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.

Punjab Tourism Development Master Plan gets green signal

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by Punjabnewswire4u (Balbir)
CHANDIGARH, SEPT 21
     Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and Tourism Minister  Hira Singh Gabaria Tourism Minister today gave in principal approval to Tourism Development Master Plan to develop tourism as well coordinated and organized industry besides putting Punjab on World Tourism Circuit.
    The Deputy Chief Minister gave the approval after detailed presentation by Mr Hans Carl Jacobsen and Dr. Harsh Verma international consultants of United Nations World Tourism Organisation here last night. The meeting also approved the draft tourism bill that would be enacted as legislation after approval. The tourism bill also includes  a comprehensive hotel policy with the objective of focusing development incentives on high quality  accommodation. The policy also envisages detailed bylaws and regulations for hotels and all tourism services . Detailed guidelines for establishing and promoting bed and breakfast and tented schemes are also part of tourism master plan. The unique scheme of farm tourism is also part of the policy.
Presiding over the meeting Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal also approved the demonstration tourism project for Patiala, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Sultanpur Lodhi, Nangal and Ropar.
Patiala would be projected as unique Cultural Heritage destination with a system of Heritage Trails. As a part of this plan Medal Collection, Art Museum in the Sheesh Mahel , Moti Bagh Bir , Quila Mubarak, Quila Androon, Durbar Hall, Ran Baas, Garden Pavilions ( Jalau Khana) would be projected as main center of attraction. The old City Gates, traditional handicrafts like Phulkari, Punjabi Jutti and Pottery of Patiala region would be projected as key nodes of tourist interest.
    Sultanpur Lodhi would be put on global tourist circuit as a unique religious and cultural heritage destination as “the Birth Place of Sikhism”. As a part of this plan the Holy Kali Bein River, measures taken for green belt protection and gurudwaras linked to Guru Nanakji’s life especially Sri  Ber Sahib would be promoted as centers of religious tourism Babe Nanki Dharmshala, the old heritage cow pond Anaj Mandi of Sultanpur Lodhi would make the tourists relive the old traditional charm of this holy city. The main bazar of Sultanpur Lodhi would be spine of heritage trail. It is proposed to convert Quila Sarai, the old gateway  into heritage resort.
    Similarly in Kapurthala Jagatjit Palace, Gol Kothi , Camera Bagh, Darbar Hall,  Baggi Khana Complex , Ghanta Ghar , Panch Mandir, Jalau Khana, Shalimar Bagh and Royal Tombs would give the tourists a royal experience whereas Moorish Mosque , War Memorial , Bhoot Bangla Mansion and Kanjali Wetland would be other centers of attraction in Kapurthala.
    Ropar would be projected as unique natural historical as well as cultural destination with Ropar lake , wetland , Ramsar site, Five Star Eco Lodges , Health and Wellness sanctuary. Similarly in Ropar Katli Fish Farm and Leisure Retreat would give the experience of village tourism replete with edutainment, fun and fishing experiences. The Museum , the Fort and Ancient Relics besides the old British Army Trail on the Shivalik Hills would attract International Tourists to this unique destination.
    The meeting also approved brand logo of Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board. It was informed in a meeting that tourism map of Amritsar has been published and of Patiala and other cities was in final stages . Mrs. Gitika Kalha , Principal Secretary Tourism informed that the response of travel trade and all major stakeholders to the first corporate news letter of Punjab Heritage Tourism Board was quite encouraging and second condition would be out soon. She said that tourist guide book a comprehensive website was in the final stages.
    Prominent amongst those who were participated in the meeting Mr. S.C.Agrawal Chief Secretary Punjab, Mr. D.S.Jaspal, Principal Secretary Transport , Mr. S.S.Sandhu Secretary Urban Development and other senior officers of various departments.
  

Best NFSMW performance award for Punjab

by Punjabnewswire4u (Balbir)
CHANDIGARH SEPT  20
Punjab has been awarded the Best Performance Award under National Food Security Mission for Wheat for 2008-09 for best overall performance in terms of organization and management of various resources for implementation of Mission interventions and consequent outcomes.
Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Punjab government said that the award was presented by Union Agriculture Minister Mr. Sharad Pawar during the National Conference for Rabi crops held at New
Delhi on 18-19 September, 2010.  The award was received by the Director Agriculture Mr. Balwinder Singh Sidhu on behalf of the state.
The spokesperson further said that ten districts of Punjab were covered
under National Food Security Mission (NFSM) -Wheat which contributed 84.15 lac tonnes of wheat during 2008-09 which was 9 per cent more than the base year 2006-07.  The productivity of NFSM districts had also increased to 4397 kg/hectare as compare to 4128 kg/hectare during the corresponding period. There has also been an impressive increase of 8% over the base year in overall production of the State which increased to 157.33 lac MT as compared 150 lac MT during the base year.
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal had been vigorously pursuing with the Centre to include all the 20 districts of the State under NFSM-Wheat and also to include the State under NFSM-Rice so that the contribution of the State to the Central Pool could be further improved.  This would also help the farmers of the State in better access to the agricultural inputs and the latest technology inproduction of rice and wheat, added the spokesperson.

Badal slashes market fee and RDF on raw cotton

by Punjabnewswire4u (Balbir)
CHANDIGARH SEPT 20
    The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr. Parkash Singh Badal, today approved to slash the market fee and the Rural Development Fee (RDF) on narma and kapas (raw cotton) from 2  to 1 per cent with immediate effect during the cotton procurement season 2010-11 till March 31 next year.
        A decision to this effect was taken by Mr. Badal in a meeting with the deputation of Punjab Cotton Factories and Ginner's Association led by its President Mr. Bhagwan Bansal here at Chief Minister's residence this evening.
            Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Punjab Government said that this decision had been taken to safeguard the interests of both the cotton growers and cotton ginning industry.  Besides, this decision would also provide a level playing field to the cotton ginners in the state who were facing unhealthy competition from the cotton industry in other states like Rajasthan, where the market fee on cotton was 0.80 per cent and 1 per cent each in Maharashtra and Gujarat.
            It may be recalled that the state government had already abolished the Punjab Infrastructure Development Cess of 2 per cent levied on the ginning and spinning (composite) units on raw cotton recently during a meeting with the Chief Minister held on August 9, 2010.
            Expressing gratitude to the Chief Minister, the members of the Association assured Mr. Badal that this decision would result in quantum jump in the revenue from VAT and market fee during the current procurement season, which was expected to touch nearly Rs.125 crore on VAT and Rs.80 crore on market fee.  They also apprised the Chief Minister that the bumper cotton crop this year was expected to touch nearly 20 lakh bales as compared to 12.94 lakh bales procured last year.
            The Chief Minister was accompanied by Principal Secretary Mr. DS Guru and Additional Principal Secretary Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar.  The deputation of Punjab Cotton Factories & Ginner's Association consisted of Mr. Vijay Nagpal (Babbu), Mr. Naresh Bansal from Abohar, Mr. Rajinder Garg from Malout, Mr. Jagdish Kamra, Mr. Janak Raj, Mr. Mohan Lal and Mr. Ashwani from Bathinda