Police Station Bhawanigarh declared best at national level

 By Punjabnewswire4u

CHANDIGARH, APRIL 30

 Police Station Bhawanigarh and Saanjh Kendar Mansa have been adjudged best police station and Saanjh Kendar during annual Police Station Visitors Week (PSVW) program organized by Altus Global Alliance amongst 396 police stations of four states Assam, Meghalaya, Punjab and Union Territory of Chandigarh. It may be mentioned here that these annual visits by groups of citizens to local police stations are coordinated globally to produce comparable scores on five dimensions of police service i.e. community orientation; Physical conditions; Equal treatment of public without bias based on age, gender, ethnicity, nationality, minority or sexual orientation; Transparency and accountability; and Detention condition.

The Police Station Bhawanigarh, Sangrur, was assessed and adjudged as the top police station from among participatory 396 police stations of all the states. Mr. Shive Kumar DIG Patiala and Mr H.S Bhullar SSP was awarded for better provisioning of above dimensions of police service to the citizens. In Punjab, the PSVW was converged with the community-policing programme of Saanjh Kendars also and Mansa Saanjh Kendar was assessed as the top Saanjh Kendar by citizens. Dr.Narinder Bhargawa was awarded for being the best and innovative Saanjh practices. The award for consistency in performance was given to Chandigarh’s top assessed police station Sector 17.

Mr. S.K. Sharma, ADGP Human Resource Development and Community Policing, Punjab Police, mentioned that Punjab has converged Saanjh Community Policing Programme with the police reform. The main purpose is to improve the service delivery through citizen participatory policing.

Dr. Rainuka Dagar, Global Program Director, Altus Global Alliance informed that the sixth round of the annual PSVW was organized from in which 17 countries participated with 1,000 police stations receiving more than 5,000 citizens. She said that this global participatory program was aimed at improving the quality of local police services as perceived by local communities, taking into account the capacity of SHOs, the exchange of good practices and the effectiveness of accountability mechanisms in police stations.

In India, the PSVW organized by Institute for Development and Communication (IDC), an Altus member was implemented in four states/union territory of Assam, Chandigarh, Meghalaya and Punjab. A total of 396 police stations participated by welcoming 3,646 citizens to assess their stations. Citizens included members of NGOs, community liasoning groups, market committees, resident welfare associations, lawyers, women’s organizations, village representatives, slum dwellers, students and eminent civil society members.

Speaking on the occasion Dr. A.A. Siddiqui, former DGP Punjab said that to initiate the police reforms from the police stations prove to be more citizen-friendly then many other reforms which have been initiated at different times and at different levels in India. He emphasised the need to converge community policing with the police station reforms.

Mr. Subodh Aggarwal, Chief Commissioner, Rights to Service Commission Punjab emphasized that service delivery should be the main focus of police. He lauded the efforts to make police from enforcement perspective to service delivery though these kinds of initiatives. He further mentioned that the governance reforms in Punjab have not only been implemented in civil administration, but in police also. He further elaborated that under Punjab Rights to Service Act around 17 lakh citizens availed services from Police Saanjh Kendars.

Dr. Pramod Kumar, Chairman, Punjab Governance Reforms Commission  highlighted the fact that citizen-centric reforms are the essential component of good governance. He added that the establishment of Community Policing Saanjh Kendars in Punjab has ensured both dignity and efficient accessibility to police services.

Badal calls on Sharad Pawar to seek his support for rolling back Wealth Tax

By Punjabnewswire4u

NEW DELHI, APRIL 30

Patron of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Punjab Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal today called on the Nationalist Congress Party President and Union Agriculture Minister Mr Sharad Pawar to enlist his unstinted support to mobilize the public opinion against the Government of India (GoI) for rolling back the draconian Wealth Tax forthwith.

The Chief Minister called Mr Pawar at his office in the Parliament House this morning and solicited whole hearted support and co-operation to persuade the GoI to immediately withdraw the wealth tax on agriculture without any further delay otherwise it could lead to an uncontrollable situation of nationwide social unrest, anarchy and resentment especially amongst the farmers and several other stakeholders directly or indirectly associated with the agriculture profession including farm labour, small and marginal traders and Arthiyaas. Mr Badal pointed that nearly 70% of the Agricultural land in Punjab would come under the ambit of this senseless act which was hell bent upon to crush the agrarian economy of the country in general and especially that of Punjab in particular thereby putting the national food security in quandary. He urged the NCP Chief to bail out the peasantry in this hour of crisis by mounting pressure on the Centre to withdraw this tax imposed on Agricultural land as it would have far reaching implications of leading the entire nation to the brink of economic disaster.

The Chief Minister apprised Mr Pawar that Raja Chelliah committee on Tax reforms had recommended to levy wealth tax on non-productive assets adding that the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh who was the then Union Finance Minister in 1992, in his budget speech had underlined that Wealth Tax should be levied on individuals, Hindu Undivided Families and all companies only in respect of non-productive assets such residential houses including farm houses and urban land, jewellery, bullion, motor cars, planes, boats and yachts which were used for commercial purposes. 

Appreciating the concern of Mr Badal to abolish the Wealth Tax the Union Agriculture Minister told him that he would certainly look into the matter to ensure justice to the farming community and other related stakeholders in the larger national interest.       

Earlier the Chief Minister also called the CPM leader Mr Basu Deb Acharya, Shiv Sena Leader Mr Sanjay Raut and Anant Geete and Telugu Desam Leader Mr Nageshwar Rao to garner their support over this issue. Mr Badal urged these leaders to vehemently oppose this ill-conceived and unwarranted move of the Union government to impose wealth tax on agriculture land.  He was confident of positive outcome of these meetings with various leaders of national and regional parties, which would go a long way in protecting the rights of the farming community.

All these leaders offered fulsome support and co-operation to Mr Badal for this national cause.

The Chief Minister was accompanied by his Special Principal Secretary Mr Gaggandip Singh Brar and Resident Commissioner Mr K Sivaprasad

Sukhbir felicitates working class on eve of May Day

 By Punjabnewswire4u

CHANDIGARH, APRIL 30

 Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister, Punjab today extended his heartiest greetings to labour and working class of the State on the eve of May Day observed to mark with historic struggle of labour class throughout the world.

In a message the Deputy Chief Minister recalled the contribution of labour and working class in building up the world class infrastructure in the state to meet the challenges of future. Mr. Badal said that Punjab has a history of smooth and strong labour relationship and the state government always preferred to come out with Labour welfare oriented policies.

 Paying rich tributes to all those who laid down their lives for ensuring proper service conditions at Chicago in 1886, Mr. Badal said that striving to maintain congenial atmosphere for the working class would be the best tribute to them.

NCC enrollment drive

 by Punjabnewswire4u

CHANDIGARH, APRIL 30

NCC enrollment presentation was given by Commanding Officer Wg Cdr JS Jeji of 1 Chd Air Sqn NCC Chandigarh at Guru Nanak Public School Sector - 36, Chandigarh today.  Approx 300 students attended the enrollment drive. The Commanding Officer apprised the students regarding various benefits of joining NCC and armed forces.
After the enrollment presentation an aero-modelling show was also organised  which was witnessed by the Principal, Ms. Gurnam K. Grewal,  staff and the students of the school.  Publicity material was also distributed on the occasion highlighting the career opportunities in defence services for the youth.   

CELEBRATE, COMMEMORATE, AND ANTICIPATE

Faith leaders inside the Sanctuary of Kumbum Chamtse Ling Monastery, Bloomington, Indiana. Photos supplied by KP Singh

By Kanwal Prakash Singh
Interfaith Event at the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center Bloomington, Indiana USA
INDIANAPOLIS: The recent Interfaith Event at the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center in Bloomington was a very beautiful affair.  The program featured the sacred Buddhist prayer-chants, spiritual expressions and readings from different faith traditions, and ceremonial commemorations of the tenth anniversary of the dedication of the Kumbum Chamtse Ling Monastery by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and Boxing Champion and legend Mohammad Ali.  The Interfaith Event was organized as a special prayer for the success of the "Engaging Compassion" pilgrimage of His Holiness the 14^th Dalai Lama of Tibet to Louisville, Kentucky in May.
Dr. David Carlson, Professor of Religious Studies at Franklin College, literally and spiritually connected us "Shoulder to Shoulder Interfaith Witness Concept" forming a circle inside the beautifully decorated Sanctuary where we offered prayers, reflections, and affirmations of unity and solidarity, and heard reminders of peaceful coexistence and unconditional compassion toward all God's Children from various faith traditions.  That followed another spiritually uplifting experience: the planting of Rose Bush in honor of His Holiness and Mohammad Ali under a sunny blue sky.  It was a symbolic connection with Creation, Divine, and our temporal world through a sacred act of veneration of Nature and the nurturing of human spirit.

KP Singh with Venerable Arjia Rinpoche, Director of TMBCC.

As always, there was a spirit of warm welcome and fellowship, a gracious invitation to the faith leaders and all the attending guests (students, teachers, Tibetan monks and faithful,
members of the media, and friends of the Center) to share blessings and perspectives from their diverse faiths traditions and spiritual experiences during the ceremonies and reception that followed.  There was a reverberating positive energy and a sense of anticipation that such interfaith efforts may someday bring about greater understanding, a welcome humanitarian embrace where no one is a stranger.  The faiths, cultures, and people often unite at the Center to serve the cause of peace and help us recognize and honor our interconnected destiny.
The grounds of the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center exude an aura of serenity and sanctity of a place of continuous prayer.  This is hallowed ground, visited by His Holiness the Dalai Lama six times since 1989.  It is open to all who come in peace; most visitors often leave immeasurably blessed.  The Center is gaining the reputation as a major place of pilgrimage in the Heartland of America, thanks to the leadership of a truly dedicated Buddhist teacher and Center Director, the Venerable Arjia Rinpoche.
REFLECTING ON OUR COLLECTIVE HUMANITY AND REPONSIBILITY
A world that daily reminds us of so many heart-wrenching challenges and of undreamed-of opportunities, the people of faith and enlightened vision have a responsibility to explore ways to harness the power of engaging compassion.  To make this vision a reality, we need to build new fields of dreams, unite to raise concern when human life is burdened with unspeakable hardships;
end injustices, inequality, and assaults against human dignity; create spaces and an environment of peace and fosters goodwill that transcends ethnicity, religion, culture, geography, and gender.  Caravans of humanity are moving across once formidable frontiers and gathering in new places to seek fortunes and shape new dreams.
ENGAGING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
These migrations are causing strains.  Then, there is the menace of destructive armaments, ethnic and tribal conflicts, global terrorism, and the problems of world hunger, basic healthcare, clean water, educational and job opportunities, demands on human resources threatening humanity’s future.  Major diseases, like cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and other dreaded health problems need urgent and sustained focus and critical research.  It was wonderful to see that one week after the shocking Boston Marathon bombing by terrorists, the Susan B. Komen Race for Cure in Indianapolis attracted over 21,000 supporters who participated in the 5K walk and run. 
Such resolve is reassuring amidst the cloud of darkness.  We need to stay together in the face of blatant crime and violence against humanity and remember that the work of healing, discovery, and improvement of the human condition must go on.  As a civilization, at this time of incredible abundance, interdependence, and instant communication, we need to help those caught in the vicious cycles of poverty, incredible deprivation, denial of basic rights and freedom, devastating diseases, and natural and manmade disasters.  Nations must strive to make our sacred spaces: schools, theaters, places of worship, shopping malls, places where generations gather for fun or to support worthy causes as violence-free places.  It is important that the human neighborhoods remain safe: free from fear, violence, and threats to our dignity and pursuits we hold sacred.
FAITH IN OUR COLLECTIVE DESTINY
Each individual has a lot at stake that the human civilization moves forward.  To make this vision a reality, each of us committing to be a part of an engaging compassion that builds trust, creating and expanding hope, caring for our environment and critical resources, and embracing imaginative responses and bold initiatives, would be a promising beginning.  Sharing hope and blessings is a lesson and a commandment that forms the foundation and advocacy of all major faiths and spiritual traditions.  The Sikh faith reminds us that, “No one is outside the Circle of God’s Love and Benevolence,” and therefore, no one should be outside the circle of our thoughtful consideration, humanitarian understanding, and engaging compassion.
The commemoration of great events, exemplary lives, and the daring legends of extraordinary souls are a treasured and timeless inspiration.  When we fully engage in endeavors that reflect an inclusive focus, unconditional compassion, assurance for our rights to inalienable dignity and shared humanity, we can anticipate positive outcomes.  We need to enter into faith with our collective intertwined destiny with all that is manifested before us.

FM rules out wealth tax on agricultural land

By Punjabnewswire4u

CHANDIGARH, APRIL 29

The Union Finance Minister, Mr P. Chidambaram, has given the assurance that no wealth tax would be imposed on the agricultural land in the country. This was stated by the Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, after emerging from a meeting with Mr Chidambaram in New Delhi, today.
            “The Finance Minister has assured that he will make a statement on the floor of the House while replying to the Finance Bill and no wealth tax will be imposed on agricultural land, whether within the municipal limit or outside the municipal limit”, Mr Hooda who led a delegation to FM, said.
       Concerned over the move to impose wealth tax on farm land, Mr Hooda had taken the initiative of leading a high-level Congress delegation of Union Ministers, MPs and MLAs from Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Orissa and Delhi, to the Finance Minister.
The delegation included Union Information and Broadcasting Minister, Mr Manish Tewari, Union Minister of State for External Affairs Mrs Preneet Kaur, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) President Mr Pratap Singh Bajwa, MPs namely Mr Bhakta Charan Das, Mr Sandeep Dikshit, Mr Deepender Singh Hooda, Dr Ram Parkash,  Mr Vijender Singla, Ms Jyoti Mirdha, Ms Santosh Chaudhary, Mr Ravneet Bittu, Mr Shadi Lal Batra, AICC Secretary and MP Mr Harish Chaudhary, Punjab Leader of Opposition, Mr Sunil Jakhar, and MLA Mr Jagmohan Singh Kang.
The delegation submitted a representation urging the Union Finance Minister on behalf of the Indian National Congress to ‘intervene for withdrawal of the proposed amendment,  and issue a clarification to
the effect that urban land does not include agricultural land, and no wealth tax is liable to be paid’.
The delegates also requested Mr Chidambaram to issue administrative directions to the Income Tax Department not to issue fresh notices seeking payment of wealth tax qua agricultural land.
 Mr Hooda said Mr Chidambaram reiterated that the UPA Government was committed to the policy of protecting the interests of the farmers and therefore, nothing would be done against their interests, and, if necessary, due procedure  would be adopted so that no wealth tax is imposed on agricultural land.
Mr Hooda thanked the UPA Chairperson, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Finance Minister Mr P. Chidambaram on behalf of the farmers of the country for not imposing any wealth tax on the
agricultural land.
PPCC President Pratap Singh Bajwa also thanked Mrs Sonia Gandhi, Dr Manmohan Singh and Mr Chidambaram on behalf of the farmers of Punjab. He also thanked the Haryana Chief Minister for taking up the farmers’ cause.
Later, replying to a question, Congress MP Mr Deepender Singh Hooda said that the Union Finance Minister would speak in the House to quell any misunderstanding on the issue.

CM presents Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award to 67

By Punjabnewswire4u

CHANDIGARH, APRIL 29  

The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, today felicitated 67 outstanding sportspersons from different sports disciplines. They were presented the highest sports award --- Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award – at the  packed Tagore Theatre in Sector 18.  So far 305 sportspersons (114 from 1978 to 1996, 124 from 1997 to 2004 and 67 from 2005 to 2010) have been conferred this prestigious award.

Each recipient was received a cheque for Rs. 2.00 lakh, a trophy of Maharaja Ranjit Singh astride horse back in warrior dress, a blazer with pocket, a tie and a scroll of honour.

International shooter Avneet Kaur Sidhu Hundal and long jumper Amritpal Singh were among those stole the show. Aveent is gold medalist of  2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games and bronze winner in ISSF World Cup, Resende (Brazil)- 2006.

Amritpal Singh had erased National record of T.C Yohanan  of 8.07 metres in long jump with a leap of jumping 8.08 metres. This record still stands in Amritpal’s name. Amritpal Singh had also won gold in 32th National Games 2002 at Hyderabad. Another medalist was Rajwinder Kaur who gave outstanding performance in 400x400m during Commonwealth Games in 2006 at Melbourne and won the gold. She also clinched gold in Asian Athletics Championships in 2005 at Inchon. Padma Shree  hockey Olympian Balbir Singh Kular who won gold in Olympics  1964 at Tokyo and Asian Games 1966 at Bangkok and bronze in Olympics 1968 at Mexico, also received a standing ovation as he received the coveted award.

Speaking on the occasion Mr Badal said that sports was on the priority list of the state government. The Government has recently recognized the service of the players by providing 10 Group-A posts to the medalists of Olympic, Asian and Commonwealth Games. All the players have been appointed as Deputy Superintendent of Police. He further said that the Govt. has always acknowledged the devotion and sacrifice of the players they have done for the field of sports.

The Government has given cash incentives to the players worth 10.00 crore in the recent past, which includes Rs. 1.00 crore each to cricketer Yuvraj Singh, and shooter Abhinav Bindra.

On the request of Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal regarding the reservation of 100 seat for sportsperson, Mr Parkash Singh Badal announced 125 seats purely reserved for outstanding sportspersons in the state and he also inspired sportspersons to give training to the players of at least in one village by adopting that village.

Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal said that Punjab was fully aware to provide latest sports infrastructure to sportspersons, so that they can train and compete with their international counterparts. He also announced that the Govt. would organise Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh Punjab Games in priority sports disciplines some times in the third quarter of the year. A prize money of Rs. 25.00 lakh per discipline would be given to the first three position holder teams. One hundred players in each discipline would be ranked on the basis of their performance in these games. Sports scholarships at the rate of Rs. 10,000 per person would be given to the ranked players. Similarly junior ranked players would be given a sports scholarship of Rs. 5,000 per head. 

 Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Member Parliament and President, Punjab Olympic Association was also present during the function. 

Those who received the Maharaja Ranjit Singh  Award were:

2005: Sunaina (Weightlifting),  Puneet Rana (swimming),  Gurminder Singh (weightlifting),  Parvinder Kaur (judo),  Sukhjinder Singh (weightlifting),  Maha Singh (athletics),  Anjana (handball),  Kanwaljit Singh    (cycling),  Sukhbir Singh (athletics),  Rampal Singh (rowing).

2006:  Navjot Channa (judo), Amritpal Singh (athletics),  Prabhjit Singh (cycling),

Gurmeet Singh (athletics),  Naunidh Singh (posthumously, athletics),  Kuldeep Kaur (handball),  Arun Singh (boxing),  Rupinder Kaur (boxing),  Gurcharan Singh (w’lifting).

2007:  Avneet Kaur Sidhu Hundal (shooting),  Harveen Sarao (shooting),  Rajwinder Kaur Gill (athletics),  Gurpreet Kaur (cycling),  Harpreet Singh (cycling), Karamjeet Kaur (fencing),  Jagdeep Singh (basketball),  Ruchi Trikha (fencing),  Yadwinder Singh (basketball),  Shingara Mattu (taekwondo), Sukhdev Singh (handball),  Pawan Kumar (handball),  Gaurav Sehgal     (handball), Sachin Choudhary (handball).

2008:  Amanpreet Singh (shooting),  Kulwinder Kaur (cycling),  Abhishek Rana (cycling),  Sarabjit Singh (cycling),  Gurpreet Singh            (cycling),  Jaswinder Singh     (equestrian), Rajinder Kaur(cycling),  Amandeep Singh  (cycling),  Talwinder Singh (equestrian),  Meenkshi D/o Tersem Singh (gymnastics),  Neeraj Sawhney (cycling),  Talwinderjit Singh (basketball), Raghu Kumar          (handball),  Kulwinder Singh (handball).

2009:  Jashandeep Kaur (gymnastics),  Yashpal Solanki        (judo),  Kamalpreet Sharma (cycling),  Sarbjeet Kanda (w’lifting),  Shamsher Pratap Singh    (athletics),  Navjot Kaur (fencing),  Mohinder Singh Rawat (handball),  Raj Kumar (handicapped, badminton),  Balbir Singh Kular (hockey).

2010:  Navdeep Kaur Dhillon (shooting),  Surpreet Singh (cycling),  Menakshi (gymnastics),  Rambir Singh (wrestling),  Amrinder Singh (archery),  Harpreet Singh (athletics),  Baljit Singh (handball),  Gurbaj Singh (hockey), Kiranjeet Kaur (basketball),  Amandeep Singh (boxing) and  Virpal Kaur (kabaddi).

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