SK Sandhu bereaved

By Punjabnewswire4u

CHANDIGARH, JULY 29

Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. SK Sandhu was bereaved today as he lost his father Mr. Ram Dass Sandhu (73), who passed away at his native village Kandhala Shiekhan in Tehsil Dasuya district Hoshiarpur. He is survived by his wife, two sons and four daughters.  

Meanwhile, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today expressed profound grief and sorrow over the sad demise of Mr. Ram Dass Sandhu. Sharing his heart felt sympathies with the members of the bereaved family, friends and relatives, Mr. Badal prayed to the Almighty to grant eternal peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss in this hour of grief.

According to the family sources the cremation of Mr. Ram Dass Sandhu would take place at his native village Kandhala Shiekhan near Tanda Urmur in Tehsil Dasuya district Hoshiarpur, on Tuesday at 3pm.  

MARKFED all set to launch mineral water

By Punjabnewswire4u

CHANDIGARH, JULY 29

After popularizing the mouth watering dishes like Saag and Rajmah which were having huge demand in the European and Arab countries, Punjab MARKFED, the largest Cooperative of Asia, is now all set to capture the bottled drinking water market in India as well as in abroad by launching the hygienically tested water under its premium ‘Sohna’ brand.

Showcasing the 'Sohna' brand of drinking water was a part of integrated marketing strategy in view of huge demand of MARKFED products accepted globally. MARKFED has made foray into the mineral water market in Indian and international level, realizing its brand patronage and it was exploring all the possibilities to take this unique initiative to give a major fillip to the economy of the state's prestigious marketing cooperative. MARKFED, the public sector undertaking of the Punjab Government, has left an impeccable imprint in market with the quality food products like Ghee, Refined Oils, Sauces and Basmati Rice etc. but now with the ever increasing demand of the bottled water in the state, it was all set to introduce the Sohna packaged drinking water in the near future.

Pertinently, India was one of the leading countries in the consumption of the packaged drinking water across the world.  Likewise, Punjab also leads the country in the consumption of bottled water; resultantly MARKFED has geared up its all out efforts for this ambitious project. The production unit of this packaged drinking water was likely to commence at village Chuharwali in Jalandhar district, which would be made operational by January 2014.     

The entire matter relating to the launch of 'Sohna' drinking water was thoroughly discussed with the top brass of the Cooperation department in a high level meeting presided over by Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal and the decisions taken in this meeting was crystallized in a series of meetings convened by Principal Secretary Cooperation Mr. SK Sandhu, who further asked the Managing Director MARKFED Mr. KS Sra to prepare a comprehensive blueprint for the launch of mineral water. Subsequently the Chief Minister approved the action plan submitted by MARKFED and asked its MD to further explore possibilities for popularizing the existing and new range of products manufactured by MARKFED. Since, the ‘Sohna’- a trusted household name known for its reliable products enjoy the confidence of millions of people thus it had vast potential for its growth.

Therefore it was observed that MARKFED must make endeavor for developing an efficient marketing network to facilitate the sale of its premium products at country's leading malls, stores, outlets and mega markets besides tapping the unexplored potential of exports. The marketing team of MARKFED has already pulled up their socks to launch this ambitious project which might turn the fortunes of this PSU to reach zenith in marketing its wide range of time-tested and quality products.

48th CMA governing body sworn in

By Punjabnewswire4u

 Chandigarh, July 28

The 48th Executive Committee members of Chandigarh Management Association (CMA) sworn in today.  A meeting of CMA was held today under the Presidentship of Mr A.K.Gandhi at RICM, Sector-32, Chandigarh. In the meeting, the allocation of different departments to the new Governing Body members was also done.

Dr Anshu Kataria, Chairman, Aryans Group of Colleges, Chandigarh was selected as Programme Head of CMA, while Mr A.K.Gandhi was chosen as Membership Head, Col. M.G.S Khurana as Hospitality Head and Mr. J.S. Nayyar as Incharge for Finance. Mr. Deepak K Dhinera, Dr. Deepak Jindal and Mr. R.K. Nayyar were selected as Special Invitees of Executive Committee of CMA.

Mrs. Madhulika Kak was selected as Master of Ceremonies; Brig. Saranjit S. Sahney and Dr T.N. Kaushal as Co-operated Members; Groz Bercket, Asia Ltd., GJIMT and Dr. D.P Singh, Director, Universal Group as Organizational Members.

While addressing the members, Mr A.K.Gandhi said that with the addition of new members, the association would become stronger. Mr Gandhi further added that the main objective of the association is to promote the development of professional management practices in the industry, trade and business in private and public sectors by cultivating an understanding and appreciation of sound management philosophies and principles, simultaneously, taking part in the initiatives for the development of the city environment.

It is to be mentioned that Chandigarh Management Association (CMA), a registered society, is affiliated to All India Management Association (AIMA). Established in 1966, CMA is now more than 40 years old.

Badal predicts NDA government at Centre

By Punjabnewswire4u

KHARAR (SAS NAGAR), JULY 28

          Squarely blaming the Congress led UPA government for the pity condition of the country, Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today said that it was a writing on the wall that after the coming general elections, the BJP led NDA alliance would form the next government at the centre.

          Talking to the media persons after attending a function to mark the death anniversary of messiah of downtrodden and disadvantaged Mr. Maan Singh Manhera here today, the Chief Minister said that the current political scenario of the country was a clear cut indication about the routing of UPA Government at the centre, as fed up from its anti-people policies the countrymen were eagerly waiting to show it a door. He said that NDA, of which Shiromani Akali Dal was a key ally, would emerge as the ultimate choice of electorate after the Lok Sabha polls. Rapping the Congress for its lack luster performance, Mr. Badal said that during the tenure of UPA-I and UPA-II the pangs of the common man has increased manifolds adding that the rampant corruption coupled with the exorbitant hike in costs of essential commodities have made the life of people miserable.

          The Chief Minister said that the Congress party which had ruled the country for the majority of times after independence has never bothered about the issues related to the common man. He said that owing the ill conceived policies of the Congress the country was confronting a number of social maladies like poverty, illiteracy, corruption and others.   

          Terming the Food Security Ordinance of the UPA government as a copied act of the state government, the Chief Minister said that the SAD-BJP government has been providing the food security to the poor people of the state through the Atta-Dal scheme from last many years. However he categorically said that the state government would not hesitate to implement any scheme which was in the larger interests of the poor.

          Replying to another query regarding the claim made by Haryana Chief Minister Mr. Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Chandigarh, the Chief Minister reiterated that only Punjab has the legitimate right over the capital city. He said that history was a proof to the fact that only the parental state has claim over the Capital and any state which had been carved out from the parent state has to built its own capital. Likewise Mr. Badal said that the Haryana Chief Minister must desist from making frivolous statements about Chandigarh.

          Earlier paying rich tributes to Mr. Maan Singh Manhera, the Chief Minister recalled his services for upliftment of the poor, depressed and weaker sections of the society. He said that Mr. Manhera had played a pivotal role in raising the issues concerning this stratum of society at local, state or national level. Mr. Badal said that the outstanding services rendered by Mr. Manhera for the well-being of the poor and weaker sections would be ever remembered by one and all.

          Prominent amongst those present on the occasion included former MLA Mr. Ujagar Singh, MD Cooperative Bank Patiala Mr. Harinder Pal Singh and Mrs. Satbeer Kaur.        

Chakravarti Sharma and other local leaders were present.

Punjab has legitimate right over Chandigarh: Badal

By Punjabnewswire4u

BATHINDA, JULY 26

Reacting sharply to the unwarranted hype created by the Haryana Chief Minister Mr. Bhupinder Singh Hooda over the claim of Chandigarh as its capital, Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today said that before claiming any stake on Chandigarh, Mr. Hooda must realize that Punjab being the parent state has the first and foremost legitimate right over the city as its capital.

Talking to the media persons after laying the foundation stone of Student Centre and Boys Hostel here today at Giani Zail Singh Punjab Technical University Campus, the Chief Minister categorically said that before unnecessarily raking up this contentious issue time and again just to score brownie points and demonstrating one-upmanship, Mr. Hooda must remember that even Haryana had been carved out from Punjab after reorganization on November 1, 1966 so there was hardly any substance in his claim over Chandigarh. Mr. Badal said that the Haryana Chief Minister should desist from making such hollow statements just to gain cheap popularity in media adding he unequivocally said, “Chandigarh is an integral part of Punjab and none other except it could stake claim over it as capital”. Taking a dig at Mr. Hooda, he said the way Haryana Chief Minister had blown this issue out of proportion could easily lay its claim over Punjab in future but he must understand that sheer claims without any legal sanctity does not hold any ground.

When asked to comment on the Food Security Ordinance introduced by the Congress led UPA Government at the Centre, the Chief Minister said that it was the irony of fate that the Union government has never made any effort to preserve and store the golden grains produced by the farmers after hard labour. Citing the example of Punjab, Mr. Badal said that the Union government has never fulfilled its duty of preserving the rich harvest of the hard working and resilient farmers of the state. He said that the Centre was meting out step motherly treatment to the state by deliberately lingering on the proposals regarding extending scientific storage facilities in state despite of the fact that he had personally taken up this matter with the top brass of the Union government, but of no avail.

Replying to a query regarding issue of misuse of funds in the Punjab Technical University, the Chief Minister said that the law would take its own course in this matter.

Earlier while responding to the demand regarding bestowing the status of University to Giani Zail Singh Punjab Technical University Campus, the Chief Minister in his address, asked the College authorities to prepare a case regarding the matter and send it to the state government. He said that the state government would enact an act regarding it and would grant the status of University to the Giani Zail Singh Punjab Technical University Campus in the next session of the state legislative assembly.

Terming Education as a catalyst for the state’s all-round development, the Chief Minister said that the state government was making all out efforts for spreading Education in the state. He said that the state government has already allotted 500 acres of land free of cost for the Central University at Bathinda. Likewise Mr. Badal said that Mega Educity was coming up at Mullanpur near Chandigarh where various Educational institutes of national and international repute would come up.

The Chief Minister also said that Amritsar and SAS Nagar (Mohali) were also being developed as knowledge hubs in the region which would further give fillip to the education in the state. He said that in another major initiative the Punjab Government has decided to launch Dr. Hargobind Khurana post-Matric Scholarship scheme for the meritorious students of the Government and Adarsh schools securing 80% or more marks in the matriculation exams, from the coming August.

Later on after inaugurating the Natural Farming and Environment Festival- 2013, the Chief Minister in his address said that the state government was ready to promote organic farming in the state but thorough deliberations were required on the issue. He said that the experts of this field must draft a proposal regarding it and send it to the state government which could be examined by it. Reiterating the state government’s commitment for  a green and pollution free Punjab, Mr. Badal said that they were ready to extend fulsome support and cooperation to the Kheti Virasat Mission for this noble cause.

Prominent amongst those present on the occasion included Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mr. Sarup Chand Singla, MLA Mr. Darshan Singh Kotfatta, State BJP President Mr Kamal Sharma, Special Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr. KJS Cheema, Deputy Commissioner Mr. KK Yadav and Press Secretary of Shiromani Akali Dal Dr. Om Parkash Sharma.