PUNJAB TO SET UP VEGETABLE EXPORT TRADE MISSION ON THE PATTERN OF MAHARASTRA - BADAL

CHANDIGARH SEPTEMBER 27;

The Punjab Government has given in principle approval to set up a Vegetable Export Trade Mission on the pattern of Maharastra to give logistic support to the vegetables and fruit growers of the state for exporting their produce in the international market.

A decision to this effect was taken by the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal during a series of meetings with exporters and growers of vegetables and fruits, floriculturists and potato growers from all over the state at Punjab Bhawan today.

Mr. Badal directed the Punjab Agro Export Corporation (PAGREXCO) to work out the modalities to constitute Vegetable Export Trade Mission to enable our fruits and vegetable growers to export their produce in a result-oriented manner. He said that the mission would help the farmers to save them from undue harassment from the procedural hurdles involved in the way of export of vegetables and fruits. The Chief Minister also agreed to the proposal of the exporters to send their delegation to Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Uzbekistan and some Central Asian countries to explore export potential there. He deputed the Additional Managing Director PAGREXCO to visit the farms of progressive vegetable and fruit growers to study the export prospects from point of view of internationally accepted quality norms. He also assured the exporters that in future agricultural power tariff would be charged on the green houses and also directed the Chairman PSEB to provide special transmission lines to the cold rooms and release the pending power connections under drip irrigation scheme positively by March 31 on priority basis. Mr. Badal also asked the Punjab Agro-industries Corporation to immediately establish 10 pack houses equipped with the latest grading and packaging facilities.

In another significance decision, the Chief Minister also gave nod to set up a Litchi Estate at Pathankot and Pears Estate at Amritsar on the pattern of existing Citrus Estates in Hoshiarpur, Ferozepur and Muktsar districts to promote the quality production of these fruits and provision of marketing and export facilities too. Mr. Badal called upon the floriculturists, vegetable and fruit growers to organize themselves by forming their respective associations and get themselves registered to enable the state agricultural and horticulture department to prepare a blue print for overall development of this sector. He assured them of state government’s fulsome support and cooperation to promote the plantation of fruits, vegetables and flowers in a big way.

Responding to the issues raised by the floriculturists, Mr. Badal asked the Director Floriculture of Punjab Agricultural University Ludhiana to impart training to the floriculturists and develop a nursery for the production of gladiolus bulbs besides importing cormels from Holland and Brazil. He asked him to study the entire project to be funded by the state government and submit the report to the Financial Commissioner Development within 15 days. The Chief Minister asked the Mandi Board to allot a shed in the fruits and vegetables market in Ludhiana for the marketing of flowers. He also emphasized the need to develop a quarantine zone to ensure the production of disease free quality bulbs and cormels. Likewise, he also asked the Financial Commissioner Development to explore the ways and means to declare tissue culture as an agriculture activity. He also announced to grant state’s subsidy of 25% for pack houses in addition to GoI’s 25% for a cluster of 100 pack houses.

The Chief Minister also asked the PAU to undertake extensive research to develop hybrid seeds of fruits, vegetables and flowers to enable the growers to get quality supply of these seeds at subsidized rates.

Referring to the demands put forth by the potato growers, the Chief Minister agreed to revive the state potato board and also directed the FCD to examine the issue of declaring geographical identification of Doaba as the region of potato seed production. He also conceded their demand to procure hi-tech machinery for plantation of potatoes from Italy and constituted a committee with one representative each from agriculture department and potato growers association for this purpose. Mr. Badal asked the potato growers to run agro service center to provide expensive machinery like potato planters especially to the small and marginal farmers on hire basis.

The Chief Minister also asked the Financial Commissioner Development and MD Punjab Agro to prepare a comprehensive proposal to be submitted to GoI for seeking more subsidies for the promotion of flowers, fruits and vegetables plantation as it had a tremendous scope of growth and would also help our farmers to adopt diversification. He also assured the progressive farmers of fruits, vegetables and flowers that he would personally take up their issues with the Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar and Union Renewable Energy Minister Farooq Abdullah for seeking more concessions under national horticulture mission and solar irrigation system.

Taking part in the deliberations, Agriculture Minister Mr. Sucha Singh Langha asked the fruits, vegetables and flower growers to make optimum use of drip irrigation and storage water tanks irrigation systems as the state government was giving subsidies on both. He also asked them to go for rain water harvesting for irrigation purposes. He also advised the farmers to install solar pumps for which the subsidy was provided by the government.

Prominent amongst others who were also present in the meeting included Chairman State Farmers Commission Dr.GS Kalkat, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr.DS Guru, Financial Commissioner Development Mr.NS Kang, Chairman PSEB Mr. HS Brar, MD Punjab Agro Mr.SK Sandhu, Additional MD Punjab Agro Mr. Vikas Partap, Secretary Mandi Board Mr.AS Miglani, Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr.Gaggandip Singh Brar, Director Agriculture Mr.BS Sidhu and Director Horticulture Mr.Baldev Singh.

SUKHBIR GREETS PEOPLE ON THE EVE OF DUSSEHRA

Chandigarh, September 27

Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister,Punjab today greeted the people of the state on the eve of Dussehra, also known as Vijaydashmi.

In a message, the Deputy Chief Minister said Dussehra reminds people of the universal truth of virtue triumphing over darkness. "The festival of Vijaydashmi strengthens our belief in the inevitability of the victory of righteousness over evil", Mr. Badal said.

He said the festivals are a glorious heritage of the pluralistic ethos of Punjab, which further strengthens the spirit of harmony and tranquility among various segments of the people. The Deputy Chief Minister urged the people of the state to celebrate the festival with traditional gaiety and fervor, continuing fraternity, harmony and love for each and every one.

CM GREETS PEOPLE ON DUSSHERA

CHANDIGARH SEPTEMBER27:

The Punjab Chief Minister Mr.Parkash Singh Badal today felicitated the people of Punjab on the auspicious occasion of Dusshera festival.

In a message, Mr Badal said that Dusshera symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and shows us the way of ideal and virtuous living to carve out a prosperous and harmonious society. The Chief Minister said that such festivals not only cement the of communal harmony, universal brotherhood and amity but also bring joy and bounty on one hand and depicts our rich cultural heritage on the other besides also act as a source of inspiration for a life of righteous action.

The Chief Minister appealed to the people to celebrate this joyous occasion in unison with religious fervor and gaiety rising above the parochial considerations of caste, colour, creed and religion.

KALIA and KAIRON GREETS PEOPLE ON DUSSHERA

CHANDIGARH SEPTEMBER27- Mr. Manoranjan Kalia, Local Government, Indsutry and Commerce Minister Punjab and Mr. Adesh Partap Singh Kiaron, Food and Civil Supplies, Consumer Affairs Minister Punjab felicitated the people of Punjab on the auspicious occasion of Dusshera festival.

In a message both the minister said that Dusshera symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and shows us the way of ideal and virtuous living to carve out a prosperous and harmonious society. Such festivals not only cement the of communal harmony, universal brotherhood and amity but also bring joy and bounty on one hand and depicts our rich cultural heritage on the other besides also act as a source of inspiration for a life of righteous action.

PHYSICAL MEASUREMENT AND PHYSICAL EFFICIENCY TEST FOR INTELLIGENCE ASSISTANTS FROM SEPT 29th

Chandigarh, September 27

Physical Measurement And Physical Efficiency Test for recruitment of Intelligence Assistants (both men & women) in the Intelligence Wing of Punjab Police would be conducted at Commando Complex, Bahadurgarh( Patiala) on September 29th & 30th from 7.00 am onwards. Results for the tests would be announced same day and the successful candidates would be handed over letters for written test on the spot.

According to an official spokesman, the Punjab Police had initiated the recruitment process for recruiting 40 male and 20 female Intelligence assistants in the rank of constables for strengthening of its Intelligence Wing.

Chandigarh 28 September

Punjab Government was committed to ensure canal water at tail end, so that farmers of the far flung areas could irrigate their fields in a better way . Disclosing this here today an official spokesman of irrigation department Punjab said that a special scheme has been chalked out to clean total canal network in the State in a phased manner.

He said that in the first phase, all the Chief Engineers has been directed to send there proposals and estimates to concerned Deputy Commissioners to clean their respective canals passing through their areas. He said that canal falling under Sirhind Canal area estimate Rs. 535.33 Lakh has been sent for the cleanliness of their canals. Similarly Chief Engineer of Ferozepur Canal Area sent estimate of Rs. 1037.12 Lac, Bhakra Main Line area Patiala Rs. 531.65 Lakh, Uppar Bari Doab canal area Amritsar 273.93 Lakh , IB Canal area patiala Rs. 387.82 Lakh and for Director water cell Chandigarh Rs. 120.51 Lakh would be estimated cost to clean the canals.

The Spoksman said that total estimated proposals of Rs. 2889 Lakh have been sent to concerned Deputy Commissioners by the Chief Engineers and work would be allotted after the final approval soon. On completion of this cleanliness drive of canals water would reach at tail ends to help farmers to irrigate their field, he added.

PUNJAB TO SET UP AN ULTRA MODERN SHOOTING RANGE AT S.A.S. NAGAR (MOHALI)

S.A.S. NAGAR (MOHALI) SEPTEMBER 26

The Punjab Government would set up an ultra modern shooting range here at S.A.S. Nagar (Mohali).
An announcement to this effect was made by Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal here today while presiding over the prize distribution function of 45th Punjab State Shooting Championships organized by the Punjab State Rifle Shooting Association in which over 300 shooters from all over the state were participated.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Badal said that to upgrade the existing infrastructure of the sports in the state, the sports department had chalked out a comprehensive plan to set up a State Sports Complex of International standard and its design would be soon finalized by the sports department. He said that this infrastructure would not only help the state to upgrade the existing infrastructure of the sports but also enable our sports persons to exhibit their rare talent in various sports at national as well as international level championships.

Emphasizing the need to develop sports attitude amongst the rural youth Mr. Badal said that the state government had already started its efforts in this direction by promoting rural youth and sports clubs at village level and providing them the sports equipment up to Rs. 50,000 each.

For re-achieving the world fame and glory of Punjab in the field of Hockey the Chief Minister said that the state government had also decided to equipped Sansarpur (in Jalandhar district), once known as the nursery of hockey with a new six A side hockey synthetic ground beside replacing the existing synthetic ground at Surjit Singh Hockey Academy, Jalandhar with the new ground. He further said that the paucity of funds would not be allowed to hamper the development works in the field of sports.

The Chief Minister said that state government had also formulated a policy under which 250 Sports wings had been set up in various schools and colleges of the state and 3500 sports persons had been given admission in various disciplines of sports. To identify young sports stuff and to trained them further for competing in the National and International sports competitions, the Punjab Government had started ‘Coaching Competition Scheme’ at a cost of Rs. 2.69 crore under which about 1.3 lac boyes and girls were being participating in block, district and state level tournaments.

Mr. Badal also announced a grant of Rs. 1 croreto the Punjab State Rifle Shooting Association On this occasion the Chief Minister unveiled the commemorate Plaque to commemorate the first individual Olympic Gold medal won by Punjab’s shooter Mr. Abhinav Bindra and gave away the praises to the winners of the 45th Punjab State Shooting Championships.
Earlier Secretary General, Punjab State Rifle Shooting Association, Raja K.S. Sidhu welcomed the Chief Minister and highlighted the various activities of the association.Prominent amongst those who were present on the occasion included Director General of Police Mr. Paramjit Singh Gill, Deputy Commissioner Mohali Mr. Prabhjot Singh Mand and SSP Mohali Mr. J.S. Aulakh.

RUPNAGAR TO PURCHASE 2 LAKH MT OF PADDY

Rupnagar, September 26

A target of 2.03 lakh tonne of paddy purchase has been set here. This was stated by De puty Commissioner Rupnagar Mr Priyank Bharti during a meeting here today. He said last year a target of 4.40 lakh metric tonne was set by the administration in Rupnagar district.

A meeting of officials of the procuring agencies was held at the district administrative complex after taking stock of various grain markets by the Deputy Commissioner. He said paddy procuring by the government would begin from October 1. To avoid any problems as many as 20 purchase centres have been setup in the district, he said.

Government purchasing agencies, including FCI, Punjab Agro, MARKFED, PUNSUP, Warehouse and PUNGRAIN, would participate in the purchase of paddy in this season, said the Deputy Commissioner. He instructed officials of the agencies to appoint purchase officers at purchase centres of the district till September 28.
Mr. Bharti appealed to the farmers to bring clean and dried paddy to the mandies and not to use the combines to harvest the paddy after 7pm. The farmers should also shun the practice of burning of paddy husk in the fields, he said.
Among others all SDMs, DFSC, Chairmen Market Committees and representatives of Commission Agents and Bharti Kisan Union were also present in the meeting.

H.S Grewal, DPRO, Rupnagar