Shaheed Bhagat Singh Punjab Games from Nov 27

by Punjabnewswire4u (Balbir)
CHANDIGARH, NOV 3
The Punjab Sports Department will conduct the inaugural Shaheed-E-Azam Bhagat Singh Punjab Games from November 27 to December 5, according to Punjab Deputy Chief Minister-cum-Sports Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal.
Addressing a big rally at Jorre Chatran (Gurdaspur), Mr Badal disclosed that a sum of Rs 2.10 crore would be at stake in 10 sports disciplines. The Group I competitions in hockey and shooting would be conducted in Jalandhar.
Giving details of the Shaheed-E-Azam Bhagat Singh Punjab Games, Punjab Sports Director Padam Shree Pargat Singh said Group II competitions in boxing, wrestling, weightlifting and volleyball will be hosted in Patiala.
The Group III competitions in athletics, basketball, football and kabaddi will be held in Ludhiana.
Pargat Singh said 21 lakh would be disbursed among gold, silver and bronze medal winners in each discipline.
The opening ceremony will in Ludhiana on November 27 while the closing ceremony is billed in Jalandhar on December 5.

Pension for private aided school teachers in Punjab

by Punjabnewswireu4 (Balbir)

CHANDIGARH , NOV 1

  The Punjab Government will implement pension scheme for the Private Aided School Teachers fom April1 next year.

The principle decision to this effect has been taken by the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr. Parkash Singh Badal, in a meeting with an 11-member delegation of ‘Punjab State Aided School Teachers & Other Employees Union’ led by its President Mr. Gurcharan Singh Chahal here today at Chief Minister’s residence.

It was also decided in the meeting that the arrears to the retired teachers would be given in five installments over a period of five years and first installment would be paid on April 1, 2011.

Mr. Badal also directed the Finance Department to work out all the modalities in consultation with the representatives of the union to resolve this issue amicably and accordingly withdraw the case pending in the Supreme Court.

Taking part in the deliberations Finance Minister Dr. Upinderjit Kaur said that new pay scales would also be implemented for aided school teachers from April, 2011 and the respective arrears would also be cleared later on.  

Prominent amongst those who were present in the meeting included Education Minister Mr. Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. D.S. Guru, Principal Secretary Education Mr. C. Roul, Secretary Finance Mr. V.K. Singh and Additional Advocate General Mr. Rupinder Khosla. The other members of the delegation included General Secretary, Mr. N.N. Saini, Finance Secretary Dr. Gurmeet Singh Sara and Press Secretary Mr. Ashwani Sharma.

Badal writes to PM to ensure Obama's visit to Golden Temple

by Punjabnewswire4u (Balbir)
CHANDIGARH OCT 23
 Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has requested Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to intervene personally at the highest level with the US Administration to ensure that President Obama’s proposed visit to Sri Harmandar Sahib is not aborted. “ If need be, you may please consider speaking to the President himself,” said Mr. Badal in his letter.
      President Obama is expected to visit India from November to 7 to 10  and Sri  Amritsar Sahib  originally featured on the itinerary.
       In a letter to Dr. Singh, Mr. Badal said that there appeared to be 'some communication gap between the Indian and the US security agencies on the issue. “The US Administration may be reminded that international dignitaries, including the Queen of England, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper have paid their obeisance at the Golden Temple without any security hassles,” said Mr. Badal, adding that the Sikhs all across the world would be disappointed if President Obama did not visit the Golden Temple. 
       On the issue involving the observance of religious decorum (Maryada), Mr. Badal said the US president would be well aware of the sensitivities involved. “All across the world, when dignitaries visit religious shrines, they are always briefed about the observance of Maryada of the concerned religion, and they always respect the sentiments of the followers of that religion. But if there is any misunderstanding on this issue, it can be resolved at the diplomatic level

Amyjot and Nagma to lead Punjab cagers

by Punjabnewswire4u (Balbir)

CHANDIGARH, OCT 22

International Amyjot Singh of Ludhiana Basketball Academy and international Nagma Mirza of Ludhiana District will lead will lead Punjab boys and girls teams, respectively, in the  61st Junior National Championship for men and women to be held at Navi Mumbai from October 24 to 31, according to Punjab Basketball Association general secretary Teja Singh Dhaliwal.

Boys: Amyjot Singh (captain), Kamalpreet, Jaskaran Singh, Manpreet Singh, Sunil Bajaj, Baljit Singh, Bikramjot Singh, Kamaldeep Singh, Gurdeep Singh, Jimm Joy, Tejinder Pal Singh, Guriqbal Singh. Coach: Dr S Subramaniam. Manager: BS Brra. Physio: Jobin Mathew.

Girls: Nagma Mirza (captain), Gurpreet Kaur, Sandhya, Charandeep Kaur, Mamta, Poonam Rani, Subhi Mohan and Taranpreet Kaur. Coach: Devinder Pal Singh. Manager: Kiranjit Kaur.

Jalandhar women claim overall trophy

by Punjabnewswire4u (Balbir)
PATIALA, OCT 22
Jalandhar bagged the overall trophy by logging 25 points in the Punjab State Women Games organized by the Punjab Sports Department at Raja Bhalendhra Singh Stadium, Polo Ground here today. Sangrur finished runners-up with 21 points and Ludhiana were third by 17 points.
Last year’s runners-up and seeded second Sangrur defeated third seed Jalandhar in the badminton final in straight two sets. Damanpreet Kaur of Sangrur outplayed Shehnaz Khan 21-9, 21-12. In doubles Damanpreet and Mariam defeated Rajwinder and Jaspreet Kaur 15-21,21-13,21-15. Ludhiana and Nawan Shehar were joint third.
Hosts Patiala drubbed Jalandhar by 2-0 to emerge winners in tennis. Ropar won the Bronze medal who blanked Amritsar by 2-0 to claim third position.
Amritsar won gold in Basketball by defeating Ludhiana by 42-27 points in the final while Jalandhar outclassed Kapurthala 41-17 for the third place.
In gymnstics Naginder of Gurdaspur won gold in balancing beam by 11.31 points. Sangeeta of Patiala got silver with 10.40 and Monika of Gurdaspur got bronze by 10.30 points. In floor exercise Monika and Rohika of Gurdaspur won gold and silver by getting 11.50 and 11.00, respectively. Sangeeta of Patiala got silver with 10.95 points.
Sangrur clinched kho-kho title by defeating Jalandhar by 5 points (7-4,10-8). Ludhiana defeated Patiala by 5 points (9-4,8-8) for the bronze medal.
Jalandhar had to sweat out to grab gold in table tennis by prevailing over spirited defeated Amritsar 3-2 in the final. Ropar ousted Ludhiana 3-0 for the bronze medal.
The volleyball trophy went to Sangrur who defeated Mohali 3-1 in the final. The contest for the third and position was a cliff hanger in which Ludhiana just managed to beat Jalandhar by 3-2.
Navjot Kaur of Ludhiana emeged the fastest runner of the state as she run 100 metres dash in 12.54s and won the gold. Deepti of Jalandhar won silver in 12.68s and Harpal Kaur of Sangrur got bronze byclocking 12.86s.
Dominating the proceedings through the final Kapurthala won the gold in hockey as they outplayed Tarn Taran in all departments of the game as they raced to an impressive 8-1 verdict. Patiala outplayed Amritsar by 3-0 for bronze.

Earlier Patiala Deputy Commissioner Deepinder Singh welcomed the chief guest. Punjab Sports Director Padma Shree Pargat Singh thanked all the dignitaries present on the occasion. He also informed that the selected players from this tournament would represent Punjab in the forthcoming National Sports Games

Upinderjit Kaur is new Punjab Finance Minister

by Punjabnewswire4u (Balbir)
CHANDIGARH OCT 20 
        Consequent upon the removal of former Finance Minister Mr.Manpreet Singh Badal, the Punjab Governor Mr. Shivraj V. Patil today approved the reshuffle of the Council of Ministers on the advice of
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal.
           Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister's Office said that Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal would now hold the portfolio of Information & Public Relations
Department in addition to Home Affairs, (Home Affairs, Civil Defence & Wakf), Water Supply & Sanitation, Sport & Youth Services and Non-Conventional Energy.  Dr. (Mrs.) Upinderjit Kaur becomes the new Finance Minister, who will also hold the charge of Planning and programme implementation in addition to her existing portfolio of Vigilance and Justice.
  Mr. Sewa Singh Sekhwan now gets the education department and the charge of NRIs Affairs, Defence Services Welfare, Removal of Grievances and Pension and Welfare of Pensioners held by
Mr. Sekhwan and Civil Aviation held by Dr. (Mrs.) Upinderjit Kaur would be now looked after by Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal.

Badal congratulates Punjab medal winners in CWG

byPunjabnewswire4u (Balbir)
CHANDIGARH OCT15
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal here today congratulated all the 15 sportspersons from Punjab who brought laurels to the state by winning medals in different disciplines during recently concluded 19th Commonwealth Games at New Delhi.
Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the Chief Minister’s office  said that the sportspersons who won medals  included  Abhinav Bindra (gold medal in Air Rifle 10 m pair & silver in Air Rifle 10 m individual),  Ronjan Sodhi (two silver in Double Trap), Manavjit Sandhu (silver in Trap shooting-pair & bronze in trap  Individual), Heema Sidhu (gold in Pistol Shooting  Pair and silver in Pistol Shooting individual),  Mansher Singh (silver in Trap Shooting Pair),  Mandeep Kaur and Manjit Kaur (both gold in 4X400 meters relay), Harwant kaur (silver in discus throw),  Gagandeep Kaur (gold in archery),   Amandeep Singh ( (bronze in boxing) and five men in hockey team Rajpal Singh,  Sarwanjit Singh, Ravipal Singh,  Gurbaz Singh and   Shivender Singh for winning silver medal.
In a message, the Chief Minister said that the sportspersons had not only brought glory to Punjab but to the entire nation through their superb performance in the Commonwealth Games as it would give a major boost to sports in the state  as well as in the country to inspire our budding players to further excel for such championships.

National Seminar at BFUHS Faridkot

Schedule for National Seminar on “Impact of Uranium and Other Heavy Metals on Health” to be held on October 1 at BFUHS Faridkot..
Registration:     8:30 – 9:25 a.m
Inauguration:   9:25 – 9:45 a.m.
Reception & Welcoming:
  Dignitaries  9:25 – 9:30 a.m.:
Welcome Address:   9:30 – 9:35 a.m:  Dr. Rajeev Manhas/ Dr. Parveen Bansal.
Presidential Address:   9:35 – 9:40 AM: Prof. Dr. S. S. Gill,
Vice-Chancellor, BFUHS, Faridkot
Chief Guest Address:    9:40 – 9:45 a.m: Prof. Dr. N.K. Gangualy, Advisor Health Services, Govt. of India
Key Note Address:       9:45 – 10:00 a.m: Cancer and Risk Factors: Prof.
Surjit Singh, PGIMER, Chandigarh
Release of Book:        10:00 – 10:05 a.m
Tea Break:      10:05 – 10:20 a.m & Exhibition of Posters
Session I: Uranium and Radiation Exposure in Punjab
Chairpersons:  Prof. Dr. Jai Rup Singh, Vice-Chancellor, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda Prof. Dr. P.S. Sandhu, Dean (College Development), BFUHS, Faridkot
1.      10:25 – 10:40 a.m.  Dr. Surinder Singh, GNDU, Amritsar: Analysis of Uranium & Other Heavy Elements in Environmental Samples from Bathinda Area of Punjab Sate, Indi.
2.      10:40  – 10:55 a.m.Dr. Ajay Kumar, BARC, Mumbai: An Overview of Chemical Toxicity and
Risk Assessment of Uranium.
3. 10:55  – 11:10 a.m    Manish K. Mishra, BARC, Mumbai: Effects of Ionizing radiations and Radiological Risk Assessment to Non-human Species
11:10 – 11:15 a.m  Remarks/Ceremonies
Session II: Chronic Pesticide Exposure and Cancer.
Chairpersons:  Prof. Dr. S. S. Gill, Vice-Chancellor, BFUHS, Faridkot  Prof. Dr. D. S. Sidhu, Registrar, BFUHS, Faridkot.
4.  11:20 – 11:35 a.m Dr. Ashish Bhalla, PGIMER, Chandigarh: The Green Revolution, Organochlorine Compounds and Cancer.
5.      11:35 – 11:50 a.m Dr. S. P. Singh, Dean Faculty of Life Sciences and Additional Dean Research, Punjabi University, Patiala: Impact of Insecticides and Pesticides on health
11:50 – 12:00 noon  Remarks/Ceremonies.
Session III: Chronic Heavy Metals Exposure.
Chairpersons: Prof. Dr. K. S. Kazal, Principal, GGSMCH, Faridkot Prof. Dr. Zora Singh, GGSMCH, Faridkot.
6.      12:05  – 12:10 noon  Dr. J.P.S. Gill, GADVASU, Ludhiana: Heavy and Toxic Metals in Milk and
Water in Punjab.
7.      12:10 – 12:25 p.m Dr. Raj Kumar and Dr. Dhanvinder Singh and Dr. Kuldeep Singh, PAU,
Ludhiana: Source of arsenic, uranium and other elements in underground water of Punjab
8.      12:25  – 12:40 p.m Dr. Sushil Mittal, Thapar University, Patiala:
Residual effects of crop residue burning practices on the respiratory parameters on human subjects.
12:40 – 12:45 p.m  Remarks/Ceremonies.
Session IV: Panel Discussion and Press Conference.
12:45 p.m – 1:40 p.m. 1. Prof. Dr. N. K. Ganguly, Adviser to Department of Health & Research, GOI and Distinguished Biotechnology Professor & Advisor in the Translational Health Science and Technology Institute.
2.      Prof. Dr. S. S. Gill, Vice-Chancellor, BFUHS, Faridkot.
3.      Prof. Dr. Jai Rup Singh, Vice-Chancellor, Central University of
Punjab, Bathinda.
4.      Prof. Dr. (Lt Col) G.P.I. Singh, Principal, Adesh Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, Bathinda
5.      Prof. Dr. K.P. Singh, Director (Water Resources), PSCST, Chandigarh
6.      Dr. R. S. Dhaliwal, DDG, ICMR, New Delhi
7.      Dr. Baljinder Singh, Professor (Nuclear Medicine), PGIMER, Chandigarh
8.      Dr. Vinod Kumar Garg, Prof. (Environmental Sciences & Engineering),
Guru Jambheshwar University, Hissar
9.      Dr. A.P. Singh, Dean (Student Affairs), PTU, Jalandhar
10.     Smt. Veenakshi Sharma,  Executive Engineer, Department of Water
Supply, Mohali
11.     Dr. Santam Singh Ladher, Joint Director (Environment Sciences),
PSCST, Chandigarh
Lunch Break:  1:40 p.m – 2:15 p.m.
Session V: Cancer Risk and Management.
Chairpersons:  Prof. Dr. A. S. Brar, Vice-Chancellor, GNDU, Amritsar
Prof. Dr. A. S. Thind, Joint Director, Research & Medical Education,
Punjab
9.  2:20 – 2:35 p.m.  Dr. Manoj Kumar, Panjab University, Chandigarh: Health Risk Assessment due to the heavy metals and pesticides in Ludhiana.
10 .2:35 – 2:50 p.m Dr. Parveen C. Sobti, DMC, Ludhiana: Impact of Heavy Metals on the
Health of Children.
11.     2:50 – 3:05 p.m  Dr. Parveen Bansal, PGIMER, Chandigarh: Radio Protective Herbs.
12.     3:05 – 3:20 p.m Dr. Sarika, PGIMER, Chandigarh:  Radio Safety.
3:20 – 3:25 p.m Remarks/Ceremonies.
Valedictory, Concluding and Dispersal
 3:25 – 4:00 p.m
       Concluding Report:      Dr. Zora Singh, GGSMCH, Faridkot.
       Concluding Remarks:     Prof. (Dr.) S. S. Gill, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor.
       Vote of Thanks:         Dr. Rajeev Manhas.

DA hike for Punjab Government employees, pensioners

by Punjabnewswire4u (Balbir)
CHANDIGARH, OCT  13 
   On the personal intervention of the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal, the State Finance Department today came out this evening with a bonanza for its employees and pensioners. It hiked the dearness allowance by 10 per cent from July 1, 2010 besides, enhancing the amount  of Conveyance Allowance to PCMS doctors, Local Travelling Allowance-cum-Maintenance Allowance to Group 'D' employees, Rural Area Allowance besides Design Allowance to certain categories of engineering personnel, Kit Maintenance Allowance for police personnel and Training Allowance admissible to the government employees on deputation with training institutes as faculty members, Secretariat allowance, special allowance to chowkidars and conveyance allowance to various categories of employees working in Punjab Civil Secretariat, in pursuance with the implementation of the recommendations of the Fifth Punjab Pay Commission. 
Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister's Office said that the State Government had announced to increase 10% DA for its employees and pensioners from July 1, 2010. Previously, the DA was 35% of the basic pay which had been increased to 45%. The DA would be paid in cash to the serving employees along with the salary of October payable in November, 2010. The arrears would be credited to their respective GPF accounts. The pensioners would however, receive the entire amount along with the pension received in the month of November. The state exchequer would entail an additional expenditure of Rs. 495 crore annually on account of the revision of DA.
    The spokesman further said that the PCMS doctors would be now entitled for Rs.1800 as Conveyance Allowance for Car and Rs.720 per month for other vehicles for official use w.e.f. 1 st October 2010.   Likewise, the Local Travelling Allowance-Cum-Miscellaneous Allowance admissible to Group "D' employees had been revised from the existing  Rs.75 to Rs.150 per month w.e.f. 1st October, 2010.  This allowance would be admissible to only those employees to whom local travelling allowance at flat rate was not admissible and this enhanced rate of local travelling allowance-cum- miscellaneous allowance was inclusive of the cycle allowance earlier admissible to Group 'D' employees.  The monthly Design Allowance admissible to certain categories of engineering personnel performing design work had also been revised w.e.f. 1st October, 2010, resultantly, the Chief Engineer would now be entitled for Rs.1800, Superintending Engineer Rs. 1400, Executive Engineer Rs. 1000, Sub-Divisional Engineer/Assistant Engineer Rs.800 and Junior Engineer Rs.600 per month.
The spokesperson further said that with the upward revision of monthly Kit Maintenance Allowance for the various categories of police personnel, now the Deputy Superintendent of Police would now get Rs.160, Inspector Rs.120, Assistant Sub Inspector/Sub Inspector Rs.80 and Constable/Head Constable Rs.50 per month w.e.f. 1st October, 2010.   As an incentive, the Finance Department had also revised the Training Allowance admissible to the government employees on deputation with training institutes as Faculty members at the rate of 30% of the revised Basic Pay under the Punjab Civil Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 2009.  In a bid to motivate the government staff posted in the  rural areas (i.e. in villages and not in the cities/towns/NACs/Nagar Panchayats), the State Govt. has also decided to revise  the Rural Area Allowance @ 6% of the revised Basic Pay w.e.f. 1st April, 2011. 
    The Finance Department had also revised the monthly secretariat allowance of certain categories of employees and besides the conveyance allowance to Rs. 800 per month for Deputy Secretary, Under Secretary, Senior Law Officer, Secretary/Minister, Special Secretary/ Minister, Superintendent Grade-1, Private Secretary and Personal Assistant working in the Punjab Civil Secretariat. This decision would also be applicable to the similar categories of employees working in the offices of Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Financial Commissioner Secretariat, Punjab Raj Bhawan, Legal Remembrancer and Punjab Public Service Commission with effect from October 1, 2010. Apart from this, the special allowance admissible to chowkidars had also been revised from Rs. 200 to Rs. 400 per month with effect from October 1, 2010.
In a benevolent gesture towards its employees and pensioners, the State Government also decided to grant the ex-gratia payment at the rate of Rs.1 lac only in case of an employee's death in harness or is permanently disabled and rendered unfit for further service on the uniform basis.  Where death occurs in harness due to causes attributable to service i.e for reasons which are directly or substantially connected with the performance of official duties and was clearly relatable to performance of such duties, the payment of ex-gratia would be equal to 24 times the revised basic pay of the employee on the dates his/her death, with a minimum of Rs.2 lac and Rs.4 lac.  In case the death occurs in performance of duty such as dealing with riots, terrorist attack or enemy action, ex-gratia would be paid @ Rs.10 lac on a uniform basis.   These instructions would come into force retrospectively w.e.f. from January 1, 2006.

Plan to develop sports in Punjab schools

Education Minister Dr. Upinderjit Kaur presiding over a high powered
committee meeting convened especially to develop sports activities in
the schools at Chandigarh on Monday.

by Punjabnewswire4u (Balbir)
CHANDIGARH, OCT 11
Furthering the "Khedo Punjab" programme launched by the State Education Department, Dr Upinderjit Kaur has asked the officers to effectively utilize the services of physical teachers by setting apart at least one period every day for physical education and sports in schools.
While presiding over a high powered committee meeting convened especially to develop sports in the schools, she directed that at least one period a day should be compulsorily set apart in school curriculum for physical activities, right from the elementary level.
She stressed that the health and well being of each child admitted in the schools is my utmost concern leading to healthy society. To ensure proper participation of students, the Minister directed that each school must send atleast one team in the block level tournament.
"The performance of physical teachers would be evaluated on the basis of achievements of the players produced by them to be monitored by the concerned District Assistant Education Officer", she added.
With a view to promote sports and games in the schools, Dr Upinderjit Kaur asked the local authorities to adequately maintain school playgrounds. She directed the school heads to ramp up their games
infrastructure and physical education teachers must be equipped with the latest information trough refresher courses to train the budding players.
To harness, available and potential sporting talent among students, she emphasized that a well designed competition structure from the block level be planned by the education department in consultation
with experts in the field including higher academic institutions for providing optimum exposure to youngsters.
The Minister said that the sports is a common cultural phenomenon shared by the whole of mankind, responds to man's inherent desire for physical and mental activity. Besides, it imparts a sense of
fulfillment and richness to human life. "It also contributes to the national economy and promotes mutual harmony, friendship, co-existence leading to better international understanding. It is therefore of the
greatest significance that people should engage in sports throughout their lives,' she added.
To make Punjab a vibrant leading edge state in the sports arena, Dr Upinderjit Kaur advised to exploit talent at the grass root level,
synergies the activities of Sports and Education Department and nurture the probable sportspersons to achieve excellence at National and International level in the sports.
She informed that diet money of the school athletes has also been enhanced for camps and competitions. Besides this, summer coaching camps would also be made a regular feature during the vocations. To
promote and popularise traditional sports especially gatka, a martial art sport, she directed all the educational institutes to organize competitions at different levels.
Among others Mr C. Roul Principal Secretary School Education, Mr Krishan Kumar DGSE, Mr Devinder Singh DPI (SE), Mrs Amarjit Kaur Deputy Director (School Sports), Dr Kanwaljit Singh Director Sports
GNDU Amritsar, Dr Charnjit Singh Grewal Director Sports Panjab University Chandigarh and Dr Bhupinder Singh Joint Director Sports Punjabi University Patiala were also present in the meeting.

Punjab emerge champs in All India Police Golf

 by Punjabnewswire4u (Balbir)
CHANDIGARH, OCT 7
        Punjab Police won the 14th All India Police Golf Tournament at the Shillong Golf Course  on September 28 and 29. The team comprising  S.K. Sharma, IPS, ADGP/HRD & CP and Rupinder Singh, PPS, Deputy Director (Outdoor), Punjab Police Academy, Phillaur were declared the winners in the net category. The duo carded net score of 18 under over two days.
The Shillong Golf Course is the second oldest golf course in the Country and was built in 1896. Total of 92 officers from all State Police Forces and Para-Military Forces participated in the tournament.
        The second team of Punjab Police comprising of . Davinder Singh Garcha, IPS and Swinder Singh, PPS were declared the runner-up in the net category and carded combined score of 13 under during two days play.
        After applying the double Peoria system based on the gross score of the first days play, the participants were given the handicaps and the final scores were declared on the basis of allotted handicaps.
         In the individual category. S.K. Sharma  was declared the winner in the net category and Rupinder Singh  was declared runner-up in the gross category. The team participated under the captaincy of S.K. Sharma.       

Punjab CM absolutely fine: PGI doctors

by Punjabnewswire4u (Balbir)
CHANDIGARH OCT 7
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today slipped in the stairs while going for his routine morning walk at his official residence and sustained mild lacerations above the right eyebrow and soft tissue injury in the chest region.
Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of the Punjab Government said that the Chief Minister accompanied by his son Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal immediately reached the PGI for treatment. Chief Minister's daughter-in-law Mrs. Harsimrat Kaur Badal was looking after Mr. Badal in the hospital since morning.
According to Director, PGI Dr. KK Talwar, the Chief Minister was given two stitches for the eye laceration and was admitted in PGI. As per the routine tests all his vital functions are normal. X-ray and CT scan of head do not show any injury. Doctors attending him said that Sardar Badal was absolutely fine as he came walking from his car to the lift.
Meanwhile, the Punjab Governor Mr. Shivraj V Patil called on Mr. Badal to inquire of his well being and presented a bouquet and wished him a speedy recovery. Chief Justice of Punjab & Haryana High Court Mr. Justice Mukul Mudgal also sends bouquet wishing Mr. Badal best of health.

CM satisfifed with Manpreet Badal's version

by Punjabnewswire4u (Balbir)
CHANDIGARH OCT 7
    Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today said that the Finance Minister Mr. Manpreet Singh Badal has personally clarified to him saying, his recent statement in a section of the press was nothing against the SAD-BJP government.   Mr. Manpreet Singh Badal also apprised the Chief Minister that he holds the party and its discipline along with the government in the highest esteem.
   The Punjab Chief Minister said that he had accepted the version of Mr. Manpreet Singh Badal and he had not breached the party discipline as such.  
Mr. Badal appealed to all the party leaders not to issue any statements in the media on this issue and he would sort out the issue, if any, amicably soon after being discharged from the PGI, where he is admitted now. 

Prince Charles pats Punjab CM initiative for cleaning of rivers

by Punjabnewswire4u

CHANDIGARH OCT 4

            His Royal Highness (HRH) Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales today appreciated the efforts initiated by the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal for the cleaning of rivers in the state to make them pollution free with in one-and-a-half year besides pioneering path breaking initiatives of skill development to tackle the problem of unemployment.

            Addressing at a function organized by Bharatiya Yuva Shakti Trust (BYST) here at Punjab Raj Bhawan this afternoon, HRH Prince of Wales emphasized the need to establish environment friendly partnership business enterprises at the grass root level to encourage our disadvantaged youth to undertake up green sustainable initiatives.  He also commended the Bank of Baroda and the Indian Bank for liberally advancing loans to the unemployed youth to set up their ventures through BYST.  The Prince of Wales also lauded the role of mentors in motivating the youth to adopt eco-businesses with a thrust on environment protection, economic prosperity and social equity.

            Appreciating the spectacular performance of BYST under the stewardship of founding Trustees and Executive Vice President Ms. Lakshmi V Venkatesan, Prince Charles said that this trust was set up in way back in 1992 and till today it had several success stories to its credit which has transformed the lives of millions of persons from under privileged sections of the society into successful entrepreneurs. 

            Realizing the enormous contribution of Sikh community towards the growth and development of the British economy, the  Prince of Wales said that Punjabi Diaspora  settled in UK especially the Sikhs had contributed with magnanimity           for the promotion of world-wide programmes initiated by him for the welfare of the mankind.  He expressed satisfaction over the performance of BYST which was the first organization to replicate the Prince's Trust Youth Business model successfully outside the UK.  He also welcomed the proposal of Mr. Badal to launch skill development partnership programme in Punjab to impart training to the unemployed youth so that they could be gainfully employed. 

            In his address, the Punjab Governor Mr. Shivraj V Patil welcomed the Prince of Wales and appreciated his concern for helping the enterprising the young inventors and industrialists through BYST.  He apprised Prince Charles that in India, the Union Government and State Governments had formulated policies and established ministries, departments and institutions to use non-conventional sources of energy and the resources of nature in such a manner that environment was not polluted and it was our bounden duty to preserve its pristine beauty and these resources. 

            Mr. Patil said that it was the need of the hour to jointly initiate efforts by all the individuals, non-governmental organizations, corporate world and governments of the country and the world on the basis of understanding to make this planet, more livable, loveable, comfortable and profitable to live in for all of us.   

Speaking on the occasion, Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal sought the guidance and cooperation in supporting our unemployed youth by establishing innovative skill development partnership programme as per requirement of the British Industry, so that our trained youth could be gainfully employed in the UK.  He also urged the Prince Charles to extend the activities of Prince's Trust Youth Business model to Punjab and extended an open invitation to the BYST to set up the trust's offices in Punjab and to work for supporting the youth in their enterprises.  He assured of all help and cooperation to the BYST on behalf of the Punjab government as well as his personal capacity. 

Outlining the priorities of his government to tackle the problem of unemployment and water pollution through cleaning of rivers, Mr. Badal said that Punjab would soon become the first ever state in the country to have clean waters flowing in its rivers the Satluj, Beas and Ghaggar.  He also said that his government had taken concerted efforts to promote the skill development programme in the state to provide tremendous job opportunities to our unemployed youth especially in the rural areas.

Underlining the need to tackle the problem of unemployment on the priority, Mr. Badal pointed out that unemployment had not only affected India but had also now become a global issue.   As 40% of India’s total population represented youth, which was now confronted with acute problem of unemployment due to limited scope of jobs in government public and private sector, added Mr. Badal.

Earlier, Mr. Subodh Bhargav Board member BYST and past President CII welcomed the Prince of Wales and Founding Trustee and Executive Vice President Ms. Lakshmi V Venkatesan briefly outlined the significant achievements of the BYST and its perspective plan for private sector investment in mentoring and fostering small enterprises in the informal sector through appropriate linkages. 

On the occasion, Prince Charles, Mr. Shivraj V Patil and Mr. Badal honoured the enterprising entrepreneurs by awarding Regional Eco-business Ambassador Eco-preneurs Club certificates to Mr. Hitender Punyane for innovative eco-friendly cooling techniques, Mr. Amin Almel, for LED Lighting & Tyre Inflator, Mr. R.Vaidyanathan for water level controllers and Mr. G.Bhanu Murty for Soy Milk Ice Cream.  Mr. Vaibhav Jaiswal and Mr. Amardeep Bardhan were honoured by Prince Charles with a cash prize of Rs.10000 for Arecanut Leaves Kitchen ware and decorative/gift items.

Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion, Board Member BYST and past President CII Mr. Suresh Neotia, Chairman CII Northern Region Mr. RM Khanna, High Commissioner of UK to India Mr. Paul Grey and Punjab Chief Secretary Mr. SC Agrawal.

Punjab to recruit 3564 more computer teachers

by Punjabnewswire4u (Balbir)
CHANDIGARH, OCT 4
With a view to enable every student of Punjab state to become digitally literate, the Punjab Government would establish 494 more new computer labs under the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) project in Government and Government aided schools in the state. Besides, 3,564 more computer teachers would also be recruited in the schools.
       Disclosing this here today Education Minister Punjab Dr. Upinderjit Kaur said that under centrally sponsored ICT scheme, the Punjab ICT Education Society (PICTES) had launched this ambitious computer
learning programme for 6th to 12th classes in all upper primary and secondary schools the state in a phased manner. "Computer education subject has also been made compulsory w.e.f 2009-10 and the Punjab is
the only state that provided computer labs in all middle and secondary schools, she added.
The minister further added that the students had acquired a number of
IT skills during the ICT education program. "Three phases of ICT were fully operational and running as planned. Under the phase-IV, the State Government would provide 136 computer labs in the remaining
government schools and 358 in the Govt. aided schools to impart computer education to the students.
       The Minister added that under the ICT project, 3,564 more computer teachers would be recruited for these labs which included 494 teachers for the new labs and 3070 teachers for existing government schools.
"To successfully train the students, approximately 7,000 computer faculty had already been recruited in the schools", she added.
       Dr. Upinderjit Kaur further said that all ICT schools have been provided with generator sets and broadband internet connections with unlimited download facility which would facilitate further during
implementation of state-wide school management of information system (MIS) & geographic information systems (GIS) which was under development. Computer books had already been provided to all the
students free of cost.
She added that this computer learning programme would certainly facilitate and catalyze the growth of digital economy in the state by leveraging this infrastructure and re-engineered workforce and would create job opportunities for students as well as computer teachers.
"The Punjab Government would endeavour that students must get the best of IT training during their school study and compete at national for a" she added.
Education Minister further said that under this project, school teachers were also being trained in effective delivery of education by using IT tools for teaching with latest methodologies & aids. "The
earlier assessment had confirmed that enrollment in the ICT schools had gone up considerably and attendance had improved. Besides this, the overall teaching/learning environments in the schools have also
improved", she asserted.

Panel to supervise implementation of Punjabi language

 by Punjabnewswire4u (Balbir)
CHANDIGARH, OCT 4
The Punjab Government today announced state level empowered committee to inspect and ensure proper implementation of Punjabi language in all the offices of state government including
boards, corporations, subordinate courts and all types of educational institutions under the Punjab State Language (amended) Act (PSLA)-2008 and the Punjab, Punjabi and Learning of other Languages Act-2008 in the State as well as at State headquarters.
Stating this, a spokesman of the Education and Languages Department Punjab said that a state language committee comprising 16 members, have been constituted under section 8-A of the PLSA to ensure proper
implementation of mother tongue as an official language and compulsory teaching as a subject upto class 10th. "From this year the Punjab Government has decided to pay Rs 1,000  per meeting as an honorarium
and travelling allowance as admissible to Group 'A' officers, to all non-official members of the committee" he added.
He informed that as per the notification issued, Dr. Upinderjit Kaur Education and Languages Minister Punjab would be the Chairperson. Media Advisor to Chief Minister Punjab or his nominated representative, Advocate General Punjab or his representative, Principal Secretaries of Higher Education and School Education and Legal Remembrancer-cum-Secretary would be its permanent members, he
added.
Besides this, Mrs Rajinder Kaur Bhattal leader of opposition and ex-Chief Minister, S. Manpreet Singh Badal Finanace and Planning Minister, S. Navjot Singh Sidhu MP and noted poet Sh Surjit Patar have
been nominated as public representatives. Mr. Bajit Singh Brar Executive Editor Aj Di Awaj, Mr. Ritesh Lakhi Editor-in-Chief  PTC News and Mr. Davinder Singh Kohli from Chardhikala have been inducted as
media representatives. Mr. Gurbhajan Singh Gill President Punjabi Sahit Academy Ludhiana and Dr. Dalip Kaur Tiwana noted writer have been selected as members among the writers. Director Languages Department would be the convener of this committee, he added.
He further said that the apex committee would meet at least once in six months and the term of this committee would be for one year from the date of its notification. "The state committee would inspect and
review the advancement made in proper use of Punjabi in all the government offices including PSUs, Boards, Local Bodies, offices of all types of educational institutions like schools, colleges and universities in the various districts and at state headquarters.
Besides this, the empowered committee could direct the respective administrative departments to penalise the offending officers/officials if found any under the Punjab Civil Service rules", he said.

Senior Citizen Day celebrated in Mohali

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by Punjabnewswire4u (Balbir)
MOHALI, OCT 2
The Mohali Senior Citizens Association today celebrated the third Senior Citizen Day at Shivalik Public School here today. It was a very special occasion when senior persons above the age of 90 and 10 persons who have contributed to the different fields of society were honoured.
Citations were read for them and shawls were presented to them, including Dr Gurbir Singh, Medical Director, Fortis Hospital. SAS Nagar Planning Board chairman Mr N K Sharma, was the chief guest. Speaking on the occasion, he complimented the role of the association and promised all possible help from the district side.
Mr Sharma has already given Rs 1 lakh to the association for the purchase of books and computers and promised more financial help.On the request of the association president Dr AS Khehra, Mr Sharma assured to expedite the completion of the building for the association, coming up in Sector 68.
The new and multicoloured monthly news letter “The Glorious Years” edited, printed and published by Mri Parminder Singh, Secretary Media was also released by him.
Dr AS Khehra proposed that in every sector of the city, a couple of rooms in the Community Centre should be spared for the older people, for study and recreational activities.When the new secretariat comes up, the community centres occupied by different departments would be vacated and thus sparing rooms for the senior people would not be a problem.
Dr Khehra also said the pension of older people is Rs 250 p.m and it should be immediately revised.
The programme concluded with a vote of of thanks and refreshment.

Expedite railway projects in Punjab: Kalia and Sidhu

by Punjabnewswire4u (Balbir)
NEW DELHI SEPT 28
Mr. Manoranjan Kalia Punjab  Local Government  and  Industries  and  Commerce  Minister Manoranjan Kalia  and  Member Parliament. Navjot  Singh  Sidhu today called on Union Minister of State for Railways  E Ahamed in his office at Rail Bhawan and strongly pleaded to expedite the pending projects of Railways the over and under bridges (ROB’s and RUB’s) in the Punjab particularly Demoria Bridge Jalandhar, Rigoo Bridge Amritsar and Lakkar Bride Ludhiana and also road widening related with the railways.
    They requested while informing the Railway Minister that Punjab Government has already completed all the works and financial liabilities related with the Punjab Govt of these ROB’s and RUB’s and  the railways portion related with  all  these railway bridges are pending. They requested to expedite these projects from the Railway Ministry.
    Mr. Manorajan Kalia also presented a new proposal of road widening 120ft road to connect main bye-pass and with the Railway Station Jalandhar. He said that this land belongs to Railways and it is also helpful to the Railway station. He strongly requested to the Railway Minister to sanction this project keeping in view the importance and basic requirement of the local people and the Jalandhar Railway Station.
    Mr. Navjot Singh Sidhu  said that all these bridges of the major cities of Punjab, Amritsar, Jalandhar and Ludhiana were not only connecting the peoples and transporters with the main roads and railway stations it also connecting with the National Highways and it would be definitely helpful in the transportation facilities of the North India. He also informed that he will personally follow up the Railways projects to complete  within shortest time.
    Mr. E.Ahamed Union Minister of State for Railways gave a sympathetic hearing and assured Mr. Manoranjan Kalia Punjab Minister and Mr. Navjot Singh Sidhu M.P to look into the matter seriously and ensure the completion   of all these railways bridges at the earliest possible  in near future.
    Prominent among others who participated in the meeting included   Mr. S.S. Rajput, Secy Local Govt. and Senior Officers of the Local Govt Deptt of Punjab and Railways.

Four laning of Amritsary-Ganganagar approved

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by Punjabnewswire4u (Balbir)
CHANDIGARH, SEPT 28
The inter-state road connectivity of Punjab with Haryana and Rajasthan is set to get a big boost with Union Government giving its nod to Punjab's proposal of four laning of Amritsar-Sri Ganganagar (NH-15) and Hoshiarpur-Jind to be completed at the combined cost of Rs.1950 crores. The Union Government today conveyed its approval in a communiqué to Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal who had been constantly following up these projects with the Union Minister for Surface Transport.
 Reviewing the progress of the on going projects, Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal, asked Chief Engineer Highways, Mr.R .P.Singh to complete these two prestigious projects by October, 2011 positively. The 290-km long Amritsar-TarnTaran-Zira-Faridkot-Kotakpura-Goniana-Bathinda-Giddarbaha-Malout-Abohar-Sri Ganganagar road link would streamline the traffic flow on this crucial road, giving a relief to the people.
It was decided that in the first phase 16 km stretch from Amritsar to Tarn Taran, 10 km stretch from Faridkot to Kotakpura, 8 km stretch from Goniana to Bathinda, ROB near Gurudwara Shahidan Amritsar, ROB near Thermal Plant at Bathinda and ROB at Kotkpura be completed on priority as traffic density on these stretches was quite high.
The meeting also decided to expedite four laning of 350 km long National Highway from Hoshiarpur-Jalandhar-Nakodar-Moga-Barnala-Sangrur-Jind to be constructed at the cost of Rs.1050 crores to facilitate traffic flow Haryana.
Mr. Badal also reviewed the progress of six laning of Panipat-Jalandhar National Highway with the representative's executing construction agency. The agency sought Mr. Badal's intervention in sorting out land acquisition of small stretches at Rajpura, Fatehgarh Sahib, Payal, Ludhirana East and West, Phillaur, Phagwara and Jalandhar.
The Deputy Chief Minister asked the Principal Secretary to ensure transfer of possession of land to the NHAI after announcing the award and paying the compensation within 15 days positively. It was informed in the meeting Rs.148 crores compensation would be disbursed within next week. The Deputy Chief Minister informed that he would personally drive from Ambala to Jalandhar to monitor the progress of constructionof this prestigious project.
Reviewing the progress of road along Sidhwan Canal, Mr. Badal asked the department to expedite construction of five bridges on Sirhind and Sidhwan Canal, Flyover at Malerkotla Road, ROB over Dhuri railway line, flyover at Dugri road and flyover-cum ROB  at Pakhowal road junction, Ferozepur Rail line and BRS Nagar besides on two underpasses to cross Ferozepur road junction.The company assured the Deputy Chief Minister to complete this project by October 2011.
Prominent amongst those who were present in the meeting included Mr. Viswajeet Khanna, Principal Secretary to Deputy Chief Minister, Mr.Kulbir Singh, Secretary (PWD), Mr.A.K.Sinha, Commissioner, Ludhiana Municipal Corporation, Mr. Manvesh Singh Sidhu, Additional Secretary to Deputy Chief Minister, Mr. Dev Raj Chief General Manager NHAI, Col. Rajat Rastogi VSM, Project Director NHAI, Col. Sanjiv Puri, General Manager, Soma Enterprises, Mr. Naresh Kachhwah Vice President, Supreme Infrastructure India Ltd.

CM approves Master Plan for Amritsar

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal presiding over the 20th
meeting of Punjab Regional & Town Planning & Development Board.

 by Punjabnewswire4u (Balbir)
CHANDIGARH, SEPT 27
The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal,  today approved the Master plan of Amritsar in the 20th meeting of Punjab Regional & Town Planning and Development Board here at Chief Minister's residence here.
 Mr. Badal was apprised by the Chief Town Planner that Ahemdabad based Company Sai Consulting Engineers was entrusted with the task of preparation of the Master Plan of Amritsar with the Local Planning Area (LPA) of 1394.19 sq km in view of the future requirements of population by 2031. The projected population for the Amritsar LPA was placed at nearly 30 lakh  in 2031 from 16.10 lakh in 2010, whereas for the Amritsar Metropolis it has been worked out as 20 lakh. The Master Plan had covered the adjoining towns of Jandila, Rayya, Raja Sansi and Majitha, whereas it had already covered the Verka, Amritsar Cantonment and  Cheartta in addition to 310 rural settlements.
          It may be recalled that Sai Consulting Engineers had been given the responsibility of the preparation of the Master Plans of six cities namely Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Kapurthala, Gurdaspur, Batala and Pathankot, of which Master Plan of Amritsar has been cleared and others are under the advanced stage of finalization.  
To boost industrialization and economic growth of the Amritsar region in a big way, the Master Plan had also incorporated three major industrial pockets over an area of 8000 acre to be developed along with the roads of Tarn Taran, Majitha and Mehta, besides the other industrial units forming clusters in and around Amritsar. Considering the proximity and importance of Taran Tarn and Amritsar, the growth and development of both cities have been integrated in the Master plan of Amritsar and Taran Taran.
In view of the Heritage and religio-cultural importance of Amritsar City, the Master Plan had given a special status to the walled city as a 'heritage zone' to be developed on special guidelines rules and regulations with a focus to decongest the walled city to undertake pedestrianization (walk ways), conservation and preservation of heritage built environment, thereby creating more open space. Special emphasis had been laid develop spacious parking lots on the fringe of the 14 historic gates of the walled city, which would be given a new face lift as a part of the heritage conservation. Historic monuments of Rambagh and Gobindgarh Fort had also been included in the 'heritage zone' out side the walled city of Amritsar.
To rationalize the future growth and development in order to promote orderly and integrated planning, Development Control Regulation had been provided to regulate the height (FAR) and parking etc.  Under the new master plan, international airport at Raja Sansi would be upgraded with ultramodern facilities both for passenger and cargo flights. Besides, efforts were afoot to develop Amritsar as a hub of international trade with the proposal to establish a dry port on G.T. road at Attari border. To streamline the smooth vehicular traffic in the LPA, southern bye-pass along with a network of outer ring road with 80 meters width, middle and inner ring roads of 60 and 40 meters wide had also been proposed in the master plan. These roads would also regulate the inter and intra-city transport.  Battery operated vehicles and Personnel Rapid Transport (PRT) system was also being introduced in the walled city of Amritsar to considerably reduce the level of vehicular pollution.
The Board also gave green signal for the numbering of the sectors under the already approved Mullanpur master plan. In another decision, the board also approved the merger of the different industrial zones marked in the Ludhiana Master Plan into a single industrial zone subject to the compliance of norms prescribed by the Punjab Pollution Control Board.
Prominent amongst others who attended the meeting included Agriculture Minister Mr. Sucha Singh Langah, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Housing and Urban Development Mr. Sarwan Singh Phillaur, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. D.S. Guru, Principal Secretary Industries Mr. S.S. Channy, Financial Development Rural Development and Panchayats Mr. Jagpal Singh Sandhu, Secretary Science,Technology and Environment Mr. Viswajeet Khanna,  Secretary Local Government Mr. S.S. Rajput, Secretary Housing and Urban Development Mr. S.S. Sandhu, Director Local Government Mr. S.K. Sharma, Chief Administrator GAMADA Mr. Vivek Partap Singh,, Chief Administrator PUDA Mr. Sarvjit Singh, Chief Town Planner Mr. Kuldip Singh, Adviser Technical GAMADA/PUDA Mr. Rajinder Gupta and Member Secretary PPCB Mr. Babu Ram.

Manpreet's plea to Centre to raise Punjab's borrowing limit

Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Badal attending a meeting in Chandigarh.

by Punjabnewswire4u (Balbir)
CHANDIGARH, SEPT 27
Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal said that the Punjab Government would approach the Central Government in the first week of October to increase the borrowing limit of the state so that the arrears to the employees could be paid in installments/cash before Diwali this year.
This was stated here today by Mr. Manpreet Singh Badal at a meeting with the delegation of the Employees Welfare Board, Punjab under the chairmanship of Mr Surinder Singh Pehalwan in Chandigarh. The other members of the delegation included Mr Karamjit Singh Bhagrawa, President Employees Front, Mr Hardev Singh Jawanda, President Teachers Front, Mr Harpal Singh Teja, General Secretary, Mr Manjeet Singh Chahal Secretary General, Mr B.S.Sekhon, Senior Vice President, Employees wing (SAD) and Mr Gurcharn Singh Kohli, Senior Vice President.
The Minister while approving their demand of rural area allowance, said that keeping in view the resources position of the state, the enhanced amount of Rural Area allowance calculated @ 6 per cent of revised
basic pay would be payable from April 1, 2011. While accepting the ex-gratia payment demand of the deputation, the Minister said that the enhanced rate would be effective retrospectively from January 1, 2006.
Referring to the training allowance, the Minister said that the revised rate would be effective from October 1, 2010. The members of the delegation demanded that the arrears of DA from 1-1-2006 be paid
at the earliest to which the Minister assured them that keeping in mind the financial health of the state, the arrears would be paid in two installments before Diwali. Regarding the conveyance allowance and
miscellaneous allowances, the Minister said that the revised rates from 1-10-2010 would be effective immediately with the issue of the circular.
Mr Manpreet Badal also assured them that the government was fully committed towards the welfare of the employees and all their genuine demands would be sympathetically reviewed and subsequently considered.

L & T to construct Sikh monuments at Rs 42 cr

Punjab Chief Minister  Parkash Singh Badal presiding over a meeting
to review the progress of the monuments of Wada Ghalughara, Chhota
Ghalughara and Chhaparchiri at Chandigarh on Friday.

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by Punjabnewswire4u (Balbir)
CHANDIGARH, SEPT 24
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today gave in principal approval for the construction of historic monuments of Wada Ghalughara at Kup Rahiran in Sangrur
District, Chhota Ghalughara in Chak Abdalwari near Kahnuwan in Gurdaspur District and Chhaparchiri in District S.A.S. Nagar (Mohali) to the renowned Infrastructure company Larsen & Toubro (L&T) at cost of Rs. 42 crore.
Presiding over a high level meeting to review the progress of these legendary monuments here at Chief Minister's residence this evening, Mr. Badal was apprised by the Chief Engineer PWD (B&R) that the work of these projects had been allotted to L&T as per the approved design plan prepared by the prominent architect Ms. Renu Khanna. The project cost of Chhaparchiri was Rs. 25 crore, Chhota Ghalughara was Rs. 8 crore and Wadda Ghalughara was Rs. 9 crore and all these projects
would be competed by September 30, 2011.
The Chief Minster also decided to commemorate the foundation laying Ceremonies of these monuments in a befitting manner so that the people across the globe could be informed about the importance of these events in the Sikh history.
The Chief Minister alongwith Mr. A.K. Chatwani, senior vice president of L&T, the chief guest would lay foundation stone of these monuments at Chhaparchiri on October 9, Wada Ghalughara on October 18 and Chhota Ghalughara on October 23.
The Chief Minister also constituted a committee comprising Information & Public Relations Minister, Tourism Minister, VC Punjabi University Patiala Mr. Jaspal Singh and his Advisor to finalize the details of these programmes.
Prominent among other who attended the meeting included Tourism Minister Mr. Hira Singh Gabria, Information & Public Relations Minister Mr. Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Member Rajya Sabha Mr. Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Advisor to Chief Minister Mr. D.S. Cheema, Chief Secretary Mr. S.C. Aggarwal, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. D.S. Guru, Chairman Punjab State Backward Classes Commission Prof. Kirpal
Singh Badungar, Secretary PWD (B&R) Mr. Kulbir Singh, Principal Secretary Tourism Mrs. Geetika Kalha and Director Tourism Mr. Hussan Lal.

PSSS Board invites online applications

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by Punjabnewswire4u
CHANDIGARH, SEPT 24
Punjab Subordinate Service Selection Board has invited online applications for the posts of clerks, junior scale stenographers, steno typists and assistant superintendent jail/welfare officers/probation officers for different departments on http://recruitment.cdacmohali.in
Disclosing this here today, a spokesman of the government informed that the last date for applying these posts is October 5, 2010 till 5p m. Clarifying further he said that these selections would be made purely on merit together with a written test.

Sukhbir Badal approves plan for 14 floodlit stadia

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by Punjabnewswire4u (Balbir)
CHANDIGARH, SEPT 24
Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal today approved the conceptual plan of 14 flood lit sports stadiums of International standards including eight multipurpose stadia, five hockey stadia, Punjab Institute of Sports and Punjab School of Sports to be constructed at the cost of Rs. 123 crore by August 15 next year.
Mr. Badal, who also holds the sports portfolio, approved the designs of multipurpose stadium to be constructed at Sports Stadium Bathinda, War Hero Stadium, Sangrur, outdoor stadium Hoshiarpur, Guru Nanak Stadium Amritsar, NM College Stadium Mansa, Government College Stadium Gurdaspur, Guru Gobind Singh Stadium Jalandhar and Guru Nanak Stadium Ludhiana. The floodlit Hockey Stadiums would be constructed at Govt. Barjindra College, Faridkot, PAU Ludhiana, GNDU Amritsar and Burlton Park, Jalandhar besides Rs. 25 crore Stadium at Sector 63 Mohali.
It was a decided to provide flood light facilities in 10 stadiums at Faridkot, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Bathinda, Sangrur, Hoshiarpur, Guru Nanak Stadium Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Guru Gobind Singh Stadium Jalandhar and Guru Nanak Stadium Ludhiana to enable day and night matches, so that maximum public could enjoy these matches.
Mr. Badal approving the plans directed Secretary Sports PS Aujla to ensure that iInternational level construction firms should be given the responsibility of constructing these stadia. He informed that funds for the construction of these stadia have already been tied up with various agencies and tenders for these stadia would be floated by October 15, 2010. Mr. Badal said that he was determined to hold next World Cup Kabbadi and World Cup Hockey in the newly constructed floodlit stadia and it should be ensure that these stadiums are ready fully by 15th August, 2011.
Besides these stadiums the meeting also approved Regional Sports Centre and World Class Hockey stadium in Sector 63, Mohali for which funds would be provided by PUDA. The meeting also approved Punjab Institute of Sports to be constructed at Bathinda with the facilities of astroturf, synthetic tracks, and separate residential hostels for boys and girls, school building with teaching facilities from class IV to class XII and a separate college for the students. The estimated cost of this project has been pegged at Rs. 40 crores.
To ensure the speedy completion of these projects different agencies including Bathinda Development Authority, Mandi Board, Punjab PWD, Improvement Trust Jalandhar, GLADA, PIDB, and Punjab Sports Council have been given responsibility to fund and construct stadiums in a time bound manner.
Mr. Badal directed that the Secretary Sports would lay the strict quality control standards and Punjab State Sports Council would monitor the construction of these stadiums. The construction agencies of various departments would not charge any departmental charges for the execution of these projects.
Prominent amongst those who attend the meeting included Mr. Viswajeet Khanna, Principal Secretary to Deputy Chief Minister, Mr. P.S.Aujla , Secretary Sports, Mr. Manvesh Singh Sidhu, Additional Secretary to Deputy Chief Minister, Mr. Pargat Singh, Director Sports and Mr. S.L.Lotey, Assistant Director Sports.

CM condoles death of Rupal's father

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by Punjabmewswire4u (Balbir)
CHANDIGARH SEPTEMBER 23
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today expressed profound grief and sorrow over the sad demise of Mr. Joginder Singh, the father of the Senior Journalist and General Secretary of Chandigarh Press Club Mr. Pritam Singh Rupal and Sub Editor of Ajit Mr. Balwant Singh Rupal who died after a brief illness at his native town Mansa on Wednesday. He was 80.
The Chief Minister prayed to the Almighty to give strength and courage to the members of the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss and grant peace to the departed soul.
Media Advisor to the Chief Minister Mr. Harcharn Bains also shared his heartfelt sympathies with the family members on the passing away of Mr. Rupal's father.

ETT teachers’ demands unjustified, say ZP chairmen

Chairmen of Zila Parishad  call  on Punjab Chief
Minister  Parkash Singh Badal in Chandigarh on Thursday.  Deputy
Chief Minister Punjab  Sukhbir Singh Badal and Rural Development &
Panchyat Minister  Ranjit Singh Brahmpura are also seen in the
picture.

by Punjabnewswire4u (Balbir)
CHANDIGARH SEPT 23
Zila Parishad chairmen today called upon Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal that the demand of ETT teachers working under Zila Parishad to shift them from the Panchayati Raj to Education Department was absolutely non-acceptable as it was not only baseless but also unconstitutional.
A deputation of chairmen of Zila Parishads met Mr Badal here at his residence this morning.
The deputation apprised the Chief Minister that the ETT teachers were already enjoying all those facilities and benefits which had been provided to the teachers working in the Education Department. Declaring the ongoing agitation of ETT teachers as totally illegal and irrational, the deputation said that the sole objective of these teachers were get them transferred to cities and pointed out that they did not want to serve in the schools being directly supervised by the Panchayat Samitis and Zila Parishads.
In order to get rid of superintendence of PRIs over them, these teachers just want to work according to their own will without making themselves accountable to the village panchayats. But in reality quality teaching, full attendance of the students and excellent results of these schools were only feasible due to direct control of Panchayati Raj institutions over them.
The deputation also demanded that the PRIs which had been entrusted with the functioning of the departments of agriculture, animal husbandry, dairy poultry and fisheries, forests, khadi and village industries, primary and secondary education, health services, social security and public distribution system under the Section 30 of Punjab Panchayati Raj Act, 1994 should be given far more powers to strengthen the panchayati raj institutions and ensure smooth functioning of these departments under their control.
The deputation also informed the Chief Minister that the general public was fully satisfied with the functioning of village Panchayats, Block Samitis and Zila Parishads. They appealed to the government not to bow before the unconstitutional and irrational demand of the ETT teachers.
Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Rural Development & Panchayats Minister Mr. Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, Advisor to Chief Minister Dr. DS Cheema, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. DS Guru, Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar besides Principal Secretary Rural Development Mr. Jagpal Singh Sandhu and Director Rural Development Mr. Gurdev Singh Sidhu.

Sukhbir Badal’s plea to Centre on canal issue

by Punjabnewswire4u (Balbir)
CHANDIGARH, SETP 22
    Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal today said that Punjab Government has requested the Union Government to make the  relevant amendments in the rules to treat complete canal system of Punjab as one canal besides immediately releasing Central grant of Rs. 3000 crore to reach rejuvenate 150-year-old canal system of the state.
     Speaking after inaugurating 15-km long minor constructed at the cost of Rs. 8.5 crore at village Araianwala today, Mr. Badal said that in the era of water scarcity, 20% water in the Punjab Canal gets wasted due to seepage. He said that amendment in the rules for Punjab to treat whole canal systems of the State as one canal has been sought from the Union government to rejuvenate whole canal system in one go rather than in piece meal manner.
 The Deputy Chief Minister also demanded canalization of Ghaggar be treated as national project. He said that Punjab with mere 1.5% geographical area of the country was providing 60% food grain in the Central kitty and it was the responsibility of Union government to upgrade and maintain the canal network of the state.
            Mr. Badal said that Punjab Government had been pressurizing the Union Government the declare Punjab as Special Agriculture Zone with all subsidies and facilities given to agriculture sector as being given to Industry in the SEZs. He said that to make agriculture a remunerative professional Union government would have to implement Swaminathan  Commission report linking MSP with Whole Sale Price Index or calculating 50% profit over the total cost of agricultural inputs.
       Later on inaugurating Baba Farid Rural Sports Festival at Local Nehru Stadium, Mr. Badal informed that the Punjab Cabinet had recently approved its new Sports Policy- 2010 aimed at achieving excellence in the sports giving incentives to sportspersons, who win laurels for the state at national as well as international level. 
    He further said that an elaborate state specific system of ranking of sportspersons in selected sports disciplines was being introduced. Under this system sportspersons in a particular discipline would be ranked every year from 1st to 100th rank and they shall be issued a ranking certificate by sports department.
 He disclosed that 10 World Class Stadiums equipped with flood lights with combined cost of Rs. 65 crores for Hockey, Cricket, Kabaddi, Football, Volleyball and Handball would be developed/ upgraded at Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Faridkot, Bathinda, SAS Nagar, Sangrur, Hoshiarpur, Mansa and Gurdapsur within next 12 months.   Apart from this a Centre of excellence at Jalandhar and regional Centers at Mohali and Bathinda would be established to prepare highly skilled sportsmen for national/international competitions.
Mr. Badal announced a Rs. 10 crore special grant for various development projects of Faridkot City. He revealed that in last three years Rs. 352 crores had already been spent on various development projects in Faridkot district. 
       Earlier Mr. Badal inaugurated a Rs. 1.5 crore water works, a Laundry plant for old age home and newly beautified Kameana chowk. He also laid the foundation stone of a hostel building for disabled children in the city.
     Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion included Bibi Paramjit Kaur Gulshan, MP, Mr. Gurdev Singh Badal ex. Minister, Mr. Mohinder Singh Romana, Mr. Lakhbir Singh Araianwala Chairman District Planning Committee, Mr. Kushaldeep Singh Dhillion Ex.MLA, Mr. Makhan Singh Nangal Member SGPC and Mr. Paramhans Romana, Chairman Improvement Trust and Senior officers of district administration.

BJP-SAD Govt poised to get through all Bills

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by Punjabnewswire4u (Balbir)
CHANDIGARH, SEPT 22
Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal today said that SAD-BJP Government was fully geared up to get through all legislative business and bills in the coming monsoon session of Punjab Vidhan Sahba starting on September 24.
Answering the queries regarding Congress’s proposed plan to stall the session, Mr. Badal said that State Government was duty bound to get through all bills of public welfare and development of the state in this session so that government working as well as development works do not get struck due to opposition’s disruptive role. He hoped that saner sense would prevail upon opposition and they would play a constructive role.
Responding to a query regarding preparedness of SAD-BJP government for elections in various Co-operative bodies, Mr. Badal said that government does not delaying cooperative elections and elections to all these bodies would be held when ever they become due. He said that Congress was indulging in the false propaganda as it feared exposure of its zero base in co-operative electorate.
Mr. Badal said that SAD-BJP government was moving with a focused approach to build the infrastructure in rural as well as urban areas. He said that in next one year 3000 crores would be spent on strengthening civic amenities in urban areas and equal amount would be spent on rural areas. He said that Rs. 1000 crore has been earmarked to strengthen the sewerage network in urban areas including 80 mandis and big villages falling in the periphery of big cities. He said that to speedup the sewerage laying process, 50% projects were being handed over to public health department and rest of the projects would be executed by the Punjab Sewerage Board.
Mr. Badal said that Rs. 10 crore would be spent on various development works in each assembly constituency. He along with Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, would visit each constituency to monitor the execution of these development projects. Deputy Commissioner of each district has been appointed Nodal Officer to get these projects completed in a time bound manner besides ensuring quality control in each development work.
Earlier, Mr. Badal met the panches and sarpanches of 36 village panchayats and councilors of local Municpal Council. He individually enquired about the development requirement of each village and ward and distributed grants for these projects. During the two day Sangat Darshan programme of the Deputy Chief Minister, grants to the tune of Rs. 8.73 crore has been handed over to 71 Panchayats and all Municipal Wards.
Prominent amongst those who were present in the Sangat Darshan Programme included Mrs. Paramjit Kaur Gulshan Member Parliament, Jathedar Tota Singh and Mr Mahesh Inder Singh Nihalsinghwala and Mr Tarsem Singh Ratian.

Punjab's plea to PM to set up AIIMS for caner treatment

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by Punjabnewswire4u (Balbir)
CHANDIGRH, SEPT 21
The Punjab Deputy Chief Minister, Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, today said that Punjab Government has requested Union Government to allocate special fund to Punjab from National Rural Health Mission to control the scourge of cancer afflicting Punjab especially the Malwa Belt.
Speaking to the mediapersons at the residence of Mr. Jagtar Singh Rajiana, a senior Akali Dal Leader after distributing grants to 17 Panchayats of Baghapurana assembly constituency, Mr. Badal said that Punjab Government was seriously concerned about the rising cases of cancer in this region.
He said that he along with the Chief Minister have already met Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh requesting him to setup a AIIMS like cancer diagnostic and treatment center in the Malwa belt to ensure early detection and treatment of cancer cases.
He said that Punjab Government on its own has setup special ward and diagnostic facilities at Baba Farid Medical University and a specialized cancer hospital being setup in collaboration with MAX Group was already under construction. He said that they have requested Union Health Minister to sanction special allocation to Punjab keeping in view the seriousness of the problem.
Mr. Badal said that Punjab on its own has already installed RO system in over 500 villages and all problem villages and cities of Malwa region and a belt of Majha region would be provided RO within next 12 months.
Speaking about development process at the grass root level, Mr. Badal said that it was the SAD BJP Government that was taking the fruits of development to the remote rural areas. He said that he and CM would visit each constituency to distribute Rs. 10-15 crores to each assembly constituency, to be spent on rural link roads, Public Health Works, Sanitation, Village Ponds and other Development works. He said that under this plan over Rs. 8 crores would be distributed to 71 Panchayats of Baghapurana in next two days.
When asked about threat posed to Commonwealth Games, Mr. Badal said that Punjab Police was vigilant to fail the nefarious designs of anti-national forces and he was committed to maintain peace in the State.
Mr. Badal said that Government was committed to end the chronic 63 year old scarcity of power by commissioning four major thermal plants being setup at the combined cost of Rs. 36000 crores with total generation capacity of 6500 MW power. Mr. Badal said that SAD-BJP Government during last 42 months besides strengthening infrastructure sector including power has focused on upgrading roads, aviation, Education , Civic Amenities in Urban Areas to enable the state to face the challenges of future. The Deputy Chief Minister said that besides generating 6500 MW additional power, the Punjab was all set to generate 1000 MW power from non conventional sector. He said that our government has spent over Rs. 6000 crores on strengthening road sectors and by next 2 years all major cities of Punjab would be interconnected with four lane roads. He said that this government got completed 32 Railway over bridges during last 3 years and eight more ROBs would be operational in next 6 months.
Later Mr. Badal also laid the foundation stone of E-Health Point in the presence of Dr. Allen Hammond Chairman, Seventh in the region to provide 400 high quality medicines, 75 basic diagnostic tests and consultation through Tele Conferencing with specialists at meager cost of Rs. 40 only. Since their launch, the 6 EHP centres have already provided more than 12,500 tele-medical consultations, performed about 4,000 diagnostic investigations, and filled over 14,000 prescriptions, and are providing safe drinking water to more than 2500 families daily.
Prominent amongst those who were present on the occasion included Mrs. Paramjit Kaur Gulshan Member Parliament, Jathedar Tota Singh and S. Gurdev Singh Badal both ex-Ministers, S. Jagtar Singh Rajiana Sr. Akali Leader, Mahesh Inder Singh Nihalsinghwala, S. Nirdharak Singh Brar, S. Tarsem Singh Ratian.