur), June 12-
Patron of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Parkash Singh Badal today categorically said that SAD being a major constituent of the BJP led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) would go all along with its alliance partner on the issue of the coming Presidential elections.
Talking to the media persons here after attending the Bhog ceremony of Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mr Amarjeet Singh Sahi here today, Sardar Badal said that as a key ally of the NDA, the SAD was committed to support the line of action as proposed by the NDA. On a query to support Union Finance Minister Mr Pranab Mukherjee whose name has been making rounds as the likely Presidential candidate of the Congress led United Progressive Alliance (UPA), he said that all the constituents of the NDA would join their heads to decide their stand over the matter in the coming days. “It’s the alliance which will decide its stand over the issue for which the meeting of its major constituents will be convened in coming days” added Sardar Badal.
The SAD Patron though refused to comment on the arm twisting strategy being adopted by West Bengal Chief Minister Ms Mamta Banerjee to get debt relief package from the Union Government for her state, however he said that the Centre was duty bound to bail out the debt stressed states of the country in general and Punjab in particular, as the state has incurred huge loss due to nation’s war against terrorism. He reiterated that the Union government must disburse the Central grants in proportion to the share of taxes collected from the states as it would provide the required fillip for the development of the states.
Replying to another query Sardar Badal said that the candidate for the Dasuya assembly segment, which had vacated due to sad demise of Mr Sahi, would be decided by the state BJP leadership and SAD would abide by the decision of their alliance partner. He categorically said that the SAD-BJP alliance was fully prepared for the bye-election of this assembly constituent scheduled to be held in the next month.
Earlier addressing the gathering on the occasion, Sardar Badal exhorted the leadership of all parties present there to work hard for preserving the communal harmony, peace and amity in the state. He said that it was unfortunate that the anti Punjab forces, which were envy of the development and progress of the state, were making nefarious designs to disturb the hard earned peace of the state thereby retarding its growth process. However Sardar Badal said that it was the duty of the combined political leadership of the state to join hands in curbing the ugly head of such forces by rising above from the parochial political considerations. “The state has already suffered adversely during the black days of militancy so need of the hour was to join hands for avoiding any such situation in the future” added Sardar Badal.
Paying glorious tributes to the departed soul, Sardar Badal said that the sad demise of Mr Sahi was an irreparable loss to the alliance as it has lost its energetic leader who was very popular amongst the general masses. He said that Mr Sahi was epitome of the communal harmony in the state and his sudden death has created a void which would be hardly filled in the near future.
Offering tributes to Mr Sahi, President of Youth Akali Dal and Cabinet Minister Sardar Bikram Singh Majithia lauded the role played by him in strengthening the SAD-BJP alliance in this assembly segment of Kandi area, once considered to be a strong citadel of the Congress party. Sardar Majithia said that the mammoth gathering converged at the Bhog of Mr Sahi indicates the popularity of this leader amongst the masses. He said that the death of Mr Sahi was not only a huge loss to alliance but a personal one for him. Sardar Majithia assured the family members of late Mr Sahi that he would be ever at their disposal to serve them.
Prominent amongst those who paid tributes to departed soul included Cabinet Ministers Sardar Bikram Singh Majithia, Mr Chunni Lal Bhagat, Sardar Sarwan Singh Phillaur, Mr Anil Joshi and Mr Madan Mohan Mittal, National General Secretary of BJP Mr JP Nadda, State BJP President Mr Ashwani Sharma, Chief Parliamentary Secretaries Mr KD Bhandari, Mr Pawan Teenu, Mr Som Parkash, Chaudhary Nand Lal, Mrs Mohinder Kaur Josh and Mr Desh Raj Dhugga, MLAs Sardar Gurbachan Singh Babbehali, Sardar Gurtej Singh Balluana and Sardar Gurpratap Singh Wadala, Rajya Sabha MP Mr Ashwani Khanna, former Union Minister Sardar Balwant Singh Ramoowalia besides several leaders and workers of SAD-BJP alliance.
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CM GIVES NOD FOR SETTING UP 1000 MW GAS BASED POWER PLANT IN COLLABORATION WITH GAIL AT ROPAR- ASK FOR PREPARATION OF GAS MASTER PLAN FOR ENTIRE STATE
CHANDIGARH JUNE 12:
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today gave in principle approval to set up a gas based 1000 MW power plant in collaboration with Gas Authority of India (GAIL) at Ropar.
This decision was taken by Mr. Badal in a meeting with the team of senior officers of GAIL led by its chairman & Managing Director Mr. BC Tripathi here at CMO this morning.
The Chief Minister asked the CMD Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) to convene a separate meeting with the top brass of GAIL to thrash out various issues involved in establishing the gas based power plant at Ropar. It was proposed to have three units of 330 MW each, initially a unit of 330 MW could be set up and subsequently other two units could be added at the later stage depending on the success of previous unit. This project was seen as financially viable and self sustainable because 150 acres of land was already available in the vicinity of the Guru Gobind Singh Super Thermal Plant at Ropar besides assured gas supply from Dadri – Nangal pipeline on its way.
Mr. Badal asked the CMD GAIL to immediately set up enabling infrastructure in the state for the assured supply of CNG to the transport sector. He also agreed to the proposal of Mr. Tripathi to initially run the city bus service in Ludhiana and Jalandhar on CNG which could be later on replicated by the state government to run the Punjab Roadways and PEPSU buses. The Chief Minister asked the Principal Secretary Local Government to work out modalities to start intercity bus service on pilot basis which would not only be affordable but also pollution free. He said that this model could also be applied in other municipal corporation cities of Amritsar, Bathinda, Patiala and Mohali later on.
Mr. Badal also asked the Chief Secretary to get the master gas plan prepared from Punjab State Industrial Development Corporation and GAIL to ensure uninterrupted gas supply in the state. He also asked the Punjab Pollution Control Board to issue directives to the industrial hubs along the gas pipeline for immediate conversion of fuel usage to gas.
Taking part in the deliberations, CMD GAIL apprised the Chief Minister that the present shortage of 3500 MW in the state could be catered by the gas based peak power plants by 2014-15. Share of TAPI gas would be made available from 2016-17 for entire shortage of power in the state. He also emphasized the need for formation of joint working group of PSPCL and GAIL for prompt resolution of all issues related to power generation. Mr. Tripathi also informed the Chief Minister that the state government should make optimum utilization of gas in the power sector, milk plants, public transport, industries and fuel as it was affordable as well as environment-friendly, besides its usage could also save lot of revenue incurred on diesel in transport sector because of its least possibility of any pilferage of gas.
Meanwhile, the Chief Secretary asked the Secretary Transport to sign a MoU with GAIL within a fortnight for initiating an action bound plan to run buses of Punbus/Punjab Roadways on CNG. He also asked the transport department to explore all possibilities to switch over the public transport from diesel to CNG in a phased manner. The Chief Secretary also asked the transport department to explore the ways and means to start few direct bas routes from Amrtisar to Delhi on CNG as the GAIL had already a network of CNG stations enroute National Highway 1 at Delhi and Sonepat. Likewise, the other stations at Ambala, Rajpura, Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Amritsar would be soon set up for the purpose of refueling.
Conceding the request of the CMD GAIL to allot land for its zonal office at Mohali, the Mr. Badal asked the Chief Secretary to take up this issue with GMADA for the allotment of suitable site.
Prominent amongst others who attended the meeting included Chief Secretary Mr. Rakesh Singh, Principal Secretary Industries & Commerce Mr. AR Talwar, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. SK Sandhu, Principal Secretary Local Govt. Mr. Suresh Kumar, Secretary Power Mr. Anirudh Tiwari, Secretary Transport Mr. Mandeep Singh, CMD PSPCL Mr. KD Chaudhary besides Mr. KJS Cheema, Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar and Mr. Gurkirat Kirpal Singh all Special Principal Secretaries to Chief Minister. Team from GAIL included CMD Mr. BC Tripathi, Director Marketing Mr. Parbhat Singh, CEO GAIL Gas Ltd. (GGL) Mr. J.Wason, Executive Director Marketing Mr. Rajeev Mathur, GM GGL Mr. SP Sharma and office Incharge Zonal Office Chandigarh Mr. Sanjay Arora.
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WIN GOLD IN LONDON OLYMPICS AND GET RS.2 CRORE CASH-SUKHBIR’S OFFER FOR PUNJAB’S PLAYERS
v SUKHBIR FELICITATES FIVE PUNJABI PLAYERS INDUCTED IN INDIAN HOCKEY TEAM FOR LONDON OLYMPICS
Chandigarh, June 12:
Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today felicitated 5 Punjabi players, who have been inducted in Indian Hockey Team for London Olympic Games starting from July 29. It may be mentioned here that Punjabi Players namely Gurvinder Singh Chandi (Jalandhar), Dharmvir Singh (Ropar), Gurbaz Singh (Zira) and Manjeet Singh (Jalandhar) have been included in Indian Squad while Sarwanjit Singh (Batala) has been kept standby.
Mr. Badal, who is Sports Minister and President Hockey Punjab today said that Punjabis have a great passion for hockey and always played a significant role in Indian Hockey Team’s achievements at International level. He said that India had won 8 Gold, 1 Silver and 2 Bronze medals in Olympics and one can never forget the deciding role played by Punjabi players. He said that Punjab has maximum 5 players in Indian Squad for London Olympics than any other state. He said that in last Olympics India got first individual Gold medal that was also through ace Punjabi Shooter Abhinav Bindra.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that Punjab government was committed to promote sports in the state at bigger canvas. He said that the SAD-BJP government has set up 14 World Class Stadiums with 6 Hockey Astroturfs’ including 2 Blue and Pink Astroturfs’ being used in London Olympics. Extending his good wishes to all the Punjabi players participating in London Olympics, Mr. Badal announced to give Rs.2 crore cash prize to each Olympic gold medal winner.
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MAJITHIA FIXES POSTING TENURE OF REVENUE OFFICIALS
- EMPLOYEES WITH TAINTED SERVICE RECORD TO BE KEPT AWAY FROM KEY POSTINGS
Chandigarh June 12: To do away with corruption from the Revenue department Punjab and provide transparent governance to the people of the state, the Revenue department has issued fresh guidelines regarding the tenure of service of the revenue officials dealing with the general public at the bottom level.
Stating this here today, Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia, Revenue Minister Punjab reiterated Punjab government's resolve to provide corruption free and transparent governance to the public. He said that the time period for posting of the Patwaris, Kanoogos, registry clerks, readers and arms' license clerks has been fixed according to which their postings and transfers could be made within the scheduled time frame. Adding further he said that the Patwaris and Kanoogos would be posted for two years within the limits of Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils and Nagar Panchayats. Besides this all those employees who have completed their two years of posting at the existing place would be immediately transferred as per the transfer norms fixed.
The Minister also said that during the entire service, a Patwari and a Kanoogo could be posted in city areas only for six years that too for two years at a stretch having an essential gap of three years.
He said that to reduce the disputes regarding the limits of Patwar and Kanoogo circle, it has been decided that while fixing the municipal limits if minute portion of any village land falls in the jurisdiction of municipal limits then the whole Patwar and Kanoogo circle would be counted under the city areas. Adding further he said that strict departmental action would be initiated against the employees with tainted service record and he would not be given any important posting in the city areas.
Mr. Majithia also said that employees who have qualified the departmental examinations would be posted as registry clerks for one year. Clarifying further he said that if any employee could not be found eligible for the post of registry clerk then the posted employee would have to qualify the required departmental exam within 6 months of his posting. The employee posted as registry clerk would not be posted again on the same post before a minimum gap of three years, said Mr. Majithia. The readers appointed with revenue officers and arms' license clerks would also be included in the newly issued guidelines, he added.
To ensure proper implementation of these guidelines in both letter and spirit, all the Divisional Commissioners, Director Land Record and all Deputy Commissioners have been asked to send a detailed report to Financial Commissioner Revenue in this regard.
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DISTRICTS TO HAVE TRAINING CENTERS FOR DAIRY DEVELOPMENT: RANIKE
- RS 3 CRORE WOULD INCURRED FOR SUCH DAIRY TRAINING CENTER IN PATIALA
- SUBSIDY FOR THE PURCHASE OF MILCH CATTLE ENHANCED FROM 9 TO 20 CRORE
CHANDIGARH, JUNE 12:
The Punjab Government has chalked out a comprehensive plan to bail out the debt ridden farming community by promoting subsidiary occupations. Under such initiative Rs. 3 crore would be incurred for setting up state-of-the-art Dairy Training Center in village Rauni of District Patiala. These training centers would subsequently be set up in remaining districts of Punjab. Similarly, in order to bring back the white revolution, the Punjab Government has decided to sensitize the milk producers about new techniques in milk production through Milk Production Camps.
It was disclosed by Mr. Gulzar Singh Ranike, Minister for Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Dairy Development during the press conference here today. He said that the Punjab Government has decided to subsidize the marginal and small farmers for setting up units for the production of milk products, purchase of milch cattle and for rearing the calves. He said that the 25 per cent subsidy would be given to General Category and 33.33 per cent subsidy to the farmers belonging to SC Categories. He said that in the previous year Rs.9 crore was disbursed under this scheme, whereas the subsidy in the current year has been increased to Rs.20 crore.
Mr. Ranike said that the Punjab was among the 14 states choosen for Natioanl Dairy Plan Programme by GoI. He said that under this programme, efforts would be initiated for improving the cattle breed, striking feed balancing and increasing milk processing capacity.
Prominent among other, who were present on the occasion included Mr. Inderjit Singh, Director, Dairy Welfare, Mr. H.S. Sandha, Director, Animal Husbandry and Mr. Jasvir Singh, Joint Director, Animal Husbandry.
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VIGILANCE BUREAU SEARCHING FOR ABSCONDING SE HOUSEFED
Chandigarh June 12-Punjab Vigilance Bureau is raiding hideouts of absconding accused Amarjit Gupta Superintending Engineer, now under suspension, of HOUSEFED Punjab in a vigilance case registered against him after the High Court has dismissed his bail application and non-bailable warrant have been issued by the Court against him.
Disclosing this Balwant Singh, Superintendent of Police, Vigilance Bureau, Economic Offence Wing, who is also Investigating Officer of this case, said that the accused in connivance with contractors had made cuttings/alterations in the tender documents in construction of flats by the HOUSEFED in Sector-79, Ajitgarh and thereby has caused loss of to the tune of Rs. 5 Crore to the state exchequer. He added that in this regard a case under FIR No. 2, dated 02-05-2012 u/s 420, 467, 468, 471, 120-B IPC and 13 (1) (d) read with 13 (2) Prevention of Corruption Act-1988 has been registered at Police Station, Vigilance Bureau, FS-1/Punjab at Ajitgarh against the accused Amarjit Gupta S/o Sh. Tarsem Kumar r/o House No. 48, Sector -27/A, Chandigarh and other co-accused.
He further said that the pleas of the accused for anticipatory bail in the Court of Special Judge Ajitgarh and Punjab & Haryana High Court have already been dismissed and his non-bailable warrant has been issued by the Ajitgarh Court. He warned that if any person found helping the accused to evade his arrest will be liable to be prosecuted as per the provisions in the law. He added that if any body gets any information about the whereabouts of the accused Amarjit Gupta, it may be passed at the Investigating Officer on his telephone numbers 99155-81035 or 0172-2721513. He assured that the name and identity of the person would be kept secret and suitable reward will be given to him.
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PRESENCE OF DOCTORS IN GOVT. HOSPITALS TO BE ENSURED- NAVJOT SIDHU
Chandigarh: June 12: Dr. Navjot Kaur Sidhu, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Punjab while assuming charge today, highlighted the priorities vis-a-vis the Health Department Punjab in order to provide better health facilities to the people of the state .
Dr. Sidhu also said that the presence of the doctors and the para-medical staff in the government hospitals and dispensaries would be ensured. The quality of food supplied to the patients in the hospitals would be improved. She emphasized the need of constituting the teams of specialists doctors on duty in the OPDs to avoid any inconvenience caused to the patients in case the doctor was on leave.
Referring to the drug-de addiction centers, she said that the antecedents and the authenticity of such centers being run by the private companies/persons would be checked randomly. She also said that the Government would take adequate steps to rehabilitate the persons, and include them to the mainstream, who were out of drugs so that they could be self reliant and earn their livelihood. Dr. Sidhu also said that besides rehabilitating them, yoga and art of living camps would also be organized in the drug de-addiction centers for the patients joining these centers.
Senior Officers of the Department were also present on the occasion.
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FANCY VEHICLE NUMBER TO BE AUCTIONED ON JUNE 15
Chandigarh, June 12,
According to a spokesman of the Transport Department Punjab, the fancy vehicle number PB-03-Z series would be auctioned on June 15, 2012 at 10:00 AM in the office of District Transport Officer Bathinda.
The spokesman further said that open auction would be held under the Punjab motor vehicle rules 1989 and the reserved price for the PB-03-Z-0001 has been fixed at Rs 50,000 where as the price for PB-03-Z-0002 to 0009 has been fixed at Rs 10,000. Adding further, he said that similarly the reserved price for PB-03-Z-10 to 0099 has been fixed at Rs 3 thousand.
He also said that interested persons could submit the bank draft in the name of DTO Bathinda by June 13, 2012. One draft would be valid for only one number. 25 percent amount would be submitted at the time of auction acceptance and the remaining could be given within seven days.
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DISTRICT SANGRUR LEADS IN WHEAT PROCUREMENT IN PUNJAB
12921948 TONNES WHEAT PROCURED IN PUNJAB
Chandigarh, june 12:
Wheat Procurement is on full swing in Punjab. District Sangrur with 1221491 tonnes of procurement was leading in procurement operations whereas District Ludhiana with 1043041 tonnes of procurement was at second slot and district Patiala with 1029873 tonnes of procurement ranked at third position.
Government agencies and private millers procured more than12921948 tonnes of wheat till last evening compared to 11075592 tonnes of wheat during last year.
The spokesman added that Out of total procurement of12921948 tonnes of wheat in all the procurement centers of Punjab, Government agencies procured 12822422 tonnes of wheat till date whereas private traders procured 2145 tonnes of wheat. Till JUNE 11, PUNGRAIN had procured 2207993 tonnes (17.09%) whereas MARKFED procured 2838256 tonnes (21.96%). PUNSUP procured 2920111 tonnes (22.60%), PSWC procured 1463701 tonnes (11.33%) whereas PAIC was able to procure 1457888 tonnes (11.28 %) of wheat. The Central Government agency FCI had been able to procure 1934473 tonnes (14.97%).
The State Government has set up more than 1750 procurement centres and activated its total machinery to ensure smooth procurement of wheat, the spokesman added.
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ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA
PRESS NOTE
Subject: Schedule for bye-elections to fill casual vacancy in Assembly Constituency in the State of Punjab- Regarding.
A vacancy has occurred from 40- Dasuya Assembly Constituency in the State of Punjab, which needs to be filled up. After taking into consideration various factors like, festivals, electoral rolls etc., the Commission has decided to hold bye-election to fill this vacancy as per the programme mentioned as under:-
Event |
Date |
1. Issue of notification |
16.06.2012 (Saturday) |
2. Last date of making nominations |
23.06.2012 (Saturday) |
3. Scrutiny of nomination |
25.06.2012 (Monday) |
4. Last date for withdrawal of candidature |
27.06.2012 (Wednesday) |
5. Date of Poll |
11.07.2012 (Wednesday) |
6. Counting of Votes |
14.07.2012 (Saturday) 8.00 AM onwards |
7. Date before which election shall be completed |
16.07.2012 (Monday) |
8. Hours of Poll |
8.00 AM to 5.00 PM |
ELECTORAL ROLL
The electoral rolls comprised in 40- Dasuya Assembly Constituency have been revised with reference to 01.01.2012 as the qualifying date and have been published.
ELECTRONIC VOTING MACHINES (EVMs)
The commission has decided to use EVMs in the bye-elections in all the polling stations. Adequate numbers of EVMs have been made available and all steps have been taken to ensure that the polls are conducted smoothly with the help of these machines.
IDENTIFICATION OF VOTERS
In consonance with the past practice, the commission has decided that the voter’s identification shall be mandate in the aforementioned bye-elections at the time of poll. Electoral Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) shall be the main document of identity of voter. However, in order to ensure that no voter is deprived of his/her franchise, if his/her name figures in the Electoral Rolls, separate instructions will be issued to allow additional document for identification of voters at the time of poll in the said bye-elections.
MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT
The Model Code of Conduct shall come into force with immediate effect in the district(s) in which the whole or any part of the Assembly Constituency going for bye-election is included, subject to partial modification as issued vide the Commission’s instruction No. 437/6/INST/2012/CC&BE, dated 26th April, 2012 (available on the commission’s website). The Model Code of Conduct shall be applicable to all candidates, political parties and the State Governments concerned. The Mode Code of Conduct shall also be applicable to the Union Government for the State concerned.
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RATE OF INTEREST ON GPF AND CPF INCREASED TO 8.8 PER CENT
CHANDIGARH, JUNE 12:
The Punjab Government has fixed the rate of interest on General Provident fund (GPF) and Contributory Provident Fund of government employees of the state to 8.8 per cent for the year 2012-13.
Finance and Planning Minister, Mr. Parminder Singh Dhindsa today said that all the Departmental Heads, Commissioners of Divisions, Deputy Commissioners, Sub Divisional Officer (Civil) and Registrar, Punjab and Haryana High Court have been asked to do the needful in this regard. He said that this rate of Interest will also be applicable on all other such funds, in which government employees had deposited money. Mr. Dhindsa said that the new rate of interest would be applicable from 1st April, 2012.
He said that the rate of interest from 1st April, 2011 to 30th November, 2011 was 8 per cent, whereas rate of interest was fixed at 8.6 per cent for the period of December 2011 to 31st March, 2012, which has now been increased to 8.8 per cent.
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BADAL DEMANDS SUFFICIENT INCREASE IN FERTILIZERS SUBSIDY
SLAMS CENTRE FOR NEW FERTILIZER POLICY
CHANDIGARH JUNE 11:
In a bid to offset the effect of recent hike in the prices of DAP (Di-ammonium Phosphate) and NPK (Nitrogen Phosphorous and Potash), the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today demanded from the Centre a sufficient increase in the subsidy per unit of the nutrient immediately to ensure availability of these fertilizers to the farmers of the state at the same prices prevailing during the last kharif season.
In a statement, the Chief Minister slammed the Congress led UPA government for the shift of its policy from product to nutrient based pricing which made the prices of the fertilizers vulnerable to the prices in the international market. As now the prices of DAP and NPK were firming up in the international market, Mr. Badal asked the Centre to share this burden by way of making corresponding hike in the subsidy per unit of the nutrient instead of passing the entire buck on the beleaguered farmers in the new fertilizer regime.
Blaming the Centre, Mr. Badal said that this policy was formulated with a sole objective of promoting balanced use of nutrients but the hidden agenda of the Congress was to curtail the subsidy bill of the government. On the contrary it had adversely hit the farmers due to repeated doses of exorbitant hike in the prices of fertilizers ever since the GoI had decontrolled the fertilizers in 2011. “In other words, the Centre was covertly withdrawing whatever little bit it is giving to the famers in terms of increase in MSP from the farmers” said Mr. Badal.
It may added that the average annual consumption of DAP and NPK fertilizers in the state was about 9 lac MT and would put an additional burden of nearly Rs.500 crore on the hapless farmers of the state thereby further accentuating their miseries, as the majority of them were already reeling under heavy farm debt. With the recent hike in the prices of fertilizers, the new price of 50 kg bag of DAP and NPK would be Rs.1200 and Rs.1115 respectively, an increase of Rs.295 per bag.
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UNION HOME MINISTRY DIRECTS CHANDIGARH ADMINISTRATION TO MAINTAIN 60:40 RATIO - CHIDAMBARAM WRITES TO BADAL
EXISTING ARRANGEMENT TO CONTINUE AS BEFORE WITHOUT SHUFFLING OF DEPARTMENTS
CHANDIGARH JUNE 11:
The Union Government has agreed to ensure the maintenance of the ratio of 60:40 in the posts to be filled up in the Union Territory of Chandigarh from amongst IAS, IPS and other state cadre officers of Punjab and Haryana.
An assurance to this effect has been given by the Union Minister for Home Affairs, Mr. P. Chidambaram in a communication to the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr. Parkash Singh Badal. The assurance comes in the wake of persistent objections raised by Mr. Badal in several communications to the Prime Minister.
In an official letter to the Punjab Chief Minister reiterating the “commitment of the Union Government to the existing arrangements of the 60:40 formula, Mr. Chidambaram has said that his ministry is “particularly concerned about the sensitivity of States of Punjab and Haryana with regard to Chandigarh and, therefore, no steps will would be taken “that generate any misgivings” over the 60:40 share of the two states and their role in the Chandigarh Administration”.
Mr. Chidambaram has further informed the Chief Minister that the Union Home Secretary has spoken to the Administrator, Chandigarh Administration in this regard and has asked him to ensure that the 60:40 arrangement between Punjab and Haryana be respected and that not only the postings but even the Departments between the officers from Punjab and Haryana should continue on the above ratio. “There should be no shuffling of Departments” in violation of this, the Union Home Secretary has asked the UT Administrator.
The Punjab government has been expressing “immense concern” over the issue of postings of Haryana government officers to the UT in violation of the existing formula. Mr. Badal had raised the issue with the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister several times. Mr. Chidambaram’s letter is expected to rest at rest the controversy over the issue.
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COLOSSAL DEFEAT MARKS DECIMATION OF CONGRESS IN PUNJAB
POLITICS: MAJITHIA
• PEOPLE’S MANDATE IN FAVOUR OF DEVELOPMENT AND
ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS
Chandigarh, JUNE 11:
Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia, Cabinet Minister, Punjab, extending thanks to the people of Punjab for the historic victory of ruling SAD-BJP alliance in the Municipal Corporations and Nagar Council elections said that with the unparalleled triumph of Akali-BJP alliance, the decimation of Congress party has
begun from the political map of Punjab.
Declaring it a colossal defeat of Congress Party, Mr. Majithia said that the people of State have given mandate in favour of development, vision and people friendly policies of SAD-BJP alliance. He said that the people of State are now fully aware about their interests and that of Punjab. He said that people have realized that only SAD-BJP combine can safeguard their interests and welfare besides putting Punjab on the higher trajectory of growth and prosperity.
Mr. Majithia said that one after the other defeat of Congress Party in Vidhan Sabha and MC Polls respectively would eliminate this anti-people party from the political map of Punjab. Lambasting at the deflecting strategies of Congress Party in center, Mr. Majithia said that with the consecutive results in the recently held polls in 4 Municipal Corporations, 3 Municipal Councils and 26 Nagar Panchayats in the state has reflected that the Congress is heading towards hat
trick of defeat in 2014 as the people of state have brushed it aside and have reposed faith in the ongoing development in the state. He asserted that after the results of 2014 Parliament elections Congress would completely collapse in Punjab.
Mr. Majithia said that it was very tough time for PPCC Chief Captain Amarinder Singh to accept massive defeat of Congress in his own Royal City Patiala but it is people’s mandate, which the congress will have to face. The Minister also thanked Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal for fair and flawless elections conducted in Punjab. Appreciating the hard work done by the workers of Youth Akali Dal, Mr.
Majithia said that round the clock hard work of youth workers can not be ignored, who punctually delivered their duty to propagate the development vision of SAD-BJP alliance among the masses.
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MALUKA ASKS STRIKING TEACHERS TO APPROACH CONCERNED OFFICERS
Chandigarh June 11, 2012
The Contractual teachers employed under different centrally sponsored schemes are resorting to unethical and illegal demonstrations that maligns the pious profession of teaching in the state but the Punjab Government would dealt the striking teachers with the law of the land. This was disclosed here by the Education Minister Punjab Mr. Sikandar Singh Maluka.
He added that common man and the traders are unhappy with this type of strikes being called by the contractual teachers. "The education department will never tolerate such unethical demonstration and will not accept any illegal demands. The striking employees have to approach concerned officers to resolve their demands in peaceful manner" said Mr. Maluka.
He added that as the teachers have already accepted the laid down conditions for entry to the jobs on the affidavits but still they are violating the oaths taken and the civil service rules by resorting to demonstrations. He categorically said that the Punjab Government would usher a new era in the education department by reforming the teaching practices to provide quality education to the children. He asked the parents, children and sympathizers to advise the striking teachers to end their demonstrations who were playing in the hands of opposition to divert the attention of people from the progress and development being undertaken by the state government.
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37 SUPERINTENDENTS OF PUNJAB CIVIL SECRETARIAT TRANSFERRED
Chandigarh, June 11: The Punjab government today ordered the transfer/postings of 37 superintendents of Grade-1 cadre posted in Punjab Civil Secretariat to different Branches of secreterait with immediate effect.
The spokesperson of Punjab Government today said that Mrs. Surjit Kaur has been transferred to Establishment Branch-3, Sh. Harpal Singh to Science Technology Branch, Smt. Jasbir Kaur to Security Branch in place of Smt. Amarjit Kaur, Sh. Manjit Singh to State Election Commission, Smt. Sushil Kumari to Reservation Cell, Sh. Manoj Kumar to Buildings & Roads Branch-2, Smt. Shuhinder Kaur to Finance Personnel Branch-1, Sh. Tejveer Singh to Home-2 in place of Sh. Gurhimat Singh, Smt. Gurjit Kaur to Employment Generation, Smt. Arun Bala to Technical Education, Sh. Rajnish Kumar to Secrecy Branch, Sh. Gurnam Singh to Gen. Coordination Branch, Sh. Gurbhajan Singh to Home-6, Smt. Manjeet Kaur to Health-6, Sh. Gurmit Singh to Raj Bhawan, Smt. Sudesh Kumari to Education Branch-1, Smt. Balwinder Kaur to Accounts Branch-2, Sh. Balwinder Singh to P.P. Branch-3, Smt. Ranju Bala to Finance Personnel Branch-2, Sh. Sham Lal to Judicial Branch-1, Smt. Satwinder Kaur to Punjab Subordinate Selection Board, Sh. Jasbir Singh to Security Branch-1 in place of Sh. K.K. Singla, Smt. Veena Kumari to Jails Branch in place of Sh. Surjit Singh, Sh. Jaswant Singh to Record Branch, Sh. Avtar Singh to Buildings & Roads Branch-3, Ms. Kiranjeet Kaur to Education Branch-7, Sh. Sewa Singh to Irrigation Works Branch, Sh. Suminder Singh to Election Branch, Sh. Ajay Kumar to Home Branch-5, Sh. Kulwant Singh to Health Branch-3 from Health Branch-4, Sh. Gurhimat Singh to Estt. Branch-2 from Home Branch-2, Sh. Surjit Singh to Estt. Branch-4 from Jails Branch, Sh. Hans Raj to Local Government Branch-4 from Technical Education Branch-1, Sh. Iqbal Singh to Cabinet Affairs Br. from Admn Officers Branch-1 in place of Sh. Rakesh Kumar, Sh. Rakesh Kumar to Admn Officers Branch-1 from Cabinet Affairs Branch in place of Iqbal Singh, Ms. Amarjit Kaur to Health Branch-4 from Security Branch-2 in place of Sh. Kulwant Singh and Sh. K.K. Singla to Tech Edu. Branch-1 from Security Branch-1 in place of Sh. Hans Raj.
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HIGH SECURITY NUMBER PLATES MANDATORY IN PUNJAB
Chandigarh June 11: The Punjab Government has directed the authorities concerned to implement the directive of the state government regarding the fixing of high security registration plates (HSRP) on vehicles and made an appeal to the general public to have it fixed at the earliest.
Disclosing this here today, a spokesman of the department of Transport Punjab said that under the Central Motor Vehicle Rule 1989, it was pertinent to have high security number plates on the vehicles registered in Punjab. According to the directions of the Supreme Court of India, all the new vehicles would have the high security number plates at the time of purchase whereas the work of putting up of such plates have already been started in the districts Transport offices concerned on the old vehicles.
Adding further, he said that as per the fixed rates, the number plates for scooter, motor cycle, moped and other two wheelers would cost Rs. 100, three wheelers would be Rs. 135 whereas light motor vehicles/ passenger cars would get it for Rs. 295, medium commercial vehicles/ heavy commercial vehicles/trailers/combination would get it fixed for Rs.315 and for agriculture tractor/ other vehicles for Rs. 100 besides the 12.5% vat and 10% surcharge on vat would be levied on the fixed rates.
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29 DEPUTY/UNDER SECRETARIES OF PUNJAB CIVIL SECRETARIAT TRANSFERRED
Chandigarh, June 11: The Punjab Government today ordered the transfers/postings of 29 Deputy/Under Secretaries of P.S.S. Group-A Service cadre posted in Punjab Civil Secretariat with immediate effect.
The spokesperson of Punjab Government today said that Mr. Kashmira Singh has been posted as Deputy Secretary cum Budget officer, Finance, Mr. Hakam Singh as Deputy Secretary, Irrigation with additional charge of attestation of NRI documents, Mr. Kuldeep Singh as Deputy Secretary, Personnel, Mr. Balwant Singh as Deputy Secretary, Social Security, Mrs. Lalita Mahajan as Principal of Establishment Education Organization with additional charge of attestation of NRI documents, Mrs. Jasbir Kaur as Deputy Secretary, Finance, Mrs. Manju Bala as Under Secretary, Welfare, Mr. Sukhdev Singh in Under Secretary in Chief-Minister's secretariat, Mrs. Kamlesh Arora as Under Secretary, Labour with additional charge Vigilance, Mrs. Santosh Malhotra as Under Secretary, Administrative Reforms, Mrs. Ravi Kiran as Under Secretary, Secretariat Administration, Mr. Manmohan Singh as Under Secretary, Health, Mr. Sewa Singh as Under Secretary, Home, Mr. Tarsem Lal Goyal as Under Secretary, Parliamentary Affairs, Sushil Kumar, Under Secretary, Inquiries Mr. Ramesh Kumar Verma as Under Secretary, Local Government, Mr. Satya Prakash Gupta as Under Secretary, General Administration, Mr. Mahinder Singh Prashar as Deputy Director ,Lotteries, Mrs. Darshana Devi as Under Secretary , Accounts, Mr. Puran Lal as Under Secretary, Home, Mr. Ramesh Kumar as Under Secretary , Coordination, Mr. Mahinder Singh Rana as Under Secretary cum Administrative officer of Civil Aviation, Mrs. Bhupinder Kaur as Under Secretary , Irrigation, Mr. Vasudev Madaan as Under Secretary of Raj Bhawan, Mrs. Rama Rani as Under Secretary, Finance Department, Mrs. Kamla Devi, Under Secretary, Health, Mr. Harchand Singh as Under Secretary of Printing and Stationary Department with Additional charge of Social Security, Mr. Baldev Ram Sahota as Under Secretary, Chief Minister's office and Mr. Jaswant Singh as Under Secretary of Finance.
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CIVIC POLL RESULTS MANDATE FOR SAD-BJP DEVELOPMENT AGENDA-SUKHBIR
Chandiagrh, June 10
Shiromani Akali Dal President and Deputy Chief Minister Punjab Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today said that the victory of SAD-BJP alliance in Civic polls is the victory of the people and a clear mandate for the alliance’s development agenda. He thanked the voters for peaceful conduct of elections and the support they have extended to the SAD-BJP alliance.
In a statement issued here, Mr. Badal said that after historic victory of SAD-BJP alliance in the Vidhan Sabha elections the verdict in the Civic polls was a complete rejection of anti-people Congress party. He said that the election results were an approval of development oriented, pro-poor and pro-people policies of SAD-BJP government.
Lashing out at the Congress for its anti-people policies, Mr. Badal said that people of the state rejected the communal, divisive and anti-development policies of the Congress party. He said that Congress party’s only aim was to derail the process of development in the state.
Reiterating the commitment of SAD-BJP alliance, Mr Badal said that the alliance government would ensure the overall development of the state in the coming two years so that the state excels the country in almost every field.
S. Ravneet Singh Bittu, MP, on Badal Sahib extending support
Baba Ram Dev should have thought twice before approaching for support from Badals for bringing back the black money from abroad as everyone knows that the Badals have millions of millions stashed in the foreign banks and stands at number one in the list of such politicians, who have even faced corruption charges in courts also stating this Member of Parliament S. Ravneet Singh Bittu today expressed shock at the poor vision of Baba Ramdev towards corruption and said that it has become really a matter of joke of the day. This step of Baba Ram Dev spells the genuinty of his mission and it merely shows nothing else other than a baseless and biased campaign against the Congress Party
S. Ravneet Singh Bittu further advised Baba Ramdev to pre-check the honesty and integrity of the leaders in other parts of the country before he meets them for the success of his crusade in future.
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Panchayat to play important role in promoting education: Dr.Kiran Bedi
Mohali 10th June, 2012....“Panchayats & various bodies working at Village level should join hands with educational institutions & work for providing education to the students of rural areas & should run special programmes for this”.....Read
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CM FLAYS JOGA INCIDENT
· APPEALS PEOPLE TO MAINTAIN PEACE AND COMMUNAL HARMONY
· SSP MANSA PLACED UNDER SUSPENSION FOR DERELICTION OF DUTY
Chandigarh, June 10:
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today strongly decried the recent incident of animal carcasses (Hadda Rori) at Joga in Mansa district.
In a statement the Chief Minister said that no body would be allowed to disturb the hard earned peace and communal harmony in the state. He appealed the people to maintain peace, amity and communal harmony at all cost as preached by our great gurus, seers and prophets.
Expressing anguish over this unfortunate incident, the chief Minister urged the people to exercise restraint in these circumstances by displaying the ethos of religious tolerance, unity and brotherhood. Mr. Badal further cautioned the anti-social elements who were bent upon to tarnish the congenial atmosphere of peace and communal harmony in the state, would not be allowed to succeed in their nefarious designs. Mr. Badal categorically said that all the culprits involved in this heinous crime would be dealt with severely as per the law of the land.
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CM FOR EVOLVING COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING FOR CLEANING OF RIVERS IN THE COMING THREE YEARS
FEASIBILITY OF GIVING ‘TERTIARY TREATMENT’ TO THE SEWAGE AND SLUDGE WATER FOR ITS DOMESTIC USAGE TO BE CHECKED
BADAL REVIEWS THE WORK OF CLEANING OF RIVERS IN THE STATE
Chandigarh, June 9-
Punjab Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal today directed the officers of the state government to evolve comprehensive planning for ensuring the cleaning of rivers in the state during the next three years.
Presiding over a high level meeting of the officers of the various departments regarding the cleaning of rivers here at today at his official residence, the Chief Minister reiterated the firm commitment of the state government to clean the rivers of Punjab by ensuring zero discharge of chemical effluents, sewage and sludge water into it. He said that the state government was duty bound to protect this natural bounty of the state for which no stone would be left unturned. Laying stress on the need of adopting a holistic and complete approach towards cleaning of rivers, Mr Badal said that no one should be allowed to pollute the river waters by throwing untreated water into them and a policy of zero tolerance needs to be adopted in such cases by taking stern action against the officers and other individuals found responsible for the mess.
The Chief Minister also directed the officers of the Local Bodies government to check the feasibility of giving ‘Tertiary Treatment’ to the sewage and sludge water after it has been treated in the STP, so that it could be used for the domestic purposes which would not only help in checking the depletion of ground water table but would also help reducing contamination of rivers. He asked the Principal Secretary Local Bodies Department Mr Suresh Kumar to look into the viability of the project so that the recycling of the sludge water could be undertaken in the state. Mr Badal also directed the officers to evolve fool proof strategy for ensuring the timely completion of the work on STPs going on across the state so that the sludge water of the cities could be treated at the earliest and its optimum utilization could be made for irrigational purposes.
Reviewing the progress of work regarding the water supply, sewerage facility and setting up of Sewerage Treatment Plants in 45 river towns of the state, Mr Badal directed the officers to ensure that the work regarding it is completed in a time bound manner. Emphasizing on the need of proper planning and execution of the ongoing developmental works in these river towns, the Chief Minister asked the officers to ensure that in future the joint tenders/bids are called for conducting the work of Water Supply, sewerage and STPs along with the pre condition of medium term Operation and Maintenance of the work, so that durability and sustainability of the work could be ensured. He further said that such a strategy would help in fixing the responsibility of the concerned contactors in case any sort of shortcomings are deducted in the work besides giving basic civic amenities to the residents. Mr Badal also directed the officers to club the petty works of small towns together and call their joint tenders so as to ensure that the developmental works in these towns are also completed in time.
Prominent amongst those present in the meeting included Principal Secretary Local Government Mr Suresh Kumar, Principal Secretary Science, Technology and Environment Mr Karan Avtar Singh, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr SK Sandhu, Special Principal Secretaries to the Chief Minister Mr Gurkirat Kirpal Singh and Mr Gaggandip Singh Brar, Deputy Commissioner Jalandhar Mr Priyank Bharti and the Commissioners of Municipal Corporations of Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Patiala.
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SEKHON ORDERS 24 HOURS VIGILANCE OF ALL CANALS’ AND RIVERS’ EMBANKMENTS
· SDOs and JEs to be deputed at all the sensitive places
· Mates and Baildars to guard the rivers’ and canals’ embankments
Chandigarh,9 June
The Punjab Government today issued Instruction to increase the alertness at all the rivers’ and canals’ embankments during the pre monsoon and monsoon season. In a high level meeting with the senior officers of the department Irrigation Minister Mr Janmeja Singh Sekhon instructed the chief engineers to depute SDOs and JEs at all the sensitive place whereas Mates and Baildars would be deputed to guard the rivers’ and canals’ embankments round the clock.
Disclosing this here today Mr. Sekhon said that to assess the preparedness of the department in tackling any eventuality in the pre monsoon and monsoon season. Mr. Sekhon instructed the Chief engineer (Drainage) to personally monitor flood works continuing in all the districts. Mr. Sekhon asked the CE to prepare a elaborate report of all continuing flood works and send to him within in weeks time. Mr. Sekhon said that he along with Principal Secretary would visit and monitor all the drainage sites, where the flood works were on, and if any laxity found, stern action would be taken against the erring officers. The Minister instructed the chief engineer to apprise him about the progress maid in this regard on daily basis.
Mr. Sekhon instructed the Chief Engineer (Canal) to increase the vigilance along the all embankments of river and canal. The Minister asked the Chief Enginner to make SDOs and JEs incharge of all sensitive places. He also instructed the officers to increase the alertness round the clock by deputing Mates and Baildars.
These instructions were issued in a high level meeting with all the wings of irrigation departments, under the chairmanship of Irrigation Minister Mr. Janmeja Singh Sekhon. This meeting was convened to assess the preparedness of the department in tackling any untoward situation during monsoon season.
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BREACH IN BATHINDA CANAL TO BE PLUGGED BY JUNE 9: SEKHON
- VIGILANCE ASKED TO PROBE REASON FOR BREACH
CHANDIGARH, JUNE 9:
The irrigation department is working day and night to plug the breach in Bathind Branch of Sirhind Canal and it was expected to plug the breach by tomorrow morning. To probe the reasons of the breach high level inquiry has been handed over to Chief Engineer, Vigilance.
Disclosing this here today, Mr. Janmeja Singh Sekhon, Irrigation Minister said that preliminary investigation indicated that the breach occurred due to roots of the trees on the embankment of the river. He said it appeared that the roots had made their ways into the river, thus making the embankment hollow. He further said that to ascertain the real cause of the breach a high level inquiry had been handed over to Chief Engineer Vigilance. He said that if any kind of negligence and laxity appeared, he would take stern action against the erring officers.
Mr. Sekhon said that the over flowing water had not caused any damage to the residential area, but water entered in the agriculture fields of Beed Talab village. He said that he had directed all the senior officer of the department to immediately trace the weak areas in canals in the state, so as to avoid reoccurrence any such kind of mishap in future. He said that in a meeting with the senior officials of the department, he had also instructed to ensure round the clock monitoring of the canals’ embankment in the state through the Baildars, especially during pre-monsoon and monsoon season.
Mr. Sekhon said that the top official of irrigation department are monitoring the process of plugging in of breach occurred in Bathind Branch of Sirhind Canal. He said that after the breach in the canal, the immediate demand was the reduction of water in the canal, so as to avoid any loss to life and property. He said that the reduction of water in canal was immediately achieved by opening up the course of water into the distributaries and drains attached with Bathinda Branch. Mr. Sekhon said that to expedite the rescue operations, they had established close liaison with Forest, PWD, Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Departments. Besides this, teams of N.D.R.F. have also been deputed at the site.
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SHIROMANI AKALI DAL
AMARINDER’S STATEMENT A THREAT TO PEACE : SAD
SAD COMPLAINS TO STATE ELECTION COMMISSION TO TAKE SERIOUS NOTICE OF AMARINDER’S STATEMENT
Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema)
Secretay & Spokesman
Chandigarh, June 9 : The Shiromani Akali Dal took a serious note of the statement released by Capt. Amarinder Singh today in which he has directed his partymen to ‘hit the akalis twice if they hit you once’ and described the statement as highly provocative, undemocratic, ill-legal and aimed at disturbing the peaceful atmosphere of the state. The party urged the State Election Commissioner to immediately take a serious note of this derogatory and mischievous statement. A written complaint in this regard has also been filed by the SAD Secretary and Spokesman Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema with the state election commission today.
In a statement released to the press from party head office in Chandigarh, Dr. Cheema said that from the tone and tenor of the statement it becomes clear that Congres party has gone berserk anticipating crushing defeat in the municipal committee and corporation elections at the hands of SAD-BJP combine. Unable to face their high command and his party cadres,Capt. Amarinder Singh wants to disrupt the law and order situation in the state and to use it as a cover up for his utter failures.
He further said that it has become the habit of the Congress Chief to use foul language against the leadership of the SAD-BJP combine and create an atmosphere of hatred, enmity and tension. He said that the statement issued by the state Congress Chief has proved that he cannot leave his favorite ‘khunda culture’ inspite of the fact that this ‘khunda culture’ was totally rejected by the peace loving people of the state in recently held the assembly elections.
Dr. Cheema urged the election commission to take a serious note of the threat and use of foul language by the state Congress Chief and take an appropriate action to check any misadventure on the part of the Congress Chief which can result in a serious law and order problem and disturb the hard earned peace in the state.
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Capt Amarinder asks partymen hit Akalis twice if they try to hit you once
CHANDIGARH, June 9: Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee President Capt Amarinder Singh today congratulated the partymen for taking on the goonda-raj let loose by the Akali-BJP alliance in the state during the local bodies’ elections and asked them to be prepared for tomorrow as well, as there was every possibility of the Akalis repeating it during the MC election also.
He warned the Akalis and BJP against any misadventure tomorrow and made it clear that the Congressmen will retaliate in equal measure hard and fast. “I have told my party workers not to take anything lying down”, he said, while adding, “hit them back twice if they try to hit you once”
Capt Amarinder announced that the PCC will not only take care of the party workers, who have been taking on the goonda-raj and have been slapped with false cases, in every manner, but they will also be duly honoured for their courage and bravery for saving the democracy.
Referring to the courage and bravery shown by the party workers against all odds in confronting the goonda-raj of the Akalis, Capt Amarinder said, they deserve kudos and congratulations for coming out to save the democracy against the lawlessness being resorted to by the Akalis.
The PCC President said, the behavior of the police and the administration during these elections has been absolutely disappointing and in most of the cases these police and officials have either turned blind eye to the Congress complaints or have sided with the Akalis only.
He pointed out as how former Ghanaur MLA Madan Lal Jalalpur was booked under section 307 of the IPC when he tried to resist the highhandedness of the Akalis during the Nagar Panchayat elections on June 7. Similarly he referred to the attack on Raikote MLA GS Boparai, and ex MLAs Jassi Khangura and Milkiat Singh Dakha in Mulanpur Dakha the same day.
Warning Akalis against resorting to the bullying and intimidation, Capt Amarinder said, the Congressmen were ready to hit back and hit hard in same measure. He said, the onus and responsibility will be that of the Akalis as they are in power.
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BREACH IN BATHINDA CANAL TO BE PLUGGED BY JUNE 9: SEKHON
- VIGILANCE ASKED TO PROBE REASON FOR BREACH
CHANDIGARH, JUNE 8:
The irrigation department is working day and night to plug the breach in Bathind Branch of Sirhind Canal and it was expected to plug the breach by tomorrow morning. To probe the reasons of the breach high level inquiry has been handed over to Chief Engineer, Vigilance.
Disclosing this here today, Mr. Janmeja Singh Sekhon, Irrigation Minister said that preliminary investigation indicated that the breach occurred due to roots of the trees on the embankment of the river. He said it appeared that the roots had made their ways into the river, thus making the embankment hollow. He further said that to ascertain the real cause of the breach a high level inquiry had been handed over to Chief Engineer Vigilance. He said that if any kind of negligence and laxity appeared, he would take stern action against the erring officers.
Mr. Sekhon said that the over flowing water had not caused any damage to the residential area, but water entered in the agriculture fields of Beed Talab village. He said that he had directed all the senior officer of the department to immediately trace the weak areas in canals in the state, so as to avoid reoccurrence any such kind of mishap in future. He said that in a meeting with the senior officials of the department, he had also instructed to ensure round the clock monitoring of the canals’ embankment in the state through the Baildars, especially during pre-monsoon and monsoon season.
Mr. Sekhon said that the top official of irrigation department are monitoring the process of plugging in of breach occurred in Bathind Branch of Sirhind Canal. He said that after the breach in the canal, the immediate demand was the reduction of water in the canal, so as to avoid any loss to life and property. He said that the reduction of water in canal was immediately achieved by opening up the course of water into the distributaries and drains attached with Bathinda Branch. Mr. Sekhon said that to expedite the rescue operations, they had established close liaison with Forest, PWD, Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Departments. Besides this, teams of N.D.R.F. have also been deputed at the site.
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IRRIGATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED ROTATIONAL IRRIGATION PROGRAMME FROM 9 TO 16 JUNE
CHANDIGARH, JUNE 8:
The Irrigation Department, Punjab has announced the Rotational Programme for irrigation for the Kharif Season through Canal water from 9-6-2012 to 16-6-2012. The channels and branches off-taking from Ropar Head Works, the channels of Sirhind Canal System would run on the priority basis from Abohar Branch, Patiala Feeder, Bist Doab canal, Sidhwan Branch and Bathinda Branch, respectively.
Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the Irrigation Department said that the distributaries and branches of BML, Ghaggar Link and its off-taking channels i.e. Ghaggar Branch and Patiala Minor, in Group ‘B’, being in the first preference, would run to their indent. Balance water supplies available, would be utilized in Direct Distributaries of Group ‘A’.
The spokesman further said that Punjab channels and branchs off-taking from Harike and Ferozpur Head Works, Abohar Branch off-taking from Sirhind Feeder and its distributaries, in Group ‘B’ being in first preference, would run to their indent. Balance water supplies available, would be utilized in Direct Distributaries of Sirhind Feeder in Group ‘A’.
The spokesman also said that the in the Upper Bari Doab Canal system, Main Branch Lower with its distributaries, being in the 1st preference, would run to their indent. Balance water supplies available, would be utilized in Lahore Branch, Sabhroan Branch amd Kasur Branch Lower with their distributaries, respectively.
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ORDERS ISSUED TO REMOVE UNWANTED FURNITURE AND ALMIRAHS FROM THE CORRIDORS AND BALCONIES OF CIVIL SECRETARIAT
CHANDIGARH, JUNE 8:
The General Administration Department of Punjab Government has issued strict orders to immediately remove the unwanted/unused furniture and almirahs dumped in the corridors and balconies of Punjab Civil Secretariat within next 7 days.
A spokesperson of the Punjab Government said that it has been found that many almirahs and furniture items which was unused, had been dumped in the corridors/balconies of Civil Secretariat that could besides posing fire hazard was also marring the look of the Secretariat building.
Ordering immediate removal of unwanted furniture and almirahs the spokesman said that the furniture which was not in usable condition should be shifted to Administrative officer-1 and 2 for replacement. He said that the almirahs which was issued to the employees should be placed by them in their rooms. He said during the given period of seven days if any employee failed to implement these instructions then their almirahs would be shifted to cycle stand.
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NEW GUIDELINES ISSUED FOR TAKING PRIVATE BUILDINGS ON RENT FOR OFFICES
Chandigarh, June 8: The Punjab government today issued detailed guidelines to all the departments, Boards and Corporations for taking private buildings on rent for government offices.
According to notification issued by PWD department, it has been decided that No Objection Certificate would be issued once in 3 years instead every year so that payment of rent was not delayed to landlord of the building. The government has also authorized Head of the Department of each office for payment of Rent if building has been taken on Rent after government approval and proper Rent/lease deed had been entered for that.
The new instructions have also done away with the old clause that the minimum period for executing agreement would be 12 years.
It has been decided that in those building where offices was on rent since last more than 12 years, notional increase in the rent be made as per earlier instructions.
These decisions were taken in a meeting convened by Chief Secretary, Punjab.
Instructions in this regard have been issued to all heads of departments; Boards and Corporations.
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SAD CONDEMNS UNDEMOCRATIC AND PROVOCATIVE ACTIONS OF THE CONGRESS PARTY
Chandigarh, June 7 :
The Shiromani Akali Dal strongly condemned the undemocratic actions of the Congress leaders to dumb the free and fair elections of municipal committees held in a peaceful atmosphere throughout the state today as biased. The party said that the tone and tenor of the statements issued by Capt. Amarinder Singh and Mr. Sunil Jakhar clearly shows that Congress party has conceded defeat at the hands of SAD-BJP combine. Unable to face their cadre and their high command, the state Congress leaders have tried to stage manage ‘tamashas’ at few places by indulging in provocative actions.
In a statement released from party head office here today the party Secretary and Spokesman Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema said that though no incident of violence has been reported from any part of the state except few minor scuffles at some places but still the state PCC Chief Capt. Amarinder Singh and leader of the opposition in the Vidhan Sabha Mr Sunil Jakhar has tried to blow the issue out of proportion. “It is an unhealthy practice aimed at covering their own inefficiencies”, he added.
Dr. Cheema further said that no case of any serious injury has been reported from any place in Punjab and polling has been postponed at only one place by the Election Commission. “Then how can the Congress party say that this not a free and fair elections ?” asked Dr. Cheema.
Coming down heavily on the role being played by Capt. Amarinder Singh, Dr. Cheema said that it was clear from the day one of the election that Congress leaders will neither be able to campaign for their candidates in such a scorching heat, nor will they be able to convince the public which has already rejected the Congress party in Punjab Vidhan Sabha elections. They have resorted to blame game just to save their own skin as the Congress high command is contemplating a change in the state leadership, he added.
To support his claims, the SAD Spokesman also referred to the statements of some senior Congress leaders of the state in which they have alleged that Congress workers have become orphans as the state leadership has abandoned them. “So how can they claim to be the champions of the rights of their workers at this stage.” asked Dr. Cheema.
The SAD also condemned the derogatory statement of Capt. Amarinder Singh against the State Election Commission and also took serious note of his threats to the field officers. This actions shows that Congress has gone berserk over the humiliating defeat and instead of learning lessons from the their performance they have started damaging important democratic institutions and the election machinery without any fault of of theirs.
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SHIROMANI AKALI DAL- BIG JOLT TO CONGRESS AS TOP LEADERS FROM PATIALA JOINS SAD CHANDIGARH,
June 7
Congress Party in Punjab today suffered a major set back as its top leaders from Royal city Patiala joined Shiromani Akali Dal in the presence of SAD President and Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal. Those who joined Shiromani Akali Dal included Mr Ravinder Kumar Rana former Member Improvement Trust Patiala, Kamaljeet Singh General Secretary All India Rajiv Manch, Rajiv Raaji Vice-president Distt Congress Committee Patiala,, Sandeep Verma Member Congress Committee, Patiala.
Welcoming the leaders, who joined SAD fold, Mr. Badal said they would all work collectively to fulfil the development mission of the State.
He said that top Congress leaders joining SAD was also an indication of Congress’s collapse in the state and with the inclusion of these leaders , the party would get more strength in the state . He said that the SAD-BJP combine would get absolute majority in Civic Bodies elections by defeating its political rival with a big margin. He said that Shiromani Akali Dal would give them full respect and status in the party fold.
Leaders who joined SAD said that they were influenced by the people friendly policies of Akali Dal and they would work hard for the grand success of SAD-BJP in the future.
Mr. Sikander Singh Maluka also welcomed the leaders and their supporters in the party.
Caption-
Shiromani Akali Dal President Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal accompanied by Mr.Sikander Singh Maluka Education Minister, inducting Congress leaders from Patiala into SAD at Chandigarh on June 7.
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Capt Amarinder: Badal running with the hare and hunting with the hounds
LUDHIANA, June 7: Ridiculing the statement of Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal that he had nothing to do with the Operation Bluestar Memorial being set up by the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandik Committee, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee President Capt Amarinder Singh today said, he (Sukhbir) was lying and trying to escape the responsibility on the issue. He said, if that be the case both Sukhbir and his father should explain their position on the memorial and Balwant Singh Rajoana whom they have declared the ‘Zinda Shaheed’.
Addressing a press conference here today, Capt Amarinder said, it was typical of the Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to “run with the hare and hunt with the hounds”. He said, Badals double standards were exposed as on the one hand he had given his approval to setting up of the memorial and on the other hand he was maintaining a silence while his son was trying to run away from the issue. “Who does not know that the SGPC and Akal Takhat are controlled by the Badals only?” he said, while asking, “is it possible that the SGPC president Avtar Makkar will do anything without their (the Badals’) knowledge.
Apprehending clear designs behind the move, the PCC President said, it was characteristic style of Mr Badal to create “controlled-destabilization” in the state to retain his relevance some way or the other. “Otherwise what is the logic of setting up a memorial after 28 years?” he asked.
He reiterated his question to the BJP as why had the party maintained a silence on the issue or whether the party had submitted to the Akali agenda. “I am surprised as why the BJP is silent on the issue”, he remarked.
Capt Amarinder said, the Operation Bluestar was a tragic event which he had also not approved of and he had resigned in protest. “But that does not mean we keep on raking up the issue time and again for narrow partisan and selfish purpose”, he observed, while adding Punjab needs to move forward and not backward as Akalis are trying to do.
Reiterating that Rajoana was a terrorist who had killed the former Chief Minister Mr Beant Singh, he condemned the Akalis for glorifying and making him a hero. He clarified that he had opposed only his death penalty as personally he was against capital punishment. “He is a killer and he should be treated as such and not as a hero as Akalis are trying to make him for vested interests only”, he made it unambiguously clear.
Capt Amarinder was accompanied by local MP and National Spokesperson of the Congress Manish Tewari, Congress Legislative Party leader Mr Sunil Jakhar, PCC vice president Laal Singh, general secretary Arvind Khanna, MLAs GS Bhoparai, Gurkirat Kotli, DCC president Pawan Dewan, Malkiat Singh Dakha, Jassi Khangura and others.
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NEW NOTIFICATION OF RED BEACONS ISSUED
- OLD STICKERS OF RED LIGHT WITHDRAWN
- NEW STICKERS TO BE ISSUED BY IGP, TRAFFIC
- VEHICLES USING RED LIGHTS UNAUTHORISEDLY TO BE IMPOUNDED AFTER JUNE 10
CHANDIGARH, JUNE 7:
The Punjab Government today issued afresh notification reflecting the pruned list of dignitaries, who have been authorized to use red lights to the front atop their official vehicles
It may be added that this notification has been issued after the instructions of Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, who had instructed to prune the list and impound vehicles using red lights without authorization.
According to the notification issued by Secretary Transport those, who have been authorized to use red beacons included Governor Punjab, Chief Minister, Cabinet Ministers, Minister of State, Deputy Ministers, Chief Parliamentary Secretaries, Parliamentary Secretaries, Chief Justice and Judges of Punjab and Haryana High Court, Member Parliament from Punjab (one vehicle only), Speaker, Deputy Speaker, MLAs (one vehicle for MLAs), Chief Secretary, Financial Commissioners, Principal Secretaries, Administrative Secretaries, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Advocate General of Punjab, Legal Remembrance Punjab, Chairman of State Level Boards/Corporations/Commissions with the rank of State Minister and above, Director General of Police, ADGPs, IGs, Commissioners of Police, DIGs, SSPs, Registrar of Punjab and Haryana High Court, District Session Judges and Additional District Session Judges, Commissioners/Deputy Commissioners, Excise and Taxation Commissioner, State Transport Commissioner, Vice Chancellor of all universities in Punjab other than private universities, all advisors to Chief Minister with status of State Minister or above, Mayor of all Municipal Corporations, President SGPC, Jathedars of Five Holy Takhts and Head Granthi of Sri Harimandir Sahib, Joint Commissioners and above of Custom and Central Excise, posted in Punjab and Chandigarh, Joint Commissioners and above Income Tax posted in Punjab and Chandigarh, Lokpal Punjab, Accountant General Punjab and UT, all Regional Passport Officers and Passport Officers of Punjab and Chandigarh besides for four earmarked vehicles for state guests.
It has been clarified that in case vehicles with red light atop was not carrying the dignitary then such a red light would not be used and covered with black cover. The stickers of red light would be issued by IG Traffic. All eligible dignitaries have been requested to deposit their old stickers and get the new stickers issued as old stickers were no longer valid.
Instructions have also been issued to impound the vehicles that were found using red beacon without any authorization.
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PUNJAB APPROVES NEW BREEDING POLICY FOR BUFFALOS AND COWS TO INCREASE THE MILK YIELD: RANIKE
CHANDIGARH, JUNE 7: The Punjab Government today approved a Special Breeding Policy for Buffalos and Cows to further improve the standards of breed with an aim to increase the yield of milk in the state.
Disclosing this here today, Mr. Gulzar Singh Ranike, Animal Husbandary, Fishery and Dairy Development Minister, said that the Punjab Cabinet has approved this policy to improve the quality and breed of buffalos and cows by ensuring optimum use of semen. He said that this policy would also prevent the rise in numbers of mixed breed. Mr. Ranike said that under Punjab Animal Husbandry Improvement Act-1953, the state government has approved this policy to increase the yield of milk and for the further improving the breeds of Neeli Ravi buffalos and cows of Sahi breeds as it was the call of the day to save these breeds having capacity to give milk in huge quantity.
Mr. Ranike also said that an amount of Rs. 150 Crore has been passed for Punjab to strengthen the semen station, breeding centers and modernization of milk societies.
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CHIEF MINISTER’S OFFICE PUNJAB
PUNJAB CABINET APPROVES SUMMONING OF BUDGET SESSION FROM JUNE 19 TO 29, 2012
GUIDELINES FOR PARTNERSHIP WITH PTPs FOR VOCATIONAL TRAINING & SKILL DEVELOPMENT OKAYED
167 POSTS TO BE FILLED THROUGH DIRECT RECRUITMENT IN RURAL DEVELOPMENT & PANCHAYATS AND TOWN & COUNTRY PLANNING
CHANDIGARH JUNE 07:
The Punjab Cabinet today approved the summoning of the second Session (Budget) of 14th Vidhan Sabha from June 19 to 29, 2012.
This decision was taken in a meeting of Council of Ministers held under the Chairmanship of Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal here at CMO this morning.
Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that the session would commence on June 19 in the afternoon with Obituary references. Budget estimates for the year 2012-13 would be presented on June 20 and the general discussions on budget estimates would be held on June 22, 25 and 26.
The Cabinet also approved guidelines for partnership with Private Training Providers (PTPs) for vocational training and skill development aimed to; expand and strengthen skill development facilities in areas/trades in which existing government institutes do not have requisite trainers and infrastructure, to compliment and supplement existing resources in areas/trades already being run in various industrial training institutes and polytechnics of the state, to ensure optimum unitization of infrastructure and staff of existing ITIs and Polytechnics and to enhance capacity of existing institutes of vocational training and technical education.
In another significant decision, the Cabinet also approved the breeding policy to improve the quality of cows and buffalos through artificial insemination in a planned manner. This would certainly arrest the swift decline of buffalos and cows of Nili Ravi and Sahiwal breed respectively.
The Cabinet also approved to notify the Punjab State Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animal Rules, 2012 under the Central Act of Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animal Rules, 2009 to check the spread of Infectious diseases amongst animals thereby averting the huge loss incurred by the owners of the animals. This initiative would facilitate the implementation of the Phase-I of the National Dairy plan in the state aimed at revitalizing the village level Milk Societies engaged in collection of the milk apart from improving the breed of milch cattle along with developing new sources of fodder for the animals.
In a bid to attract the best and qualified specialist doctors in the government hospitals, the Cabinet approved Higher Education allowance equivalent to 5 annual increments i.e. 15% of the basic pay to the PCMS. Doctors who obtained Post Graduate Degree would be entitled for Higher Education Allowance equivalent to 4 increments i.e. 12% of their basic pay for pursuing PG Diploma.
The Cabinet also gave nod for taking out 137 posts in the Town and Country Planning wing of the Housing & Urban Development Department, of which 66 in Group ‘A’ & ‘B’ and 71 of Group ‘C’ & ‘D’ out of purview of Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) and State Services Selection Board (SSSB) and approved filling of these posts on the basis of written exam only by the department through an external agency. Likewise, the Cabinet also gave approval to fill 30 posts of Junior Engineers in the Rural Development & Panchayats from direct recruitment quota by taking them out of the purview of the PPSC and SSSB through the Administrative Department.
The Cabinet also approved the Punjab Prosecution & Litigation (Group-B) Service Rules, 2012 regulating the recruitment and the conditions or service of the persons appointed to the Punjab Prosecution & Litigation (Group ‘B’) service by including Assistant District Attorney in Group ‘B’.
The Cabinet also decided to amend the Punjab Excise & Taxation department (State Service Class-III A) Rules 1956 to abolish 12.50% quota of ministerial staff for the promotion of Excise & Taxation Officers. Now 50% posts meant for promotion to ETOs would be from inspectors of the department.
The Cabinet also approved the creation of requisite staff in the newly created Sahnewal sub-tehsil in Ludhiana district.
In another important decision, the Chief Minister also asked the Chief Secretary to ensure that all the blocks, sub-tehsils which have been sanctioned recently are provided with requisite staff for smooth functioning.
In order to cut expenditure, the Chief Minister also directed the Chief Secretary to formulate an official vehicle policy within a month whereby the government vehicle could be replaced with the monthly transport allowance.
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CABINET PAY TRIBUTES TO AMARJIT SINGH SAHI FOR HIS OUTSTANDING SERVICES
TWO-MINUTE SILENCE OBSERVED IN THE MEMORY OF DEPARTED SOUL
CHANDIGARH JUNE 07:
The Punjab Cabinet today expressed profound grief and sorrow over the sad and untimely demise of BJP MLA from Dasuya and Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mr. Amarjit Singh Sahi who passed away last Sunday.
The Council of Ministers chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal recalled Mr. Sahi’s remarkable services for the overall development and progress of the state in the cabinet meeting this morning.
Sharing their heartfelt sympathies with the members of the bereaved family, the Cabinet described him a popular mass leader, who believed in clean and value based politics. The outstanding services rendered by him as a Chief Parliamentary Secretary for the all-round progress and prosperity of the state especially the Kandi area and the welfare of its people would be ever remembered by one and all.
On the occasion, a two-minute silence was observed in the memory of late Mr. Sahi, praying Almighty to give strength and courage to the bereaved family members, friends and relatives to bear this irreparable loss and grant eternal peace to the departed soul.
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SUKHBIR RESTRUCTURES GOVERNANCE REFORMS DEPARTMENT TO MAKE IT A COHESIVE UNIT
- AIMED TO PUT REFORMS ON FAST TRACK
- TO REGULARLY MONITOR IMPLEMENTATION OF REFORMS IN EACH DEPARTMENT
CHANDIGARH, JUNE 6:
The Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal has restructured the Governance Reforms Department, reallocating the tasks of Department of Information and Technology, Personnel to Governance Reforms Department to make this department cohesive unit to carry forward the reforms agenda in a time bound manner.
In a notification issued by Secretary Governance Reforms, amendments have been made to allocation of Business Rules and it has been decided to shift Administrative Reforms Branch and Record Retention Branches of Department of Information Technology besides Punjab Governance Reforms cell of department of Personnel to Department of Governance Reforms with the basic aim of streamlining the working of this department besides making it a integrated unit.
According to an official spokesman the notification has created two branches in the Punjab Civil Secretariat, GR-I and GR-II headed by Superintendents having five assistants and work has been reallocated to both the branches for its smooth functioning. He said that Department would be focusing on Administrative Reorganisation, streamlining and improvement of office procedures and systems, E-governance of administration besides implementing the report of Administrative Reforms Commission. It would also have liaison with Indian Institute of Public Administration besides dealing with the all administrative works of Right to Information Commission and all issues relating to Right to Information Act. The GR-I branch would also deal with management of State Data Center, Statewide Area Network, State Service Delivery Gateway and All Establishment Matters.
Giving the details of work allocation to GR-II Branch, he said that besides allocated work under Rules of Business would also look after the administration and all matters regarding Right to Service Act, Administrative Reorganisation, Streamlining and Improvement of office procedure, E-governance, administration of social development and Punjab Governance Reforms Commission, formulation of policies and its implementation besides maintenance and retention of records.
He said that with the restructuring and strengthening of Governance Reforms Department, the task of ushering in new reforms era in Punjab would get a new pace.
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PUNJAB FIXES TIME TO MEET ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
CHANDIGARH, June 6:
The Punjab Government today fixed entry time for the officers /employees of Punjab Civil Secretariat and other officers/employees posted outside Chandigarh, to meet Administrative Officer for the purpose of making Identity card, entry pass and allotment of Government houses.
A spokesperson of the Punjab Government today said that the working of Administrative Officer branch dealing with Identity Cards, Entry Passes and Allotment of houses was suffering due to constant stream of visitors through out the day, disrupting the smooth functioning of the branch. The Spokesman said that a decision has been taken to regulate the timing of Public visits for the smooth functioning of Administrative Officer Branch and also to facilitate the public at large.
He said that keeping these problems in view, the Punjab Government has fixed visiting hours from 9.30 to 11.30 am and 3.00 to 4.00 pm to make and collect identity cards. Besides that regarding the allotment of government houses officers/employees would be able to meet concerned authority from 10 to 11 and 3 to 4 pm on all working days.
Instructions in this regard have been issued to all heads of department, Commissioners of the Divisions, Registrar Punjab and Haryana High Court, Deputy Commissioners, SDMs, Managing Directors of all boards and corporations.
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12 POLICE OFFICERS TRANSFERRED IN PUNJAB
CHANDIGARH, JUNE 6: The Punjab Government today ordered postings and transfers 12 police officers including 8 IPS officers with immediate effect.
According to an official spokesman Mr. Ram Singh, IPS, DIG Border Range on promotion has been transferred and posted as IGP Border Amritsar whereas Mr. Naresh Kumar, IPS, DIG Ropar range on promotion has been posted as IGP, PAP Jalandhar, Mrs. Neeraza, IPS, DIG Economic Offence Wing of Vigilance Bureau on promotion has been posted as IGP EOW of Vigilance Bureau, Mr. Arpit Shukla, IGP cum Director SCRB has been posted as IGP Provisioning, Mr. Sham Singh, IPS, IGP/Legal Affairs/Crime Wing has been posted as IGP/Policy and Welfare, Punjab, Mr. B.K. Garg, IGP/Policy and Welfare has been posted as IGP cum Director SCRB with additional charge of IGP/Legal Affairs, Mr. Rohit Chaudhary, IGP Counter Intelligence has been posted as IGP/GRP Patiala whereas Mr. Gautam Cheema has been posted as DIG, Swat Teams, Administration and Training, SSG Punjab, Mr. Khubi Ram, DIG Swat Teams has been posted as DIG Security whereas Mr. A.K. Pandey has been posted as DIG Modernisation and Additional Charge of DIG Provisioning, Mr. S.P.S. Basra, DIG/Security has been posted as DIG/Administration CDO, Bahadurgarh, Patiala and Mr. Narinder Bhargava AIG/Provisioning CPO, Punjab has been posted as AIG/Security.
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UNION GOVERNMENT EXTENDS PADDY MILLING UPTO JUNE 30
EFFORTS OF FOOD MINISTER MR. ADAISH PARTAP SINGH KAIRON PAYS DIVIDENDS
Chandigarh, June 6: The Union government today allowed the extension in the milling period of paddy of Kharif Marketing Season 2010-11 up to 30th June, 2012 with the concerted efforts of Mr. Adaish Partap Singh Kairon, Food & Supplies Minister Punjab.
Mr. Kairon today appealed to the rice millers of the State to complete the custom milling work before the stipulated date and directed to the Heads of the State procurement agencies to get the milling of paddy completed by the given date.
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CM FOR STRENGTHENING BASMATI DEVELOPMENT BOARD TO BOOST EXPORT OF BASMATI RICE
ASKS RURAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD TO IMMEDIATELY RELEASE RS.8 CRORE ON ACCOUNT OF REFUND OF RDF
CHANDIGARH JUNE 06:
In a bid to boost the export of basmati rice from state, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today reiterated to further strengthen the Basmati Development Board to facilitate the Basmati growers and the exporters of the state in a big way.
An assurance to this effect was given Mr. Badal in a meeting with a delegation of Punjab Rice Millers Exporters Association led by its Executive Director Mr. Ashok Sethi here today at CMO.
Taking part in the deliberations, Mr. Badal assured the delegation that board would create a congenial atmosphere for the export of basmati as area under basmati cultivation had increased from 6 lakh hectares to more than 8 lakh hectares in the state during past few years.
Mr. Badal hoped that the strengthening of board would not only be instrumental in improving the quality of basmati rice but would also safeguard the interests of the industry as well as the farmers in the state. Emphasizing the need to enhance the export of the basmati rice from Punjab, Mr. Badal said that board would also initiate the promotional campaign of basmati world over besides creating awareness amongst the farmers to refrain for making reckless and excessive use of pesticides and fungicides.
Conceding the long pending demand of the association, the Chief Minister asked the Rural Development Board to immediately release Rs.8 crore on account of the refund of RDF. On the demand regarding the issue to reduce the Punjab Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF) cess on the Rice Mills, Mr. Badal asked the concerned departments to study the entire issue in a holistic manner before taking a final decision. Mr. Badal assured the delegation that their all other genuine demands would also be considered sympathetically in due course.
Meanwhile, Food & Civil Supplies Minister Mr. Adesh Partap Singh Kairon assured the delegation that he would soon take up the matter of relaxation in pesticides norms for rice exporters with the Ministry of Agriculture and Indian Council of Agriculture Research. He appreciated the outstanding contribution of Punjab Rice Millers Exporters in competing with their peer states for rice exports in the international market and assured them of all possible support and cooperation to further propel the export of basmati rice.
Prominent amongst others who attended the meeting included Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. SK Sandhu, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar and Chief General Manager Punjab Mandi Board Mr. Ujjal Didar Singh Ghuman, besides the members of the delegation including Mr. Rajeev Setia, Mr. KRS Sobti, Mr. Arvinder Pal Singh, Mr. Ashok Arora, Mr. Sumit Aggarwal, Mr. Amit Marwaha and Mr. Gaurav Aggarwal.
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CM TO LAUNCH GREENING PUNJAB CAMPAIGN FROM HOSHIARPUR AND FAZILKA ON JULY 1
ASKS FOREST DEPARTMENT TO ENHANCE FOREST COVER FROM 7 TO 15% OVER 15 YEARS
CHANDIGARH JUNE 06:
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal would launch the green Punjab mission from Hoshiarpur and Fazilka on July 1 to generate awareness amongst the masses about the clean and pollution free environment by initiating massive plantation drive across the state.
This decision was taken by Mr. Badal in a meeting with the senior officers of the Forests & Wildlife Preservation department here at CMO this morning.
Giving a power point presentation on the scenario of forest and wildlife in Punjab, Principal Chief Conservator of the Forests apprised the Chief Minister that green Punjab mission has become all the more important in the present context with constant increase in levels of air pollution caused due to heavy vehicular and industrial influx besides alarming proportions of water pollution due to polluted river and ground water. Even the soil pollution due to excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, coupled with water logging and rise of salinity in Punjab had further aggravated the environmental problems in the state. He said that trees and forest could play a crucial role in regulating our climate besides mitigating environmental pollution and degrading.
According to estimates of forest cover, Punjab had area under forest as percentage of total land area 5.04% as compared to country’s 23.41% and world 31%. Likewise, Punjab has per capita FTC 2.9% of the world and 16% of the India. Punjab had 4336 hectares of reserve forests and 1,13,738 protected forests besides 20,108 hectares of un-classed forests. Punjab was the only state whose area under forest cover had increased by 6.01%.
Taking part in the deliberations, the Chief Minister asked the state Forests and Wildlife Preservation department to launch an extensive plantation drive across the state to increase forest and tree cover from existing 7% to 15% over a period of 15 years on all available institutional lands, panchayat lands, mandis, police lines, jails, paramilitary areas, hospitals, educational institutions, cremation grounds, focal points, PSEB colonies, urban and peri-urban areas and farm forestry. He also emphasized the need to improve productivity and stocking of existing forest areas besides imparting professional training to the forest guards to ensure that trees grow straight. He also underscored the need for massive plantation across the major roads in the state over an identified area of 300 acres besides introduction of tree spade technology for transplanting of fully grown trees.
The Chief Minister further asked the rural development & Panchayats department to motivate the village panchayats for plantation of trees over 150,000 acres of panchayat land as the Punjab Vidhan Sabha had already passed resolution to plant trees on 20% of panchayat lands. He sought cooperation and support from the farmers for the implementations of the state government’s initiatives for greening Punjab. Mr. Badal also asked the Forest department to work out modalities for generation of additional resources to make the tree plantation drive financially sustainable.
Meanwhile, the Forest Minister Mr. Surjit Kumar Jayani said the state forests department had already prepared a 15 years perspective plan with a mission to enhance the forest area under greening Punjab campaign. The jurisdiction of forest beats was being revised to cover forest as well as non forest areas. The new beat boundaries would now be village wise and all villages in the state would be covered by the forest beats. He said that the newly recruited 180 forest guards were being properly trained to handle the assignment of promoting tree plantation in villages.
Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included Financial Commissioner Forests Mr. DS Bains, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. SK Sandhu, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. KJS Cheema besides Principal Chief Conservator of the Forests Mr. HS Gujral, Chief Conservator Forests (Forest Conservation Act) Mr. Kuldip Kumar, MD Punjab State Forest Corporation Mr. Kuldip Singh and State Chief Wildlife Warden Mr. Dharinder Singh.
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PUNJAB TO TIE-UP WITH ISRAELI COMPANY 'AFIMILK' FOR TECHNICAL AND MANAGEMENT SUPPORT IN DAIRY FARMING SECTOR
BADAL ASKS TO CONSTITUTE DISTRICT LEVEL COMMITTEES TO DEVELOP DAIRY FARMING SECTOR IN PUNJAB IN A HOLISTIC MANNER
CHANDIGARHJUNE 05:
Punjab would soon tie-up with an Israeli company Afimilk – pioneer in the field of Dairy farming to develop dairy farming sector in Punjab in a holistic manner through providing technical knowhow and managerial skills to dairy farmers in Punjab.
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A decision to this effect was taken by Punjab Chief Minister Mr.
Parkash Singh Badal at a high level meeting with a delegation of an Israeli company Afimilk and members of Progressive Dairy Farmers' Association Punjab here at Punjab Bhawan. The Afimilk delegation comprised its Vice President (Sales), Mr. Bjarne Rune, Regional Manager Mr. Ronen Kull and In-charge Corporate Relations Mr. Abraham Yehuda.
Taking part in the deliberations Mr. Badal said that the time has arrived when farmers of Punjab must look for some viable diversification alternative to traditional agriculture as Wheat and Paddy production has not only reached at a saturation point in the state but had also faced a great marketing threat ahead due to the fact that those states which were earlier known as food-grain consuming states, now tremendously enhancing their food-grain productivity. At such a juncture dairy farming could prove to be a blessing for the farmers with small land holdings in the state.
It was informed in the meeting that 'Afimilk' provides professional guidelines and technical support to dairy farming sector world over.
It also produces the world's highest yielding cows with 12000 liters milk per cow per year through intensive use of advanced technology and management.
Emphasizing the need for the rapid and comprehensive growth of the dairy farming, Mr. Badal asked the delegation to provide their technical support to the dairy farmers in Punjab. He also said that for the effective implementation government would constitute district level committees to aware and assist the farmers and other interested ones about setting up of Dairy farms. Each committee would comprise officers of the district administration, and state's Animal Husbandry & Dairy Development Department, besides the representatives of progressive dairy farmers, said Mr. Badal.
The Chief Minister also asked the Principal Secretary Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development to chalk out the modalities for establishing clusters 'Dairy Service Centers' (DSCs) equipped with modern machinery to be utilized for the common cause of dairy farms. Mr. Badal also assured that all these machines would be provided to DSCs at subsidized rates. He further reiterated his commitment to take-up various issues of Progressive Dairy Farmers' Association related to the Central government at priority at personal level.
Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included Chairman Punjab State Farmers’ Commission Dr. GS Kalkat, Financial Commissioner Animal Husbandry Mr.Jagpal Singh Sandhu, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. SK Sandhu, Mr. KJS Cheema and Mr.
Gaggandip Singh Brar both Special Principal Secretaries to Chief Minister, Director Animal Husbandry Mr. HS Sandha, Director Dairy Mr.
Inderjit Singh and Director Vanusn Technology Mr. Sandeep Raina, besides a delegation of progressive dairy farmers association led by its President Mr. Daljit Singh Sadarpura.
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SEVERE JOLT TO CONGRESS AS FORMER MOGA DISTRICT CONGRESS PRESIDENT JOINS SAD
· Sukhbir welcomes Ranwinder Singh alias Pappu Ramuwala in Party fold
Chandigarh, June 5
Punjab Congress Party today suffered a major set back as former district President of Congress unit of Moga Mr. Ranwinder Singh alias Pappu Ramuwala today joined Shiromani Akali Dal along with District office bearers and supporters in the presence of SAD President and Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal.
Welcoming Mr. Ranwinder Singh in party fold, Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal said that Congress leaders from all the districts were making beeline to join Shiromani Akali Dal as they were totally frustrated, disheartened and demoralized with their leaders fighting their own ego battles leaving party workers in lurch. He said that even Congress leaders have accepted the fact that it was Shiromani Akali Dal that can take Punjab on the pinnacle of glory.
Expressing full faith in the party ideology of Shiromani Akali Dal Mr. Pappu Ramuwala said that they were dismayed by their state leadership as they have left the party workers as orphans. He said that there was no point serving in a party whose leader was inaccessible and even after meeting him, former Ministers have to introduce themselves to refresh the memory of sleepy leadership.
Mr. P.S. Gill former DGP also welcomed the Pappu Ramuwala and his supporters in the party.
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Capt Amarinder does not favour Bluestar Memorial
CHANDIGARH, June 5: Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee President Capt Amarinder Singh today said it was completely wrong to set up Operation Bluestar Memorial as it was not going to help the state in anyway. He also condemned the attempts to glorify Balwant Singh Rajoana convicted of murdering former Chief Minister S Beant Singh.
Replying to a question on the issue during a press conference at Amritsar today, Capt Amarinder maintained that Punjab cannot afford such things, like the Bluestar Memorial, as last three decades had only seen the state’s economic decline.
He said, setting up such memorials do not send the right signals. “We must look forward”, he remarked.
The PCC President questioned the attempts of glorifying Rajoana, saying, “he (Rajoana) is a murderer who had murdered our Chief Minister”.
At the same time Capt Amarinder clarified that he had only opposed the death penalty to Rajoana since he was against the capital punishment to anyone. He said, he had suggested converting Rajoana’s punishment from death to life imprisonment which meant that for the whole life he should remain behind the bars.
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Congress workers morale high; party to sweep all 4 municipal corporations
AMRITSAR, June 5: Asserting that the morale of the party rank and file was quite high, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee President Capt Amarinder Singh today said that the Congress will sweep all the four Municipal Corporations for which elections are being held on June 10. He also made it clear to the Akali-BJP alliance not to remain under any misimpression that they may resort to intimidation on the eve of or at the time of elections lest Congressmen retaliate in the same measure.
Addressing a press conference before joining the party’s campaign here today, Capt Amarinder maintained that the morale of the party rank and file was all time high that over 1300 candidates applied for 250 corporation seats. He said, the party was confident of sweeping victory in all the four corporations even after so much of intimidation, harassment and vendetta by the ruling alliance.
Ridiculing the Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal’s claims that so many Congressmen were willing to join the Akali Dal, the PCC President remarked, “he (Sukhbir) seems to be living in a fool’s paradise”. He clarified that joining of one or two leaders here or there does not mean that entire Congress was joining his party.
The PCC President reiterated that those Congress candidates who had withdrawn in favour of the Akalis or the BJP had done it under coercion and pressure. “The Akalis and the BJP have been trying to use all the dirty tricks in the trade to force the Congress candidates to withdraw”, he revealed while adding, “they have succeeded only at some places, while they have attempted it everywhere”.
He stated that the very fact that the Akalis and the BJP are so desperate to force Congress candidates withdraw is indicative of their imminent defeat. “Otherwise if they had been confident of victory they will never try to buy or force withdrawals”, he pointed out.
Spelling out the campaign strategy, the PCC President said, all the Majha leaders including the MLAs, MPs and ex-MLAs have been deputed to Amritsar while all the Doaba MLAs, ex-MLAs and MPs and ex-MPs have been deputed to Jallandhar for the campaigning. All the Malwa MLAs, ex-MLAs, MPs and ex-MPs are campaigning at Ludhiana and Patiala.
Capt Amarinder accompanied by the local leaders went around the entire city and interacted with the candidates and people. He assured them that the party was firmly with them and it will not allow any high handedness or intimidation by the ruling alliance. “We are closely watching and monitoring the situation and will not allow anything untoward happen and ensure that there are free and fair elections to the corporations”, he said.
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LOCAL BODIES ALLOWED TO RUN COMMUNITY
RADIO STATIONS
· MAJOR INITIATIVE TO BRING SOCIAL CHANGE AT COMMUNITY LEVEL
· TO EDUCATE PUBLIC ON HEALTH, WATER AND SANITATION ISSUES
CHANDIGARH, June 5:
The Union Government has decided to encourage local bodies to promote Community Radio Stations to make them an effective tool of communications with the local community.
According to a spokesman the Union Ministry of Urban Development has decided to encourage local bodies to promote such radio stations and every eligible local body can apply for license to Information and Broadcasting Ministry to run these Radio Stations. The Spokesman said that the community radio stations have potential to bring a very significant positive social change at the community level by way of carrying programmes of public interest including programmes on health, water and sanitation, education, empowerment of women issues etc. and it has been decided to permit local bodies to run community radio stations.
He said that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has brought out a Compendium on Community Radio Stations in India 2012 in association with the Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia. He said that the compendium would provide comprehensive information about the signature programmes of each community Radio station, their hours of broadcast and how they engage fruitfully with their community. He said that it could be used as a resource book for tapping the potential of community radio stations effectively to carry socially relevant messages. He said that with the help of Punjab Government community radio would be promoted via Local bodies. He said that an awareness campaign would be launched to create awareness among the Municipal Bodies and citizens as they have the potential to bring a very significant positive social change at the community level by creating programmes of public interest including programmes on health, water and sanitation, education, empowerment and women issues.
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PUNJAB GOVERNMENT DECLARES PUBLIC HOLIDAY ON JUNE 7
CHANDIGARH, JUNE 5:
The Punjab Government today declared a public holiday on June 7 due to the scheduled elections of Municipal councils/Municipal corporations and Nagar Panchayats across the state.This would also be a holiday under Section 25 of Negotiable Instrument Act, 1881.
An official spokesperson of Punjab Government said that the election of civic bodies scheduled to be held on June 7 and 10. He said that keeping in view the Elections, a public holiday has been declared by Punjab Government on June 7 . The spokesperson said that June 10, which being Sunday was a holiday, but if any employee has been deputed on urgent services, he\she would be able to get leave with the permission of concerned competent authority to cast his/her vote making internal arrangements.
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NEHRU MEMORIAL COLLEGE MANSA TO START MA PUNJABI COURSE
Chandigarh June 5:
Keeping in view the pending demands of the native people, the Punjab government would to start MA Punjabi (regular) classes in Nehru Memorial College, Mansa from this academic year. This was disclosed by Education Minister Punjab Mr. Sikandar Singh Maluka here today.
He further added that this initiative of the state government would facilitate the students of this rural area to pursue higher studies as this area was legging behind in the education as compares to the other parts of the state. He said that the State Government would start more higher education courses in other colleges of the state to facilitate the students to get the education at their door steps.
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BADAL REITERATES PEOPLE NOT TO APPROACH HIM FOR JOBS, TRANSFERS AND RELEASE OF TUBEWELL CONNECTIONS
CHANDIGARH JUNE 05:
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today reiterated that the state government employees instead of coming directly to him for seeking transfers should route their application through proper channel to the concerned authorities.
Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the CMO said that the Mr. Badal had earlier also asked the people not to come with such requests and they should rather meet the concerned officers and in case they were not satisfied they could further approach the Minister concerned that too through proper channel. He said that the employees seeking
transfers at the station of their choice should avoid giving their applications directly to the Chief Minister either at his office or official residence, rather they should send these applications to their respective Heads of the Department so that their requests could be properly entertained.
Likewise, the Chief Minister also asked the people not to approach him directly for the sake of employment opportunities. He advised them to apply against the vacant posts in different departments advertised in various newspapers and submit their applications directly to the
concerned offices. He categorically said that the recruitment was
done at all levels absolutely in a fair and transparent manner strictly according to the merit.
The spokesperson further said that Mr. Badal also asked the people not to approach him for the release of tubewell connections on priority from Chief Minister’s quota, as the state government had already abolished this quota in the past. He said that people interested in getting tubewell connections could directly apply in the concerned offices of the Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd. across the state as per the prescribed guidelines.
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Implement Provision of Urban Amenities in Rural Areas (PURA)
BADAL OKAYS PURA IN PUNJAB
ASKS CHIEF SECRETARY TO TAKE UP THIS SCHEME WITH IL&FS FOR FINALIZING ITS MODALITIES FOR EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTION
CHANDIGARH, JUNE 4
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Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today gave in principle approval to implement Provision of Urban Amenities in Rural Areas (PURA) Scheme in a cluster of geographically contiguous Villages having population of about 25,000 to 40,000.
This decision was taken by Mr. Badal in a meeting with the senior officers of Rural Development & Panchayats and IL&FS Infrastructure Development Corporation here at Chief Minister’s residence this evening.
Divulging details of PURA, Financial Commissioner of Rural Development & Panchayats said the scope of the scheme was to select private partners to develop livelihood opportunities, urban amenities and infrastructure facilities to prescribe service levels almost akin to urban standards and to be responsible for the maintenance of the same for the period of ten years in identified villages or cluster of villages. Core funding would be sourced from Central Sector Scheme of PURA and complimented by additional support through convergence of different Central and State Government and private financing.
As many as nine projects has been initiated under PURA through PPP spread across of five states and one union territory (Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra, Puducherry, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand) in the first batch. It was proposed to undertake a second batch of 10-15 pilot projects for which the Planning Commission had already made available anadditional funds to the tune of Rs. 560 crore.
Under the scheme, the selected private partners would be required to provide standard amenities like water supply and sewerage, roads, drainage, solid waste management, street lighting and power distribution besides also undertake some economic and skill development as part of the PURA project.
The private partners would also provide add on revenue earning facilities such as village linked tourism, Integrated rural hub, rural market, agri-common services centre and warehousing etc in addition to above mentioned amenities. The private developer would also submit an implementation action plan for the different sub-projects of PURA over a construction period of maximum three years and an operation and maintenance (O&M) period of ten years from the commercial operation date or date of completion of construction.
Taking part in the deliberations, Mr. Badal asked the Chief Secretary to take up the issue of execution of PURA in Punjab with the top management of IL&FS Infrastructure Development Corporation besides finalizing modalities for its implementation in an effective and result-oriented manner, which had already evinced keen interest to undertake PURA in the state as private partner. Mr. Badal also asked the Rural Development & Panchayats Minster and the Chief Parliamentary Secretary to hold preliminary discussions with the representatives of IL&FS and the senior officers of the department for the selection of cluster of villages purely on the merit basis.
Prominent amongst others who attended the meeting; Rural Development and Panchayats Minister Mr. Surjit Singh Rakhra, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Rural Development and Panchayats Mr. Mantar Singh Brar, Chief Secretary Mr. Rakesh Singh, Financial Commissioner Rural Development and Panchayats Mr. Mandeep Singh Sandhu, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr. SK Sandhu, Director Rural Development and Panchayats Mr. Balwinder Singh Multani, Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar and Mr. KJS Cheema (both Special Principal Secretaries to the Chief Minister) besides Chief Minister’s former Media Advisor Mr.
Harcharan Bains.
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Valtoha and babehali expresses the sorrow over the Sad demise of AMARJIT SINGH SAHI
CHANDIGARH JUNE 04:
Prof. Virsa Singh Valtoha, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Defence Services Welfare and Mr. Gurbachan Singh Babehali Chief Parliamentary Secretary Agriculture expressed grief and sorrow over the sad demise of Mr. Amarjit Singh Sahi Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Punjab and BJP MLA from Dasuya who passed away at PGI following a massive heart attack. Mr. Sahi was 55 and is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter.
They shared their heartfelt sympathies with the members of the bereaved family and prayed to the Almighty to grant peace to the departed soul.
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Adesh Partap singh kairon expresses the sorrow over the Sad demise of AMARJIT SINGH SAHI
CHANDIGARH JUNE 04:
Mr. Adesh Partap Singh kairon Food and Civil supplies and Information and Technology Minister Punjab expressed grief and sorrow over the sad demise of Mr. Amarjit Singh Sahi Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Punjab and BJP MLA from Dasuya who passed away at PGI following a massive heart attack. Mr. Sahi was 55 and is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter.
In a condolence message, Mr. Kairon said that with the demise of Mr. Sahi, Punjab has lost a balanced and an experienced leader, who believed in clean and value based politics.
Mr.Kairon shared his heartfelt sympathies with the members of the bereaved family and prayed to the Almighty to grant peace to the departed soul
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Congress demands an unconditional apology from CM for publically eulogizing a convicted criminal and action against CM for trying to influence the course of justice in the Harpreet murder case.
Sukhpal Singh Khaira
Ex-MLA
It is a matter of great shame that people of the status of Sh. Badal CM who are supposed to lead the people by example are publically eulogizing criminals like Bibi Jagir Kaur.
While attending a public function yesterday at Begowal(Kpt) in the memory of Late Sant Prem Singh Muralewale, the CM publically praised Bibi Jagir Kaur for her services and prayed that she is released early so that she can serve the state as a minister again.
As we are aware Bibi Jagir Kaur Ex-Minister has been awarded five years of rigorous punishment by a special CBI Court of Patiala in the Harpreet murder case and is currently lodged in Kapurthala jail.
Congress has twin objections to the remarks of the Chief Minister, one that what message is he sending out to the youth of Punjab? Does he want the youth to eulogize leaders like Bibi Jagir Kaur and become criminals? Secondly, in his capacity as Chief Minister Sh. Badal by saying that he prays for the early return of Bibi Jagir Kaur from jail, so that she can again be appointed Minister amounts to influencing the course of justice, as the appeal of Bibi Jagir Kaur and others against the conviction order is pending before the Hon’ble High Court. Does the CM want to convey a message to the judiciary to be soft on Bibi Jagir Kaur?
In fact, Sh. Badal has from the beginning been protecting and shielding Bibi Jagir Kaur in the Harpreet murder case. Due to political pressure exerted by Sh. Badal who was CM when Harpreet Kaur died under mysterious circumstances on 20th April 2000, no FIR was allowed to be registered nor a post mortem allowed to be conducted of the deceased. Thereafter, in order to destroy evidence, Sh. Badal as CM specially flew to Begowal as early as 9 AM on 21st April 2000 to supervise the hurried funeral of Ms Harpreet Kaur.
Therefore, keeping in view the deep and motivated involvement of Sh. Badal CM in the entire Harpreet murder case, the congress demands that the CBI investigate his role as a culprit to destruction of evidence and influencing the course of justice. The congress also demands an unconditional apology from the CM for eulogizing a criminal like Bibi Jagir Kaur and in the process misleading the youth and the society.
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MANIFESTO ON CIVIC POLLS : CONGRESS HAS TRIED TO BUILT CASTLES IN THE AIR-SAD
Chandigarh, June 2 :
The Shiromani Akali Dal described the election manifesto released by the Congress party for civic polls in Punjab as a bundle of lies and said that the Congress party is trying to build castles in the air.
In a statement released from the party head office here today the party Secretary and Spokesman Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema said that it was surprising that the Congress party has made a host of promises without understanding the ground realities. He said that it appears that Congress was in hurry for releasing the manifesto and it didn’t even bother to check that the promises being made are not in the jurisdiction of the civic bodies but are concerned either with the state and or with the Union government.
Ridiculing the Congress party’s announcement on ensuring transparency and removing corruption, Dr. Cheema said that it is ironical to know that the party which is neck deep in corruption and the government led by which in the Centre has proved to be the most corrupt government worldwide, is assuring the public of clean and corruption free administration. The SAD spokesman said that corruption and Congress are two sides of same coin. He said that it was surprising that the same Congress party which has recently imposes property tax in Haryana on the same day, is promising on the same day just the opposite in Punjab. One fails to understand that how a national party is trying to befool the people of two adjoining states ?
Commenting on the much publicized announcement on declaration of assets by the Congress MCs in the first week of every financial year, Dr. Cheema said that the same promise was made by the same party just before the assembly election in 2002 which was never fulfilled. He further said that the Congress party is in the habit of making tall promises but forgets the same after the elections are over. The regime of the Amarinder Singh government was a perfect example to show that how Congress backtracked from all the promises made by the party before the 2002 assembly polls, he added.
Dr. Cheema further said that the people of the state can well understand the frustration and desperation of the Congress party as its base was scattering in the state and its leadership has failed to recognize the genuine concerns of the cadres of the party. He said that the way Congress candidates withdrew from the election is a perfect example of the reality of what is happening inside the Congress party.
He said that sensing defeat at the hands of SAD-BJP combine the Congress has started making hollow claims and he suggested the Congress leadership that instead of misguiding the people it should first set its house in order and start working for the betterment of the people and accept the ground reality.
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BHAGAT KABIR’S MESSAGE - A PANACEA FOR ALL ILLS
CHANDIGARH JUNE 03:
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today greeted the people of Punjab on the eve of ‘Kabir Jayanti’ and called upon them to follow the teachings of great saint of ‘Bhakti Movement’ who preached the message of oneness of mankind, love, peace and universal brotherhood.
In a message, the Chief Minister described the ideology of Bhagat Kabir ji as a beckon to guide the destiny of humanity and redeem it from the pangs of agony. His ‘Bani’ inscribed in Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji would ever mollify one’s mind and body as it transcends the parochial barriers of caste, creed and religion.Mr. Badal exhorted the people to perpetuate the universal message of peace and communal harmony of Bhagat Kabir ji across the globe.
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BADAL FOR TAKING STATES INTO CONFIDENCE BEFORE FIXING MSP OF FOOD GRAINS
ALLEGATIONS OF VENDETTA LEVELED BY CONGRESS LEADERSHIP CONFINED TO PAPER ONLY- CM
CM TERMS ELECTION MANIFESTO OF CONGRESS FOR ELECTIONS OF MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS AND COUNCILS AS “BUNCH OF LIES”
BADAL ATTENDS FUNCTION TO MARK THE DEATH ANNIVERSARY OF BABA PREM SINGH MURALEWALE
Begowal (Kapurthala), June 3, 2012
Punjab Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal today said that rather then fixing the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of the food grains in a dictatorial manner, the Union Government must consult the state governments on the matter so that the woes of beleaguered peasantry of the country could be reduced.
Talking to the media persons before participating in the function to mark the 62nd Death anniversary of Baba Prem Singh Muralewale here today, the Chief Minister said that it was unfortunate that though the farmers produce the food grains through hard work and labour despite of vagaries of the weather but on the other hand they hardly have any say in fixation of the MSP. Mr Badal said that it was the need of hour that the states must be consulted before the fixation of the MSP so that the interests of the farmers could be safeguarded. He lamented that it was unfortunate that the price of these valuable grains was fixed by the officials of the Union government while sitting in their Air Conditioned offices despite of the fact they were not even aware of the harsh situations faced by the farmers at the ground root level.
The Chief Minister further said that the policy of the Congress led UPA government to increase the cost of the agricultural inputs along with exorbitant hike in the prices of petroleum products besides fixing the prices of food products in non remunerative manner is adding to the woes of the farming community. Mr Badal bemoaned that due to the Union government's policy of gross discrimination and apathy towards the agriculture, the farming community of country in general and that of the state in particular was on the brink of economic disaster.
Commenting on the recent roll back in the prices of petrol by the Union Government, the Chief Minister said that the partial rollback in petrol prices by the UPA government has once again unveiled its anti people face. Terming it as a mere Eyewash, Mr Badal said that it was irony of the fate that the Congress which claims to be the votary of the common man has in reality made their life miserable.
When asked to comment on the allegations of Vendetta being leveled by the Congress leaders against the SAD-BJP alliance government, the Chief Minister said that these allegations were confined to paper only and there was hardly any truth in it. He said that the alliance government has never believed in such politics adding that it was the Congress leadership which had initiated vendetta politics by framing the senior SAD leaders including him in the false cases during their regime. Mr Badal assured the senior Congress leadership of justice in such cases if they submit him the proof regarding it.
Replying to another query regarding the election manifesto released by the Congress party for the elections of Municipal Corporations and Councils, the Chief Minister termed it as a “Bunch of lies”. He said that the hollow promises made by the Congress leadership aimed to mislead the people of the state would hardly have any impact over the voters as the people of state were aware about the misdeeds of the Congress party due to which the state has suffered adversely. Terming the Congress party as “Mother of corruption” Mr Badal said that owing to its wrong policies the nation was facing serious maladies like corruption, unemployment, poverty and illiteracy.
The Chief Minister reiterated that due to the path breaking initiates taken by the state government, Punjab would soon become a power surplus state. He also said that keeping in view the paddy season ahead the state government has made all the arrangements for providing regular power supply to the people.
Mr Badal also said that the state government was committed to clean the rivers across the state for which a comprehensive drive would be started by them to complete the work in coming two years.
Later on addressing the gathering in the function to mark the 62nd Death anniversary of Baba Prem Singh Muralewale, the Chief Minister lauded the role played by Baba Ji in the religious, political, social and educational field.
Prominent amongst those present on the occasion included Cabinet Ministers Mr Ajit Singh Kohar, Mr Surjeet Singh Rakhra and Mr Sarwan Singh Phillaur, Member Parliament Dr Rattan Singh Ajnala and former Union Minister Mr Balwant Singh Ramoowalia besides several SGPC members and leaders of SAD-BJP alliance
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SUKHBIR GREET PEOPLE ON KABIR JAYANTI
Chandigarh, June 3:
Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister Punjab today felicitated the people of Punjab on the eve of Kabir Jayanti.
In a message Mr. Badal said that Bhagat Kabir's teachings transcended the barriers of caste, religion, culture and creed and his Dohas form an integral part of Sri Guru Granth Sahib also. Bhagat Kabir ji was not a saint by birth but had become one by his ideology and practice, he added.
Exhorting the people to celebrate Kabir Jayanti collectively, Mr. Badal said that we should utilize this opportunity to propagate the message to every nook and corner of the country.
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MAJITHIA GREETS PEOPLE ON KABIR JAYANTI
CHANDIGARH JUNE 3: Punjab Revenue and Public Relations Minister Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia today greeted the people of Punjab on the eve of Kabir Jayanti .
In a message , Mr. Majithia said that to eliminate the social evils, we all should follow the gospels of Bhagat Kabir ji. He said that the Bani of Bhagat kabir ji in Guru Granth Sahib Ji, inspire us to work for the welfare of humanity.
Mr. Majithia said that we all should follow the path shown by Bhagat Kabir ji.
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Mittal and jiyani expresses the sorrow over the Sad demise of AMARJIT SINGH SAHI
CHANDIGARH JUNE 03:
Mr. Madan Mohan Mittal, Health and Family Welfare Minister Punjab and Mr. Surjit Kumar Jiyani Forest & Labour Minister Punjab expressed grief and sorrow over the sad demise of Mr. Amarjit Singh Sahi Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Punjab and BJP MLA from Dasuya who passed away here today at PGI following a massive heart attack. Mr. Sahi was 55 and is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter.
In a condolence message, Mr. Mittal and Mr Jiyani said that in the death of Mr. Sahi, Punjab has lost a balanced and an experienced leader, who believed in clean and value based politics.
Mr. Mittal and Mr Jiyani shared his heartfelt sympathies with the members of the bereaved family and prayed to the Almighty to grant peace to the departed soul.
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Punjab Legislative Assembly Speaker expresses sorrow on the sudden demise of S.Amarjit Singh Sahi
Chandigarh, June 3:
Dr.Charnjit Singh Atwal Hon'ble Speaker, Punjab Legislative Assembly expressed his deep anguish and sorrow on the unexpected and sudden demise of S.Amarjit Singh Sahi present MLA Punjab Vidhan Sabha. Dr. Atwal said that it is my personal loss since he was one of the best Legislators in the Assembly. The people of his constituency are also at a great loss as he worked at the grass-root level with his people.
Atwal recollected his role in the previous term of Punjab Vidhan Sabha when he, very forcefully, raised all the important issues of his people on the floor of the House. State Government was also benefited in framing policies for his constituency after eliciting his just, practical views and clear vision. Hon' Speaker while saying that Vidhan Sabha will be at loss in his absence, his family too is going through trying times and I prayed before God almighty "Waheguru" to give the family courage to bear the unexpected loss of our beloved one. Hon'Speaker further said that he stands with the family in this hour of grief. He assured the family that he will feel privileged if he can do something for the aggrieved family. Dr. Atwal said that with the demise of Sahi Sahib, Punjab has lost a great Statesman and visionary parliamentarian and above all a saintly soul. Nobody will be able to fill the gap.
Meanwhile, Mr. Dinesh Singh , Deputy Speaker Punjab Legislative Assembly also expressed his deep anguish and sorrow on the unexpected and sudden demise of S.Amarjit Singh Sahi.
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CM MOURNS UNTIMELY DEATH OF BJP LEADER AMARJIT SINGH SAHI
CHANDIGARH JUNE 03:
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today expressed grief and sorrow over the sad and untimely demise of BJP MLA from Dasuya and Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mr. Amarjit Singh Sahi who passed away here at PGI following a massive heart attack this morning. Mr. Sahi was 55 and is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter.
In a condolence message, the Chief Minister said that in the death of Mr. Sahi, the BJP has lost a balanced and an experienced leader, who believed in clean and value based politics. Mr. Badal described Mr. Sahi as a fine human being, an upright politician besides a disciplined solider of his party who always played a pivotal role in ensuring overall development of the state especially the Kandi area and the welfare of its people. The outstanding services rendered by Mr. Sahi as a Chief Parliamentary Secretary for the progress and prosperity of the state would be ever remembered by one and all.
Mr. Badal shared his heartfelt sympathies with the members of the bereaved family and prayed to the Almighty to grant peace to the departed soul and give strength and courage to them to bear this irreparable loss.
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Kohar and Maluka expresses the sorrow over the Sad demise of AMARJIT SINGH SAHI
CHANDIGARH JUNE 03:
Mr. Ajit Singh Kohar, Transport Minister Punjab and Mr. Sikander Singh Maluka Education Minister Punjab expressed grief and sorrow over the sad demise of Mr. Amarjit Singh Sahi Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Punjab and BJP MLA from Dasuya who passed away here today at PGI following a massive heart attack. Mr. Sahi was 55 and is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter.
In a condolence message, Mr. Kohar and Mr Maluka said that in the death of Mr. Sahi, Punjab has lost a balanced and an experienced leader, who believed in clean and value based politics.
Mr. Kohar and Mr Maluka shared his heartfelt sympathies with the members of the bereaved family and prayed to the Almighty to grant peace to the departed soul.
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SUKHBIR, MAJITHIA CONDOLES THE DEMISE OF CPS AMARJIT SINGH SAHI
CHANDIGARH, JUNE 3
Punjab Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal today expressed deep sorrow on the untimely demise of Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mr Amarjit Singh Sahi , who expired today at
Chandigarh due to cardiac arrest. Mr Sahi, who was second time MLA from Dasuya constituency, is survived by his wife ,a son and a daughter.
Mr Badal said that Mr Sahi a grass root leader had an very important place in the Punjab’s polity and played a great roll in the development of Kandi area of Punjab. He said that Mr Sahi endeared himself to the masses by remaining accessible to them to solve their problems..
Revenue and Public Relations Minister of Punjab Mr Bikram Singh Majithia has also condolesd the death of Mr Amarjit Singh Sahi. In a message Mr Majithia called it a unbearable loss not only for the bereaved family but for the whole state. He said that during a short tenure as a chief Parliamentary secretary of Revenue Department , Mr Sahi had done a great job for the welfare of common man. He said that the services of Mr Sahi in the political, social field of Punjab
would be remembered as a golden period.
Mr. Badal and Mr. Majithia prayed to Almighty to grant peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss.
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CHUNI LAL BHAGAT CONDOLES THE SAD DEMISE OF AMARJIT SHAHI
Chandigarh, June 3:
Mr. Chuni Lal Bhagat, Local Bodies Minister today expressed deep grief on the untimely demise of Mr. Amarjit Singh Shahi, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, who expired today at Chandigarh.
Mr. Chuni Lala Bhagat said that it was a great loss to the State Government and party, as Mr. Shahi was known for his hard working, social work and honesty and he lived for those values and principles till his last breath.
Mr. Surjit Singh Rakhra, Rural Development and Panchayat Minister, Mr. Adesh Partap Singh Kairon, Food Supply Minister, Mr. Anil Joshi, Technical Education and Industry Minister, Mr. Sikander Singh Maluka, Education Minister, Mr. Mantar Singh Brar, Mrs. Mohinder Kaur Josh and Mr. Som Parkash (all CPS) also condoled the death of Mr.Amarjit Singh Shahi.
All Ministers and CPSs prayed to Almighty to grant peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss.
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SHIROMANI AKALI DAL
MANIFESTO ON CIVIC POLLS : CONGRESS TRYING TO BUILD CASTLES IN THE AIR-SAD
Chandigarh, June 2
(Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema) Secretary & Spokesman
: The Shiromani Akali Dal described the election manifesto released by the Congress party for civic polls in Punjab as a bundle of lies and said that the Congress party is trying to build castles in the air.
In a statement released from the party head office here today the party Secretary and Spokesman Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema said that it was surprising that the Congress party has made a host of promises without understanding the ground realities. He said that it appears that Congress was in hurry for releasing the manifesto and it didn’t even bother to check that the promises being made are not in the jurisdiction of the civic bodies but are concerned either with the state and or with the Union government.
Ridiculing the Congress party’s announcement on ensuring transparency and removing corruption, Dr. Cheema said that it is ironical to know that the party which is neck deep in corruption and the government led by which in the Centre has proved to be the most corrupt government worldwide, is assuring the public of clean and corruption free administration. The SAD spokesman said that corruption and Congress are two sides of same coin. He said that it was surprising that the same Congress party which has imposed property tax in Haryana on the same day, is promising just the opposite in Punjab. One fails to understand that how a national party is trying to befool the people of two adjoining states ?
Commenting on the much publicized announcement on declaration of assets by the Congress MCs in the first week of every financial year, Dr. Cheema said that the same promise was made by the same party just before the assembly election in 2002 which was never fulfilled. He further said that the Congress party is in the habit of making tall promises but forgets the same after the elections are over. The regime of the Amarinder Singh government was a perfect example to show that how Congress backtracked from all the promises made by the party before the 2002 assembly polls, he added.
Dr. Cheema further said that the people of the state can well understand the frustration and desperation of the Congress party as its base was scattering in the state and its leadership has failed to recognize the genuine concerns of the cadres of the party. He said that the way Congress candidates withdrew from the election is a perfect example of the reality of what is happening inside the Congress party.
He said that sensing defeat at the hands of SAD-BJP combine the Congress has started making hollow claims and he suggested the Congress leadership that instead of misguiding the people it should first set its house in order and start working for the betterment of the people and accept the ground reality.
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BADAL DEMANDS COMPLETE ROLLBACK OF PETROL PRICES
• ASSAILS CENTRE FOR SLASHING PETROL PRICE BY RS.2 PER LITRE AND
DESCRIBES IT AS JUST AN “EYEWASH”
Chandigarh, June 2
Demanding immediate and complete rollback of the ever steepest hike in petrol price by Rs 7.50 per litre, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal today slammed the congress led UPA government at Centre for slashing the price of petrol by just Rs 2 and described it merely as ‘eyewash’.
In a statement, the chief minister said the UPA government has once again stabbed in the back of the common man, for whom it claimed to be the votary for safeguarding his (aam aadami’s) rights by not withdrawing the entire hike in the petrol prices. He said the centre should have gracefully rolled back the complete hike in the petrol prices to win over the confidence of the countrymen, but it never did the same. He said the real face of the congress has been unmasked because it was under tremendous pressure of the oil companies for making reckless hike in the petrol prices at their behest from time to time without taking all the political parties into confidence.
Mr Badal lamented the unfortunate decision of the UPA government taken unilaterally regarding the oil prices, which had blatantly ignored the sentiments of the people by denying them the much awaited respite by rolling back the entire prices of petrol, who were already leading a miserable life under the burden of high inflation due to its ill conceived policies.
The Chief Minister asked the Centre had the UPA government sincere to the core for the welfare of the countrymen, it should have not slashed the prices of petrol in parts like this rather it should have immediately reversed its earlier decision of unbearable hike in the petrol prices by Rs 7.50 per litre.
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Establishing Vocational Skill Development Training Centre to be made mandatory for engineering colleges in the state
CM asks VCs to prepare an active action plan
CHANDIGARH, JUNE 2:
The Punjab Government would make it mandatory for engineering colleges in the state to establish vocational skill development training centers in their respective institutions.
In a bid to evolve an effective mechanism for establishing world class skill development training centers to impart short term vocational training to un-skilled and unemployed youth of the state, Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal asked all the engineering colleges in the state to establish at least one such centre in their respective institute to impart quality training to un-educated, drop-outs and unemployed youth especially with rural background.
Taking a decision to this effect today in a high level meeting on 'Vocational Training and Skill development- Vision Punjab', with Industrial tycoons, eminent educationists and senior officers of the state here at Punjab Bhawan, Mr. Badal announced that in future no new engineering college would be granted any permission with out its commitment to establish such skill development training centre. The institutions would ensure the employability of these trained skilled workers through tie-up with the industries, added Mr. Badal.
Expressing concern over the minimum attention paid on the human resources development in the past at the national level the Chief Minister asked the Vice Chancellors of PAU, GADVASU and Baba Farid Medical University of Health Sciences to prepare an active action plan to introduce new need-based courses in different disciplines to provide short term vocational training, not only to make these un-employed youth employable but also have a feel of pride. Emphasizing the need to make rural youth aware about all these courses and training programs, Mr. Badal asked the universities to initiate a vigorous awareness campaign simultaneously to make maximum numbers of unemployed youth aware and avail benefit.
The Chief Minister also approved the proposal mooted by CII for establishing skill training 'Gurkuls' in few industrial towns to impart quality vocational training to the youth and helping them to absorb in local industries. He asked CII to work out their complete plan to cover the entire state. He also approved to constitute a committee for the effective planning and implementation of Gurkul scheme. Regarding the certification the Chief Minister said that to avoid multiple certifications of skill centers, a single certification system would also be formulated with the help and guidance of PHD Chambers of Commerce. Mr. Badal further added that no stone would be left unturned to secure the future of our youth.
Taking part in the deliberations the Consul General Canada Mr. Scot Slessor and British High Commissioner Mrs. Tanisha Thiara who were special invitees, impressed upon the need to establish a cordial and strong bonding between state government and industrial sector here in the country as well as abroad to cater the need based skilled manpower with confidence level at par with that of the skilled workers in the forging countries.
Appreciating the efforts initiated by Mr. Badal to redress the shortfall of skilled workers in the industrial sectors, Mr. S P Oswal (Oswal and Vardhman Co.) along with Mr. Rajinder Gupta (CEO Trident group) assured full cooperation and support of entire industry to implement the state's comprehensive plan 'Vocational Training and Skill development- Vision Punjab' in letter and spirit.
Prominent amongst those who attended the meeting included Chief Secretary Mr. Rakesh Singh, Principal Secretary Tourism Mrs. Geetika Kalha, Special Principal Secretary to Chief minister Mr. KJS Cheema, Principal Secretary Techanical Education Mr. SS Channy, Mr. Dhaliwal (PUTIA), Ms. Kamna Raj Aggarwalla (CII), Mr. Sunil Pandey ( Dir. SLIET Longowal), Mr. Sanjeev Duggal (CENTUM), Mr. Srikant Bansal (GIC), Mr. Rajiv Bali (Phd Chamber of Commerce), Mr. Rahul Kumar(FICCI), Mr. Parveen Bansal (Regional ILFS), Mr. Neeraj Saluja (SEL), Mr. Navin Kumar( Metro Cash & Carry) besides all the VCs of PAU, GADVASU and Baba Farid Medical University of Health Sciences.
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First Semester exams of Self Financed College of education to be conducted shortly- Maluka
Chandigarh, June 2:
The Punjab Government has decided to conduct the exams of first Semester of Self Financed Elementary Teacher Training College of education for the session 2011-13 shortly.
Disclosing this here today Punjab Education Minister Mr. Sikander Singh Maluka said that the fee would be taken as already decided by the committee nominated. He said as per the policy of the 60:40 ratio and with the approval of education department the seats would be filled on merit and on the basis of Elementary Teacher Training eligibility test.
He issued directions to all the self financed colleges not to start any session before the prior approval of the education department. He said if any college found guilty, the affiliation of the said institution will be cancelled without any notice. The Minister further said that the strict action would be initiated against those who do not follow the policy of the Government. He also said that such colleges would be fined to the tune of Rs. 10000/- per day for all the semesters of the course.
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PUNJAB CM MOURNS PASSING AWAY OF EDITOR AKALI PATRIKA RATNESH SINGH SODHI
CHANDIGARH JUNE 02:
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today expressed profound grief and sorrow over the sad demise of Editor in Chief and Publisher of the Punjabi Daily Akali Patrika Mr. Ratnesh Singh Sodhi who passed away at Jalandhar this afternoon due to a cardiac arrest. Mr. Sodhi (75) is survived by a son and a daughter.
In a condolence message Mr. Badal described Mr. Sodhi as a fine human being with the qualities of head and heart, thorough professional and a committed journalist. The Chief Minister said in the passing away of Mr. Sodhi a void has been created in the vernacular journalism which was difficult to be filled. Mr. Sodhi would be ever remembered by the journalists and his readers for his prolific writings aimed at bringing awareness amongst the masses of the society.
The Chief Minister shared his heartfelt sympathies with the members of the bereaved family and prayed to the Almighty to give strength and courage to bear this irreparable loss and grant peace to the departed soul.
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- SAD REJECTS PROPOSED PADDY AND COTTON MSP
• SUKHBIR DEMANDS RS. 1750 MSP FOR PADDY
AND RS 5000 FOR COTTON
Chandigarh June 1, 2012
Shiromani Akali Dal today out rightly rejected the Rs. 170 proposed hike in Minimum Support Price of paddy Rs, 800 proposed hike in Minimum Support Price of Cotton suggested by the Cabinet paper circulated by Union Government, describing it a cruel joke with the farming community, already reeling under ever mounting debt. The Party President Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal has also criticized the Congress led UPA for miscalculating the input cost incurred by farmers for fixing the Minimum Support Price.
It may be added the Union Agriculture Ministry has circulated a Cabinet note among various ministries recommending MSP of Rs 1,250 per quintal for common variety paddy and Rs 1,280 per quintal for 'A' grade variety of paddy for 2012-13 crop year against paddy MSP of common and 'A' grade varieties of Rs 1080 p and Rs 1,110 per quintal respectively for the 2011-12 crop year.
In a statement issued here today Shiromani Akali Dal President Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal said during last 6 months there has been 50- 60% rise in the cost of agricultural inputs including more than 100% rise in the cost of fertilizers after its decontrol by the Union government. Mr. Badal said that nothing less than 50% hike in last year’s MSP or fixation of MSP as per Swaminathan Commission report was acceptable. He said that Union Government itself had admitted that there was 64% rise in the cost of agriculture inputs on one hand and by proposing MSP hike by only 15 % was deliberately making farming community poorer by 49% in a single stroke.
Lashing at Congress led UPA for their anti-farmer bias, the SAD President said that by sleeping over the recommendations of Swaminathan Commission report linking MSP with Wholesale Price Index (WPI), the Congress party was reflecting its pro MNC bias. He said that recent study of a Consortium of Indian Farmers Association ( CIFA) has concluded that every year Union Government was squeezing out Rs. 6000 crore from the pocket of Punjab Farmers by offering lower MSP.
SAD President said that while Punjab Government was giving free power worth more than Rs. 400 crore per anum to sustain the farmers and state was bleeding itself to death by over drawing precious ground water recourses, just to ensure that Punjabi farmers fulfill their national duty to make country secure on food security front, this anti farmers attitude may force the farmers to say goodbye to farming profession. He said that this year by ensuring historic record production of wheat, Punjabi farmer has put country on driving seat on food security front but instead of sanctioning Rs. 500 as wheat bonus to the farmers to honour them, it has rubbed salt on their wounds by offering them meager hike in paddy MSP.
Demanding immediate announcement of Rs. 1750 MSP for Paddy and Rs 5000 for Cotton for current Kharif season and acceptance of Swaminathan Commission report to link MSP with WPI, Mr. Badal said that Union Government must understand the urgency of making agriculture a viable profession. The SAD President said that he along with Chief Minister S. Parkash Singh Badal would soon call on Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to impress upon him to raise MSP.
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CONGRESS MANIFESTO FOR MC ELECTIONS
Congress commits zero tolerance to corruption in MCs;
No property tax on residential properties
CHANDIGARH, June 1, 2012:
: Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee today released the election manifesto for the Municipal Corporation elections. The manifesto was prepared by the Manifesto Committee headed by the Congress Legislative Party leader Mr Sunil Jakhar. The manifesto was released after it was approved by the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee Capt Amarinder Singh.
The manifesto promised corruption free functioning in the municipal corporations and said it will ensure zero tolerance to corruption. It promised 24 hour telephone helpline at every corporation and time bound redressal of all the complaints.
The party promised to set up “Suvidha centres” at every corporation for single window clearing of all applications. It will set up interactive portal for all corporations for online interactive services a step towards e-governance. On line payment of all municipal dues and SMS alerts for all services.
In order to ensure transparency, the party promised to extend Right to Service Act to all the services of Municipal Corporation. Especially for building plans, TS-1, land use change etc.
All the Congress Municipal Corporators will declare their audited assets and liabilities in first week of every financial year.
There will be no property tax on residential properties. Besides there will be rationalisation and reduction of property tax on commercial establishment owned by proprietorship and partnership concerns. House tax will not be charged on properties in the areas which have not been taken over by Municipal corporation.
The party promised to arrange direct central Government grants for houses for urban poor, sewerage systems, beautification of cities and water supplies from central schemes.
It promised regularisation of all unauthorised colonies within municipal limits and extension of municipal limits upto 2-5km from present municipal boundaries. Provision of water supply, electricity supply, mettled roads and sewerage in all such converted unauthorised colonies.
Other main features of the manifesto include:
100% CCTV coverage on all major city roads and on entry and exit points of cities to put check on rise of urban crime.
· Allocation of dedicated budgetary support to all resident welfare associations (RWA) from municipal funds to tackle minor issues.
· Construct bridges and under ways to ease traffic congestion. Also develop ring roads and bypasses to ease traffic congestion with the aid of state and central governments.
· Twenty five percent of Municipal Corporation work tenders up to Rs. 12,00,000 (Twelve lacs ) to be given to unemployed youth.
· Advertising thro uni-poles in Municipal corporation area will be such as to eradicate corruption and monopoly. 50 % of the advertising sites will be given to unemployed youth. Transparent advertising policy to be reframed to avoid clustering and traffic bottlenecks.
· Develop multistory parking at congested commercial areas.
· FAR (floor area ratio) and Height restrictions to be eased both in commercial and residential properties.
· All such area and roads which have become commercial/industrial will be declared either commercial or will be permitted mixed land use. No further demolitions will happen.
· All municipal works will be properly adverstised and displayed at prominent places to ensure more transparency .
· No municipal land will be sold to meet regular expenses of corporation or state but will be used to create public utility assets.
· Potable and hygienic drinking water and replacement of old water pipelines and water tanks in old city areas of all the corporations.
· To renovate all existing parks and create at least two big municipal park in every municipal corporation of Punjab so as to have proper spatial distribution of parks for all the citizens of corporation
.
· All police stations encroaching on Municipal parks will be shifted to permanent and proper place and parks will be restored to the general public.
· To upgrade and modernize present solid waste management system to ensure beautification of cities. To close all open dumps and relocate them away from localities and residential areas.
· To create old age day care centres with medical and library facilities in all such wards of municipal corporation where government / municipal buildings are available.
· To exempt all old age and widow from tax from any commercial property upto rental income of Rs.10000 per month.
· To provide proper regular space to street vendors selling fruits and vegetables in every locality under licence from Municipal corporations.
· All existing ad-hoc ‘safai karamchari’ will be regularized on one time basis.
· Complete waiver of sewerage and water charges for residential plots upto 200 square yards.
· Setting up of coordination cell at all municipal corporation to coordinate works in wards and avoid unwanted excavations for each work at separate times causing inconvenience to ward residents.
· Promote active participation of NGO’s involved in pollution control , beautification and greenery of cities etc through dedicated mechanism in each and every corporation. Ensure budgetary support to NGO’s in corporation budget.
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Besides the party has incorporated city specific issues for the four corporations of Ludhiana, Patiala, Jallandhar and Amritsar.
LUDHIANA CORPORATION ISSUES
· Early completion of “Lakar Pull” railway over bridge by completing railway section of the bridge by direct intervention of central railway authorities.
· Completion of 4832 homes for slum developers and giving possession pf homes to poor being constructed at Mundian, Gayaspura and Dhandari .
· To start storm water sewerage project in Jankapuri to mitigate the problem of water logging during rains in Janakpuri, Transport nagar , Shivaji nagar and G.T.Road.
· Cleaning and strengthening of “Budha Naala”. Channelising domestic and industrial waste through STP’s (sewerage treatment plants) along with lying broad sewerage pipelines. Monitoring of “Bio-remediation Budha Naala” cleaning project through a dedicated Municipal corporation cell.
· To complete under construction indoor stadium at Pakhowal road within one year.
· To create a world class cricket stadium in Ludhiana for national and international cricket matches from in house municipal funds.
· More city buses to be added such that all schools, colleges, hospitals and religious centres are easily accessible.
· Setting up of municipal schools in economically weaker wards.
JALANDHAR MUNICIPAL CORPORATION
· Setting up of water treatment plant in industrial clusters of Jalandhar.
· House tax on industrial units to be charged on Industrial rates rather than commercial rates.
· Development of Gadaipur and other industrial zones as per new master plan.
· Extension of Ludhiana-Delhi Shatabdi to Jalandhar with central government intervention by Punjab Pardesh Congress.
· To start civilian flights from Adampur air base with central government intervention by Punjab Pardesh Congress.
PATIALA MUNICIPAL CORPORATION
· To mitigate water shortage a Rs.200 crore canal based water supply project of getting supplies from Bhakhra Canal be implemented with direct intervention of central government.
· To relocate meat and butcher shops outside residential colonies to separate hygienic slaughter houses.
· To relocate dairies outside residential areas.
AMRITSAR MUNICIPAL CORPORATION
· To promote religious tourism in Amritsar at Golden Temple, Durgiana Mandir, Ram Teerath and other places by beautification of their surroundings and making approach roads to these places of worship hurdle free. Developing Air conditioned pilgrimage friendly information centres at Railway station , Bus Stands and at prominent entry and exit points of the city.
· Railway over bridges to be constructed at Jora Phatak, Bhagtanwala ,Gain market,Taran Taran road, and Valla Mandi.
· Town Hall where Municipal corporation office and Police offices are situated will not be shifted from present location.
· Acute water shortage in city inspite of more than 150 tube wells will be addressed by converging it with Canal water system duly filtered through RO system.
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SARPANCHS AND PANCHS BE TRAINED BY CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS
· · TEN BLOCKS BE CLUBBED TOGETHER TO IMPART TRAINING
CHANDIGARH, JUNE 1:
To provide transparent and corruption free administration at the village level, the Punjab Government would soon initiate auditing of the Panchayats’ accounts. The Sarpanchs, Panchs and Panchayat Secretaries would be trained by chartered accountants for keeping the accounts properly. It was today disclosed by Rural Development and Panchayat Minister, Punjab, Mr. Surjit Singh Rakhra in a press conference at Vikas Bhawan, Mohali.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that Punjab has become the first state in the country to initiate the auditing of Panchayat accounts. He said that Union Minister for Rural Development Mr. Jairam Ramesh has recently urged all the states to provide transparent and corruption free administration at the village level. He said that the Punjab became the first state to accept the recommendation of the Union Government. He further said that in this regard, the Punjab Government has already established liaison with the ‘committee on Public Finance and Government Accounting.’ He said that the first joint meeting with this committee has been held today.
Rural Minister said that it was decided in the meeting that the Chartered Accountants, of this committee, would impart training to all the Panchayats. He said that for the purpose of training, groups have been formed clubbing ten blocks together. Mr. Rakhra said that due to ignorance and lack of awareness among the representative of Panchayats, many cases of financial embezzlement has come to the fore. He said that it was also noticed that Panchayats were remained unable to mobilize all their resources to generate more funds. He said that the training to be imparted by Chartered Accountants to the Panchayats, would enable them to attain funds from State and Union Governments and then to utilize the funds in proper prospective. He said that the Chartered Accountants would regularly monitor the accounts of Panchayats.
Chartered Accountant Mr. Amarjit Arora, Chairman, Committee on Public Finance and Government Accounting said that the training to the Panchayats would help them keeping accounts in order and it would also be a check on financial mismanagement.
Earliar in the day, a meeting was held under the chairmanship of Mr. Surjit Singh Rakhra to devise modalities of training to be imparted to the Panchayats. Mr. Amarjit Arora, Chairman, Committee on Public Finance and Government Accounting, Mr. Sunil K. Bhasin, Co-opt Member, Mr. Shalini Jindal, Secretary, Dr. Nikhil Saket, Senior Assistant Secretary and Mr. D.K. Singla took part in this meeting. Mr. Mandeep Singh Sandhu, Financial Commissioner, Mr. Balwinder Singh, Director and senior officials of Department of Rural Development and Panchayat, were also present.
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PUNJAB TO PROVIDE FREE TRANSPORT FACILITY TO SCHOOL GOING CHILDREN RESIDING IN SMALL SETTLEMENTS: MALUKA
- SCHOOLS WITH LESSER STUDENTS ALONG WITH TEACHERS TO BE MERGED IN ADJOINING SCHOOLS
SPECIAL TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS FOR GIRL STUDENTS SHORTLY
CHANDIGARH, JUNE 1: The Punjab Government is contemplating to provide free transport facility to the school going children residing in small settlements to ensure their proper and regular education. Besides this, the education department was also finalizing a move to merge schools with fewer students with adjoining schools along with the teachers working there.
Disclosing this here today, Mr. Sikander Singh Maluka, Punjab Education Minister, said that keeping in view the hardships being faced by the little school going students residing in small settlements (Dhanis and Brick kilns), this decision has been taken so that the children could get regular education in nearby schools. He said that free transport facility would also be provided to girls students living in remote villages.
The Education Minister further said that to impart quality education to students studying in Government Primary Schools, it has also been decided the schools with very few students should be merged with adjoining schools along with adjustment of their teachers, so that required infrastructure could be provided for quality education. He said that he has directed Principal Secretary Education to work out on the details for these proposed steps so that these initiatives could be materialized at the earliest.
The meeting was attended by Mr. S.S. Channi, Principal Secretary Education, Mr. Kamal Garg, DPI Secondary and Mr. Gurmeet Singh Jaura, Member Punjab State Backward Classes Commission besides senior officers of education department.
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