Punjab News, NRI News

BRITH IMMIGRATION MINISTER CALLS ON PUNJAB CM
SEEKS CM'S INTERVENTION TO STOP ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION TO UK

British Immigration Minister Mr. Damian Green today called on Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal to seek his cooperation and support to check the illegal immigration from Punjab to UK. Taking part in the deliberations, Mr. Green apprised the Chief Minister that UK had a considerable population of Punjabis who have migrated here for employment and pursuing higher education.

He urged Mr. Badal to direct the state police department to help the British Embassy for proper verification of the persons applying for visa to UK. Mr. Green also sought Chief Minister's personal intervention to nab the unscrupulous travel agents who were aiding the persons in illegal immigration to the UK. He also asked the Mr. Badal to send the students in UK, who intend to pursue higher education only after completing the requisite formalities as per the visa guidelines prescribed by the office of British High Commission.

Responding to the issues raised by Mr. Green, the Chief Minister informed him that the British Embassy should be in constant touch with the state police department to check the problem of unlawful immigration in UK which ultimately also land our innocent people especially the unemployed youth in deep trouble who managed to go abroad in search of green pasture even after selling their property. He also asked Mr. Green to direct his top brass of the British Embassy to keep liaison with the state Chief Secretary and his Principal Secretary to resolve this issue permanently.

British Immigration Minister was accompanied by Deputy High Commissioner British High Commission Mr. Nigel Casey. Chief Minister's Principal Secretary Mr. DS Guru was also present in the meeting.

DY. CM ASKS PEOPLE TO GIVE BEFITTING REPLY TO ANTI-PANTHIC
FORCES IN SGPC ELECTIONS

Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today asked the Centre to immediately take concrete steps and corrective measures to ensure complete security and safety of the Sikhs settled in J&K in the wake of threats from some Islamic organizations.

Talking to the media persons immediately after landing here at the helipad, Mr. Badal said that the delegation of MPs from Punjab recently called on Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to seek his direct intervention on this serious issue to protect the lives of minorities in general and Sikhs in particular in J&K. Mr. Badal categorically said; "Merely assurances by Prime Minister on the security and safety of Sikhs will not restore confidence amongst them rather some tangible efforts are warranted at this point of time to protect their lives otherwise law and order situation may worsen in other parts of the country also as the nation was already grappling with Naxalism in some states". He said that the issue has very grave implications for the whole of the country and must be resolved at the earliest.

On the issue of Rajiv-Longowal Accord, the Chief Minister preferred to give no comments as every body knew who the real culprit behind sabotaging the Accord was.

Later addressing the massive gathering on the auspicious occasion of Rakhar Puniya, the Chief Minister said that Congress was inimical to the interests of the state from day one. He said that excesses done by the Congress party was even beyond comparison with those of British regime where people made selfless sacrifices to free our country from their clutches whereas we still were subjected to the unending sage of injustice and discrimination by the Congress party even after 63 years of Independence.

Listing the achievements of the SAD-BJP government in the past over three years, Mr. Badal also unfolded the development agenda of his government to be executed in the next one-and-a-half year.

The Chief Minister further said that the state government had embarked upon an ambitious plan to eradicate pollution from the river Satluj, the Beas and the Ghaggar at a cost of Rs.2054 crore by providing the facilities of sewerage, drinking water and sewerage treatment plants in all the 44 towns which were directly discharging its municipal waste/industrial effluents in these rivers.

Mr. Badal further said that the state government had provided jobs to over one lac persons including 45000 teachers in the government schools. To ensure the best medical and healthcare facilities, our government has prepared a plan of Rs 340 crore for up-gradation of infrastructure and equipment in the government hospitals.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister announced that the state government had prepared a comprehensive plan of Rs.26 crore for the overall development of holy town Baba Bakala. He also said that the state government had already spent Rs.250 crore for the development of the entire border belt under Border Area Development Fund.

Earlier, Mr. Badal paid obeisance at Gurdwara Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur ji and also inaugurated a Sarai complex at a cost of Rs.20 crore.

Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal asked the people to give a befitting reply to the anti-panthic forces which were bent upon to destabilize the Shiromani Akali Dal on the behest of Congress in the ensuing SGPC elections. He said that people's unstinted support and cooperation had always made us much stronger to face any challenge to serve the people and pursue the interests of our state with all humility.

Outlining the priorities of SAD-BJP Government, the Deputy Chief Minister said that to make Punjab a self reliant in power an ambitious programme had been chalked to generate additional power of more than 10400 MWs by setting up four new thermal plants at Rajpura, Talwandi Sabo, Goindwal Sahib and Gidderbaha.

Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal further said that the state government would soon announce its Sport Policy after getting nod from the Cabinet in order to promote sports especially amongst the youth to channelize their unbounded energy in a constructive manner. The Deputy Chief Minster promised to ensure transparent and corruption free regime, adding he said that several administrative reforms were being undertaken to provide mandatory citizen services. After the complete computerization of revenue records with in six months, he said that farmers would be able to get the copy of their land record without any hassle. He further said that Punjab would be the first state in the country which would have all its major cities connected with a network of four and six lane roads, besides having world class two international airports in the state.

Prominent amongst those who spoke on the occasion included Finance Minister Mr. Manpreet Singh Badal, Rural Development and Panchayats Minister Mr. Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, Member Parliament from Amritsar Mr. Navjot Singh Sidhu, Member Parliament from Khadur Sahib Mr. Rattan Singh Ajnala, MLA Beas Mr. Manjinder Singh Kang and former President SGPC Bibi Jagir Kaur. Senior leaders and party workers of SAD-BJP and the members of the SGPC also attended the function.

WOULD CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR TERRITORIAL AND WATER RIGHTS OF PUNJAB

SUKHBIR’S RAKHI GIFT FOR JALANDHAR RESIDENTS
RS. 76 CRORE MAKSUDAN AND KHALSA COLLEGE RAILWAY OVER BRIDGE DEDICATED TO PEOPLE
ALSO INAUGURATES SUPER SPECIALTY CHARITABLE HOSPITAL TO PROVIDE QUALITY HEALTH SERVICES AT NOMINAL RATES

The Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today squarely blamed Congress Party for scuttling Rajiv – Longowal Accord, to deny Punjab its legitimate territorial and water rights and reiterated the resolve of Shiromani Akali Dal to continue to fight till these demands were met.

Answering an query regarding relevance of Punjab Accord, Mr. Badal said that not a single demand of Punjab has been met and Congress party has deliberately ditched the people of Punjab by stopping the transfer of Chandigarh to Punjab on January 26, 1986 . He said that all demands of Punjab have remained unfulfilled during last 25 years and Shiromani Akali Dal would continue its struggle till all its demands were met. He said that the party would raise these demands at every available forum including in parliament to pressurize central government to full fill the just aspirations of people of Punjab.

Answering another question Mr. Badal said that all governance reforms pertaining to all departments would be implemented by 31st March 2011, bringing a drastic change in the working of government.

Earlier in the day the Residents of Jalandhar got a Rakhi Gift, as Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukbir Singh Badal threw open to traffic the Railway Over Bridge at Maksudan (Rs.24crore) and another ambitious ROB near Khalsa College(Rs.52 crore) meeting their long pending demand that is surely going to solve the chronic problem of traffic bottlenecks for the sports city. The Deputy Chief Minister also inaugurated Rs. 23 crore S.G.L Charitable Super Specialty Hospital to provide quality specialized healthcare to the people at the nominal rates.

Speaking in an impressive rally at Red Cross Bhawan after inaugurating these projects, the Deputy Chief Minister said that people of Jalandhar were mesmerized at the record time completion of Khalsa College ROB. He said completion of these projects in the record time shows the commitment of the SAD BJP Government to fulfill its promises.

The Deputy Chief Minister said that to further expedite the work on future ROBs, the Punjab Government has entered into MOU with Railways that in future ROBs 100% project would be handled either by Punjab PWD or Indian Railway.

Congratulating the people of Jalandhar Mr. Badal said that SAD BJP Government was development oriented Government that was moving with the focused approach of completing all development projects within given time lines. He said that when we initiated these projects our critics termed our government as ‘foundation stone government and when now these projects have been completed in record time’, our performance and credibility has silenced them.

Mr. Badal said that it was matter of great pride that out of total 32 ROBs constructed by Northern Railway in the northern States, Punjab alone had constructed 20 out of them with combined cost of Rs. 700 crores. He said that seven more ROBs / RUBs are nearing completion in would be inaugurated by December this year. He said that Punjab Government has already approved construction of 18 more ROBs which would be completed in next 18 months.

Laying stress on improvement of infrastructure including power sector, governance reforms improving urban civic amenities , education sector besides taking health care to every village of Punjab and Aviation sector, the Deputy Chief Minister said that a small State of Punjab has made highest investment for Rs. 36000 crores in power sector by setting a Thermal Plants at Goindwal Sahib , Talwandi Sabo , Rajpura and upcoming Thermal Plants at Gidharbaha and Bhupal ( Mansa) with combined generation capacity of 9140 MW in2 years against present installed capacity of 6200 MW in the State created over in a span of 62 years. He said that with the completion of these projects in next two years, Punjab would be the first power surplus state in the country selling power to other states after ensuring 24 X 7 power to its residents. Mr. Badal said that decks were already cleared for 1000 MW gas based power plant in Ropar and State was committed to harness another 1000 MW from renewable resources . Mr. Badal said that Punjab has invested over Rs. 6000 crore in improving road infrastructure and seven road mega projects with combine cost of Rs. 6600 crore were set to link to all major cities with 4/6 lanes in next two years.

Announcing Rs. 2500 crore urban renewal package Mr. Badal said that next one and a half year would witness 100% portable water and sewerage connectivity in Urban areas including 80 mandies of the state. Mr. Badal said that E Sewa Kenders in every ward of every city and 3027 E-Grams in Rural Areas would provide 54 citizen services including Birth Certificated, Water/Sewerage connection, deposit of Electricity and water bill under one roof.

Castigating the congress led UPA Government for its failure to check prise rise for essential commodities Mr. Badal said that it was SAD BJP Government that was providing Atta at Rs. 4 per Kg. and Dal at Rs. 20 per kg. to 18 Lac poor families of the state at the cost of Rs. 700 crore every year so that poor families could feed themselves in this era of ever rising inflation and price rise. Mr. Badal said that Rs. 1300 crore water supply plan would ensure portable water to every village of Punjab in next two years.

Earlier speaking on the occasion Mr. Maoranjan Kalia local Government, Industry and Commerce Minister said that SAD BJP Government besides initiating development works worth Rs. 265 crores during last two years has sanctioned another Rs. 235 crores for the city to ensure 100% sewerage and water connectivity. He said that this government has empowered Urban Civic bodies by sanctioning special grant to them. He said that all cities would witness door to door collection of garbage and centralized processing of garbage after December this year.

Earlier Mr. Badal formally inaugurated Level Crossing No. S-3 on jalandhar Nakodar Rail section near Khalsa College constructed at the cost of Rs. 52 crore and another ROB of Jalandhar – Amritsar Section at Maqsoodan constructed at the cost of Rs. 24 crore.

Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion included Mr. Ajit Singh Kohar Revenue Minister Punjab, Mr. Sarwan Singh Phillaur and Mr. Avinash Chander both Chief Parliamentary Secretaries ; Bhagat Chunni Lal , Mr. Saravjit Singh Makkar and Mr. Jagbir Singh Brar all MLAs, Mr. Gurcharan Singh Channi President District Planning Committee. Mr. Rakesh Rathore Mayor and Mr. Baljit Singh Neelamehal Chairman Improvement Trust.

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Chandigarh, August 24: Shiromani Akali Dal President and Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab S. Sukhbir Singh Badal today appointed senior SAD Amrik Singh Aliwal leader as the General Secretary of the party.

In a statement released from party headquarter here today, SAD Secretary and Spokesman Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema informed that party President has lauded the services rendered by S. Aliwal towards the party and has said that he is a long time hard working member of the party.

Dr. Cheema further said that Mr. Aliwal was General Secretary of the party earlier also and headed the youth wing and is two time member of Parliament.

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Chandigarh, August 24: Dr. Ram Singh Deputy Director Animal Husbandry on his promotion as Joint Director joined the Directorate of Animal Husbandry, Punjab, Chandigarh, here today.

He earlier served as Deputy Director in Ropar and Fatehgarh Sahib Districts and was instrumental in implementation of many departmental schemes in the districts at grass root level. An alumni of Punjab
Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Dr. Ram Singh joined the department as Veterinary Assistant Surgeon in the year 1975.

Meanwhile, Punjab State Veterinary Officers Association has welcomed the appointment of Dr. Ram Singh.

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BADAL TO SOON TAKE UP CHANNELIZATION OF
SWAN RIVER WITH HP CM
CM ANNOUNCES TO SET UP NAVAL ACADEMY AT ROPAR

NANGAL/SRI ANANDPUR SAHIB/ ROPAR, August 23: Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today announced that the Punjab Government would soon take up the issue of channelization of seasonal rivulet Swan with the Himachal Pradesh Government to save the people of the region from the furry of floods especially during the monsoons.

Addressing a series of public gatherings at Nangal, Sri Anandpur Sahib and Ropar during his day-long whirlpool tour, Mr. Badal said that after the formal discussion with his counterpart in Himachal Pradesh Mr.

Prem Kumar Dhumal, the state governments of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh would asked the Centre to take up this project as it was causing major devastation during the floods in the region.

Showing deep concern over the flood like situation in the area of Nangal and Anandpur Sahib due to the release of water from the Bhakra Dam, the Chief Minister directed the Water Resources Management Wing of state Irrigation department and Deputy Commissioner Ropar including other affected districts along with Satluj river to keep a strict vigil on the situation to ensure the safety of the people and their property.

The Chief Minister also assured the people that he would soon take up the matter with the BBMB authorities for seeking extension in the lease which had already been lapsed in the case of shops in Nangal leased out to local shopkeepers. The Chief Minister also promised to take up the issue with the Himachal Pradesh government for the transfer of 25 acre of land in its territory to the local Municipal Council for setting up the state-or-the-art educational institutions to impart world class education to the students. Mr. Badal also agreed in principle to the proposal mooted by the local municipal council to take up the control and administration of the civil hospital under construction after its completion by the municipal council.

The Chief Minister announced that Punjab government would soon set up a naval academy near Ropar to impart training to our youth in shipping and naval. Land for the upcoming academy had already been identified.

Mr. Badal outlined the major initiatives in the overall development of the state and said that to make Punjab self reliant in the power sector, the SAD-BJP Government had chalked out an ambitious programme to generate additional power of more than 10400 MWs by setting up four new thermal plants at Rajpura, Talwandi Sabo, Goindwal Sahib and Gidderbaha. He said that the Powercom had signed a MoU with the India Bulls for the setting up of another 1320 MW thermal plant at Mansa.

On the education front, the Chief Minister said that the government had established a Central University at Bathinda and another World Class University would soon come up at Amritsar. As many as 15 new degree colleges and 7 polytechnic colleges were being set up across the state to provide the best education facilities to our youth especially in rural areas. He said that 35000 youth would be imparted training by the state government so that they could be gainfully employed in private sector besides being self employed. Besides, a network of C-PYTEs along with Maharaja Ranjit Singh preparatory institute for military training at Mohali and Punjab police institute of security training at Jahan Khelan had been established to ensure the placement of our youth in the Army and private sector for security purpose.

Mr. Badal further said that the state government had embarked upon an ambitious plan to eradicate pollution from the river Satluj, the Beas and the Ghaggar at a cost of Rs.2054 crore by providing the facilities of sewerage, drinking water and sewerage treatment plants in all the 44 towns which were directly discharging its municipal waste/industrial effluents in these rivers. He said that the entire project would be completed within next 18 months.

To ensure the best medical and healthcare facilities, our government has prepared a plan of Rs 350 crore for up-gradation of infrastructure and equipment in the government hospitals. Two Super speciality Hospitals were set up in Mohali and Bathinda in collaboration with MAX Healthcare. All the vacancies of doctors and para-medics would be filled in the government hospitals and civil dispensaries at the earliest.

Earlier, the Chief Minister laid the foundation stone of Rs.99.50 lac swimming pool in the Satluj Park and Rs.4.60 crore Common Effluent Treatment Plant at village Brari near Nangal. Besides, he also dedicated Rs.3.50 crore ITI to the people at Sri Anandpur Sahib and also laid the foundation stone of post graduate complex at Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Khalsa College, Sri Anandpur Sahib.

Later in the evening, the Chief Minister also laid the foundation stone of Sewerage Treatment Plant and also announced a scheme of 100% drinking water and sewerage for the Ropar city at a cost of Rs.58.68 crore. He also handed over a cheque of Rs.1.13 crore for the completion of Senior Secondary Schools for Boys Ropar.

In his welcome address MLA Anandpur Sahib Sant Baba Ajit Singh raised the demands of the local areas and urged the Chief Minister to hold a Sangat Darshan in the Gharr Area of district Ropar for the quick redressel of the grievances of the people.

Meanwhile, Managing Director of Water Supply & Sewerage Board Mr. Satpal Angrula declared that the entire project of water supply, sewerage and STP would be completed by November 30, 2011 as per the directions of the Chief Minister.

Prominent amongst others who were spoke on the occasion included Local Government Minister Mr. Manoranja Kalia, Advisor to Chief Minister Dr.

Daljit Singh Cheema, Chairman Water Supply & Sewerage Board Mr. Baldev Raj Chawla, MLA Banur Mr. Jasjeet Singh Banni, MLA Chamkaur Sahib Mr. Charanjit Singh Channi, SAD district President Ropar Mr. Tara Singh Ladal, former Minister Mrs. Satwant Kaur Sandhu, President Municipal Council Ropar Mr.Amarjit Singh Satyal, Chairman Improvement Trust Dr. RS Parmar besides the senior officers of civil and police of district administration of Ropar. Senior party leaders and workers of SAD-BJP and members of the SGPC also present on the occasion.

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Chandigarh, August 23: Shiromani Akali Dal’s students Wing SOI ( Chandigarh Branch) held a meeting regarding Students elections which was presided by the national president of SOI Mr Gurpreet Singh Raju Khanna & also was attended by Saravdeep Singh Gypsy General Secy. State level SOI and Pardeep pal singh incharge Soi Chandigarh , Paramvir sing sunny , incharge SOI Punjab university & by the presidents of the various colleges and the students of these colleges . in this it was decided that the Participation of the Soi should work in a well mannered and disciplined way and for this an election Comittie would be formed which would comprise of members from Punjab Univ, & various colleges.

Mr Gurpreet Singh Raju Khanna guided the students to work in a disciplined way & to carry out election campaigning in such a way that it would lead the party to win in these elections . he also told the party workers to work at the ground level & to meet every single student & listen to their problems & to solve them as soon as possible . he also announced that a students transport facility would be started in Punjab state and Chandigarh also & declared that it is one of the main achievement of the SOI which is always working for the welfare of the students. He told that sooner Government Of Punjab would start up transportation facility in Punjab state & would cover up all the colleges , Schools & Punjab. University in Chandigarh & it would prove more beneficial to the student studying in chandigarh belonging from the different parts of Punjab.

Mr, Gurpreet Singh Raju Khanna made an appeal to all the students of Chandigarh to vote & support SOI Candidates & lead the party towards the victory so that the SOI should come forward and work for the student welfare & solve their problems. Today the meeting was also attended by the presidential Candidate of Punjab Univ. Bhupenderbir Singh Randhawa , Hardeep Singh happy, Surjit Singh , Kevin Sushant , PGGC college Sec, 11 Chandigarh, Simrat Gill & Jay from DAV college & Manpreet singh sekhon , Saravjit singh , Kuldip Singh , Manmohan Singh & by large number of students belonging to SOI ,Chandigarh wing.

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