ALLOTMENT SCHEDULE OF RICE MILLS FOR PADDY
SEASON NOTIFIED
Chandigarh, September 22, 2008
The Punjab Food & Supplies Department today notified be schedule
of allotment of Rice Mills for Kharif Marketing Season 2008-09.
In a communication sent to all the District Controllers in the
State of Punjab, Deputy Director(Field) of Patiala, Ferozepur and
Jalandhar, It has been stated that the rice mills for custom milling
of paddy to be procured by the state agencies in Kharif Marketing
Season 2008-09 would be allotted under the supervision of Director
Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Punjab in his office as
per schedule.
The spokesman said that allotment of rice mills for custom milling
of paddy for Nawan Shahar, Hoshiarpur, Amritsar, Taran Taran, Gurdaspur,
Kaputhala, Jalandhar would be made on September 25, 2008 whereas
allotment of rice mills for Patiala, Sangrur, Ferozepur would be
done on September 26, 2008. For district Ropar, Mohali, Fatehgarh
Sahib, Ludhiana and Barnala, allotment would be made on September29,
2008. Allotment of Rice Mills in the remaining districts of Moga,
Bathinda, Faridkot and Muktsar would be made on September 30, 2008.
All district Controllers and District Managers of all the procuring
agencies of all the districts have been directed to reach the office
of Director, Food & Supply according to the notified schedule
CONFERENCE ON TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT TO
BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY
Chandigarh, September 22, 2008
Mahatama Gandhi Institute of Public Administration Chandigarh
would hold a Conference on Total Quality Management(TQM) at its
campus on September 24, 2008 with a view implement TQM practices
in the Government set-up.
According to an official spokesman Mr. V.K.Agnihotri , IAS (Retd.),
Secretary General, Rajya Sabha who had Championed the cause of TQM
in Indian Public Administration would inaugurate the Conference.
Chief Secretary Mr. Ramesh Inder Singh would preside over the
Conference. The spokesman added that Mr. Padamvir Singh, IAS, Joint
Director LBSNAA, Mussorie, Mr. Sachit Jain, Executive Director,
Vardhman Group, Ludhiana and Mr. Mudit Saxena, Senior Vice President,
GENPACT, Gurgaon would also attend this Conference.
RAJKUMAR GUPTA ASSUMING CHARGE AS CHAIRMAN
PSIEC
Chandigarh September 22, 2008
Mr. Raj Kumar Gupta, Ex-MLA Jalandhar, today took over as Chairman
of Punjab Small Industries & Export Corporation (PSIEC) at Udyog
Bhawan Chandigarh.
Installation ceremony of assuming charge was done in the presence
of Local Government and Industries & Commerce Minister Punjab
Mr. Manoranjan Kalia and Revenue Minister Mr. Ajit Singh Kohar.
Prominent among other who attended his installation ceremony included
Sh. S.K. Bhandari, MLA, Sh. Rakesh Rathore Mayor Jalandhar, Sh.
Kanwaljeet Bhatia Senior Deputy Mayor Jalandhar, Sh. Parvesh Tangri,
Deputy mayor Jalandhar, Sh. Ravi Mohindroo district President, Mandal
Pradhan, Councillors from BJP & Akali Dal and members of the
district BJP Committee.
BADAL DECLARES BABA FARID AAGMAN PURB AS
HERITAGE FESTIVAL
FARIDKOT SEPTEMBER 22, 2008
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Sing Badal today announced that
Baba Farid Aagman Purb would be declared as 'Heritage Festival'
from the next annual plan on the pattern of Heritage festivals of
Patiala, Amritsar and Kapurthala to promote the cultural and ethnic
significance of Baba Sheikh Farid's legacy in far more emphatic
manner.
Presiding over the 23rd Baba Baba Sheikh Farid Rural Sports and
Cultural Festival here at Nehru Stadium organised by the Faridkot
District Cultural Society on the commemoration of the Aagman Purb
of Baba Sheikh Farid - one of the great spiritual ambassadors, poet
prophet and founder of 'Sufi' tradition in India, Mr. Badal said
that the Punjab government would make provision of funds for the
commemoration of Aagman Purb of Baba Sheikh Farid in the next annual
plan so that it could be well organised on a large scale keeping
in view its importance being declared as the National Festival by
Government of India way back in 1998.
Paying glowing tributes to Baba Sheikh Farid, the Chief Minister
said that Baba Farid was a father of Punjabi poetry and his message
was of universal relevance and visualised consciously to create
a healthy social order where virtues like human love, compassion,
equality, humility, humanism and freedom reigned supreme.
Mr. Badal said that Baba Sheikh Farid's Bani including 112 shaloks
and 4 Shabads had been incorporated in Sri Guru Granth Sahib by
Sri Guru Arjan Dev ji. He said that Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji is
a cosmopolitan holy scripture of all faiths, when we bow our head
in reverence before Sri Guru Granth Sahib, we pay respects to Baba
Farid along with great Gurus with same devotion.
Showing his intense passion for overall development of Faridkot
district, Mr. Badal said that he would soon hold a series of Sangat
Darshan in Faridkot, Panjgraian and Kotkapura to listen to the grievances
of the people and their redressal on the spot. He said that the
age old cultural heritage of erstwhile princely state of Faridkot
would be preserved at all costs and government would prepare a comprehensive
plan for the same.
Dwelling on the importance of sports, Mr. Badal said that sports
not only developed one's overall personality but also inculcate
the sense of sportsmanship, dedication and self-discipline. Such
sports and cultural activities provide an opportunity to the players
and artistes to exhibit their acumen, talent and performance to
enable them to compete at the national as well as international
level. He said that our younger generations must be acquainted with
our rich cultural heritage which was also the need of the hour.
On the occasion, Mr. Badal honoured 5 eminent personalities viz.
President INTACH Chapter Faridkot Prof.Baltej Singh Brar, Noted
Poet Fuja Singh Brar, renowned playwright Dr.Ajmer Singh Aulakh,
Research Scholar Subhash Parihar and District Public Relations Officer
Manohar Singh for their outstanding contribution in their respective
fields with a cash award of Rs.5100, citation and a shawl. He also
honoured 5 top wrestlers of the state including Randhir Singh Dhira,
Hari Krishan, Balwant Rai, Harpreet Singh and Mandeep Kaur. He also
released a souvenir 'Faridkot Chronicle' prepared by the Faridkot
District cultural society on the occasion.
Later the Chief Minister inaugurated Rs.2.21 crore fully air-conditioned
Farid Auditorium in the local Baba Farid Public School. He announced
a grant of Rs.10 lakh for a library and a shooting range in the
school.
Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion included
Irrigation Minister Janmeja Singh Shekhon, Mr. Mantar Singh Brar,
Mr.Gurdev Singh Badal, Mr. Manmohan Singh Brar and Mr.Kushaldeep
Singh Dhillon ( all Akali leaders) and Chairman Baba Farid Educational
Institutions Inderjit Singh Sekhon.
Bill on "Medicare Services & Medical
Professionals Protection of Violence Act-2008
The recently passed bill on "Medicare Services
& Medical Professionals Protection of Violence Act-2008"
in the Punjab Assembly by the state government has been declared
as a welcome step by the medical professionals of Punjab which has
given a big relief to them. This will ultimately benefit the patients
as sometimes the doctors used to refuse serious patients due to
fear of untoward incidences of assault on them and their hospitals
by the unsatisfied relatives of such patients. But after this bill
is passed, the age old sacred bonds & relationship between the
doctors & their patients will get strengthened once again. These
views were expressed by Dr Daljit Singh Cheema, Advisor to Chief
Minister Punjab to the members of the Patiala branch of Indian Medical
Association during a "specially organised function to honour
him" as he was the person instrumental in getting this bill
passed in the Punjab assembly. He said now the responsibility of
the doctors for their patients has increased but they will be able
to attend to their patients without any mental pressure or fear
of assault on them or ransacking of their hospitals by irresponsible
people. He appealed to the doctors to serve the poor & needy
patients by holding regular medical camps in the remote rural areas.
He said we all should be thankful to the Chiuef Minister Punjab
Sr. Parkash Singh Badal who fulfilled this long pending demand of
the doctors. Dr Cheema was honoured by IMA Patiala with shawal &
a moment on the occasion.
Before this while talking to media persons in local
circuit house, Dr Cheema said the doctors earlier had put up this
demand to the chief minister in the previous government, but with
no response & now our chief minister has fulfilled this demand
after his commitment to the doctors. He assured the media persons
that no doctor will misuse the bill rather they will be serving
the patients with more responsibility. He said no medical college
under the state government will be derecognised by Medical Council
of India as the state government is taking the necessary steps to
fulfil the vacant posts of medical teachers. He accused the previous
government for totally ignoring the health services & not filling
the posts of medical teachers i the state medical colleges.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Prem Singh Chandumajra,
General Secretary of SAD,said the state government has fulfilled
his commitment made to the doctors for passing the said bill.
In his welcome address, president of IMA Patiala Dr DS Bhullar,
appreciated the efforts of Dr Cheema for getting this bill passed
by the govt. and assured that now the doctors will be able to serve
their patients with more dedication.
Dr OPS Kande, Chief Advisor IMA Patiala, Dr Jagbir Singh Vice President
IMA Punjab, Dr Yash Sharma, President Elect IMA Punjab,Surjit Singh
Rakhra President NRI Wing,, Surjit Singh Kohli & Ajaib Singh
Makhmailpur, both Ex-Ministers, MLA Ghanaur Madan Lal Jalalpur,
Indermohan Singh Bajaj, President SAD ( Urban) Patiala, Dr JPS Sodhi.
Dr Vishal Chopra, Dr JK Kansal Advocate Harwinder Shukla Legal advisor
IMA Patiala & some veteran doctors of the city were present
in the programme.
BADAL ASKS VCS & PRINCIPALS TO RESERVE
10% SEATS FOR POOR AND BRIGHT STUDENTS
CM Lauds Badungar for his Sikh Literary Works and Asks Him to Compile
a Book on History of Akali Dal
PATIALA SEPTEMBER 21, 2008
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today called upon
all the Vice Chancellors of the Universities and Principals of the
colleges in the state to reserve at least 10% of seats exclusively
for the economically poor and bright students with rural background
to enable them to compete globally.
Addressing at a seminar on the book 'Gurmat Sabhayachar' authored
by a renowned Sikh scholar and former President SGPC Prof. Kirpal
Singh Badungar here at Science Auditorium in Punjabi University,
Mr. Badal said that the basic concept of Sikhism was to ensure equality
in the society by removing the existing disparity between the rich
and poor.
He pointed out that the proposed 10% reservation of seats in the
educational institutions would be a humble effort to achieve this
objective in line with the great ideals of 'Gurmat'. He appreciated
the efforts of the management of private Engineering & Technical
colleges for having already taken this decision from the current
academic session. He said that he had already impressed upon the
Management of the private Medical colleges to devise ways and means
to implement the similar decision in their colleges too.
The Chief Minister also lauded the decision of Centre to allow
the state government to run short-term courses in skill development
programmes in the schools and colleges after the working hours of
these institutions. He said a blue print for this programme to be
implemented in true spirit was being prepared. He hoped that it
would facilitate aptitude-oriented professional placement for the
state's youth in general and rural students in particular. This
landmark decision would certainly improve both quality education
and human resource development.
The Chief Minister asked the Vice Chancellor Punjabi University
Dr..
Jaspal Singh who was also present in the seminar to immediately
finalize the modalities to implement this scheme so that the wide
gulf between the standard of rural and urban education, could be
narrowed down through initiating certain measures aimed at imparting
quality education to these students at university level.
Commending the outstanding contribution of Prof. Badungar for bringing
out his second book on different aspects of Sikhism related to 'Gurmat
Sabhayachar' the Chief Minister said that Prof. Badungar had aptly
made an endeavour to disseminate the message and philosophy of Sri
Guru Granth Sahib ji across the globe to foster the sense of harmony,
oneness, peace and compassion amongst the mankind within the contours
of socio-cultural values. Mr. Badal urged Prof. Badungar to compile
a book on the glorious past of Akali Dal after a thorough research.
He said that this would be a very useful publication amongst the
future generations and research scholars to acquaint them with the
different facets of Akali movement and subsequently sacrifices made
by the veteran Akali leaders.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Kirpal Singh Badungar said that
he was deeply moved by the fragile value system now-a-days due to
mad race for materialism as people had shun the path of righteousness
and truth that had resulted frustration and discontentment in the
society. He said that in this background he made a modest attempt
to bring out this publication 'Gurmat Sabhayachar' so that it could
apply balm on the sick psyche to save them from the mental agony
thereby motivating them to follow the path of divinity to achieve
a path of eternal peace and solace..
In his keynote address an eminent Sikh scholar and Vice Chancellor
of Punjabi University Patiala Dr..Jaspal Singh said that Sri Guru
Nanak Dev ji was the pioneer for bringing cultural awakening in
the society through his lives and works. He said that Guru Nanak
Dev ji practically demonstrated his ideals and teachings to the
people to dispel their misgivings about the society. He propagated
the value based and high moral teachings in the common man's idiom
to dispel their misgivings about the society in order to get rid
them of rituals and superstitions.
Presiding over the seminar eminent legal luminary and Advocate
General Punjab Hardev Singh Mattewal felicitated Prof. Badungar
for his unique contribution by penning this book on the cultural
aspects of Gurmat and said that the real purpose of this seminar
would only be served that if we all take a solemn pledge to translate
the ideals preached by the great Gurus into actions.
In his address Chairman Sikh Studies and Dean GNDU Dr. Baldev Singh
Dhillon said that Prof. Badungar in his book has highlighted the
social evils prevalent in the society in context with 'Gurbani'.
Prof. Badungar had rightly blended the present social issues be
it drug addiction, female foeticide and degradation of social values
in the backdrop of Gurbani in the language of the common man which
could be easily comprehend by one and all.
Among the prominent persons who were present on the occasion were
Chief Parliamentary Secretary Raj Khurana, General Secretary SAD
Prem Singh Chandumajra, Shiromani Akali Dal leaders Surjit Singh
Rakhra, Surjit Singh Kohli and Ajaib Singh Mukhmailpura, Commissioner
SK Ahluwalia, Mayor Ajit Pal Singh Kohli. Besides leaders and party
workers of SAD and member SGPC.
BADAL INAUGURATES "BARADARI PALACE"
Heritage Hotel developed in Public-Private Partnership
PATIALA SEPTEMBER 21, 2008
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal inaugurated "The
Baradari Palace", a heritage hotel of the Neemrana Group of
Hotels located in the pristine surroundings of the Baradari Gardens,
at a simple ceremony here today. The project is a collaborative
effort of the Department of Tourism, Punjab and the internationally
acclaimed Neemrana Group of Hotels to restore the over-a-century
old Rajindra Kothi through Public-Private Partnership.
While interacting with the proprietors of the Neemrana Group and
officers of the tourism department about this prestigious heritage
hotel first of its kind in the state, the Chief Minister congratulated
the Neemrana Group for converting the old Government property into
a top-class heritage hotel. He stated that the Government would
consider restoring other heritage properties using the same Public-Private
Partnership (PPP) model, wherever feasible. In order to promote
the growth of tourism in Punjab, it was far more important to create
an excellent infrastructure and that too in terms of high quality
heritage and budget hotels in the State. "Punjab has a rich
cultural heritage and the State Government is committed to preserve
and promote the Punjabi culture in every way", said Mr. Badal.
Mr. Badal said that Punjab had a tremendous tourism potential which
needed to be harnessed for the development of its economy as well
as promotion of its cultural heritage. He said that the State Government
was working with UN World Tourism Organization to come up with an
attractive tourism policy in order to attract greater private investment
in the sector.
On the occasion, Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Hira Singh
Gabria informed the Chief Minister that the Rajindra Kothi was a
property dating back to late 19th century and had been used to house
the States Archives and over time parts of it had been rendered
unsafe. Therefore, in order to revitalize it and to provide a good-quality
heritage hotel facility to tourists visiting Patiala, the premises
has been re-developed into a Heritage Hotel. For this purpose, a
30 years lease agreement had been signed with the Neemrana Groups
of Hotels on a profit-sharing basis for the 4.65 acres property.
Apart from the lease rental, the lessee will pay 5% of the gross
revenue generated in this hotel to the Government. To ensure transparency
in this, the entire revenue generated will be credited into an Escrow
account and 5% of the gross revenue will be apportioned to the Punjab
Govt. The scope of work of the lessee included the restoration,
conservation and maintenance of the Heritage Building as per the
guidelines/specifications prescribed by INTACH.
Chairman Francis Wacziarg and Co-Chaiman Aman Nath of Neemrana
Group of Heritage Hotels mentioned that at present the Baradari
Palace has
17 suites and rooms along with a Restaurant and Conference facilities.
These have been created at an investment of about Rs 4 crores. More
facilities like a Cafeteria, Bar, Swimming pool and various other
facilities, which any top-class hotel provided were slated to be
added shortly. "We are proud of having been associated with
Punjab's first heritage hotel involving major restoration work and
this would go a long way in promoting Punjab as a tourist destination.
We would specially like to acknowledge the positive role played
by the Punjab Government and the local administration in making
this possible", said Mr. Francis Wacziarg.
Among the prominent persons who were present on the occasion were
Chief Parliamentary Secretary Raj Khurana, General Secretary SAD
Prem Singh Chandumajra, Shiromani Akali Dal leaders Surjit Singh
Rakhra, Surjit Singh Kohli and Ajaib Singh Mukhmailpura, Principal
Secretary Tourism Geetika Kalha, Secretary Tourism DP Reddy, Commissioner
SK Ahluwalia, DC Vikas Garg and Mayor Ajit Pal Singh Kohli.
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