PUNJAB TO EMERGE AS FRONT RUNNER STATE IN
THE HOTEL AND TOURISM SECTOR
BATHINDA APRIL 30, 2008
Punjab would soon emerge as a pioneer state in the hotel management,
tourism and civil aviation sector. The setting up of Rs.10 crore
State Institute of Hotel Management (SIHM) is also a step in this
direction.
Speaking on the occasion after laying the foundation stone of
SIHM, Mr.Badal said that concerted efforts of SAD-BJP Government,
the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India has sanctioned this
prestigious institute to impart training to our youth in the hotel
management and catering technology.
The Chief Minster said that the state government would accord
top priority to training our youth for employment in various spheres,
like hotel management, civil aviation, Information Technology
etc. The government has also laid emphasis on short-term skill
training for our youth in the private security sector. He said
that Skill and job-oriented professional education was the need
of the hour.
Referring to the national scenario of hospitality industry, Mr.Badal
said that the demand for manpower in this industry is on the increase
and the hospitality sector was facing a shortage of manpower.
The need for qualified manpower was increasing. There was also
a lack of high quality managers in our country. That's why hotel
companies employed managers from other countries. Manpower was
provided to hotels and restaurants in the country from both government-run
and privately managed hotel management and food craft institutes.
The shortfall in trained manpower would increase unless training
facilities were augmented to meet the international standards.
Mr. Badal informed the institute would follow norms prescribed
by the National Council for Hotel Management. It has been estimated
that the hotel industry in Punjab and neighboring states would
absorb over 15000 trained personnel between 2007 and 2010, said
Mr.Badal.
Speaking on the occasion, President SAD & member Parliament
Mr.Sukhbir Singh Badal said that the upcoming Bathinda Refinery
and the International Cricket Stadium would certainly give a fillip
to the hotel industry in the region. This prestigious institute
would further boost the travel, tourism and hospitality industry
in the region.
Mr.Sukhbir Singh Badal also said that after the setting up of
the Bathinda refinery, Bathinda would soon emerge as the petro
chemical hub in the North India. He said that the refinery would
be later on developed as a mega refinery thereby its existing
capacity 9 lac to 18 lac.
Mr. Badal said that Mr. L.N. Mittal had already given indication
to put in heavy investment to the tune of Rs. 35,000 crors to
40,000 crores to enhance its capacity.
In his address Tourism Miniter Mr. Hira Singh Gabbaria said
that the state government had embarked upon an ambitious programme
to develop tourism sector on a large scale keeping in view its
vast potential in the river tourism.
He also said that the tourism department was also considering
developing few projects in the border areas to boost the tourism
prospects in the state.
He blamed last congress regime for despising of prime government
tourist properties at just as the price of pea nut.
He said that the SAD_BJP had not only wipeout the huge losses
of Rs. 10 crore incurred by the last government but has also made
the profit of Rs. 2.5 crore within a period of one year.
Prominent among Member parliament from Bathinda Mr. Parmajit
Kaur Gulshan, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Cooperation Jagdeep
Singh Nikai, General Secretary SAD Mr. Balwinder Singh Bhundar
and district president SAD Mr. Sikander Singh Maluka.
BADAL CALLS UPON PUNJABIS TO PROMOTE PUNJABI LANGUAGE
AND CULTURE
PATIALA APRIL 30, 2008
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today called upon
the Punjabi community settled in India and different parts of
the world to promote Punjabi language and culture in a big way
as the charity begins from home.
Mr. Badal was addressing a galaxy of the Punjabi lovers and
intellectuals from all over India and Pakistan who converged here
at the first All India Punjabi Conference at Guru Teg Bahadur
Hall in Punjabi University to celebrate its 47th foundation day.
He said that the fairly large concentration of Punjabi Diaspora
over the globe today became familiar with the fact that their
families could not survive by detaching themselves from their
roots. "It is our moral and social obligation that we should
work together to glorify our rich cultural and heritage",
said Mr. Badal.
In an emotional appeal, Mr.Badal urged the parents to start speaking
Punjabi with their children from day one because it was the essence
of saving the rich legacy of Punjab, Punjabi and Punjabiat which
was being fast depleted. He said that we should also make concerted
efforts to declare Punjabis as a second language in our neighbouring
states of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi which were the part
of erstwhile joint Punjab and Rajasthan especially in the Gangnagar
area.
The Chief Minister declared that the Government would not wait
till the next session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha to implement
its decisions on the use of Punjabi language in all Government
and semi-Government offices and to introduce it as a compulsory
subject in schools. An ordinance to the effect will soon be issued.
Mr.Badal made a firm resolve to introduce Punjabi language as
a compulsory subject in all schools in the State and to strictly
enforce it as a medium of official communication. Mr.Badal announced
a committee comprising Veteran Journalist Kuldip Nayar, Editor-in-Chief
of Ajit Dr.Barjinder Singh Hamdard, Member Parliament Tarlochan
Singh, Vice Chancellor Punjabi University Jaspal Singh to minutely
go through the finer details of the proposed ordinance. He emphasized
the need to strengthen the bonds of Punjab, Punjabi and Punjabiat
through organizing such seminars and conferences outside the Punjab
also. Mr.Badal said that it was pertinent to hold such conferences
in other states as it was our pious duty to sensitize our Punjabi
brethren with our rich cultural legacy.
The Chief Minister pointed out that undoubtedly English was
universally accepted world over as a link language and Hindi was
a national language and we should give due recognition to both
these languages but not at the cost and status of our mother tongue.
Mr. Badal further said that government would amend the law and
introduce legal provisions under which it will be mandatory that
Punjabi became a compulsory subject in all schools upto 10th class.
On the occasion Mr.Badal honoured five prominent personalities
including celebrated Punjabi writer Prof. Pritam Singh, eminent
Punjabi dramatist Bhaji Gursharan Singh, noted Punjabi author
Mrs.Dalip Kaur Tiwana, prominent academician Dr.T.R.Sharma and
Film & Theater fame Raj Babbar for their outstanding contribution
in the promotion of Punjabi in the field of literature, education
drama and films. Besides he also launched world's first Punjabi
search engine (Punjabi Khoj) along with varsity's web site in
Punjabi developed by the computer department of the Punjabi university.
The Chief Minister also released a book "Maa Boli Ik Doctori
Drishtikon' in Punjabi authored by Dr.Harshinder Kaur daughter
of Prof. Pritam Singh and also released a varsity souvenir on
the occasion.
In his key note address, Editor-in-Chief Dr. Barjinder Singh
Hamdard appreciated the Chief Minister for bringing legislation
for making teaching of Punjabi compulsory in all the schools and
declaring Punjabi as an official language.
Vice Chancellor Punjabi University Dr. Jaspal Singh said that
by organizing All India Punjabi Conference for the first time
in the history of university today on its 47th foundation day
would be a salutation to all those who made tireless efforts to
set up this university, first of its kind in India on the basis
of language. He said that world Punjabi conferences were held
all over but holding such conferences was the need of the hour
for the promotion of Punjabi language and culture.
Speaking on the occasion Member Parliament Tarlochan Singh called
for initiating a movement to declare Punjabi as a second language
in the states of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi and Rajasthan.
Veteran Journalist and former Member Parliament Kuldip Nayar
feared that Punjabi culture too would die or get distorted if
'Gurmukhi script' was not taught in the schools. The bigger Punjabi
population in Pakistan's Punjab had also failed to promote the
culture and language with the denial of official status to Punjabi
and pre-pondering position of Urdu there, Mr Kuldip Nayar said
adding now it was an appropriate time to raise a movement in favour
of Punjabi in Punjab and outside. He urged the parents to encourage
their children to speak and learn Punjabi because it was the most
important to keep the ethos of Punjab, Punjabi and Punjabiat alive.
On the occasion, renowned Urdu poet & writer Sardar Anjum
and noted film actor Raj Babbar also shared their experiences
for the promotion of Punjabi language and culture. Mr. Babbar
thanked Mr.Badal and Mr. Tarlochan for getting approval of GoI
for his tele serial on Maharaja Ranjit Singh to be televised from
Doordarshan.
The conference was attended by eminent academicians, educationists
and literary figures besides Media Advisor to Chief Minister Harcharan
Bains and Additional Principal Secretary to CM Gagandeep Singh
Brar.
REGISTRATION OF RMPS TO BE RENEWED EVERY
FIVE YEAR
Chandigarh April 30, 2008
The Punjab Government today issued a notification making it
mandatory for every Registered Medical Practitioner (RMP) to get
his registration renewed after every five years.
Disclosing this here today Mr. Jagjit Puri, Secretary Medical
Education said that at the time of renewal they would be required
to obtain 50 hours of continue Medical Education (CME), 10 hours
per year on payment of renewal fee. He said that the renewal fee
would be Rs. 500 and as amended from time to time.
Mr. Puri warned that in the absence of renewal, the registration
of Registered Medical Practitioners would be suspended with the
expiry of registration.
BADAL GREETS LABOUR & WORKING CLASS
ON MAY DAY
CHANDIGARH APRIL 30, 2008
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today extended
his warm greetings to the labour and working class on the occasion
of May Day that commemorates the historic struggle of working
people throughout the world.
In a message on the eve of May Day, the Chief Minister urged
the working and labour class to strive hard to create congenial
and harmonious atmosphere to usher in an era of overall development,
prosperity and peace in the State. He also exhorted the workers
to recognize and commemorate May Day not only in its historical
perspective but also as an opportune time to resolve for certain
vital issues for the welfare of the labour class. Mr. Badal assured
them that the SAD-BJP government was committed for the welfare
and uplift of the labour class and would implement all the welfare
schemes for their betterment in letter and spirit.
Mr. Badal paid homage to all those who had sacrificed their lives
for the struggle for genuine service conditions at Chicago in
1886.
PUNJAB GOVERNMENT ISSUES TRANSFERS POLICY
Chandigarh, April 30, 2008
The Punjab Government today issued guidelines for the general
postings and transfers of officers and officials of the government
in the state during 2008-09
Disclosing this here today, a spokesman of the Punjab Government
said that the transfers would be done from 1st June, 2008 to 30th
June, 2008. However, the process of transfers in the departments
of Cooperation, Food and Civil Supplies and Technical Education
& Industrial Training would be made from July 1st to July
31st 2008.
Giving details of the broad guidelines to be adopted for the
transfers the spokesman said that as per the policy of the state
government transfers would be kept to the barest minimum and would
be made against vacant post except where the transfers were justified
on administrative or compassionate grounds. He also said the employees
whether gazetted or non-gazetted due to retire within next two
years, would be allowed to continue in the same district or at
the same station of postings till retirement as far as possible.
Referring to the transfer policy for couple cases, he said that
when husband and wife both were serving the Government it was
desirable to keep them at one station for a period of not more
than five years, thereafter they would be transferred as per the
policy. Even in the cases where the wife was in government service
and the husband was working in private under taking, the same
attitude would be adopted. However, efforts would be made to post
unmarried girls and widows at stations suitable to them as far
as possible. The spokesman explained that unmarried girls and
widows would be given preference over couple cases in the matter
of posting and transfers at stations convenient to them
The spokesman further said that to mitigate the suffering of
the handicapped and the blind employees, the state government
would be considerate in posting and transferring them. Sympathetic
attitude would be adopted while posting or transferring a government
employee or officers whose child was mentally challenged and efforts
would be made to post them at the place of their choice.
Adding further, he said that a stay of three years and five
years would be treated respectively as the minimum and maximum
period at a particular place. Similarly for employees transferable
within the state particularly Group 'A' and Group 'B' officers,
no employee would be allowed to serve in one district beyond a
period of 7 years in his center service, within particular office,
seats having sensitive nature of work such as extensive public
dealings, establishment, monetary sanctions etc. would be clearly
defined and maximum stay would be kept at 2 years. Premature transfers
i.e. transfer of any employee before he has completed minimum
three years would not be ordered except under rare circumstances
of punishment or clearly spelt out administrative reasons, the
spokesman clarified.
The employees or officers who were posted in the border areas,
bet areas and Kandi areas would remain there for a minimum period
of 2 years, he added.
SONIA AND MANMOHAN SHOULD SEEK APOLOGY
FROM NATION FOR EXCLUDING KUKA MOVEMENT FROM FREEDOM MOVEMENT-TIKSHAN
SOOD
Chandigarh April 30, 2008
Senior BJP leader and Medical Education Minister Mr. Tikshan
Sood today said that by not recognizing Kuka Movement as freedom
movement of India, the foreigner led UPA Government has shown
utter contempt to thousands of freedom fighters who laid down
their lives for the freedom of our Country.
In a statement issued here today Mr. Sood said that Nation owes
a public apology from UPA Chairperson Mrs. Sonia Gandhi and Prime
Minister Dr. Manmohan for showing unbelievable disrespect to those
70 Kuka Martyrs who made ultimate sacrifice for the freedom of
our motherland. The Minister said that the UPA Government wearing
the sunglasses of Left has mastered the art of distorting history
and denigrating our freedom fighters for their petty political
gains. He said that BJP would not allow this policy of deliberate
'Cultural Pollution' of history of our freedom struggle.
The BJP leader said that it had been policy of UPA government
to dilute the contribution of Punjabis in freedom struggle and
this was one more attempt by Congress led government to show Punjabis
in poor light. He said that the Punjab with a geographical area
of 1.3 % of India is proud to have made 90% sacrifices in our
freedom struggle and any attempt by any government to show contempt
to our freedom fighters would not be tolerated by any citizen
of independent India.
Mr. Sood said that when Mr. Murli Manohar Joshi was Human Resource
Development Minister in NDA government he had launched a special
exercise to correct deliberate inaccuracies in the history books
of NCERT but Arjun Singh as HRD Minister was blindly implementing
Left agenda that would not be allowed.
The BJP leader said that Punjab government gives the due reverence
to Kuka Martyrs and has already drawn out a comprehensive programme
to observe 150th years of Kuka movement .A high level Committee
under the chairmanship of Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh
Badal has been constituted to finalize this progamme. He said
that Kuka Memorials are being set up in the villagers of all 70
Martyrs and a grand Martyr Complex in the area of 300 acres is
being set up at Bhaini Sahib, the birth place of Baba Ram Singh
who gave a lead to Kuka Movement.
Mr. Sood said that this declaration in the 150th years of Kuka
Movement by Union Government of not recognizing this struggle
as freedom movement was more unfortunate as Nation was looking
towards Union Government of its programme to commemorate this
historic occasion.
Mr. Sood demanded immediate apology from Union Government for
this blasphemous assertion.
