Badal approves development plan worth Rs 30 crore

by Punjabnewswire (Balbir)

CHANDIGARH, MARCH 26

            Punjab Chief Minister  Parkash Singh Badal today approved a multi-dimensional development programme of about Rs. 30 crore for Sri Hargobindpur Town and its surroundings.

A decision to this effect was taken by Mr. Badal while presiding over a high level meeting of the senior officers of the state and the district administration. Mr. Badal directed all the officers of different departments to ensure timely implementation of these development projects to be initiated in and around the historic holy city of Sri Hargobindpur Sahib.

Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s office informed that under this programme Rs.9.8 crore would be spent on Water Supply, Sewerage and Sewerage Treatment Plant at Sri Hargobindpur and Rs. 5.13 crore on Water Supply, Sewerage facility for Ghuman, the historic village of Baba Nam Dev Ji, beside many other development projects like modernization of existing Bus Stand, construction of a new Community Health Centre, Veterinary Hospital, Roads with street lights, green cover etc. would be initiated. Mr. Badal also approved to construct three decorative entry Gates at each of the three approach roads leading to this holy city namely Batala, Mehta and Gurdaspur roads, added the Spokesperson.

  Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting  included MLA, Sri Hargobindpur Capt. Balbir Singh Bath, Principal Secretary Home Mr. AR Talwar, Principal Secretary PWD(B&R) SK Sandhu,  Principal Secretary School Education Mr. C Roul, Director Local Government Mr. SK Sharma, Deputy Commissioner Gurdaspur Mr. Prithi Chand and Director Animal Husbandry Dr. HS Sandha.

…

AICTE rolls back hike in processing fees

by Punjabnewswire4u (Balbir)

CHANDIGARH, MARCH 23

Agreeing to PHD Chamber’s demand, All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) has rolled back the hike in processing fees.

AICTE has reduced the amount of processing fees in the notification vide11/03/11, which was increased in 2011-12 norms. Earlier for starting an engineering college, the Fixed Deposit Receipt (FDR) was for Rs.90 lakhs, but now it has been reduced to Rs.35 lakh and for MBA, Pharma and other colleges, the FDR has been decreased from Rs.35 lakhs to Rs.15 lakhs. The processing fees to be paid by an Institution to start a new project has also been reduced to Rs.5,00,000 from the earlier amount of Rs.7,50,000.

Welcoming this new decision of AICTE, Dalip Sharma, Regional Director, PHD Chamber said that this step of AICTE would encourage the expansion activities of various educational institutes which wish to expand in other disciplines and also for those who wish to invest in this sector and wishes to start a new Educational Institute.

Appreciating the roll back, Dr. Anshu Kataria, Convener, Punjab Education Committee, PHD Chamber said “still there is scope to further liberalize its policies so that it may attract more entrepreneurs to invest in Educational Sector”.

Dr. Kataria said with the Ministry of Finance having declared the Educational Sector as a core sector, AICTE should encourage the young entrepreneurs to invest in this sector through its judicious norms.

Punjab insures health of 7,000 policemen

by Punjabnewswire4u (Balbir)

CHANDIGARH, MARCH 21

More than 70000 police personnel of Punjab Government got a Holi bonanza as the Punjab Government approved cash less insurance scheme for them as well as their families and dependents, replacing the cumbersome medical reimbursement scheme.

  According to an official spokesman in a first of initiative of its own kind in the country each personnel has been insured for Rs. 2 Lakh per year and this insurance would also cover surgeries having less than 24 hour hospitalization in the cases of Dialysis, Chemotherapy, Radiotherapy, Eye Surgery, Lithotripsy, Tonsillectomy and Coronary Angiography. The spokesman clarified that despite this cash less insurance cover each police personnel would continue to get monthly fixed medical allowance as per existing norms.

The spokesman said that the Punjab Government has already sanctioned Rs. 25 crore for this scheme and Punjab Police has already invited expression of interest from reputed insurance companies to handle this gigantic task. 

He further said that the selected insurance company would be responsible for providing and implementing a Health Insurance cover against treatment requiring indoor hospitalization and other listed ailments on cashless basis to the serving 70000 plus employees of Punjab Police Personnel and their family members including dependent parents of the employee.      The insurer would be required to form a network of hospitals across the State of Punjab & Chandigarh in particular and in India in general with at least two panel hospitals in each district. It would be imperative for the insurance company that leading Super Specialty Hospitals at all Districts Headquarters for e.g: Fortis Hospital in S.A.S Nagar, Escorts Hospital in Amritsar, DMC Hospital in Ludhiana etc, should form part of the list of the panel hospitals being submitted for the purpose.   

The spokesman added that all serving employees of the Punjab Police Department & their dependent family members would be required to be covered on compulsory basis. The family would consist of the spouse of the employee, two dependent children & dependent parents of the employee. Besides this, theexpenses incurred 30 days prior to the date of admission and 60 days from the date of discharged would also be payable pertaining to the hospitalization one has under gone.

287 shortlisted in PHD-PTU Job Fest

by Punjabnewswire4u (Balbir)

CHANDIGARH, MARCH 13

The second and final day of the PHD-PTU Job Fest, 2011 saw participation by over 900 candidates. As many as 287 candidates were shortlisted over the period of two days, informed Dalip Sharma, Regional Director, PHD Chamber.

“The success of this job fest has laid down a strong foundation stone for the pan-Punjab placement drive announced by the Vice Chancellor, Punjab Technical University, PTU, Dr. Rajneesh Arora,” said Sharma. 

He added that the job fests to be organized in four other districts of Punjab would cover students all over Punjab.

Dr. Anshu Kataria, Convener, Punjab Education Committee, PHD Chamber said that Synergy shortlisted fifty two candidates while SBMC shortlisted 28 candidates for HR, anchoring and marketing, OPK e C and Surya Health Care shortlisted eighteen each, 3MAPL shortlisted twenty, Modern Automobiles Ten, Aryans Group of Colleges selected 9 candidates; India Bulls shortlisted 13 candidates, eleven by Sebiz and six were taken in by Standard Yellow Pages. Wipro shortlisted nine, Sony fifteen, Mahindra &Mahindra three, Jubilant Foods Ltd. (Dominos Pizzas)14 selected and shortlisted twelve. The other companies were still in the process of short listing at the time of filing the release.

Dr. A.P. Singh, DSW, PTU said that PTU would continue its efforts to provide more such avenues for the benefit of both students and the industry. Er Navdeepak Sandhu, TPO, Punjab Technical University (PTU)said that the whole process was satisfying as good number of students got placed in this fest.

PTU, PHD Chamber to organize five Job Fests next year

by Punjabnewswire4u (Balbir)

CHANDIGARH, MARCH 12

Punjab Technical University (PTU), in association with PHD Chamber, shall organize job fests in five districts in the next financial year, said Dr. Rajnessh Arora, VC, PTU. He was speaking during the inaugural ceremony of PHD-PTU Job Fest, 2011 at PHD House, Chandigarh.

Arora said that looking at response to this first joint initiative with PHD Chamber, such job fests shall be organized in Chandigarh, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Ludhiana, and Bathinda, thus providing an opportunity to the students all over Punjab.

Dalip Sharma, Regional Director, PHD Chamber said that this pan-Punjab recruitment drive shall help students from far flung areas also where few campus recruitment drives happen. Such job fests bring industry and skilled human resource at a single platform to fulfill the demand.

Dr. Anshu Kataria, Convener, Punjab Education Committee, PHD Chamber said that the world economy is reviving from the economic meltdown and the international placement scenario is improving day by day.

The Job Fest being held at the PHD House, Chandigarh witnessed participation of as many as 1000 students on the first day. 32 companies including Indiabulls, Parabolic Drugs Ltd., Yes Bank, ICICI, Aegon Religare, Gates India Pvt. Ltd, India Mart, Lupin, Pfizer, Red Alkemi, Altruists Technologies, Sebiz, Ansal API, Mahindra & Mahindra-Swaraj division, Aryans Group of Colleges, Blue Beacon Infosys, JCBL, Mount Shivalik Breweries Ltd.  Amartex, etc.  participated in the fest.

Departmental examinations in Punjab from April 4-8

by Punjabnewswire4u (Balbir)
CHANDIGARH, MARCH 11
Central Committee of Examination, Punjab is organizing the next departmental examination of certain categories of officers/officials from April 4 to 8 at Lajpat Rai Bhawan in two shifts i.e. from 9.00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the Punjab Government said that these categories includes Assistant Commissioners/ Extra Assistant Commissioners, I.P.S officers, Civil Judges (Junior Division), Tehsildars/ Revenue Officials, Officers of Forest Department I.F.S., Officers of the Agriculture/ Soil Conservation
Services/Horticulture Services, Animal Husbandry & Fisheries department, Wardens/Inspectors of Wild Life Preservation department,
Officers/Officials of the department of Jails, Excise and Taxation department, Cooperation, Dairy Development, Block Development and Panchayat Officers, Lady Circle Supervisors of Rural Development and Panchayat Department and Officers of Labour & Employment Departments.
The spokesman further said that those IAS/IPS/PCS (Executive Branch), PCS (Judicial) and other officers who intend to appear in the said examination should send their applications to the Additional Secretary to Government Punjab, Department of Personal and Secretary, Central Committee of Examination (PCS Branch), Punjab Civil Secretariat,
Chandigarh, through their Departments in the prescribed performa by 20th March, 2011. No direct application will be entertained under any circumstances. Incomplete applications will be rejected and no Roll No. will be issued. The candidate, who does not get his Roll No. by 28th March, 2011 should contact the Central Committee of Examinations, the spokesman added.

'Education today facing serious challenges'

by Punjabnewswire4u (Balbir)

 CHANDIGARH, MARCH 10

A National level seminar on 'Challenges for Education in Changing Socio-Cultural Scenario' was organized by International Divine College of Education, Ratwara Sahib and Council for Teacher Education - Punjab and Chandigarh Chapter at the College Campus. Top educationists from various parts of the country participated and expressed their views in the Seminar. 

 Noted veteran educationist Dr D R Vij - National President - CTE was the chief guest and Dr G S Mishra, renowned educationist from Jabalpur was the guest of honour. 

Key speakers from various parts of India included Dr Pritam Singh, Dr Usha She Guha, Dr Satinder Dhillon, Dr G S Mishra and Mr Pramod Sharma. Various educationists who graced the occasion included Dr Amit Kauts, Dr Khushwinder Singh, Dr Jyoti Khanna, Dr Jyoti Sidana, Dr Alka, Dr D S Gupt and Dr Rajinder K Kapil. Mr Randhawa, Senior Member of Management, IDCE made the Seminar vivacious by his auspicious presence.

 Speaking on the occasion, Dr Pritam Singh said, "Education today is facing serious challenges in wake of the rapid changes which have come in the socio-cultural milieu in India. It is very important that we adapt to the changes and at the same time keep our educational ethos intact."

 Dr Tirlochan Singh, Director, IDCE, Ratwara Sahib said, "We feel there is a dire need of educationists and intellectuals to come together on a platform and reach a synthesis to bring the necessary changes in the education system to make it more and more relevant and meaningful for students."

Dr Dev Ichha, Principal, IDCE, said, "The churning of thoughts of top educationists in context of challenges faced by education in the changed socio-cultural environment is a positive step towards setting up a contemporary and vivid education system which is much needed."

 The seminar was attended by hundreds of students and teachers from the region.

PNB and ONGC win in contrasting style

by Punjabnewswire4u (Balbir)

LUDHIANA, MARCH 9 

Punjab National Bank defeated Chandigarh XI by 3-2 in the opening match of the Mahavir Real Estate All-India Prize Money Sahibzada Ajit Singh Hockey Championsship at the Punjab Agriculture University here today.

The Bankmen opened their account through Navdeep Singh by scoring a field goal in the seventh minute. Gurjant Singh of Chandigarh XI equalled the score with a field goal in the 25th minute. Keeping their pressure, Chandigarh gained 2-1 lead through Gagandeep who scored in the 31st minute by converting a penalty corner.

However, on resumption Damandeep tilted the table in favour of PNB by scoring two goals , a field goal in 65th minute and a penalty corner conversion in the 68th minute. PNB won by 3-2.

Oil and Natural Gas Commission defeated Delhi XI by 4-1. The first goal was scored by Vikas Topo of ONGC in the 18th minute. Diwakar Rana of ONGC soon brought the score to 2-0 by converting a penalty corner into goal.The third goal for ONGC was scored by Pramod Kumar in 52nd minute.

 Manish from Delhi XI scored the solitary goal for his team in the 57th minute.  Diwakar Rana scored his second goal of the match in 64th minute by converting a penalty corner.

This tournament is being played in league -cum- knockout basis and the winners of

men category would be given a prize money of Rs 2 lakh, while the first runners up

would be given Rs 1 lakh as prize money.

The winner of the women category would be given a prize money of Rs 75,000 and first runners up would get Rs 50,000. Besides, they would also be given Prof Nirpjit Kaur Gill Memorial Trophy by her family members.

Man of the match in each game will get Rs 1,500 as prize money.

Earlier, the tournament was inaugurated by Olympian Surinder Singh Sodhi and  Dr Pushpinder Singh Aulakh, Director, Students Welfare at PAU presided over the function.

 Sports Council of Ludhiana President Pirthipal Singh Batala informed that on Thursday, a total of four matches in men category would be played. “ONGC would be pitched against Indian Air Force, Punjab and Sindh Bank against Punjab National Bank, Namdhari XI against Delhi XI and Chandigarh XI against Singal XI,” he informed.

Prominent among those present were, Olympian  Balbir Singh Grewal (Advisor), Olympian Hardeep Singh Grewal (Chairman of Organizing Committee), Prof Gurbhajan Gill (Patron), Dr Kulwant Singh (Chief Organizer), Dr Baldev Singh Aulakh (Patron), S. Tarlochan Singh Gill (Patron), Jagbir Singh Grewal (Sr VP),  Didar Singh (Hockey Olympian),  Pavittar Singh

Grewal (Sr VP), Indermohan Singh Qadian (Sr VP), Harvinder Singh Gill (Sr VP), Sh. Rajnish Dhawan (Org Sec),  Gurinder Singh Sandhu (Sr VP), Ajaypal Singh Punia (Gen Sec),  Sukhwinder Singh Railway (Fin Sec), Tejdeep Singh Bhalla (Org Sec), Bhupinder Singh Dimple (VP),  Gurpreet Singh (VP), Bhupinder Singh Haibowal (VP),  Kamaldeep Singh Ladian,  Harbant Singh Raju,  Gurcharan Singh, S. Gurnam Singh, S. Lakhwinder Singh (Org Sec), besides others.

PTU-PHD Job Festival on March 12-13

by Punjabnewswire4u (Balbir)

CHANDIGARH, MARCH 7

PHD Chamber, in association with Punjab Technical University (PTU) is   organizing a mega job-fest 'PHD-PTU Job Fest, 2011' here for students of more than 300 affiliated colleges on 12-13 March 2011 at PHD House, Sector 31-A Chandigarh.

While announcing the Job Fest, Dr. A P Singh, Dean (Student Affaris) PTU, Jalandhar, said that this is the first Job fest in partnership with PHD Chamber. This Job fest would provide a platform with a wide range of opportunities to the students of PTU affiliated colleges.

Sharing that more than 20 companies have already confirmed their participating which includes Amartax, Aegon Religare, Gates India Pvt. Ltd, India Mart, Lupin, Maruti Suzuki, Pfizer, Red Alkemi, etc, "The idea is to bring recruiters from the industry and students from technical courses at a single platform", said Dalip Sharma, Regional Director, PHD Chamber. Sharma said that after Chandigarh, "we shall replicate PTU-PHD Job fest in other cities of Punjab."

"Students can upload their resumes at our web-portal, www.punjabjobfest.com. Companies can also upload their requirements, on the same portal," informed Dr. Anshu Kataria, Convener, Punjab Education Committee, PHD Chamber.

 Dr. Kataria shared that companies form following sectors have been targeted: Telecom,· banking,  insurance, hotel management, health care, pharmaceuticals, IT, media, engineering, manufacturing, automotive, retail and real estate,

Besides 2000 odd students passing out from the University in 2011, other students may also participate in the job-fest.  

"Students from management and engineering departments always get good placements." Er. Navdeepak Sandhu, Placement Officer, PTU, Jalandhar, said that more than 4000 students of PTU have already been placed in different companies. PTU and PHD will contribute their best efforts to make this Job Fest successful.