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CHIEF MINISTER OFFICE PUNJAB
DY CM'S ROLE: 'MEDIA REPORT UNFOUNDED'- GOVT.


Chandigarh February 06, 2009

The Punjab government today described as " incorrect, without substance and professionally unsound" a speculative report carried by an English daily that there had been a proposal to route through the Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, all official files requiring the Chief Minister's attention.

" There is and never was any proposal to this effect. We simply do not know where such speculation originated from," said a spokespersons of the Punjab Government. He said that the Deputy Chief Minister had repeatedly said that he is more than happy performing his duties in the portfolios allotted to him.

"Beyond this, the only role Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal has been performing is in his non-official capacity as the president of a party in the ruling coalition, and that is to keep reminding the government of its commitments made to the people in the manifesto. "Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal is himself on record saying that his role as SAD president is " advisory". That itself should have removed any confusion on the subject", said the spokesperson. He further said that in a parliamentary democracy, the Council of Ministers "works on the principle of collective responsibility. To this extent, the Deputy Chief Minister is fully aware of and sensitive to the fact that, like other members of the Cabinet, he has a contributory role." the spokesperson added that the Rules of Business clearly stipulated that the final authority for taking any decision relating to a particular department was with the Minister-in-Charge.

The spokesperson categorically said that the state government had not even contemplated a proposal to route all the files through Dy. Chief Minister, and more importantly, nor has the Deputy Chief Minster ever said anything that should have inspired the report in question".



Punjab to host first ever National Conference on Cooperative Credit Structure from February 9 in Chandigarh
Cooperation Ministers of various states and ICA chief to attend

Chandigarh, February 6, 2009

Cooperative Institutions in the State in collaboration with the National Federation of Cooperative Agricultural Rural Development Banks are organizing National Conference on "Revival of Rural Cooperative Credit Structure" from 9the to 11the February at Chandigarh. This National level conference is being organized first time in the history of state. This was disclosed by Punjab Cooperation Minister Capt. Kanwaljit Singh.

Addressing a press conference here today. Capt. Singh disclosed that this three day conference while focusing on various issues of the cooperatives would also provide a major stimulus to the cooperative movement in Punjab which is passing through a dramatic improvement in its economic and social activities. The conference will bring to focus the fact that in the present scenario of the rural economy it is the cooperatives who will play a crucial role in its upliftment.

He informed that the conference would be inaugurated by International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) President Mr. Ivano Barberini and Punjab Chief Minister S. Parkash Singh Badal would be Chief guest at the inaugural function to be held at CII, Sector 31, Chandigarh.Cooperation Ministers, Secretaries of cooperation of various states, Chairman and Managing Directors of Agricultural Rural Development Banks and Apex Cooperative Banks, Chairman NABARD, Chairman National Federation of Agricultural and Rural Development, Chairman National Cooperative Union of India and officers from the Ministry of Finance, Govt. of India, Managing Director NCDC, Chairman NOCI and Ex-Chairman NABARD are also invited to the conference.
He informed that thrust of the conference would be to deliberate on the issues relating to the problems and challenges being faced by the Rural Cooperative Credit Structure in providing timely and adequate credit especially to the weaker sections of the society as well as the farm sector. He said that the conference will also deliberate upon ways and means by which they can play a larger role in providing easy and adequate credit to these sections so as to minimise/eliminate the role of the unorganized credit system who charge usury rates of interest which is the one of the major causes of farmer's indebt ness in Punjab.

He said that cooperative Institutions were playing important and significant role in short term and long term credit structure in increasing the agricultural production to help the country towards self sufficiency in meeting its food grain requirement. He said that credit cooperatives have been facing serious problems which need to be addressed in the larger interest of the farming community in particular and other strata of the society in general. The conference would deliberate on measures as well as policy adjustments required to make cooperative credit Institutions the core sector for providing rural credit at affordable rate of interest. He said that collective wisdom gathered during the conference will help solve these problems and help us in converting our dreams into reality.
Capt. Singh informed that inaugural session would be held at 3.00 PM on 9th February at CII, sector 31 Chandigarh where as the technical session would he held on 10th of February at Hotel Mountview Chandigarh. He told that Mr. Barberini and the other delegates would visit the Cooperative Sugar Mill at Nawanshehr on 11th February for an on the sopt study of the cooperative sugar industry and interact with the cane farmers. After that they shall proceed to Sri Amritsar Sahib to pay obeisance at Sri Harmandir Sahib and later visit the Wagha Border.

Cooperation Minister said that this conference has a special importance for the state as it was first time after independence that state was hosting a National Cooperative Conference in which International figure will also participate. He said that recommendations emerging out of the discussions in the conference will help in providing solution to the various problems relating to the farmers, weaker section of the societies and the cooperative credit structure in the states.

Prominent amongst other present on the occasion included S. Sukhdarshan Singh Marar Chairman SADB, Dr. BC Gupta Financial Commissioner Cooperation, Dr. G Vajralingam Registrar Cooperative Societies Punjab, VK Singh MD Milkfed, GS Grewal MD Markfed, GS Mangat MD Punjab State Cooperative Bank, VK Bansal Addl Registrar, Mukhtiar Singh MD Housefed, Swaranjit Singh MD SADB, Ms. Deepak Mand MD Puncofed and Ms. Suman Bansal MD Weavco.


PUNJAB GOVERNMENT EXEMPTS 3% ADDITIONAL
STAMP DUTY IN THE BORDER VILLAGES


CHANDIGARH, FEBRUARY 6:

The Punjab Government has decided to exempt the 3% additional stamp duty being charged as Social Security Cess on the registration of land in the villages within the radius of 5 kilometers from 'A' class Municipal Committee towns in the border areas of the state.
Disclosing this here today a spokesman of Punjab Government said that a decision to this effect was taken by Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal in response to the memorandum submitted to him by the residents of boarder area during a public rally at Fazilka. This decision would benefit a major section of people belong to the scheduled castes and backward classes, who had made this land cultivable with their hard work.




PUNJAB TO ALLOT OWNERSHIP RIGHTS OF EVACUEE
LAND TO 150 TILLERS OF RAI SIKH COMMUNITY


CHANDIGARH, FEBRUARY 6, 2009

The Punjab Government had decided to allot the ownership rights of evacuee land to nearly 150 tillers of Rai Sikh community.

A decision to this effect was taken by Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal to address long pending issue of Rai Sikh community.

It may be recalled here that Punjab government had allotted this evacuee land first in 1979 and then 1989 to the beneficiaries who fulfilled the requisite condition as per the policy of the State Government. The remaining cases of 150 beneficiaries are being scrutinized by Deputy Commissioner, Ferozepur.

The state government had also decided to invite fresh application within next 3 months from the beneficiaries of Rai Sikh Community who could not applied earlier.


CHAIRMAN AND VICE CHAIRMAN NOMINATED
IN MARKET COMMITTEE OF MAJITHA

CHANDIGARH FEBRUARY 6:

The Punjab Government today nominated Mr. Harbhajan Singh of village Supariwind as the Chairmen and Mr. Harkirat Singh of village Naag Kalan as Vice Chairmen in Market Committees of Majitha in Amritsar district.
Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the Punjab government said that these nominations had been made under Sub Section (1) of Section 16 of Punjab Agricultural Produce Markets Act, 1961.
He further informed that 15 members of Market Committees of Majitha (Amritsar) had also been nominated.


SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND GOVERNANCE REFORMS COMMISSION GETS FOUR MEMBERS-TERMS OF REFERENCE NOTIEFIED

CHANDIGARH, FEBRUARY 5, 2009

The Punjab Government has appointed Prof. Dipankar Gupta, Professor Sociology, JNU New Delhi, Prof. Atul Sood, Associate Professor, JNU New Delhi, Mr. Ram Naesh Gupta, IAS (Retd.) and Mrs. Satwant Reddy, IAS (Retd.) as part time members of Social Develo0ment and Governance Reforms Commission. It may be added that Dr. Parmod, Director IDC has already been appointed Chairman of the Commission.
According to an official spokesman the Punjab Government today also notified the terms of reference of the Commission .The Spokesman said that this Commission has been set up to improve the welfare of the disadvantaged, marginalized and deprived sections in Punjab and achieve good Governance based on high ethical standards. He said that the motivation for the Commission comes from the fact that the present system of governance is not optimally suited to the challenges of unequal access of social programs and skewed distribution of benefits of the various economic programs based on gender, caste and class. The Commission has been given mandate to suggest changes in the processes, procedures, rules regulations and design of the public services and in respect of the social development programs to improve the delivery of services, ensure dignified access of these services to the disadvantaged, marginalized; and deprived sections of society including women.

The Spokesman further said that the Commission would identify the vital schemes, programs and services of the Government of Punjab that affect the welfare of people and document in detail the existing procedures, rules regulations and the design of public service and social development programs. Based on 'best practices' in other States and other welfare-oriented countries, the Commission would also identify the changes that ought to be introduced.

The Spokesman said that the Commission would work out the details of a sustainable model of governance with inbuilt provisions for consultations with the target group flexibility to the implementing agencies; customizing programs according to local needs; citizen- centric decision-making,; and ensuring accessible and hassle-free delivery of programs and services to the disadvantaged, marginalized and deprived sections.

He said that Social and economic development of the economically and socially marginalized sections of the society and issues of dignity, livelihood and income generation has been the stated thrust of various government programmes. There is sufficient evidence to suggest that the benefits of these programmes are not fully availed by the target groups due to various constraints including faulty programmes design, caste, gender and class-based exclusion, adverse selection, corruption etc. The Commission would look into the ways and means to ensure and improve the impact of these programmes on the target groups.

The Commission would also focus on improving the access of deprived and marginalized in various social and economic programs; in provisioning of basic civic services; in provisioning of social security schemes.The Commission would also consider modalities of making access of citizens's to programs, services and schemes harassment and corruption-free by suggesting changes in processes, procedures, rules regulations and design of the public services and social development and welfare programs.The Commission would not only focus on delivery of civic and social services but also on procedures, norms and rules of civic utilities. The spokesman said that improving the access to programs, services and schemes for the socially deprived groups would require addressing challenges of drug addiction, female sex de-selection, caste based social assertions and other social ills that have afflicted Punjab society. To ensure corruption and harassment-free delivery of services, the Commission will suggest changes in the institutional arrangements, especially institutions that relate with the participation of grass root actors, and improvements in the grievance redressal mechanisms to ensure accountability of service providers. Use of e-governance will be suggested where required. Rights, needs and concerns of the poor and marginalized populations will be kept upfront in making these recommendations .Improvement in social access is not possible without strengthening rights and access to law and order services; the Commission will therefore make suggestions for strengthening citizenship rights in provisioning and use of police services.

The Commission would be assisted by Task Groups. The sectors, schemes, programs and services for which task groups will be formed will be decided by the Chairperson and members of the Commission. Task Group would make detailed recommendations indicating changes required in procedures, rules regulations specifically indicating the modalities of bringing about the suggested change and the resources and other inputs required for implementation. The recommendations of the task groups will be approved by the Commission. The task group will also oversee and follow up on implementation of the accepted recommendations.

To begin with Five Task Groups named Basic Civic Services and Civic Regulatory Services group, Social Security and Welfare Programmes group, Access to Social Development group, Police Reforms and Access to Police Services group and Institutional Framework for Delivery of Services group had been constituted..
The tenure of the Commission shall be for two years.



ANTI-PIRACY ACT SOON-SUKHBIR SINGH BADAL


CHANDIGARH, FEBRUARY 5, 2009

The Punjab Government will soon form Anti-Piracy Act to safe guard the Entertainment Industry in the state.
An assurance to this effect was given by Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal to a delegation of Indian Entertainment Industry led by the renowned singer Mr. Hans Raj Hans who called on the Deputy Chief Minister here late last evening.

The delegation apprised the Deputy Chief Minister about the enormity of the issue and also conveyed the apprehension of Northern India Film Producer/Distributor's Association (NIMPPA), Cinema Owner's Association (COA), Northern India Film and TV Association (NIFTA) and Punjabi Lok Gayak Manch. The piracy of entertainment products was causing heavy losses to the State in the form of VAT, Income Tax and Entertainment Tax to the tune of Rs.485 crore annually besides, ruining Punjabi Language and Culture, deputation informed the Deputy Chief Minister.

Showing concern over the issue Mr. Badal directed Director General of Police to chalk out the modalities in this regard and assured the delegation that necessary immediate action would be taken to stop the piracy for protecting the Entertainment Industry in the state.

The prominent members of the delegation included Mr. Gaurav Trehan and Mr. Iqbal Dhillon, the President and Producer of Indian Entertainment Industry.



JUDICIAL PROBE INTO INCUBATOR FIRE INCIDENT GETS UNDERWAY

Chandigarh, Feb. 5, 2009

Judicial probe into the tragic incubator accident in Rajindra Hospital Patiala got under way today as Justice (Retd.) K.C. Gupta, who is conducting the inquiry, visited the site of fire in the nursery. Justice Gupta would record the evidence and statements of employees of the Pediatric Department.

The Punjab Government has widened the scope of inquiry to cover dereliction of duty on the part of agencies responsible for administration, maintenance and upkeep of electrical as well as other medical infrastructure in the Rajindra Hospital. The Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal has said that strictest possible action would be taken against those found guilty in the probe. In a statement here, he said that the Government would not hesitate to initiate criminal prosecution against those found guilty by the Judicial Inquiry.

Employees of the Rajindra Hospital & Medical College, Patiala, and of agencies responsible for the administration, maintenance and upkeep of the College have been directed to fully cooperate with the probe proceedings.

Meanwhile, the Government today decided to reinstate Dr. Jaswinderpal Kaur Shergill, Principal, Government Medical College, Patiala, Dr. Neha Sharma, Junior Resident, Miss Reeta Singh, Staff Nurse and Mrs. Satya, Safai Sewak, all employees of Rajindra Hospital & Medical College, without prejudice to the proceedings of the Inquiry. However, Dr. Jaswinderpal Kaur Shergill after being reinstated would join as Head of Surgery Department and not as Principal. This was being done to ensure free and fair probe, a spokesperson of the Punjab government said here today.



BADAL'S CLARION CALL FOR SHOWING DOOR TO UPA GOVERNMENT IN FORTHCOMING LOK SABHA POLLS


BANGA/SHAHEED BHAGAT SINGH NAGAR/GARHSHANKAR FEBRUARY 5, 2009

Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today gave a clarion call to oust the Congress led UPA government at Centre because it was responsible for absolute decay of industry and the slow down of agricultural growth in Punjab due to its economic policies inimical to the interests of the state.

Addressing a series of public rallies at Banga, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar and Garhshankar, Mr. Badal categorically said that Congress had always followed a discriminatory approach against Punjab aimed at destabilizing its economy. He said that Congress through out its longest tenure of 45 years since Independence adopted an indifferent attitude while formulating its policies and devolution of funds under centrally sponsored schemes. He cautioned the people of Punjab to be wise enough to distinguish between the development based performance and the pranks of the Congress party which was bent upon to befool the people by making tall claims and fall promises.

Lashing at the previous government led by Amarinder Singh, Mr. Badal said that the Congress through its autocratic style of functioning was far away from the hearts of the people because it never bothered for the welfare of the people at the grass root levels whereas SAD-BJP government was sensitized to their basic problems and could feel their pulse. He said that these rallies were not merely organized for the political purposes but had also a prime objective to disburse the grants directly in the presence of the people to instill a sense of belongingness and confidence in line with the approach of 'inclusive growth' to solicit their participation in the development process.

Mr. Badal said that now it was the high time to alert Centre to shun its indifferent attitude towards Punjab 's farming community and industry which had been badly hit due to its step motherly treatment. He called upon the Centre to ensure 'level playing field' to the industry regardless of special incentives and concessions as already given to the states of J&K, Himachal Pradesh and Uttrakhand. He said that agriculture was no more a profitable occupation due to the negligible returns on it due to non- remunerative and stagnant minimum support price for which Centre had always adopted an approach of 'negativism'. Our Government had been demanding the linking of MSP with consumer price index since long but Centre always turned down our plea without any rhyme or reason.

Blaming 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. 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, while the SAD-BJP alliance was committed for the overall development of the state and welfare of its people.
Mr. Badal appealed to the people to vote and support SAD-BJP alliance candidate Dr.Daljit Singh Cheema from the Sri Anandpur Sahib Lok Sabha constituency during the forthcoming general elections. He said that to ensure the formation of NDA government at Centre all of us must make concerted efforts for the victory of SAD-BJP candidates so that the legitimate demands of the state could be conceded and the aspirations of the people fulfilled.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister released the first issue of a souvenir of Fan Club (Regd.) Jalandhar for the year 2008-09 on his life and achievements titled 'Ek Saal Badal Sahib De Naal' published and edited by Mr.Mandeep Singh Shampi.

At Banga, the Chief Minister handed over a cheque of Rs.2 crore for the local Municipal Council for the execution of various development works. He also disbursed cheques of Rs.1.81 crore for undertaking development in 101 village panchayats of Banga assembly constituency. Likewise, Mr. Badal also handed over the cheques of Rs.2 crore for Municipal Council Nawanshahar and Rs.1 crore for Municipal Council Rahon. He also disbursed cheques to the tune of Rs.1.57 crore for the execution of development works and schemes in 111 village panchayats of Nawanshehar assembly constituency. Later in the afternoon at Garhshankar, Mr. Badal presented a cheque of Rs.2 crore to the local Municipal Council for different development works. He also handed over cheques worth Rs.2.37 crore to 302 village panchayats in Garhshankar assembly constituency for the execution of different development schemes and projects. He also announced that the Punjab government would soon formulate a comprehensive policy for the development of Kandi area and the road from Garhshankar to Anandpur Sahib would be strengthened and widened from 23' to 33'.

In his address, SAD-BJP alliance candidate from Sri Anandpur Sahib constituency Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema said that he was indebted to Mr. Badal for reposing full confidence and faith in him by giving a parliamentary ticket. He assured the people of the area if he was voted to power he would usher an era of overall development in the Doaba region – the heart land of NRIs .

Prominent amongst others who spoke on the occasion included included MLA Banga Ch.Mohan Lal, Ch.Nawanshehar MLA Nawanshehar Jatinder Singh Kariha, MLA Mahalpur Sohan Singh Thandal, President District SAD Nawanshehar Jathedar Mohinder Singh Husainpur, President BJP Unit Nawanshehar Sudesh Rani, General Secretary SGPC Jathedar Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, President District SAD Hoshiarpur Surinderpal Singh Bhulewal Rathan, Area Incharge Garhshankar Mohinder Pal Mann. These rallies were also attended by the prominent personalities amongst others Chief Parliamentary Secretary Ch.Nand Lal, Media Advisor to Chief Minister Mr. Harcharan Bains, MD Markfed Jarnail Singh Wahid, Chairman Zila Prishad Nawanshehar Darshan Lal Mamupur, besides the senior leaders and workers of SAD-BJP and members of the SGPC.


SPECIAL SURPRISE CHECKING OF JAILS IN PUNJAB YIELDED 16 MOBILES AND NARCOTIC SUBSTANCES

CHANDIGARH FEBRUARY 4

A state wide special surprise checking drive carried out simultaneously in all the central/district/sub-jails of Punjab yesterday yielded 16 mobiles phones and narcotic substances in the form of50 gms opium, 210 Lemotil tablets, 18 Hyphodex capsules and 25/30 other capsules. The special checking was carried out by joint teams of district administration and the police with a view to effectively combat criminal and illegal activities in the prisons of the state.. This operation was planned and executed in the wake of reports from different agencies about jails becoming hubs of criminals and the objectives were to break the linkages of under trials/prisoners lodged inside jails with their outside contacts, put an end to their criminal and illegal activities and to strictly and vigorously enforce the rule of law.

According to a press release issued here today 12 FIRs have been lodged in this regard. Apart from the recovery itself, the objective of the drive has been to send a message that illegal and nefarious activities shall not be tolerated and the nexus of criminals inside and outside jails would be broken with a firm hand. Such drives would be carried on from time to time while keeping the surprise element intact.
It may be mentioned here that the state government was looking for holistic and integrated solutions for improvement of jail management and a sum of Rs. 2 crores had recently been sanctioned for installation of CCTVs, modern prison management systems including biometric access control system for visitors etc.


Rs. One crore releases to curb drugs- Swarna Ram

Chandigarh, February 4, 2009

Social Security Department Punjab has launched a special campaign to curb the menace of drugs in the State for which Rs. One crore has also been released to implement this campaign effectively.

Disclosing this here today after releasing calander-cum-poster for the year,2009, Ch. Swarna Ram, Social Security Minister Punjab said that , to bring awareness regarding ill effects of drugs and to educate the people Workshops, Seminars, Documentary films, Stickers and meetings were being organised at a State, Block and Village Level. He said the energy of youth would be channelized for Social Reforms and Constructive Works.
State Level Mission has also been constituted under this campaign and Social Security Department was the Nodal Department to make this campaign successful, he added.

Prominent among others, who were present on this occasion included Mr. Harjit Singh, Secretary Social Security, Mrs. Rakhi Gupta Bhandari, Director, Social Security and other senior officers.