PUNJAB SECURITY TRAINING INSTITUTE, JAHAN
KHELAN - TO BE COMPLETED
IN TWO YEARS
CHANDIGARH JANUARY 16:
The Punjab Government would complete its prestigious Rs. 40
crore project of setting up the Punjab Security Training Institute
(PSTI) at Jahan Khelan to impart two month vocational training
for unemployed youth of the state to help them getting security
related jobs in various private organizations, within next two
years.
A decision to this effect was taken by Punjab Chief Minister
Mr. Parkash Singh Badal while presiding over a high level meeting
here today. Taking part in the deliberations he asked the Home
Department to finalize the modalities to notify the rules for
this Institution.
While approving the model of State-of-the-Art institution Mr.
Badal said that Rs. 20 crore were being released by the state
government to start the construction of its 1 st phase. He also
asked the officers to complete the work of structural designing
in two weeks and go for tendering.
Underlining the aims and objectives of the Institution Mr. Badal
said that presently the Security Agencies working in the field
were not providing any specialized training to the youth; this
new Police Institution would not only impart the ultramodern and
technical training of Security Guards but also impart the training
of Security Supervisors and Security Managers.
It was also informed in the meeting that the 1 st phase of the
PSTI would be completed within a year to impart training to 4500
boys and 1500 girls every year in five batches and the number
would be doubled after the complication of 2nd phase. The new
infrastructure of PSTI would comprise Administrative Block, Auditorium,
Multi media hall, Class rooms, Laboratories, Girls' and Boys'
Hostels, Officers' residential houses and a Hospital. Under this
training the youth would be taught the Basics of Security, Law,
Behavioral Sciences, theoretical aspect of Technology in Security,
basics of Disaster Management, first aid and public order. Besides,
modern equipment and weapon training would be included as practical
training under this course.
Punjab DGP Mr. N.P.S. Aulakh along the Senior Police Officers
was present in the meeting.
PUNJAB CM DEDICATES DR.B.R.AMBEDKAR BUS
TERMINAL
PHAGWARA JANUARY 16:
Punjab Chief Minister Mr.Parkash Singh Badal today said that
the state government could not alone ensure all round progress
and prosperity in the state unless people's participation in the
development process.
Later addressing the media persons after dedicating an ultra-modern
Dr.B.R.Ambedkar Bus Terminal built at a cost of Rs.3.22 crore
on BOT basis, Mr.Badal blamed the previous Congress Government
for creating a financial mess due to its wrong economic and fiscal
policies. He indirectly admitted that the state's financial position
was not good and urged the people to come forward to contribute
towards its development plans and schemes. "It is not feasible
for the government to pay every thing free and subsidized every
facility and now they should ready to share the burden gracefully
in this hour of financial crisis", said Mr.Badal. He however,
did not specifically stipulated any taxes or octroi likely to
be introduced in near future but also maintained that the once
the state was out of financial crisis it would again restore concessions
and subsidies gradually in a phased manner.
Replying to another question about the nomination of chairmen
of boards and corporations, Mr.Badal categorically said that there
was complete unanimity between the SAD & BJP and a final decision
would be taken shortly.
Earlier, addressing on the function Mr.Badal asked the civil
and police administration to pay due regard and respect to the
party workers of the Shiromani Akali Dal and Bhartiya Janta Party.
He urged the officers for a change in the mind set and said: 'they
being civil servants are actually the servants and the public
was the real master and they should serve the common man with
a missionary zeal and rather should not rule over them'.
Appreciating the Transport Minister Master Mohan Lal for naming
this ultra-modern interstate bus terminus after founding father
of Constitution of India and a great political thinker Dr.B.R.Ambedkar,
Mr. Badal said that it was a right step to perpetuate the memory
of eminent personalities and national heroes to infuse the spirit
of patriotism and nationalism amongst the future generations.
He also announced a grant of Rs.25 lakh for a community center
at Phagwara.
Mr.Badal said that our government since its inception had taken
several initiatives for the overall development of the state and
the welfare of people. He said that SAD was a party of grass root
people and we were committed to serve them in the right earnest.
He said that our government had taken various measures to ensure
overall development and progress in the areas of power, industry,
agriculture, education, infrastructure and health care. He reiterated
that with our concerted efforts Punjab would soon emerge as a
front runner state in the country.
Speaking on the occasion, State Transport Minister Master Mohan
Lal said that the Transport Department had chalked out an ambitious
programme to modernize and upgrade the 32 bus stands in the state
on the Built Operate and Transfer basis. He said that bus terminals
at Pathankot, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana and phagwara had been
made functional. He said that the Punjab government was committed
to provide the best transport infrastructure in the state to the
people and urged them to maintain it in the larger public interest
since they also owe a duty to safeguard the public property. He
also said that Rajpura bus stand would be dedicated soon to the
public and a world class bus stand at the holy town of Anandpur
Sahib would be developed on the priority. He informed that all
the up-coming new bus stands would be named after the great martyrs
and warriors for their heroic deeds besides eminent personalities.
He said that with the commissioning of this prestigious project
the long pending demand of the local residents had been fulfilled.
He thanked Mr.Badal for formulating a pro-passenger transport
policy aimed at providing best public transport services at the
affordable rates. He said that the state government would soon
press in 200 AC buses at a fare which is a just 10 to 20% more
than the ordinary bus fare to enable the common man to travel
in AC buses. He also pointed out that the transport department
would soon launch radio taxis to enable the passengers to commute
to and fro from the bus stand with a radious of 40 KM. Initially
this service would be started from Mohali, Amritsar, Ludhiana
and Jalandhar and later on it would be extended to the other districts
also.
Prominent amongst others who spoke on the occasion included Technical
Education Minister Ch.Swarna Ram, Deputy Speaker Lok Sabha Charanjit
Singh Attwal and Member SGPC Jarnail Singh Wahid. The function
was also attended by Principal Secretary Transport DS Jaspal,
State Transport Commissioner Venkat Rattanam and Managing Director
PRTC Manvesh Singh Sidhu and Deputy Commissioner JM Balamurugan
were amongst the senior officers.
PUNJAB TO SEEK SPECIAL CENTRAL GRANT TO
ENSURE 15% FOREST COVER IN THE STATE.
Chandigarh January 16: The Punjab Government will seek one time
special Central Grant to meet the target of 15% forest cover in
the state by the year 2017.
Disclosing this here today Mr.Tikshan Sud, Forests & Wildlife
Minister, said that in the ensuing conference of Forest Ministers
at New Delhi on February 14, 2008, the Punjab would present a
strong case for Central Grant for this project as increase in
forest cover to 15% was necessary to protect the fragile eco system
in the area located at the foothills of Shivaliks. The Minister
said that Punjab Government from its own funds cannot achieve
this ambitious target and it was imperative for the Central Government
to foot the bill of this project of National interest.
Mr.Sud said that the Punjab Government would again raise the
issue of compensation by Central Government to the Farmers in
the cases of Man-Animal conflicts especially in the fields falling
near the forest areas. The Minister said that keeping in view
the changed scenario of Urbanization and rapid industrialization
in the State, the Punjab Government would seek relaxation from
Union Government in Forest Conservation Act & P.L.P.A.
It may be added that Chief Minister S.Parkash Singh Badal alongwith
Forest Minister Mr.Tikshan Sud had gone to New Delhi to plead
these issues and had also forcefully raised these issues in Forest
Ministers Conference held in Chandigarh two months ago and Union
Forest Minister S.Regupathy had assured early decision on them.
CENTRAL & PUNJAB POLLUTION CONTROL
BOARDS JOIN HANDS TO SAVE GOLDEN TEMPLE FROM POLLUTION
Chandigarh, January 16: The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
and Punjab Pollution Board would initiate a joint scientific study
to save most sacred religious place of Sikhs, Golden Temple from
the ill effects of rising pollution in its vicinity.
Disclosing this here today Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia, Science
and Technology & Environment Minister said that assistance
of CPCB has been sought of because it had a vast experience of
suggesting measures for protection of Taj Mahal.
The Minister said that Punjab government was worried about the
increasing pollution level in the surroundings of Golden Temple
and its ill effects on it. He said that Sri Darbar Sahib Complex
as a whole was an example of architectural skills and precious
paintings other symbolic heritage of Sikh Gurus. But due to urbanization,
industrialization and other domestic activities pollution level
was increasing in the city if Amritsar day by day hence threatening
this precious Heritage site. The Minister said that many scientists,
intellectuals, writers & Sikh-thinkers had raised their voice
against the threats of pollution to Harmander Sahib through their
writing and media reporting. According to the initial studies
the probable reasons identified were transportation, industrial
& commercial activities, huge buildings & their emission
around the complex. Similarly with in the complex also the use
of fuel in community Kitchen & other domestic activities and
non-point sources of pollution were also identified reasons. Mr.
Majithia said that since no scientific & systematic study
had been conducted with regard to identifying & quantifying
the factors affecting the Sri Harmander Sahib, it has been decided
to rope in CPCB in this exercise.
He said that Sri Harmander Sahib is the most sacred religious
site for crores of Punjabi living around the World. This is the
only symbol of religious, environment & natural harmony available
worldwide. The sarovars, Guru Ka Bagh, Parikarna marble work particularly
the sun-watch and marble tomb build by the late Sardar Lahna Singh
Majithia are the heritage that guided the generations over the
last 400 years.
Mr. Majithia further said that like Harmander Sahib, Punjab
Govt. was committed to protect and preserve all the heritage sights
are the symbol of glorious past and the source of inspiration
for the future generations.