NABARD sanctions RIDF loan for upgradation of roads

 By Punjabnewswire4u

CHANDIGARH, SEPTE 30

          On the pursuance of Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal NABARD has sanctioned RIDF loan of Rs. 286 crore for the up- gradation of 380 Rural Roads in 20 districts of the state.

          Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister's office said that the Chief General Manager, NABARD Punjab Region Mr. Naresh Gupta today informed that these funds have been sanctioned to ensure better and smooth connectivity of the villages to different Mandis (Purchase Centres), up- gradation of rural infrastructure by strengthening roads & bridges under this project. He further said that it would benefit nearly 29 lac people of 1259 villages in 20 districts through providing connectivity to 148 urban and 498 rural marketing centres.  

          A total length of 1567.18 km of roads would be strengthened by raising the existing road thickness to enhance the load carrying capacity of these roads, he added. With the sanction of this project, cumulative sanction to Punjab under RIDF during 2013-14 has touched Rs.474 crore for various infrastructure projects in rural sector.

Badal sees hardly any chance of positive outcome of Manmohan-Sharif talks

By Punjabnewswire4u

BATALA (GURDASPUR), SEPT 30 

          Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said that there was hardly any hope of positive outcome from Manmohan-Sharif talks in view of the ongoing tension between India and Pakistan. He perceived bleak chances of any resolution to this vexed bi-lateral issue in the near future.

          Interacting with the media persons on the sidelines of the Sangat Darshan of the Fatehgarh Churian assembly segment here today, the Chief Minister said that both the India and Pakistan has not been able to achieve any headway in such dialogue processes, held in the past, because of the mounting tension between both the countries. He said that this was the basic reason for the failure of several parleys between both the countries adding that due to the ongoing stress at border, the light at the end of tunnel was nowhere in sight. Mr. Badal said that the dialogue process was meaningless until the ongoing tension was not diffused.

          However, the Chief Minister said that the restoration of peace between India and Pakistan along with the opening of more trade was the need of the hour as it would help in ushering a new era of unprecedented development of the state. He said that Punjab being a landlocked state would be immensely benefitted from the opening of trade as it would open new vistas of business for the Punjabis. Every Punjabi wants that the trade between both the countries should increase as it would give a huge economic benefit to the state besides enhancing people to people contact in the region, added Mr. Badal.

          Terming the recent statement of Congress Vice President Mr. Rahul Gandhi regarding the Ordinance brought by UPA government as unfortunate, the Chief Minister said that the Nehru-Gandhi scion should have refrained from using such language which has denigrated the Prime Minister of the country. He said that Mr. Gandhi should have kept the dignity of the revered office of the Prime Minister by refraining from using such derogatory language against him. Mr. Badal said that if the Congress leader had any grouse against the ordinance than he must have discussed the matter at party platform rather than raising it publically.

          Taking a dig at Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee Chief Mr. Partap Singh Bajwa, the Chief Minister said that the fact that their national President Mrs. Sonia Gandhi has not met a farmer’s delegation led by the state Congress President in New Delhi reflects that ‘nobody bothers about him’. He said that neither Congress high command nor the state Congress leadership cares about Mr. Bajwa or the issues raised by him. Mr. Badal said that even the local MLAs in the state were raising a banner of revolt against the self-style functioning of the state Congress President.

          The Chief Minister further said that rather than promoting the development of the state, the Punjab Congress leadership was acting as ‘stumbling block’ in the way of central grants. He said that instead of issuing irrational and illogical statements, the state Congress leadership must work hard for bringing projects for the state from their government. However, Mr. Badal said that it was not possible in the regime of UPA government as the Congress has a notorious past of meting out step motherly treatment with the state.

          The Chief Minister further said due to the discriminatory policies of the Congress led UPA government, the industry and agriculture of the state has been ruined. He said that despite of the enormous contribution of Punjab in making the country self reliant in food production and in the defense of the country, the state was at receiving edge due to the apathetic attitude of the Union government. Mr. Badal also said that before making any statement against the state government, the Congress leaders must introspect about the hostile attitude of their party towards the state.    

          Replying to another query, the Chief Minister said that the PPP leader Mr. Manpreet Singh Badal must remember the wise voters of Punjab have time and again rejected him and his party. He said that Mr. Manpreet should not worry about the fiscal health of state as they were having more experience than PPP leader to manage the affairs of state efficaciously.     

          Earlier addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister reiterated that being an elected representative of the people of Punjab he had every right to hold the Sangat Darshan in the state. He said that this was the noble way of addressing the problems of the people on the spot by virtually taking the government at their doorsteps. “From the day one of assuming office as Chief Minister I have been undertaking this exercise for the convenience of public and nobody can stop me from pursuing this pro-people agenda” added Mr. Badal.

          Meanwhile, the Chief Minister redressed the grievances of 85 villages during the first day of his Sangat Darshan.

          The Chief Minister was accompanied by former Ministers Mr. Nirmal Singh Kahlon and Captain Balbir Singh Baath, former Chairman Punjab Tube Well Corporation Mr. Ravi Karan Singh Kahlon, Special Principal Secretary to CM Mr. Gurkirat Kirpal Singh and Deputy Commissioner Dr. Abhinav Trikha.        

CM terms Sidhu’s announcement of fast unto death as ‘unfortunate and unwarranted’

By Punjabnewswire4u

MOHALI, SEPT 27

    Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today described the announcement of Lok Sabha MP from Amritsar Mr. Navjot Singh Sidhu’s fast unto death as ‘unfortunate and unwarranted: Badal

Talking to the media persons on the sidelines of the foundation laying function of Common Facility Center for the Sanitary and Bath Fittings Manufacturers here at Industrial Phase 8, the Chief Minister said that Mr. Sidhu should not have taken this step on these issues which could have been amicably resolved across the table. Mr. Badal said that he always held the Lok Sabha MP in high esteem as he was a respectable leader of BJP adding the Chief Minister said that it was intrinsically in his nature that he always treated not only the leaders and even the workers of his party but even of opposition with full regard and respect. He reiterated his firm commitment to develop the Holy City of Amritsar as one of the most modern cities across the world being the ethnic and religious tourist destination.

Replying to a query regarding the issues raised by the Lok Sabha MP regarding the diversion of Amritsar Improvement Trust funds to other local government Municipalities, the Chief Minister said that he had written a letter to the Local Government Minister to furnish entire details in question with the copy of the letter endorsed to the Lok Sabha MP for his information. Mr. Badal further mentioned that the practice of diverting funds was in vogue since 1981 as an internal arrangement of the Local Government department to give funds to those civic bodies which were facing financial crunch through following a proper procedure of adopting a resolution by the concerned Municipality and finally it got to be cleared by the Local Government Minister. Therefore he said that there was hardly anything wrong or illegal in it.

Earlier addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that the Common Facility Center coming up at a cost of Rs 14 crore under the Mohali Hi-Tech Metal Cluster as a Special Purpose Vehicle would further propel the practices of quality manufacturing of elegant bath and sanitary fittings which would further give enormous opportunities to the cluster members to expand their business in a big way. He said that it would give a big boost to total sales which was likely to increase from the existing Rs 200 to 400 crore and likewise exports would get a fillip from Rs 5 crore to Rs 50 crore as apprised by the cluster members.

The Chief Minister said that our government was committed to boost the industrialization in the state with the recently announced Industrial Incentives to the entrepreneurs. He said that it was a matter of pride that Punjab has figured amongst the top three investment destinations in the country as per the report of the Reserve Bank of India. Batting for a true federal structure in the country Mr. Badal said the current approach of Centre by depriving the states from their legitimate demands were a pointer towards the Unitary form of government, which were encroaching upon the rights of the state in one way or the other.

Corroborating his claim, the Chief Minister said the classic example of discrimination with Punjab was the industrial incentives given to our neighboring hilly states which have resulted in the mass exodus of local industry from here thereby giving a fatal blow to our economy. Had the Congress led UPA government been sincere to the core in its approach, it would have atleast extended a similar package for the border state of Punjab. Mr. Badal pointed out that it was the need of the hour to promote industry in a big way because our agrarian economy had already reached a state of plateau adding the Chief Minister said that he had little hope from centre to provide our industry a level playing field but at the same time whatever little bit resources we have with us the state government was committed to revive the glory of industry in Punjab and it was reflective from the recently announced Industrial Policy of the state.

On the occasion the Chief Minister also announced a grant-in-aid of Rs one crore for the upcoming centre.

The Chief Minister was accompanied by former Union Minister Mr. Balwant Singh Ramoowalia and his Additional Principal Secretary Mr. Sandeep Hans.

Punjabi farmers from Gujarat calls on Punjab Chief Minister

By Punjabnewswire4u

CHANDIGARH, SEPT 24

  Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today assured the Punjabi farmers settled in Gujarat that he would soon take up the issue with the Ministry of Railways, Government of India (GoI) for extending the existing Jammu Tawi- Ahmedabad Express Train to Kutch in Gujarat to enable them to frequently visit Punjab, in a hassle free manner.

          Interacting with a high powered 50 member delegation from Kutch region of Gujarat led by its President Mr. Jugraj Singh that specially called on Mr. Badal for expressing their gratitude for recently taking up their case of displacement vigorously with his Gujarat counterpart Mr. Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister reiterated that the state government was duty bound to safeguard their interests. He further assured the delegation that SAD-BJP government would be ever ready to take up any issue related to the welfare of Punjabi farmers settled in Gujarat at the highest forum in view of their enormous contribution in the overall development of Gujarat thereby converting the barren land into lush green fields through their sweat and toil.

Responding to another issue raised by the delegation related to the waiving off the condition of freezing the land records, the Chief Minister said that he had already taken up this matter with Mr. Modi, who in turn has assured him that this would also be amicably resolved to the satisfaction of Punjabi farmers. It may be recalled that out of 784 farmers whose land records have been freezed due to pending appeal in the Apex Court, 153 belong to Punjab. Mr. Badal aptly realized their genuine hardships in wake of the freeze of land records which was a major impediment in way of seeking co-operative loans, water connections besides bank loans for other purposes.

The delegation also invited the Chief Minister to visit the holy Sikh shrine Gurdwara Sri Nanak Durbar at Kot Lakhpat in Kutch district, the historical place associated with Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji who stayed here while going and coming back from Mecca (Saudi Arabia) during his Udaasi. The delegation apprised Mr. Badal that a religious congregation was held here on December 25^th every year and requested him to participate in it, which was celebrated by the local Sikhs besides several devotees from various part of the country and abroad.  The delegation informed that the holy shrine has also been duly recognized by the UNESCO and thus demanded that keeping in view its historical importance efforts should be intensified to acquaint the people about its centuries old heritage and religious sanctity. Replying to this issue, the Chief Minister told the delegation that he would soon take up this matter with the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee (SGPC) to initiate requisite steps in this regard.

The Chief Minister also assured the delegation that he would soon urge the SGPC to open a school there in Kutch region to enable the children of Punjabi farmers to learn Punjabi- their mother tongue. The delegation highly appreciated Mr. Badal's gesture and promised to donate a suitable site for the school at a central place so that it could cater to the needs of Punjabi families living nearby.

The Chief Minister was accompanied by his Principal Secretary Mr. SK Sandhu and Special Principal Secretary Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar.

The prominent members of delegation included Mr. Jugraj Singh, Mr. Udham Singh, Mr. Ranjit Singh, Mr. Kewal Singh and Mr. Dharam Singh. 

DPRO Jalandhar bereaved

By Punjabnewswire4u

CHANDIGARH, SEPT  24

District Public Relations Officer (DPRO) Jalandhar Mr. Gurmeet Singh Dhugga was bereaved today as he lost his father Mr. Anant Singh (96), who passed away at his native village Dhugga Kalaan in Hoshiarpur district, late last night after a prolonged illness. He is survived by six daughters and one son.

Meanwhile, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today expressed profound grief and sorrow over the sad demise of Mr. Anant Singh. 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.

Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal and Information & Public Relations Minister Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia also mourned the passing away of Mr. Anant Singh and shared their heartfelt condolences with the family.

Advisor to Chief Minister on Media and National Affairs Mr. Harcharan Bains, also condoled the death of Mr. Anant Singh.