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Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today constituted a high level committee comprising Rural Development & Panchayats Minister, Finance Minister, Agriculture Minister, Revenue Minister, Food & Supplies Minister and Technical Education Minister along with the Chief Secretary and administrative Secretaries of the respective departments under the chairmanship of Industries Minister Mr. Manoranjan Kalia to finalize the draft Industrial Policy-2009 of the State.


SHIV SENA's SAMAJWADI DELEGATION CALLS ON PUNJAB CM


CHANDIGARH FEBRUARY 3, 2009

A delegation of Shiv Sena Samajwadi led by Mr. Kamlesh Bhardwaj today called on the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal and presented a memorandum of their demands to him.

Mr. Badal assured the delegation that their genuine demands would be considered sympathetically. He reiterated that the SAD-BJP alliance government is fully committed to maintain communal harmony in the state as it was aware of the fact that the Punjab had suffered a lot in the past and the hard earned peace in the state would be preserved at all costs. The state Government through its innovative policies and programmes had initiated a pace of development to regain the lost glory of the Punjab, added Mr. Badal.

Giving a sympathetic hearing to some of the individuals in the delegation, Mr. Badal telephonically gave directions to the concerned authorities for the removal of their grievances immediately.

The delegation appreciated the efforts of Mr. Badal in creating a congenial atmosphere to flourish all sections of the society in the state.

The delegation included the National President Shiv Sena Hindustan Mr. Pawan Gupta, National President Hindu Suraksha Samiti Mr. Sanjeev Hari ji, National President Shiv Sena Samajwadi Mr. Baljit Singh Dhillon, Head UDASEEN SAMAJ Baba Sant Namdas, President Shiv Sena Samajwadi (Chandigarh) Mr. Jai Singh, Vice President SAD district Ludhiana Mr. Sachdev Singh Gill and representatives of more than 20 village Panchayats.




PB CM ANNOUNCES PANEL OF MINISTERS TO BE HEADED BY KALIA TO FINALIZE DRAFT INDUSTRIAL POLICY -2009


CHANDIGARH FEBRUARY 3, 2009

Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today constituted a high level committee comprising Rural Development & Panchayats Minister, Finance Minister, Agriculture Minister, Revenue Minister, Food & Supplies Minister and Technical Education Minister along with the Chief Secretary and administrative Secretaries of the respective departments under the chairmanship of Industries Minister Mr. Manoranjan Kalia to finalize the draft Industrial Policy-2009 of the State. The committee will meet tomorrow.

A decision to this effect was taken by Mr. Badal at a high level meeting to discuss the modalities before the finalization of the draft policy. A detailed presentation on the draft industrial policy was made by the Principal Secretary Industries & Commerce SS Channy in which he sought the comments from the concerned departments at the earliest and said the draft policy had been put on the web site.

The Chief Minister said that the new industrial policy would aim at ensuring level playing field to all the investors and entrepreneurs being the stake holders in the process of development and growth of state's economy. He said that the draft policy after the detailed deliberations at the level of high level committee would also be subsequently discussed thoroughly by the members of the infrastructure development council, large industrial board and small industrial board. Consequently it would be finally placed before the council of ministers meeting for approval.
The meeting was attended by the Rural Development & Panchayat Minister Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal, Agriculture Minister Sucha Singh Langha, Revenue Minister Ajit Singh Kohar, Food & Supplies Minister Adesh Partap Singh Kairon and Technical Education Minister Ch.Swarna Ram, Chief Secretary RI Singh, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister DS Guru, Principal Secretary Finance SC Aggarwal and Director Industries VK Janjua, besides the administrative secretaries of other departments and captains of the industries.




PUNJAB CABINET APPROVES SUMMONING OF 6TH SESSION OF VIDHAN SABHA FROM FEBRUARY 27, CABINET GIVES NOD TO STATE ECO-TOURISM POLICY


CHANDIGARH FEBRUARY 3, 2009

The Punjab government today approved the summoning of the 6th Session of 13th Punjab Vidhan Sabha from February 27.

A decision to this effect was taken in the meeting of the Council of Ministers chaired by the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal here at Punjab bhawan.

Giving the details of the meeting, Chief Minister's Media Advisor Mr. Harcharan Bains said that the Session would begin with Governor's address on February 27.

The Cabinet also approved the formulation of Eco Tourism Policy as one of the major thrust areas for the promotion of tourism in Punjab as identified by the United Nation World Tourism Organization. The Department of Tourism had taken the initiative to frame the eco-tourism policy based on the inputs of Department of Forests Wildlife Preservation, as the State had tremendous potential to become a premier eco-destination.

In another significant decision, the Council of Ministers approved the restructuring of Directorate of Youth Services to harness the energy of youth on creative and constructive lines. To achieve this objective, the posts of Director, Deputy Director and State Liaison Officer in the Youth Services Department had been revived by the Cabinet.
The Cabinet also approved to levy Value Added Tax (VAT) @ 4% on mosquito repellants, toilet cleaners, wood preservatives, chemicals for killing domestic insects, termicides, phenyle and similar other products which are not used for agriculture purpose. This decision would enable the government to earn revenue of Rs. 10 crore annually.

The Cabinet also approved the disposal of 17053 acre of pond area land acquired by the irrigation department, land falling between international border and barbed wire and land falling between barbed wire and Hussainiwala Head Works to be allotted to its unauthorized occupants on the basis of possession at the rate of Rs.25000, Rs.75000 and Rs.150000 per acre in the districts of Ferozepur, Tarn Taran, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Amritsar and Gurdaspur.

The Cabinet also approved the creation of PCS (Executive branch) and Allied Services posts to be filled by Punjab Public Service Commission.

The Cabinet also approved Socio-Economic Criteria for identification of Socially Advanced Persons (Creamy Layer) from the Backward Classes in the State for their exclusion from the benefits of reservation meant for these classes in the State Services/Posts on the pattern of Government of India. The rule of exclusion would apply to the sons and daughters of persons having gross annual income of Rs. 4.5 lakh or above or possessing wealth above the exemption limit as prescribed in the Wealth Tax Act for the period of three consecutive years.
The Cabinet also approved the enhancement of amount to Inter-Caste married couple from Rs. 25,000/- to 50,000/- under the Protection of Civil Rights Act 1955 in order to eradicate untouchability from its grass root level in the society.

The Council of Ministers also gave approval to include Circle Style Kabbadi, a famous game of Punjab - an event similar to the National Kabbadi game to be included in the Sports Gradation Policy.
The Cabinet also approved the inclusion of 22 villages of Sub-Division/Tehsil of Nangal into Sub Division/Tehsil of Sri Anandpur Sahib in district Roop Nagar.



PUNJAB GOVT. TO RESOLVE PENDING ISSUES OF NAMBARDARS – CM


CHANDIGARH FEBRUARY 3, 2009

Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today announced to give due representation to the Nambardars in the district and tehsil level grievances committees and the detailed guidelines to the respective Deputy Commissioners would be issued in this regard by the Revenue department within a week.

An assurance to this effect was given by Mr. Badal to the 12-member deputation of Nambardar Union led by its President Harminder Singh Chajjali, who also raised other demands including revision of honorarium and appointment of their wards as Nambardar in their place as per the Rule 5 of Revenue Act, 1909.
The Chief Minister also assured the deputation that the state government would soon take a sympathetic view of their genuine demands to appoint their wards as Nambardars as per their capability and directed the Financial Commissioner Revenue Mrs. Romila Dubey to get these demands thoroughly examined before taking a final decision.

Mr. Badal also asked the deputy commissioners to ensure proper sitting arrangements for the Nambardars at the district headquarters and tehsil complexes to enable them to discharge their duties efficiently.
The meeting was attended by Revenue Minister Ajit Singh Kohar, OSD to Chief Minister Mr. NS Sangha besides the Secretary General Ran Singh Mahila and senior Vice President Gurpreet Singh Lohgarh from the Nambardar union




DY CM CALLS FOR ELECTRICAL UPGRADATION IN ALL GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS

CHANDIGARH FEBRUARY 3, 2009

Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal who made his maiden appearance in today's Cabinet meeting presided over by Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal piloted several major proposals which were approved by the Cabinet. One of these related to electrical upgradation in all government hospitals and other major government building through out the state. This he said was necessary to prevent the recurrence of tragedies like the one that happened in Rajendra Hospital in Patiala the other day.

At the behest of Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal the Cabinet also decided to set up a Punjab State Museum of History & Culture at Amritsar. The Deputy Chief Minister felt that preserving the heritage, culture and its rich historical legacy should be given utmost importance. He also vehemently pleaded the case for raising the upper income limits for recruitment to civil services for OBCs from the present 2.50 lacs to 4 lacs. This would facilitate the entry of more persons belonging to the OBCs in civil services. It was pointed out that Punjab had been missing utilization of its full quota in government services.

Taking a serious concern of the recent railway crossing mishap in Ferozepur district, the Deputy Chief Minister also mooted a proposal to take up the issue of unmanned railway crossings in Punjab with the Ministry of Railways, GoI which had claimed several lives in the state over past to impress upon them to depute railway personnel on these crossings to control such accidents

In a bid to modernize the State Public Relations Department and make it a state-of-the-art department in the country, the deputy Chief Minister who is also incharge of Information & Public Relations department has initiated several measures out of which, the Cabinet approved taking out the 16 posts of Information & Public Relations Officers from the preview of Punjab Public Service Commission and the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms had permitted to amend the Punjab Public Service Commission (Limitation of Functions) Regulations, 1955 accordingly for the filling up of these vacancies.




MANPREET BADAL MOURNS THE DEMISE OF BRIG. BANT SINGH AND SENIOR ADVOCATE NARDEV SINGH DHALIWAL.


Chandigarh February 3, 2009

Mr. Manpreet Singh Badal, Finance Minister Punjab has mourned the sad demise of Brig. (Retd.) Bant Singh AVSM of Bathinda who died yesterday. In his condolence message, Mr. Badal said that Brig. Bant Singh was an icon of Sikh Regiment. After retirement from the Army he had dedicated his life to the social work and was instrumental in transforming the evil social system from our society. Terming the sad demise as his personal loss, the Minister said that he had lost a very good friend and a guide who had always stood for high socio-moral values. He was against corruption prevailing in different sectors of our social systems. He has left his imprints and would always be remembered for his high moral and social values he always stood for.

Mr. Manpreet Singh Badal has also expressed grief over the sad and untimely demise of Senior Advocate of Bathinda S. Nardev Singh Dhaliwal to whom he termed as the doyen of his profession. The services rendered by Advocate Dhaliwal would always be remembered and appreciated by people in general and legal fraternity in particular, said Mr. Badal. He was always ready to help the poor and the needy. Finance Minister has sent his condolence messages to the members of the bereaved families of Brig. Bant Singh and Senior Advocate Nardev Singh Dhaliwal.



VIGILANCE NABBS ONE GO & 21 NGOs TEN CONVICTED IN GRAFT CASES

Chandigarh February 3, 2009

State Vigilance Bureau, in a drive against corruption in public life, arrested one Gazzetted Officer (GO) and 21 Non-Gazzetted Officers (NGOs) in eighteen different cases in last month and was able to secure the conviction of ten accused in six vigilance cases.

Disclosing this here today, Mr. Harcharn Singh Bhullar, SSP-cum-Joint Director (Admn.) Vigilance Bureau Punjab, said that Bureau has put up its best efforts to eradicate corruption amongst public servants and others in every sphere in the State. In this direction, the Vigilance officers have registered trap cases, disproportionate assets cases and criminal cases and ensured that suspect did not escape judicial punishment in the various courts in the State.

Mr. Bhullar added that during the last month of January, the Vigilance had nabbed twenty two corrupt public servants which included four Local Bodies Department officials, five revenue officials and two policemen red handed accepting bribes in different cases. During this period VB had registered two criminal cases, one disproportionate assets case and one vigilance enquiry against the suspect officials to probe into the allegations.
Giving details he added that the special courts have sentenced two GOs, six NGOs and two private persons in six different vigilance cases after finding them guilty for one year to two years imprisonment which included Mr. Narotam Singh former president Municipal Committee Mansa, Prithvi Lal E.O, Abhey Kumar AME and Inder Mohan Sandhu S.O. M.C. Mansa. Besides this, Krishan Chand Sharma E.O M.C. Rampura Phul (Bathinda) had also been convicted by Sh. J.S. Kular Special Judge Bathinda under Prevention of Corruption Act for two and half years imprisonment with fine of Rs. 5000/-.



Cabinet recognize Circle Style Kabaddi to give status it deserves-Sukhbir Singh Badal


Bajakhana (Faridkot), 3 February

"To give the circle style kabaddi status it deserves the game has given recognition by Punjab cabinet, today", said Deputy Chief Minister and Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal. Addressing as a chief guest on the final day of three day 11th International Harjit Memorial Kabaddi Tournament here today, Mr. Badal said that now circle style kabaddi players can avail quota in government services and will be benefited with all those facilities given by state government to sports persons. He also announced that Rs 1 Lack will be given to 1200 villages of the state from coming financial year to provide sports facilities.

Speaking on the occasion Deputy Chief Minister said that SAD-BJP government focused on promoting Hockey and Kabbadi in the state besides encouraging other sports. He said that on the lines of IPL they were going to start World Kabaddi league which is likely to begin by July. He said that the in the international Kabbadi Championship which would be conducted from this year, players from countries like US, Canada, England, Norway, and Pakistan etc. will participate. He said that prize money for winners would be 1 Crore, runners-up Rs.55 Lack and Rs. 25 Lack for second runners-up so that people from all across the country become aware of Punjab's motherly game.
SAD's Young President said that basic idea behind the World Kabaddi League is to bring all kabaddi clubs, both Indian and foreign, under one umbrella. He said that club officials in Canada, US and UK shown interest in this league. He said that 8 teams from Punjab will participate in this league and government had approached state-based corporate houses, urging them to buy teams and the response has been very encouraging.

Sukhbir Badal, who is also the new Sports Minister, wants Punjab to play a pivotal role in reviving hockey. Discussing initiatives taken by government to encourage sports in the state Mr. Badal said that for the first time state is organizing the first-ever Four-Nation Punjab Gold Cup Invitational Hockey Tournament. He said that to promote hockey at grass root level the young hockey trainees from rural areas of Punjab were brought to witness the top world stars in action during the Punjab Gold Cup. He said that state will soon organize a similar hockey tournament for women. "The Punjab Government has already taken steps to broad base sports activities at the grass root level by initiating a Punjab Hockey League which has attracted more than 170 teams from different schools, colleges and sports academies," said Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal. To provide better infrastructure & facilities astroturfs grounds would be setup at Sansarpur (Jalandhar) & Talwandi Sabo (Bathinda) and a world class hockey stadium & coching centre would be set up at Mohali. He said that state government is going to adopt 8 games and every infrastructure and facility would be made available for this purpose.

Discussing the development initiative taken at rural level to promote sports, Mr. Badal said that government had conducted tournaments at village, blocks, districts, zone and state level for the purpose. He said that sports equipment worth Rs. 1.25 Crore had been distributed to 1400 players of different districts of the state.
Mr. Badal announced a grant of Rs. 4 Lack for the development of kabaddi stadium of village Bajakhana besides announcing approval of other demands of the village Panchayat. Among others Chief Parliamentary Secretary Jagdeep Singh Nakai, President Punjab Kabaddi Assosiation Sikander Singh Maluka, SAD candidate for Lok Sabha from Faridkot Parmjeet Kaur Gulshan and SAD's senior Vice President Gurdev Singh Badal.