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ITALIAN ENVOY CALLS ON BADAL, SHOWS KEEN INTEREST IN SETTING UP OF JOINT VENTURES IN AGRO-PROCESSING AND FARMING

CHANDIGARH SEPTEMBER 9, 2009

A high powered delegation led by Italian Ambassador Mr. Roberto Toscano today called on Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal and evinced keen interest in setting up joint ventures in agro-processing, agriculture besides power from non-conventional sources of energy.

Taking part in the deliberations, Mr. Badal said that Punjab had a diversified agricultural economy as it was the major producer of food grains contributing more than 60% in the national food pool besides producing quality vegetables, fruits and flowers. He hoped that our economy could be immensely benefited through Italian rich experience and expertise in the field of agro-processing and hi-tech farming. The Chief Minister looked forward for forging an alliance with the major Italian industrial units to add value addition to agriculture produce to ensure better returns to our farmers.

The Chief Minister assured the visiting Italian ambassador of full support and cooperation for setting up joint ventures in the state, as Punjab was fast emerging as an investment destination and our industrial policy has a special dispensation for mega and super mega projects.

Responding to the issue raised by Chief Minister for legalizing immigration of Punjabis settled in Italy, Mr. Toscano assured Mr. Badal that he would soon take up with the department of Foreign Affairs of Italian government to resolve the matter. He appreciated the enterprising skills of the Punjabis who had made significant contribution to the economy of Italy and has made its present felt. Mr. Toscano also solicited Punjab’s Cooperation for launching a cultural exchange programme between the Italy and Punjab as the Indian community especially the Punjabis who had a concentration of over 40000 there has played a pro-active role in the socio-economic development of Italy. In order to check the fake immigration, he sought Punjab’s government cooperation and urged Mr. Badal to depute a senior level police officer to be entrusted with the task for keeping close liaison with our embassy to ensure thorough verification of the antecedents of the persons who intend to seek visa for Italy.

The Chief Minister asked the Chief Secretary to immediately depute an officer for this purpose and also detailed Secretary Higher Education as a nodal officer for the cultural exchange programme.
Italian Ambassador was accompanied by First Secretary Political & Consular Gabriele Annis and Consular General of Italian Embassy for Punjab & Chandigarh Mr. Ranjit Malhotra.

The meeting was also attended by Advocate General Punjab Mr.HS Matelwal, Chief Secretary Mr. SC Agrawal, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. DS Guru, Principal Secretary Local Government Mr.DS Bains, Principal Secretary Industries Mr. SS Channy, Principal Secretary Mr. GS Sandhu, Financial Commissioner Development Mr.NS Kang, Secretary Housing & Urban Development Mr. Arun Goel, MD PIDB Mr. SS Sandhu, Secretary-cum-Director Industries Mr. VK Janjua and Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr.KGS Cheema.

 




DEPUTY CM FLAGS OFF LUXURY AC AND ORDINARY BUSES

Chandigarh September 9, 2009

Deputy Chief Minister Punjab Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal flagged off 3 luxuries AC and 8 ordinary buses of Transport Department, Punjab in Chandigarh today. These buses are the first lot out of 10 super deluxe AC buses and 150 ordinary buses of the department to be added to the Punjab Roadways fleet in the next three months.

With the introduction of these buses the fleet strength of Punjab Roadways/PUNBUS will increase to 1748 buses, out of which 42 buses are air-conditioned and the remaining ordinary buses. With the addition of these three luxury coaches, the combined fleet strength of AC buses of Punjab STUs has reached 71 and will go up to 149 by the year end. Only a few weeks ago the PRTC, another STU of the State Govt. had added 10 luxury coaches.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal said that Punjab is the first state in the country to have rationalized the tariff structure in a manner which has made it possible for the common man to travel in AC luxury buses by paying bus fare which is only 10% more that the fare of an ordinary bus. Because of the innovative tariff structure, investment in luxury AC buses in Punjab by both the State Transport Undertaking as well as the private sector has become economically viable. "Comfortable AC buses at affordable fares will help to reduce private vehicles, congestion and pollution on the roads, Mr. Badal added.

Mr. Badal reiterated the government's commitment to introduce reforms for ensuring hassle free and better delivery of services to the people. "Within a fortnight, the Transport Department will unveil the policy for authorizing dealers to issue permanent registration certificate, he added.

Mr. Badal also urged the Union Surface Transport Ministry to come out with a fiscal stimulus for public transport for augmenting inter-city and rural connectivity.

Transport Minister, Master Mohan Lal said that nearly 20 lac passengers travel daily by buses of both STUs as well as affordable so that people should use public transport instead of private vehicles. The Transport Minister disclosed that the result of the innovative changes made by the government and the efforts of the department are bearing fruit with the result that PUNBUS has made profits of Rs. 28.26 crores during 2007-08 and 30.63 crores during 2008-09 (before depreciation). Profits during 2009-10 are likely to be 32.00 crores. PRTC has made operational profits of Rs. 9.47 crore during 2007-08 and Rs. 7.28 crores during 2008-09. Transport Department Punjab has plans to replace the complete fleet of 689 obsolete buses of Punjab Roadways by 2011-12. Master Mohan Lal said that as a result of government efforts, for the first time the overage fleet has been reduced from 70% to 39%.

Principal Secretary Transport Mr. D.S. Jaspal said that the operation of AC buses in Punjab is a success story of the state and within the next two years at least 50% of the fleet of private as well as STUs will switch over to AC buses on account of the innovative tax structure. Mr. Jaspal also said that wide ranging reforms are in the process of being implemented which will transform the transport sector in Punjab and make it people friendly and service oriented.

Director State Transport Mr. Mandeep Singh disclosed that in the two and half years of the present government, Punjab Roadways PUNBUS have added 521 new buses to their fleet.


 

BATHINDA REFINERY PIPLEINE CAPACITY BEING DOUBLED – HMEL
COMPLETION AHEAD OF SCHEDULE, 40% WORK COMPLETED
RS.5000 CRORE POLY PROPYLENE BASED DOWN STREAM UNITS TO COME UP

CHANDIGARH SEPTEMBER 9, 2009

In what could turn out to be the single biggest boost to the Punjab industry, the HPCL- Mittal Energy Ltd. (HMEL) today described that the carriage capacity of the Sri Guru Gobind Singh Oil Refinery from Gujarat to Bathinda is being doubled from the initially envisaged 9000 Million Metric Tones (MMT) to 18000 MMT per annum of crude oil. This was being done to expand the refinery into “Asia’s biggest Petro-Chemical hub”.
This was disclosed by Mr. Prabh Das Chief Executive of the HMEL, when a high level delegation led by its Chairman Mr. Arun Balakrishanan had a meeting with the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal this morning.

Mr. Das also disclosed that 40% of the work on the prestigious refinery had already been completed and the project is likely to go into production before schedule in 2011.

Giving details of the two meetings, Chief Minister’s Media Adviser Mr. Harcharan Bains said that the Chief Minister had assured the HMEL of full government backing in the completion and running of the refinery as it was ‘a dream project for the state’

Mr. Das requested the Chief Minister to prevail upon the Government of India to either grant special industrial incentives to Punjab or to withdraw the same being given to its neighbouring states. The Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister promised to pursue the matter with GoI.

In an other significant disclosure, Mr. Das said that in addition to Rs.18900 crore initially outlay of the refinery, additional Rs.5000 crore were being spent on the Gujarat-Bathinda pipeline and another Rs.1000 crore on an off-shore port for importing crude oil from Iraq, Iran and Saudi Arabia. He said that the refinery would also generate down the stream Rs.5000 crore Poly-propylene based industry. More than 200 units would come up in these ancillary activities with employment potential for over 10000 youth. This would be apart from the employment potential of the refinery itself. Punjab’s Industry especially from Amritsar, Ludhiana and Jalandhar had evinced keen interest to set up their units in the up coming Petro-Chemical hub. The work on the refinery was in full stream and Rs.12 to 15 crore were being spent every day. HMEL was also setting up a colony at the refinery site.

Mr. Balakrishanan, the Chairman of HMEL also informed the Chief Minister that they have already initiated a programme to impart training in skill development of the local youth as per the requirements of the refinery. He hoped that this step would prove to be a milestone in giving a fillip to the employment generation on one hand and empowering the local youth to get gainful employment after being technically trained.

The meetings were attended by Media Adviser to Chief Minister Mr. Harcharan Bains, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. DS Guru, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr.KJS Cheema, Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar and Principal Secretary to Deputy Chief Minister Mr.Viswajit Khanna.

The HMEL delegation comprised Mr. Sudhir Maheshwari, Mr. Rajan Tandon, Mr.B.Mukherjee (all Directors), Mr. Sanjeev Malhotra Treasury Head HMEL, Senior Regional Manager HPCL Mr. Amit Mehra, Marketing Officer HPCL Mr. Amit Sharma and Sales Officer HPCL Mr.Rajeev Bansal.



RAILWAYS ACCEPTS SUKHBIR'S PROPOSAL TO REPLICATE TAMIL NADU PATTERN IN PUNJAB FOR EARLY COMPLETION OF ROBs

RAILWAYS AND PUNJAB EACH TO CONSTRUCT HALF OF THE ROBs /RUBs

Chandigarh, September 9, 2009

Indian Railways today accepted in principle the proposal of Deputy Chief Minister, Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, to replicate Tamil Nadu pattern, to hand over construction of ROBs as one integrated unit, to be completed by one construction agency for its early completion. In case of all new sanctioned ROBs/RUBs, 50% of ROBs would be constructed as one integrated unit by State government and another 50% by Railways.

The Deputy Chief Minister assisted by state construction agencies including PWD (B&R), PIDB and Local Government had a detailed meeting with Railway Authorities headed by Mr. S.K.Malik, Additional Member Railway Board and Mr. V.K.Sahay, General Manager Northern Railways to sort out the problems coming in the way of early completion of ROBs in the State. Mr. Badal pointed out that on most of the ROBs, the State government has already completed the construction of approach road where as bridge portion over railway track was pending due to delay on the part of railways. He suggested that this problem of coordination between Railways and State agencies could be sorted out only if 50% of ROBs to be constructed in future as one integrated unit by state government and another 50% by Railways, as being done in Tamil Nadu.

Appreciating the proposal, Member Railway Board Mr. S.K.Malik said that Railways has no objection to this proposal as it would expedite the construction of ROBs. He said that Railways would convey its decision on this proposal after getting it approved by Railway Board.

Mr. Badal pointed out that on 13 major ROBs on National Highways, the work by state government had already been completed and now Railways must expedite the construction of bridges over the railway tracks. He said that on another 12 ROBs/RUBs, the construction schedule of railway was quite behind the deadline.

Mr. V.K.Sahay, General Manager, Northern Railways assured the Deputy Chief Minister that construction of 5 ROBs would be completed within 3 months and during next financial year, 17 more ROBs/RUBs would be fully completed. He assured total support of Indian Railways in early completion of these projects.

To sort out the coordination problem between Indian Railways and State Construction Agencies, Mr. Badal appointed one Chief Engineer level officer as Nodal Officer for ROBs to coordinate and get the problems sorted out at the earliest.

Mr. Badal would again meet Railway Authorities at New Delhi next week to sort out problems of construction of bridges in the major cities that was causing congestion and traffic problems.

Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included Mr. Kulbir Singh, Secretary PWD (B&R), Mr. D.S.Bains, Secretary Local Government; Mr. Viswajeet Khanna, Secretary to Deputy Chief Minister; Mr. S.S. Sandhu, MD, PIDB; Mr. Manvesh Singh Sidhu, Additional Secretary to Deputy Chief Minister. Mr. Dharam Singh, CEO, Constructions Northern Railways; Mr. Lalit Kapoor, CEO, Special Construction; Mr. H.K. Jaggi, DRM Ambala; Mr. Satish Kumar, DRM Ferozepur; Mr. Vinay Singh, Chief Engineer Constructions, NR (NC).



MANPREET BADAL MEETS DELEGATION OF ARTISTS

Chandigarh September 9, 2009

A delegation of artists of National Theatre Arts Society Patiala headed by its Director , Mr. Pran Sabharwal including educationists Smt. Jagdish Kaur, Dr. Swaraj Singh USA, NTAS’S Foreign Cultural Coordinator , Mr. P.C.Tiwari and Mr. K.C.Khanna ,Vice President and Advisor respectively of NTAS and Prof.Jasbir Singh met the Finance Minister Mr. Manpreet Singh Badal and presented him a literary gift of the latest book., “Samraji Sankat Atte Nawain Sansar Da Ubhar” Authored by Dr. Swaraj Singh.

The members of the visiting delegation also discussed various theatre problems with the Finance Minister and Mr. Badal assured them to consider the implementation of Punjab Government’s orders regarding exempting of theatrical performances from the entertainment tax and reviving of the old policy of issuing grants to the genuine theatrical groups and also to sponsor their shows within and outside the state of Punjab.


RANIKE URGES CENTRAL GOVERNMENT TO CONDUCT
FRESH SURVEY TO IDENTIFY BPL FAMILIES.

Chandigarh 9 September:
Mr. Gulzar Singh Ranike, Animal Husbandry , Dairy Development and Welfare of SC/BC Minister Punjab has urged the Central Government to get the fresh survey conducted with a view to identifying the BPL families in Punjab so that more and more genuine families living under the BPL could be covered under various centrally sponsored welfare schemes especially launched for them.

While addressing a national conference of the welfare of SC/BC Ministers of India presided by Dr. Manmohan Singh at New Delhi., Mr. Ranike said that according to a survey conducted in 2001, the SC population was 28.85% where as the literacy rate was 56.22%. There were 5.23 lac identified families under BPL out of which 3.21 lakh families belonged to scheduled castes. He emphasized upon the need to have the survey conducted above the politics of the localities.

The Minister also said that Punjab was perhaps the first state to have fully rehabilitated the manual scavengers and kept a regular check on the problems of untouchables and atrocities on SC’s in Punjab. S Parkash Singh Badal Chief Minister Punjab has always stood for the welfare of the SC/BC population in the State. He reiterated the strong resolve of the SAD – BJP government in Punjab to provide maximum benefits to the SC/BC population in raising their living standards.

Referring to the problems being faced by the SC/BC population especially in the border areas, the Minister said that adequate steps were being taken to improve the literacy rate in the border areas of the State. He urged to central government to extend all possible help to the State Government in achieving the targets. He also impressed upon the centre to provide more funds for development of this specific area under border area development programme scheme. He also urged the central government to provide tax relaxation for setting up of the industrial units in border areas. He also said that the implementation of the nationally sponsored schemes launched for the welfare of SC/BC population should be implemented by the state department itself.

In order to provide quality education to the children of SC/BC, Mr. Ranike suggested that the central government should establish more and more modern schools in the State under overall guidance of the centre and link up the scholarship amount with the price index. The minister urged the centre to 100% sponsor the centrally sponsored schemes without asking for the state share because the state is passing through a acute financial crunch.


THREE MONUMENTS DECLARED UNSAFE-KALHA

Chandigarh September 9, 2009

The old historical monuments, archeological places were kept safe by the Punjab Government under act "The Punjab Ancient, Historical Monuments, Archeological places and Residue Act, 1964" Mr. Geetika Kalha, Principal Secretary, Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Archeology and Museum Department, Punjab stated that notification regarding this has been issued according to which under section 35 of the said Act these monuments had been declared unsafe.

She further said that in Tarn Taran district a Sara in village Khawaspur, plot No.80 area 284 canal 14 marlas at present does not exist which had no architectural and art value, has been declared unsafe by the Governor Punjab. In the same district Gate Sara at Village Fatehiabad plot no. 174-175 area 3234 square feet has also been declared unsafe, as double protection could not be given to them.

Giving more information about unsafe monuments, she said added that in district Hoshiarpur Tehsil Dasua Village Pakhowal there was a Tomb (Samadh)on the plot no. 76 having a area of 90 bighas 18 biswas, had been demolished which has no architectural or artistic value. The new temple had been already constructed on that place. This place also has also been declared unsafe by the Governor of Punjab, as per the notification.


90370 HECTARE ADDITIONAL LAND TO BE IRRIGATED WITH THE STRENGTHENING OF 9037 KM WATERCOURSES – SEKHON.

Chandigarh September 09, 2009

In order to provide better irrigation facilities and to ensure water at the tailend, 9037 km water courses would be properly brickline and strengthened under a special irrigation scheme. Stating this here today Mr. Janmeja Singh Sekhon, Irrigation Minister Punjab said that with the strengthening of existing watercourses 90370 hectare additional land would be covered under irrigation.

He also said that at present there were three projects namely Sirhind Feeder Part-II, Bathinda branch part II and Aparbari Doab Canal to strengthen the water course were already going on. Adding further he said that the work on 40762 Km length of watercourses had been completed till March 2009 within the stipulated time frame, which helps in proving additional water to irrigate 3.51 lac hectares.

He also said that the work on strengthening the watercourses had been executed under command area development and water management programme. During the last three years 2642 km watercourses had been bricklined and 26424 hectare addition land was irrigated. Mr. Sekhon said that Punjab Government was committed to provide better irrigation facilities to the farmers. With the strengthening of these watercourses more yield of the crops would be expected, which would help in raising the living strandard of the farmers, he added.



DEADLINE OF PSEB UNBUNDLING EXTENDED UPTO DECEMBER 15, 2009
CHANDIGARH, SEPTEMBERE 9, 2009

The Government of India has agreed to the Punjab Government’s plea to allow the State more time to consider various aspects of unbundling of the Punjab State Electricity Board. The deadline for unbundling has now been put back up to December 15, 2009, according to an official spokesman of the Punjab Government.

The Centre’s decision on the issue taken on the 4th of this month was conveyed this morning by the Union Ministry of Power through a faxed communication to the Chief Secretary, Punjab.

The letter says that the date has been extended “to enable the State Government to complete the unbundling process”.

 

 

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