SUKHBIR GREETS THE WORKING CLASS ON THE EVE OF LABOUR DAY

Chandigarh, April 30: Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today extended his heartiest greetings to labour and working class of the state on the eve of May Day observed to mark with historic struggle of labour class throughout the world.
In a message the Deputy Chief Minister recalled the contribution of labour and working class in building up the world class infrastructure in the state to meet the challenges of future. Mr. Badal said that Punjab has a history of smooth labour relationship and the state government always preferred to come out with labour welfare oriented policies in the state.
Paying rich tributes to all those who laid down their lives for ensuring proper service conditions at Chicago in 1886, Mr. Badal said that striving to maintain congenial atmosphere for the working class would be the best tribute to them.

Punjab CM approves implementation of Revised Pay Scales from January 01, 2006
Chandigarh April 30:
The Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today approved the implementation of the revised pay scales w.e.f. January 01 ,2006 to its employees in wake of the recommendations of the 5th Punjab Pay Commission and the Implementation Committee subsequently constituted by the State Government.
Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the Punjab Government said that Mr. Badal today cleared the file to enable the state government to implement the new pay scales according to the General Conversion and the Fitment Tables as recommended by the Pay Commission. The Chief Minister also approved the rate of annual increment to be granted to the employees at the time of fixation as recommended by the Pay Commission.
The approved revised pay scales of the employees would be fixed in accordance with the general conversion table as mentioned below:

101.27 LAKH TONNES WHEAT PROCURED IN PUNJAB
Chandigarh, April 30: Government agencies and private millers procured more than 10127724 tonnes of wheat till last evening
Out of total procurement of 10127724 tonnes of wheat in all the procurement centers of Punjab, Government agencies procured 9908359 tonnes of wheat (97.8%) till date whereas private traders procured 16677 tonnes (0.2%) of wheat. Till April 29, PUNGRAIN had procured 1533049 tonnes (15.5%) whereas MARKFED procured 2288679 tonnes (23.1%). PUNSUP procured 2151893 tonnes (21.7%), PSWC procured 1266611 tonnes (12.8%) whereas PAIC was able to procure 1086071 tonnes (11.0 %) of wheat.
The Central Government agency FCI had been able to procure 1582056 tonnes (16.0%).
The spokesman added that District Ferozepur with 1201519 tonnes of procurement was leading in procurement operations whereas District Sangrur with 998083 tonnes of procurement was at second slot and district Patiala with 833803 tonnes of procurement ranked at third position.
The State Government has set up 1547 procurement centres and activated its total machinery to ensure smooth procurement of wheat, the spokesman added.

BADAL GREETS LABOUR & WORKING CLASS ON MAY DAY

CHANDIGARH APRIL 30:
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today felicitated the labour and working class on the occasion of May Day that symbolizes the historic struggle of labour class globally.
In a message on the eve of May Day, the Chief Minister called upon the working and labour class to join hands to usher in an era of overall development, peace and prosperity in the State. Realizing the significance of this historic day, Mr. Badal exhorted the workers to observe May Day not merely from its historical perspective but should take a solemn pledge to safeguard the rights of the labour and working class.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister paid rich tributes to all those who had sacrificed their lives for the struggle to secure genuine service conditions at Chicago in 1886.

99.94 TONNES WHEAT PROCURED IN PUNJAB
Chandigarh, April 29: Government agencies and private millers procured more than 9994004 tonnes of wheat till last evening
Out of total procurement of 9994004 tonnes of wheat in all the procurement centers of Punjab, Government agencies procured 9786268 tonnes of wheat (97.9%) till date whereas private traders procured 16096 tonnes (0.2%) of wheat. Till April 28, PUNGRAIN had procured 1513145 tonnes (15.5%) whereas MARKFED procured 2259435 tonnes (23.1%). PUNSUP procured 2124147 tonnes (21.7%), PSWC procured 1255115 tonnes (12.8%) whereas PAIC was able to procure 1075850 tonnes (11 %) of wheat.
The Central Government agency FCI had been able to procure 1558576 tonnes (15.9%).
The spokesman added that District Ferozepur with 1180943 tonnes of procurement was leading in procurement operations whereas District Sangrur with 994070 tonnes of procurement was at second slot and district Patiala with 830265 tonnes of procurement ranked at third position.
The State Government has set up 1547 procurement centres and activated its total machinery to ensure smooth procurement of wheat, the spokesman added.