Major relaxation to Sheller industry with
increase of damaged rice to 3.5%.
Chandigarh, December, 23 : Mr. Adesh Partap Singh Kairon, Food
& Supplies, Minister was today successful in securing major
relief for the 3600 Sheller industries of the State as Union Govt.
today acceded to the request of Punjab Govt. to relax refraction
of damaged/slightly damaged grains including pin-point damaged grains
from existing 3% to 3.5%.
Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
today communicated to the Punjab Govt. that Union Govt. has decided
to give relaxation in uniform specification of raw rice for Kharif
Marketing Season (KMS) 2008-09 in Punjab and the relaxed limit would
be damaged/slightly damaged grains 3% + 0.5% pin-point damaged grains.
It has been communicated that this relaxation has been given in
the interest of the food security and expeditious milling of paddy
procured by the State Agencies of Punjab and also to avoid milling
losses. It was also pointed out that above relaxation would be applicable
for only custom milled rice (CMR) without any value cut.
It may be mentioned have that 131.42 lac M.T. tonnes of paddy
was procured out of which 120.74 lac M.T. tonnes were procured by
Govt. agencies. This year procurement by the Govt. agencies was
over 18 lac tonnes more than that of last year.
Badal urges BKU to withdraw agitation on
Cotton Procurement
Chandigarh, December 23
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today appealed to the
BKU (Ugrahan) group leaders to withdraw their call for proposed
Rasta Roko agitation on December 25th.
In a press released issued here, a spokesperson for the Government
informed that the State Chief Minister had raised the issue with
the Union Government of farmers being forced by Cotton Corporation
of India to bring copies of their jamabandi and girdawaris at the
time of procurement of their cotton crop. He stated that unfortunately
this was a national-level policy for which Mr. Badal had personally
spoken to Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and written to the Union
Textile Minister urging its immediate withdrawal. The State Chief
Secretary Ramesh Inder Singh had also taken up the issue with the
Union Textile Secretary and the State Government was hopeful that
this condition would be withdrawn soon, said the spokesperson.
In view of the efforts being made by the State Government, the
spokesperson stated that the Chief Minister had appealed to the
leaders to withdraw the call given for their proposed Rasta Roko
agitation.
SAD-BJP ALLIANCE TO MAKE DEVELOPMENT AND PERFORMANCE
AS LOK SABHA POLL PLANK - BADAL
SULTANPUR LODHI/KAPURTHALA DECEMBER 23, 2008
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today declared that
SAD-BJP government would seek the mandate of people in the forthcoming
Lok Sabha polls exclusively on the poll plank of development and
performance.
Addressing massive public rallies at Sultanpur Lodhi and Kapurthala
as a part of his development tour to cover all the assembly constituencies
in the state with in the next 30 days, Mr. Badal said that SAD-BJP
alliance government had vowed to transform the entire Punjab so
that none of any part of the state remained under developed and
the masses need not to approach the government for their genuine
demands rather it was the bounden duty of the government to redress
their grievances which was an integral part of the good governance
and clean administration. He said: "If any political party
adopt this pro-people attitude then it need not to go in the court
of people to justify their actions and achievements during its tenure
at the time of elections, rather people will come forward to support
and vote them voluntarily for the sake of development".
The Chief Minister categorically said that the SAD-BJP government
was committed to ensure overall development and welfare of all sections
of the society in the state without any sort of discrimination or
prejudice. He lambasted at the Congress especially the former Chief
Minister Amarinder Singh and Leader of Congress Legislative Party
Mrs. Rajinder Kaur Bhattal for the gross neglect of the development
of this region. He said that Amarinder Singh laid down the foundation
stone of many projects at the fake end of his tenure along with
Mrs.Bhattal just to woo the voters without preparing any blue print
and making provision for the funds. He said; "I have asked
my ministers not to lay any foundation stone without obtaining prior
sanction of funds and finalization of bidding process for the execution
of development projects. Even I also never lay any foundation stone
before verifying all these facts because such actions taken in haste
not only bring disgrace to the government but also play havoc with
the sentiments of the people".
The Chief Minister also lambasted the Congress led UPA government
at Centre for its failure of intelligence agencies that resulted
in recent terror strikes in Mumbai and asked it to owe moral responsibility
because the entire security and integrity of the nation had been
jeopardized. He said: "Had Congress government at least concerned
for nation's integrity and harmony it should had resigned en-mass
including the Prime Minister alongwith his entire Cabinet".
The resignations of Union Home Minister, Chief Minister and Deputy
Chief Minister of Maharastra, who had been made scapegoat to cover
the failure of Centre was nothing but a shameful act, added Mr.
Badal.
Speaking on the occasion, Education Minister Mrs. Upinderjit Kaur
said that a wave of development had been initiated by the Chief
Minister with his visionary approach had put the state's economy
in high trajectory and Punjab would soon regained its lost glory
by capturing No.1 position in the country as it was relegated to
No.7 by the previous government due to its callous and self-centric
approach. She said that a special programme had been envisaged to
save the life and property of the people of the Kapurthala district
from the fury of floods with the special efforts of Mr. Badal which
had been now posed to Centre for its approval and requisite funds.
On the occasion, Mr. Badal disbursed cheques of development grants
of Rs. 10.40 crore, out of which Rs.5.56 crore and Rs.4.84 crore
earmarked for the execution of various development works in 264
villages of Sultanpur Lodhi and Kapurthala respectively. Besides
the Chief Minister also sanctioned development grants for projects
worth Rs.8.43 crore including computerization of revenue record
(Rs.27.63 lac), repair of drains and streets (Rs.1.89 crore), repair
of school buildings (Rs.78.71 lac) and repair of 24 link roads (Rs.5.47
lac) for Sultanpur Lodhi assembly constituency. Likewise, Mr. Badal
also sanctioned development grants for projects to the tune of Rs.5.03
crore including computerization of revenue record (Rs.23.02 lac),
repair of school buildings and constructions of compound walls damaged
due to recent floods (Rs.17.47 lac) and repair of 5 planned roads
damaged due to recent floods (Rs.462.77 lac) for Kapurthala assembly
constituency. Apart from this the Chief Minister also disbursed
cheques of Rs.2 crore and Rs.3 crore to the Municipal Councils of
Sultanpur Lodhi and Kapurthala for the execution of various development
works.
Earlier the Chief Minister laid the foundation stone of the parking
lot in the new grain market at Sultanpur Lodhi at a cost of Rs.1.90
crore.
Nominee of the SAD-BJP from Khadoor Sahib Parliamentary constituency
Dr.Rattan Singh Ajnala made his firm resolves that the party was
in up beat mood which would give a crushing defeat to the Congress
in the forthcoming polls. He thanked Mr. Badal for reposing faith
in him and doling out unprecedented grants for the development of
newly created Parliamentary constituency of Khadur Sahib.
Prominent amongst others who spoke on the occasion included former
SGPC President & Chairperson Kapurthala District Planning Committee
Bibi Jagir Kaur and former Minister Raghbir Singh. The rally was
also attended by Advisor to Chief Minister Dr.Daljit Singh Cheema,
Media Advisor Mr.Harcharan Bains besides senior leaders and party
workers of SAD-BJP and members of the SGPC.
BADAL CALLS FOR OUSTER OF UPA GOVERNMENT
TO USHER AN ERA OF OVERALL DEVELOPMENT IN PUNJAB
ZIRA/MAKHU DECEMBER 23, 2008
On the 2nd day of Development tour Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash
Singh Badal today called upon the people of Punjab to oust Congress
in order to pave a way for the BJP led National Democratic Alliance
government at Centre for seeking justice and equity for the long
pending demands of the state be it economic, agriculture, industry,
inter-state issues etc. which had been blatantly ignored by the
Congress for its apathetic attitude prejudicial towards the legitimate
rights of the state.
Addressing two separate massive public rallies at Zira and Makhu
in Ferozepur district, Mr. Badal said that the people of Punjab
had lot of expectations from the UPA government but they were completely
dejected due to the step motherly treatment meted out to our state.
He cited the example how Punjab was completely ignored in the Centre's
debt waiver scheme of Rs.71000 crore where it could managed to get
just 1% and likewise hardly 1% was allotted to the state out of
Central grant of Rs.3125 crore earmarked for the development of
agriculture in all the states despite our significant contributions
of 60% of food grain in the national pool.
On agriculture front, Mr. Badal pleaded that states should not
beg for remunerative MSP for the crops rather Centre should evolve
a permanent solution either linking it with the consumer price index
or MSP should be equal to the cost of production plus 50% as recommended
by an eminent farm economist Dr.MS Swaminathan. He said that agriculture
was no more a profitable occupation due to the negligible returns
out of it due to non remunerative and stagnant minimum support price
(MSP) for which Centre had always adopted a negative posture. He
said that our farmers even after exhausting all its natural resources
in terms of ground water and soil texture had contributed significantly
towards the national food pool but what we got in return except
penury, humiliation and depression which had forced our farmers
to end their lives by committing suicide.
Blaming the Congress for 1984, Mr. Badal said that none on this
earth could forget this in human incident which exposed the much
hyped 'secular image' of the party besides leaving a blot permanently.
He also held Congress responsible for the meddling in the religious
affairs of Sikhs and even criticized its role in the attack on Sri
Harimandir Sahib.
Lashing at the Congress for instigating people for disturbing peace
in the state and its indulgence in divisive politics, Mr.Badal said
that the people had already realized that Congress's policy of 'divide
and rule' which it has adopted not only in Centre but in the states
too pursue its political agenda. Mr.Badal lamented that after 60
years of freedom, Congress government during its successive terms
in Centre and even in Punjab had not been able to provide the basic
civic amenities to the common man. He said that poor and lower strata
of the society had been completely ignored by the Congress because
it was least concerned about their welfare. He said that our government
was committed for the overall development of the state and its people.
He said that SAD being a party of a common man sensitized to the
problems of the people at the grass root level was committed to
serve them in the right earnest.
The Chief Minister dared former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh
and CLP leader Smt. Rajinder Kaur Bhattal to desist from cheap politics
of the confrontation adding Mr. Badal said he was aware of their
brewing resentment and frustration due to the upbeat mood of rank
and file in SAD-BJP party due to overwhelming response of people
in 'Vikas Rallies' in Majha region. Besides, Congress party was
totally disunited and its so called leaders were harping on different
tunes be it party president Mohinder Singh Kaypee who were befooling
the voters, rather they should not forget that the people were wise
enough to distinguish between the performance and antics. He reiterated
that the development would be the sole agenda of the SAD-BJP government
in the forthcoming elections.
On the occasion, Mr. Badal announced development grants worth
Rs. 104 crore for the execution of various projects and schemes
in Zira and Makhu areas. As a part of this massive development plan,
he also announced Rs. 3.50 crore 30 bedded Community Health Centre
and Rs.25 lakh for the construction of sub-tehsil at Makhu. Mr.
Badal also disbursed cheque of Rs.2 crore and Rs.1 crore each for
the development of Zira and Makhu on the occasion.
Later Mr. Badal laid the foundation stone of bridge on the Makhu-Lohian-Jalandhar
road at Gidderwindi to be built at the cost of Rs.67 crore. This
bridge would link the Malwa with Doaba region thereby reducing the
distance by 40 KMs.
In his address Irrigation Minister Janmejha Singh Sekhon said that
the remarkable progress made by SAD-BJP government in just 2 years
had resulted frustration amongst the congress party as it was bereft
of political agenda for the ensuing parliamentary elections.
Speaking on the occasion, sitting MP from Tarn Taran Dr. Rattan
Singh Ajnala and now SAD-BJP nominee from Khadur Sahib Parliamentary
constituency thanked Mr. Badal for reposing faith in him and hoped
he would come upto the expectations of the people in the forthcoming
Lok Sabha polls and solicited people's whole hearted support and
cooperation to translate the dreams of inhabitants of Majha into
reality.
Prominent amongst others who were spoke on the present on the occasion
included former Minister and Vice President SAD Hari Singh Zira,
Mr. Harmeet Singh Sandhu, Mr.Amarpal Singh Bonni, Mr.Inderpal Singh
Bolaria (all MLAs), Youth SAD President Ferozepur Avtar Singh Zira
besides senior leaders and party workers of SAD-BJP and members
of the SGPC.
SHIROMANI AKALI DAL-Sukhbir Singh Badal, today called upon
the Union Government to address the problems being faced by the
farmers in the Country.
NEW DELHI DECEMBER 23, 2008
Shiromani Akali Dal President and Member Parliament Mr.Sukhbir
Singh Badal, today called upon the Union Government to address the
problems being faced by the farmers in the Country.
Mr.Sukhbir Singh Badal who led a delegation of the Shiromani Akali
Dal and BJP Parliamentarians from Punjab to meet Union Agriculture
Minister Mr.Sharad Pawar here today, demanded in particular that
new condition imposed by Govt. of India to produce the land records
girdwari etc. on the cotton grower farmers of the Punjab State while
they are coming to sale their cotton in the market, be immediately
removed. He said that this was carving immense problems to cotton
grower's farmers in the state. He sought the personal intervention
from the centre to immediately direct the Cotton Corporation of
India
(CCI) to continue procurement of cotton without insisting upon production
of revenue record and instead accept the certificate issued by village
Sarpanch/Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) certifying
the prospective seller to be an actual farmer.
The delegation also met Mr. Shankar Singh Vaghela to raise these
issues with Govt. of India. He said that Punjab farmers contribute
70% in the central pool but centre did nothing to reward them with
incentives. He said that farming was no longer a lucrative profession
as the prices of farm inputs vastly out of proportion to the farm
produce.
Both the Union Ministers Mr.Sharad Pawar and Mr.Shanker Singh Vaghela
gave the patient hearing of the problems of farmers raised by Mr.Sukhbir
Singh Badal, before them and assured him to take the appropriate
immediate action on it.
The delegation comprises Mr.Charanjit Singh Atwal,Deputy Speaker
Lok Sabha, Mr.Naresh Gujral,Mr.Vinod Khanna, Mr.Raj Mohinder Singh
Majitha, Mr.Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, Mrs.Paramjit Kaur Gulshan,and
Mr.Tarlochan Singh all M.Ps.
Mr.Amit Gosain BJP leader of Ludhiana, Mr.Balbir Singh Jangiara,
General Secretary (SAD) Canada. Mr.Kikkar Singh Ex-M.P. and Mr.
Inder Iqbal Singh Atwal Ex-MLA were also present.
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