Satish keeps vice-like grip over Rally Ndure

by sportswire4u.blogspot.com
BIKANER, FEB 28
Satish Gopalkrishnan, the Bangalore-based software guru who developed the TSD meter – the calculator especially developed for TSD rallying – has kept a vice-like grip over the top position in Rally Ndure at The 12th Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm, which ends at Jaipur on March 1.
Satish Gopalkrishnan and Savera D’Souza, often referred to as Indian motorsport’s first couple, have several firsts to their credit. They have been winners in the TSD category at all major marathon motorsport events in the country – The Maruti Suzuki Raid De Himalaya, the Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm and also the Maruti Suzuki Dakshin Dare. They have also clinched the Indian National Rally Championship (INRC) title.
Satish and Savera are now within easy reach of the Ndure crown at the 12thedition of the Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm. Before the rally began, TSD national champion Jagmeet Gill had stated that among the top favourites for the TSD crown were Satish and Savera. His words might prove to be prophetic.
Mr Manohar Bhat, Vice President Marketing of Maruti Suzuki, had flagged off the rally from Delhi on February 24. Till now, the rally has covered the wild outback desert region of Sardarshahar, Jaisalmer and Bikaner.
At the 12th Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm, Satish-Savera are driving a Grand Vitara for Team Maruti Suzuki. On Day Five of the rally, the champion couple are way ahead of competition with total penalties at 17.05 minutes. Their closest competitor, Pratap Thakur, is at 28.33 minutes. Third in Rally Ndure is Ashish Budhia, driving a Maruti Gypsy, with penalties at 41.42 minutes. Defending champion Somdeb Chanda is fourth in the category, with penalties at 54.17 minutes.
In Rally Xplore, Rajesh Chalana and Yogesh Gupta lead the tally, driving an SX4 for Team Maruti Suzuki.
In Rally Xtreme Sunny Sidhu of Chandigarh leads the pack with penalties at 12.10.44. Sandeep Sharma of Delhi, driving a Maruti Gypsy, is close at his heels with total penalties at 12.26.09. Third in this category is Amartej Pal Buwal of Delhi, driving a Maruti Gypsy, with total penalties at 12.31.49.
In Rally Moto, CS Santosh of Bangalore continues to lead with total penalties of 8.55.49. Second is Helmut Frauwallner of Austria with penalties at 9.29.52. Third is Suresh Babu with penalties at 10.40.47, and fourth is Trivikram Singh Rathore, with penalties at 10.46.40.
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200 delegates attend 15th National Conference of College Principals

 Higher Education Important Segment of any `Developed Society’: Maluka
 by Punjabnewswire4u
AMRITSAR, FEB 28
 The three-day-long `15th National Conference’ of College Principals today took off with flying colours at historic Khalsa College, here. The Conference, being organized by Association of Indian College Principals (AICP), is having more than 200 delegates from all over the country participating to deliberate upon challenges and solutions before the higher education in the country.
 The chief guest at the inaugural session, Punjab Education Minister, Sikandar Singh Maluka said the education is most vital segment of any `developed society’. He said  for progress of the state and nation, the focus has to be on the higher education and reiterated Punjab government’s commitment to make Punjab fully literate in coming a few years. He highlighted how the border state of Punjab had lagged behind in education, which suffered due to the foreign rule and partition and then terrorism.
 ``But Punjab today is on the path of development and strengthening of institutions of higher learning, for which liberal funds are being provided’’, said he while addressing delegates. President of AICP Subhash Brahambhat said the theme of the Conference is `Dimensions of Institutional Responsibility’ and experts were here to discuss financial, administrative, curriculum related and social aspects and challenges before the education in country. He along with other office bearers including general secretary Dr.RV Gaonkar, Principal of Khalsa College Dr.Daljit Singh honoured chief guest and other dignitaries.
 Dr.Daljit Singh who welcomed delegates said in his welcome address that Khalsa College was delighted to host the national event. He said the august assembly of educational institutions’ heads provides an ample opportunity to delegates to discuss issues before the education sector. He also gave details how Khalsa College, due to sheer hard work, was able to get UGC’s status of Autonomous College’. Guru Nanak Dev University vice chancellor Dr.Ajaib Singh Brar also spoke on the relevance of Semester System in higher education and a book `Innovative Practices and Case Studies by Dr.Shirish Chindhade was also released on the occasion. College’s annual magazine `Darbar’ was also released.
 Former vice chancellor of GNDU Dr.SP Singh also addressed the gathering and headed second brain storming session. More than 30 other reaserach papers on various aspects were also read on the first day of the Conference. Khalsa College Governing Council (KCGC) Rector Lakhbir Singh Lodhinangal and additional honourary secretary Swinder Singh Kathunangal also welcomed the guests and sought that consensus must be reached over finding solutions to the various problems being faced by the higher education today. The stage was’ managed by Prof.Navreen Bawa. Other present during the Conference included joint secretaries Ajmer Singh Heir, SS Abdal, SS Mannan, Principal Dr.JS Dhillon, Princiapl Dr. Sukhbir Kaur Mahal.
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Badal calls Punjabis to root out UPA from Centre

by Punjabnewswire4u.blogspot.com

JAGROAN (LUDHIANA), FEB 23

          Patron of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today gave a clarion call to the Punjabis to be ready for the third decisive battle of independence to oust the most corrupt and inefficient Congress led UPA government from the centre by fully backing and supporting the NDA’s Prime Ministerial candidate Mr. Narendra Modi.

          Addressing a mammoth gathering here at the historic ‘Fateh Rally’ jointly organized by the SAD-BJP alliance, the Chief Minister said that the winds of change were strongly blowing in favor of the NDA and now it was the most opportune time to strengthen the hands of Mr. Modi for the overall development and welfare of the people of Punjab. Sensing the political mood in favor of NDA, Mr. Badal said that the popularity wave of Gujarat Chief Minister was so vibrant that it would certainly swept the National Congress President Mrs. Sonia Gandhi and Vice President Mr. Rahul Gandhi, as both would lose the electoral battle from their ancestral bastions.  He mentioned that the Punjabis had fought two such battles earlier firstly during the national freedom struggle in getting our motherland free from the shackles of British and secondly against the countrywide oppression and tyranny unleashed by the then Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi during the black days of ‘Emergency’ in 1975. Mr. Badal said that Punjabis played a stealer role in both these battles and now they were being looked forward by the nation to throw the UPA government for its widespread corruption, unemployment, poverty, inflation and above all jeopardizing the nation’s sovereignty from the external and internal aggression.

          The Chief Minister assured Mr. Modi that all the 13 Parliamentary seats would be captured by the SAD-BJP alliance to strengthen his hands for the formation of NDA government at centre. He called upon Mr. Modi if NDA was voted to power then he should play a vital role for strengthening the federal structure to enable the states to perform better as now the UPA government had usurped most of the powers assigned to the states thereby gradually diluting the true spirit of constitution from federal to unitary one. Mr. Badal also impressed upon the Gujarat Chief Minister that once he assume the office of Prime Minister then the saga of continued discrimination by centre against Punjab in every field especially agriculture and industry would surely be a story of past.

          Demanding an enquiry from a sitting judge of the Supreme Court, the Chief Minister asked Mr. Modi to get it thoroughly probed to ascertain which were the inimical forces who actively involved in hatching conspiracies against the interests of Punjab be it political, religious and economic adding that this was all the more important to stop the blame game and acquaint the innocent people of Punjab with the bare facts, as who were the real culprits which halted the state’s overall development and progress. He also demanded that the perpetrators of 1984 Sikh genocide must be brought to the book as they were evading arrests in connivance with the top political bosses of Congress led UPA government adding he said the cases against the guilty which had been arbitrarily closed or not opened on one pretext or another must be reopened so that law of land could take its own course and the justice so far eluded to the victims of 1984 carnage for the last 30 years must be delivered, without any further delay.

          Seeking an economic package for the revival of industry in the state by the NDA government when voted to power, the Chief Minister said that Punjab’s industry had been completely ruined due to the apathy of UPA which had extended similar packages to the hilly states of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Uttarakhand. Likewise, he also demanded a separate Union budget for agriculture on the lines of Railway budget as nearly 70% of the country’s population was dependent on it.

          Recalling the ties of Mr. Modi with Punjab during mid 1990s when he was the incharge of BJP affairs in state, the Chief Minister said that he was fortunate here to serve the Punjabis during his political assignment and was straight way elevated to Chief Minister. Wishing him a bright future ahead, he announced from this sacred land of great saints besides martyrs and patriots like Punjab Kesri Lala Lajpat Rai and Kartar Singh Sarabha, that Mr. Modi would certainly adore the office of Prime Minister of the country after the ensuing general elections. In a lighter vain Mr. Badal said that he was making this statement with confidence and certainty though he was not an astrologer but definitely a political soothsayer.     

           Taking a swipe at Mr. Rahul Gandhi, the Chief Minister said that young Nehru-Gandhi scion was a novice in politics and totally inexperienced in handling the national affairs at the helm of Prime Minister’s office whereas he lauded Mr. Modi for his political statesmanship and unbounded administrative capacities and capabilities. Mr. Modi was the fittest person to steer the country from the tempest of corruption, maladministration and decade long misrule of UPA government.

Addressing the rally Shiromani Akali Dal President and Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal exhorted countrymen and Punjabis to unite on a joint forum to drub country's worst ever rule of Congress led UPA at center after Independence in ensuing Lok Sabha polls. He asserted that widespread move of electorates has confirmed that NDA would register a massive victory in this 'national political war', which has already been initiated against Congress party in the country. Congratulating Mr. Narendra Modi, the SAD president reminded him that when he was the incharge of BJP's Punjab affairs in 1995, he had been coronated as Gujarat CM immediate after returning from Punjab, a land of Gurus, Prophets and great martyrs. "Earlier he had been enthroned as Gujarat CM and now he again visiting Punjab as BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate leading the NDA and he would definitely be enthroned as the next Prime Minister", said Mr Badal.

Describing Mr. Narendra Modi as most suitable, decisive leader with a rich political and administrative experience, the SAD President said only Modi could be savior of country and its interests. Lashing out at Congress, Mr. Badal said "it has not only looted the Country but also inflicted unprecedented inflation upon poverty stricken people, ruined the industry and farming sectors  and now there was a single option with the electorates to save the country that was Mr. Narendra Modi".

Mr. Badal lamented that throwing away the enormous sacrifices made by great martyrs, brave soldiers and farmers of Punjab, the Congress party at Center especially Gandhi family were constantly and deliberately sticking to their discriminatory attitude towards Punjab. The Deputy CM said this approach of Gandhi family and Congress has put the Punjab far behind in various sectors but it was the right time to teach this anti-Punjab and anti-Punjabis Party an 'unforgettable political lesson' in ensuing Lok Sabha polls.  He said the wounds of 1984 Sikh pogrom victims were still simmering even after 30 years but the Congress party and Gandhi family was adamant to shield those party leaders who were directly involved in Sikh carnage by halting the justice.

Giving a clarion call to wage another political war against Congress after emergency, he asked the SAD-BJP workers to put their all strengths for exemplary canvassing in favour of NDA candidates, which was sufficient to oust Congress led UPA from national political arena.

Reiterating his commitment to develop Punjab as No.1 state in the country, Mr. Badal said within next three years the Power surplus Punjab would witness complete transformation in all sectors with high development rate in infrastructure, road and air connectivity, 100 percent sewerage and water supply besides Industrial, farming and IT revolution. He also said that SAD-BJP government has initiated several welfare schemes to provide benefits to the needy sections of society, scholarships to students, free treatment to patients and free power to farmers besides providing pensions to widows, physically challenged, under privileged.

In his address Mr. Narendra Modi lauded the role of Punjabi farmers in turning the barren land of Kutch into lush green fields through their sweat and toil. He asked the people to be beware of the false propaganda spread by their political rivals for their narrow vested interests that the Punjabi farmers settled in Gujarat would be displaced. Mr. Modi reiterated that none of Punjabi farmers would be dislocated and if at all any officer/ official was found responsible for their ouster would have to leave Gujarat. He categorically said that the people of Punjab especially the farmers settled in Kutch had also exercise the same right over Gujarat as I being its citizen and the Chief Minister.

Mr. Modi said that prior to becoming the Gujarat Chief Minister he had hardly any administrative experience being a political functionary but learnt so many traits of administrative functioning in public life besides humility from Mr. Badal. He appreciated Mr. Badal for his concern for welfare of farmers and said that recent initiative of holding Progressive Punjab farmer summit would go a long way in transforming the conventional agriculture in Punjab on the path of scientific farming. Mr. Modi said that people of Punjab were fortunate to have a perfect blend of experienced leader like the Chief Minister to safeguard the interest of farming community, poor and weaker sections of society and his son Deputy Chief Minister with a modern outlook for industrial growth, IT and urban development.

             Realizing the plight of state farmers, the Gujarat Chief Minister said that their destiny could only be transformed if the Food Corporation of India was trifurcated into three entities for procurement, management and distribution of food grains. Mr. Modi also emphasized the need to enhance the income of farmers through value addition. Likewise he also advocated that India could only prosper and develop provided that one third of its resources were equally earmarked from Agriculture, Manufacturing and service sector.

Earlier speaking on the occasion National BJP President Mr. Rajnath Singh said that SAD-BJP alliance in Punjab was not merely a political dispensation but it was a symbol of Hindu-Sikh Unity. Appreciating the Chief Minister as tallest leader of Indian polity and a messiah of peasantry, he assured Mr. Badal that when the NDA would come to power all the long pending issues of farmers would be resolved on the top priority. He also underscored the need to provide cheap loans at low rate of interest from two to three percent to the youth for enabling them to set up gainful self employed ventures

In his welcome address the state BJP President Mr. Kamal Sharma said that this ‘Fateh Rally’ would rejuvenate the indomitable spirit of Punjabis to emerge triumphant in every sphere and the same would prove to be last nail in the coffin of Congress. He assured that the SAD-BJP alliance would win all the 13 Lok Sabha seats to further consolidate the position of NDA in centre.

On the occasion the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister also honored Mr. Modi with a sword, siropa, shawl and a model of Sri Harmandir Sahib.

Lok Sabha MP from Bathinda Mrs. Harsmirat Kaur Badal and Cabinet Minister Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia were also present on the occasion.  

 

====balbirsingh227@gmail.com

Punjab team to visit Infosys Bengluru

by Punjabnewswire4u

CHANDIGARH, FEB 23

       Punjab would soon send a team of senior officers headed by the Chief Secretary to the headquarters of leading IT company Infosys at Bengluru for studying the scope and opportunities to impart skill training to youth of the state especially in the rural sector. A decision to this effect was taken by the Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal during a meeting with Chairman Infosys Mr. NR Naryana Murthy at Chief Minister’s office late last evening.

       During the discussion when Chief Minister asked Mr. Murthy for his valuable advice on imparting effective skill training to the Punjabi youth, Mr Murthy suggested to send a team of the officers to Bengluru where they could interact with the experts of the company to find a workable strategy in this regard. Mr. Badal directed the Chief Secretary to send a team of the officers from the concerned departments under his direct supervision.

         Mr. Badal also thanked the Chairman Infosys for establishing a state-of-the-art campus over 50 acres at IT City Mohali and said that it would prove to be an asset for establishing a new horizon in the IT sector.

       Expressing concern over the present situation of the rural youth in the state, Mr. Badal said that despite of being known for their hard work and sincerity the Punjabi youth today was suffering due to the changed scenario and it was the need of the hour to impart skill training to them for their survival. He said that the rural sector that had been continuously being ignored by the policy makers without realizing the fact that majority of country’s population reflected this sector and if it was not being redressed at the earliest it would lead to serious consequences on the economic as well as social fronts.

Sharing his experiences Mr. Badal said that he had initiated Sangat Darshan Programme to redress the grievances of the people in rural as well as in urban sectors so he was well familiar with their hardships. He said that the children with rural background studying in Government Schools were so intelligent and if we provide them proper guidance and opportunity they could reach at the pinnacle of their career.  The state government has also initiated a unique scholarship scheme for the brilliant students of the government schools who scored 80 percent or more marks in matric, besides establishing special schools for them to impart free education with free hostel facility. 

       On the occasion Mr. Murthy expressed his gratitude to the chief minister for his fulsome support and cooperation for establishing the Infosys Campus. Referring to the Rural Business processing Outsourcing scheme of the Nationalised Banks as a source of employment generation for rural youth, Mr. said that Rajasthan Government had implemented this model.

       On this occasion Mr. Badal also honoured the Chairman with a siropa and a sword. 

       Prominent amongst those who were present included the Chief Secretary Mr. Rakesh singh, Principal Secretary Industries and Commerce Mr. Karan A Singh, Secretary Housing Mr. A Venuparsad, Secretary Power Mr. Anirudh Tiwari, besides the officers of Infosys Mr. MD Ranganath and Ramdas Kamath. 

 

=====balbirsingh227@gmail.com

Badal seeks special relaxation from NABARD

by Punjabnewswire4u
CHANDIGARH, FEB 20
          Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today asked the NABARD to allow additional cost acceleration in the ongoing projects as a relaxation to the state government being a special case as this border state had suffered the brunt of partition besides economic slowdown due to decade long militancy, which has subsequently relegated it from the top slot in terms of overall economic development.
          Taking part in deliberations in a meeting jointly attended by the state government officers and a high level delegation of NABARD led by its Chairman Dr. Harsh Kumar Bhanwala here at Punjab Bhawan this afternoon, the Chief Minister said that he was deeply indebted to NABARD for showing magnanimity in funding state's development projects on priority but still lot was to be done to further accelerate the tempo of all round growth of core sectors of Rural Development, Agriculture, Irrigation, Cooperation, Education and Power.
          The Chief Minister apprised Dr. Bhanwala that at present 50 projects with financial outlay of Rs 6000 crore were under active implementation. He said that during the current fiscal against Rs 495 crore, the state government has drawn Rs 269 crore and the balance Rs 266 crore would also be drawn well in time to ensure the optimum utilization of funds and the timely execution of development projects within the stipulated deadline. Mr. Badal however urged the NABARD Chief to grant extension in implementation period of few projects as the proposal has already been sent to its head office.
          The Chief Minister also sought liberal assistance under the NABARD Infra Structure Development Assistance (NIDA) especially for the upgradation of all its Milk plants across the state to enhance the milk handling capacity and processing facilities on one hand and maximize the profit of Dairy farmers supplying milk to these Milk plants through cooperative milk unions on the other. He also requested the Chairman NABARD for expeditious clearance of TRANSCO projects worth Rs 394 crore submitted to it under NIDA. Mr. Badal also pleaded for allowing change in nature/ scope within overall sanctioned amount of certain projects of school education, forest, irrigation etc. so that these projects could be completed within a time bound manner.
          Expressing a sense of gratitude and satisfaction over the maximum utilization of funds sanctioned by NABARD to the state, the Chairman NABARD said that Punjab was a 'role model' for other states in timely utilization of funds efficiently adding that this made Punjab eligible for getting more funds from it as 25% weightage was given on this count by the agency, while sanctioning additional funds in future sought by any state. 
          Responding to the issues raised by the Chief Minister, Dr. Bhanwala highly appreciated the development and advancement made by the state in the Cooperative bank sector as all the 20 CCBs of the state were on CBS platform facilitated by NABARD. He also called upon the state government to immediately allow online access to land records as also for online creation charge to the banks (Karnataka model) which would smoothen the process of credit flow to the farmers.  On this issue, the Chief Minister responded that this proposal has already been cleared by the state government and would be implemented shortly in the right earnest.   
          NABARD Chief assured Mr. Badal that all the pending proposals which needed clearance from them for the change in scope/ nature would be approved promptly to enable the state government to implement them. He also informed the Chief Minister that the NABARD has already constituted NABCONS- fully owned subsidiaries of NABARD, which had been undertaking various types of consultancy assignments for government and other including third party monitoring of GoI projects adding DR. Bhanwala impressed upon the Chief Minister to utilize the services of NABCONS for the implementation of various central projects efficaciously in a hassle free manner.
          The Chief Minister was accompanied by Cabinet Ministers Mr. Adaish Pratap Singh Kairon and Mr. Surjit Singh Rakhra, his Principal Secretary Mr. SK Sandhu, Principal Secretary Irrigation Mr. Sarvesh Kaushal, Principal Secretary Rural Development and Panchayat Mr. MS Sandhu, Financial Commissioner Animal Husbandry Mr. G Vajralingam, Principal Secretary Education Mrs. Anjali Bhawra, Secretary Power Mr. Anirudh Tiwari, Secretary PWD Mr. PS Aujla, MD MILKFED Mrs. Alaknanda Dayal and Registrar Cooperative Societies Mr. AS Miglani.      
          The NABARD delegation comprised Chief General Manager Mr. Naresh Gupta, General Manager Mr. LR Ramachandran, General Manager Mr. MR Chandekar, Deputy General Manager Mr. SN Chalia, Deputy General Manager Mr. PN Satya Prasad, Assistant General Manager Mr. Sanjoy Ghosh and Manager Mr. Rakesh.           

Two-day workshop and competition in Robotics at KCET

 by Punjabnewswire4u
AMRITSAR, FEB 23
A two-day long workshop and competition in Robotics Science will be organized at Khalsa College of Engineering and Technology (KCET) from February 22 to23. Principal of the College Dr.Amarpal Singh said the workshop is being organized in collaboration of Technophilia System and IIT, Mumbai and students would present their robotic projects before the experts. ``This is a zonal level competition and the winner students would then compete for the national event’’, said Dr.Amarpal Singh. He said the winner students would get a tour to IIT Mumbai and those who win the national event will get free trip to USA.
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CM consitutes panel for suggesting measures to improve economic condition of farmers

by Punjabnewswire4u

CHAPPARCHIRI (MOHALI), FEB 19

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today constituted a high level panel headed by the Chairman of the Punjab State Farmers’ Commission Dr GS Kalkat for suggesting measures that should be taken to improve economic condition of farmers as per the recommendations given by the experts and agri-scientists in the Progressive Punjab Agriculture Summit (PPAS)- 2014.

Addressing the gathering during the valedictory function of the PPAS, the Chief Minister said that due to the shrinking of current land holdings, rising cost of the agriculture inputs coupled with the non remunerative MSP and the apathetic attitude of the centre, agriculture was no longer a profitable venture and was passing through a severe crisis. Mr. Badal said that the committee comprising agriculture scientists, experts, economists and progressive farmers would come forth with vital inputs concerning the welfare of farmers so that the government could finalize a time bound action plan to bail out the beleaguered peasantry of the state from the present crisis besides supplementing their income.

 In order to boost Research and Development on Agriculture, the Chief Minister also demanded that the Union Government must reserve atleast two percent of the total agriculture GDP on R&D because the major portion of budget was sent of salaries of agriculture universities and just paltry amount was spent on research and extension services. Likewise, Mr. Badal reiterated that the Union government must present a separate budget for Agriculture on the lines of Union Railway Budget to facilitate the 65% population of the country dependent on agriculture. He even asked the state agriculture department and the Punjab Agriculture University (PAU) to strengthen their extension services for benefitting the farmers.

Expressing concern over the deepening of agrarian crisis, the Chief Minister said that it was extremely difficult for any state government, institution or a person to resolve this grave problem adding that the need of the hour was that the union government must take initiatives to make agriculture a profitable venture. He said that the greatest fault lies in the mechanism of fixing the cost of the agriculture produce of the farmers which must be rectified. Mr. Badal said that the Union government neither takes the states nor the other stakeholders related with agriculture in confidence before fixing the MSP of the crops.

The Chief Minister vehemently pleaded that the Union government should exempt excise duty on the import of farm machinery, equipment and high tech implements forthwith to boost farm mechanization in the country to help the farmers to enhance their productivity on one hand and propel the crop diversification program on the other. He said that it was ironical that the Government of India (GoI) in its recent budget had slashed the excise duty on Cars to facilitate the general public to avail of this incentive whereas the farmers had been completely ignored on this count by the centre while showing least concern towards either exempting or slashing excise duty on the imported agriculture machinery.   

Justifying the rationale behind providing the free power to the farmers of the state, the Chief Minister said that had we not come to the rescue of farmers the entire peasantry would have been perished. He clarified that though farmers were not paying their tube well bills from their pocket but the state government was reimbursing the entire amount of nearly Rs 5000 crore to the PSPCL annually. Braving all sort of criticism for giving free power to state farmers especially from the opposition and centre, Mr. Badal reiterated his firm commitment that the hapless farmers of Punjab would ever get his incentive till his last breath.   

The Chief Minister also announced that PEPSU Tenancy Act would be suitably amended to ensure that the landlords were paid lease rent on the basis of prevailing market rates and not as one third of the crop value as now provided in this archaic law. He said that it would enable the farmers to get more and remunerative MSP as the lease rent paid by them was considered as one of the factors to determine the MSP by the CACP.

The Chief Minister emphasized on the need to popularize the schemes of drip irrigation, solar pumps besides lift irrigation system especially in the Kandi and Bet areas where the irrigation facilities were scarce. He said that the state government was giving huge subsidies on these schemes and the farmers should avail them to maximize profits by adopting the latest farm practices on scientific lines.

The Chief Minister also announced that a single window service would be soon initiated in the state to streamline the functioning of agriculture and animal husbandry departments to extend maximum benefits to the farmers. He also pleaded the concept of allied farming and exhorted the farmers to go for it in a big way by choosing Dairy, Goat Rearing, Fishery, Bee Keeping, Piggery and others to supplement their income generated from conventional farming. In this context Mr. Badal gave a slogan, ‘Minimize Wasteful Expenditure to Maximize Profits’ adding he said the unproductive expenditure by owning tractors and expensive farm equipments just for the sake false prestige must be curtailed and farmers must avail these services being rendered by a well knit network of Agro Service Centers across the state on custom hiring basis.

The Chief Minister also announced that this agro summit would be held every year in future and its ambit would also be broad based to rope in more progressive farmers and eminent scientists not only from the state, country but also from abroad in order to evolve consensus on the economically viable farm policies with a thrust to boost international trade in the agri processing sector.

Buoyed over the overwhelming response and enormous success of this maiden agriculture summit in the state, the Chief Minister informed that during these four days over 1.50 lakh people majority of whom were farmers visited the exhibitions besides attending 11 technical sessions on various topics related to farming.

  In his welcome address Financial Commissioner Development Mr. Suresh Kumar said that the unique effort of the state government in holding this country’s first ever agriculture summit would go a long way in mitigating the hardships faced by the farmers and farm workers, whose economic condition was deteriorating day by day. He said that it was a high time to bail out the distressed peasantry in the current agrarian crisis by pushing the state towards ‘second Green Revolution’ in terms of crop diversification.

On the occasion the Chief Minister felicitated the progressive farmers from Punjab and other parts of the country with a cash award of Rs 51000, a momento and a Phulkari scarf. Besides the eminent Manufacturers of farm machinery and equipment were honored with a Phulkari scarf and a momento.  (List of the felicitated farmers attached for your kind perusal).      

Prominent amongst those present on the occasion included Cabinet Ministers Mr. Gulzar Singh Ranike and Mr. Surjit Singh Rakhra, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mr. GS Babbehali, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. SK Sandhu, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar, Chairman Punjab State Farmers Commission Dr GS Kalkat, former Union Minister Mr. Som Pal Singh Shastri, former Chairman Commission for Agriculture Cost and Prices Dr T. Haq and Secretary Agriculture Mr. KS Pannu.

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Badal announces 10 % DA to Punjab Government employees

by Punjabsportswire4u
CHANDIGARH, FEB 18
          In a major reprieve to the state government employees, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today gave his nod to grant installment of 10% Dearness Allowance (DA) to them in cash along with the salary for the month of February, 2014.
A decision to this effect was taken by the Chief Minister during a meeting with the Punjab and UT Mulazam Sangarsh Committee jointly led by its conveners Mr. Sajjan Singh and Mr. Ranbeer Dhillon here at Punjab Bhawan this evening.
Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister's Office said that it was also decided in the meeting that the arrears of DA due from January 1 to June 30, 2013 would be credited to the GPF accounts of the employees. A decision regarding the payment of arrears of DA from July 1, 2013 to January 31 would be taken in due course of time. It was informed in the meeting that the estimated expenditure on account for release of DA @ 10% would be Rs 742. 41 crore annually, whereas the payment of arrear from January 1 to June 30, 2013 @ 8% would involve a financial liability of Rs 483 crore per annum.   
Conceding the long pending demand of the employees to enhance the commutation of pension, the Chief Minister also approved to hike the same from existing 20% to 30%. Mr. Badal also constituted a high level committee under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary including Principal Secretary Finance, Secretary Personnel, Legal Remembrancer, Principal Secretary General Administration and Principal Secretary Transport besides Secretary of any other concerned department as the need may be for working a time bound and uniform policy for  reviewing the existing outsourcing policy, New Pension Scheme, streamlining and management of GPF accounts of the Group D employees and to examine the possibility of extending pensionary benefits to the employees of board and corporations.
In a significant decision, the Chief Minister also sanctioned 1925 posts in Government Aided Colleges and 4000 posts in the Government Aided Schools to enable these educational institutions to carry out the recruitment process at the earliest with an aim to impart quality education to students. 
On the issue raised by the delegation regarding the ban imposed on regular appointments in various departments, the Chief Minister reiterated that the state government was liberal in giving permission to fill the vacant posts in various departments as per there requirement raised from time to time adding that 1.25 lakh regular appointments have been made since 2007.
The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. SK Sandhu, Principal Secretary Finance Mr. DP Reddy, Principal Secretary Home Mr. DS Bains, Principal Secretary Irrigation Mr. Sarvesh Kaushal, Principal Secretary Rural Development and Panchayat Mr. Mandeep Singh Sandhu, Principal Secretary Health Ms. Vinnie Mahajan, Principal Secretary Higher Education Dr Roshan Sunkaria,  Principal Secretary Education Ms. Anjali Bhawra, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Gurkirat Kirpal Singh, Secretary Personnel Ms. Seema Jain and Director Local Government Mr. Priyank Bharti

Pakistan Punjab Governor hails Badal's initiative

by Punjabnewswire4u.blogspot.com
Chapparchiri (Mohali), Feb 17
Governor of Western (Pakistan) Punjab Janaab Mohammed Sarwar today called on the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal here on the sidelines of the Progressive Punjab Agriculture Summit (PPAS) and congratulated him for taking this unique initiative to showcase the agriculture and allied farming in a right perspective to change the destiny of millions of farmers in the region.
Accompanied by Deputy High Commissioner of Pakistan Mr. Mansoor Khan, the Governor highly appreciated the pace of development witnessed in the agriculture and livestock sector in the eastern (Indian) Punjab. He called upon the need to synergize efforts between both the Punjabs to mutually benefit their farmers through modern farm practices by sharing their experiences and expertise adding he said in furtherance of this objective there should be regular exchange of delegations comprising farmers, farm scientists and agri-economists. Mr. Sarwar further said that Western Punjab had dominant position in cotton, kinnow, wheat, maize and Basmati like eastern Punjab.
The Governor emphasized the need to undertake sustained Research and Development (R&D) in the field of cropping pattern and agriculture production both qualitatively and quantitatively which would emerge both the Punjabs as frontrunner states not only in the sub continent but also across the globe. He said that untapped potential in the field of agro processing could also be explored to enhance the value addition of traditional crops. Buoyed over the success of PPAS, Mr. Sarwar said that it was a healthy platform for the farmers to compete within themselves and establish new benchmarks of agriculture production.
The Chief Minister, while taking part in deliberations, underscored the need for transferring technology in the field of agriculture, horticulture and agro-forestry. He said this summit was exclusively a farmer centric initiative aimed at transforming the lives of beleaguered peasantry, which was passing through acute crisis. Mr. Badal assured the Governor that he would certainly send a high level delegation of progressive farmers from the state to visit Western Punjab to study the existing farm practices there, especially in the cotton, maize and citrus fruits.
The Chief Minister also complemented the Governor for the advancements in the livestock sector as Western Punjab was far ahead of us in having exceptionally high yielding varieties of livestock including Sahiwal cow, Nili Ravi Buffalo and Goat breeds. He also laid thrust on exchange of superior germ plasm for the improvement of genetic potential of local breeds. Expressing gratitude to the Governor for his benevolent gesture by gracing the occasion, Mr. Badal said that this step would surely script a new chapter in Indo-Pak ties in general besides further fostering goodwill, brotherhood and peace amongst both the Punjabs in particular.     
Later the Governor visited the exhibition and evinced keen interest in the livestock, farm machinery & equipment besides new varieties of hybrid seeds.
The Chief Minister also felicitated Mr. Sarwar by presenting him a sword, shawl and a momento as a token of love and affection on the behalf of Punjabis.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by Financial Commissioner Development Mr. Suresh Kumar, his Special Principal Secretary Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar and his Advisor Animal Husbandry Dr. BK Uppal.

Badal to honour eminent agricultural scientists

by Punjabnewswire4u

Chandigarh, Feb 16

          Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal would honor eminent scientists from across the country and state, who have made outstanding contribution in different fields of agriculture tomorrow at 4 pm during the second day of Progressive Punjab Agriculture Summit (PPAS) at Baba Banda Singh Bahadur War Memorial Chapparchiri, Mohali.

Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that the noted recipients of this award would include Agri-experts Dr. Gurdev Singh Khush, Chairman Punjab State Farmers Commission Dr GS Kalkat, Director General Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) New Delhi Dr. S. Ayyappan and others.   

The Chief Minister would also attend the Technical session on Punjab Agriculture: Challenges and Way Forward on Monday morning at 10 am which would be held under the Chairmanship of Director General, Indian Council Agricultural Research, New Delhi, Dr. S. Ayyappan, added the spokesperson.

Political leaders hail Punjab's initiative to hold Agriculture Summit

by Punjabnewswire4u

MOHALI, FEB 16

   Eminent political leaders from across the country today hailed Punjab Chief Minister’s initiative to hold country’s first ever Progressive Punjab Agriculture Summit (PPAS) here.  

In his address Chattisgarh Chief Minister Dr. Raman Singh lauded the role of state in consolidating the Public Distribution Syatem (PDS) of the country by contributing in national food pool. Terming Punjab as a land of martyrs and farmers he said that the state was a role model for other parts of the country in Agriculture infra structure development especially the superb marketing network it had in the state. Dr. Singh said that Punjab was leading the country in every sphere because of the vast experience and vision of Mr. Badal.

Dr Raman Singh further said that to ensure the well being of the farmers of the country the need of the hour was that keeping aside their political affiliations the peasantry must join hands for their common cause.  The Chattisgarh Chief Minister also laid thrust on linking the MSP with whole sale Price Index so as to benefit the farmers enormously. Taking a leap forward towards strengthening mutual cooperation in agriculture sector he announced that every year mutual delegation from both the states would visit each other to acquaint themselves with the latest and scientific farm practices. Mr. Singh said that a high powered delegation of nearly 1000 farmers from Chattisgarh would soon visit Punjab to update their agricultural skills through interaction with the Punjabi farmers on modern farm practices. He said that the Chattisgarh farmers would richly benefit from the experience and expertise their counterparts in Punjab.  

Speaking on the occasion former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) Supremo Mr. Chandra Babu Naidu said that Punjab and Andhra Pradesh shared the ties of hard work, patriotism and honesty. He said that the wrong policies of the Union government have resulted in the reduction of the agriculture production in the country. The former Chief Minister said that in order to eradicate the poverty from the country agriculture production was needed to be enhanced both qualitatively and quantitatively, which would also help the country to avert the trend of slowdown in agriculture economy.

Mr. Naidu said that all the political parties should join hands for making Agriculture a profitable venture. Lauding the Chief Minister for his pro-farming and pro-development vision, Mr. Naidu said that the Telugu Desam Party and SAD shared close ties because of their pro-farmer stance. He bemoaned that country was passing through a crisis as the centre was not taking any interest in agriculture due to which the famers of the country were reeling under a huge debt. He said that in order to save the farmers need of the hour was to make far more budgetary provision for the agriculture at state and centre level generously.

Addressing the gathering Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mr. Shivraj Singh Chauhan described Mr. Badal as a leading political figure of the country who was highly revered by one and all. Saluting the sacred land of Punjab, he said that the valiant Punjabis have defended the country from foreign aggression of and on. He said that the land of Punjab was land of sacrifice and bravery due to which it was rare honor for him to be here. Mr. Chauhan also lauded the hard working and resilient farmers of the state for making nation self sufficient in food production.

The Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister said that the state was trying to replicate the Punjab model and was making rapid advancements in the field of agriculture production. He said that though MP was once considered a BIMARU state but now we were following Punjab to provide better irrigation facilities through lift irrigation scheme and linking of rivers. Mr. Chouhan said that Agriculture must be made a remunerative preposition by reducing input cost and enhancing MSP. Centre had ruined the farmers through their ill conceived policies adding that until the farmers were not paid remunerative MSP the nation would not progress. He said that before fixing MSP the input costs must be minutely observed and it should be fixed while giving 50% profit to the farmers. Mr. Chauhan said that the crop insurance scheme must be revamped and the individual farmer must be considered as an independent unit for assessing the loss and thus granting adequate compensation as now Tehsil was considered as a unit. He lamented that even after more than 65 years of independence the problems of farmers were still rampant adding that it was the high time that the state governments must pressurize the Centre to formulate the policies while interacting with the farmers. He said farmers were more conversant with their problems as compared to bureaucrats who were drafting policies for the former just sitting in cozy offices.

In his address Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mr. Akhilesh Yadav termed the summit as a historic step aimed at ensuring the well being of the farmers of the country. He said that it was a unique occasion when the Industrialists, experts and the farmers of the country have converged on a single platform to change the destiny of the food growers of the nation. Mr. Yadav said that this summit was a stepping stone toward the better cooperation of all these three sectors of the country.

The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister said that it was a fact that only those countries in the world have emerged stronger whose farmers have made progress. He said that even Punjab was a progressing state today due to the hard work and resilience of its farmers. Assuring full support to the Punjab Chief Minister for every cause of farmers, Mr. Yadav said that the Uttar Pradesh government was duty bound for this noble cause.            

Speaking on the occasion Agriculture Minister of Pakistan Punjab Dr Farooq Javed said that eastern and western Punjab have several similarities in the agriculture climate, cropping pattern and marketing strategies. He said both these Punjabs could work out a common synergy to mutually benefit there agriculture economies. Dr. Javed stressed on the need of exchange of farmer delegations and agri experts so that the both the states could be immensely benefitted from each other’s vast experience in the farming. Mr. Javed represented the Pakistan Punjab Chief Minister Janaab Shahbaz Sharif who could not attend the summit due to his certain pressing engagements and he sent a message felicitating the Chief Minister for taking this unique initiative which would prove to be a milestone in further fostering the bonds of mutual cooperation, love and bonhomie amongst the people of both the countries in general and states in particular.

Speaking on the occasion Bihar Agriculture Minister Mr. Naginder Singh appreciated Mr. Badal for taking this laudatory step and described him as a stalwart of Indian polity and messiah of farming community. He even said that an eminent personality like Mr. Badal could lead the country as Prime Minister because none else other than him could comprehend the problems of farmers as he could.

In his address Bengal Agriculture Minister Mr. Moyili Ghatak lauded the revolutionary step of holding this summit and said such initiatives offer a healthy platform to the farming community in general and small and marginal farmers in particular to transform their destiny. He said that this summit would be instrumental in evolving a consensus to impress upon centre for chalking out a workable action plan to make the farming not only profitable venture but also remunerative one.

In his address, the Gujarat Agriculture Minister Mr. Babubhai Bokhiriya laid stress on the need to educate and organize the farmers besides making them self reliant. He said that such summits could play a proactive role in this direction and to sensitize the farmers to adopt new and cost effective farm practices to enhance their profitability.

Speaking on the occasion Rajasthan state BJP President Mr. Ashok Parnami said that despite scanty irrigation facilities the state of Rajasthan had enviable position in the production of Bajra, Guar, Soya Bean and pulses. He complemented the Chief Minister for organizing this summit which would offer a healthy platform to the progressive farmers of the northern region to update their expertise through interaction and participation in live demonstrations.    

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33 DSPs transferred in Punjab

by Punjabnewswire4u

Chandigarh, Feb 13

 The Punjab government has issuedtransfer/posting orders of 33 Dy. Superintendents of  Police with immediate effect. Disclosing this here today an official spokesman said that the posting orders of Sh. Hardev Singh, DSP/SD, Zira and Sh. Jaswinder Singh, No. 26/FR, DSP/Nihal Singh Wala will be issued separately.

Sr. No.	Name of the officer S/Sh./Smt.	From	To	Remarks
1.	Mohinder Singh, PPS, No. 465/PAP	ACP/Traffic, Jal.	DSP/36th Bn. PAP, BHG.	Against vacant post.
2.	Ajay Raj Singh, PPS, No. 1359/PAP	ACP/PCR, Jal.	DSP/Mullanpur Dakha	Vice Sr. No.28
3.	Pareen Kumar, PPS, No. 449/J	ACP/Hqrs., Jalandhar.	DSP/36th Bn. PAP, BHG.	Against vacant post.
4.	Ravinderpal Singh, PPS, No. 470/J	ACP/West, Jal.	DSP/82nd Bn. PAP, Chg.	Against vacant post.
5.	Jasvir Singh Rai, 366/J	ACP/Central, Jal.	DSp/75th Bn. PAP, Jal.	Against vacant post.
6.	Balwinder Iqbal Singh, 324/PR, 9/JR	DSP/Cantt. Jal.	DSP/Det., HPR.	Vice Sr. No.20
7.	Gurbans Singh Bains, No. 22/PR	ACP/Crime, LDH.	DSP/2nd IRB, Ladha Kothi, SGR.	Against vacant post.
8.	Harjit Singh, PPS No. TP/120	ACP/Central, ASR.	DSP/4th IRB, KPT.	Against vacant post.
9.	Jugraj Singh, 1368/PAP	DSP/Det., ASR.	DSP/Det., Batala	Vice Sr. No.14
10.	Partap Singh, 551/PAP	DSP/Hqrs., ASR. (R)	DSP/CR, PAP, Jal. Cantt.	Against vacant post.
11.	Puran Chand, 697/FDK	DSP/Hqrs., GSP.	DSP/5th IRB, ASR.	Against vacant post.
12.	Prabhu Dass, 517/PAP	DSP/Control Room, GSP.	DSP/4th IRB, KPT.	Against vacant post.
13.	Kamal Singh, 637/PAP	DSP/SD, Dina Nagar.	DSP/2nd IRB, Ladha Kothi, SGR.	Against vacant post.
14.	Hari Sharan, 493/PAP	DSP/Det., Batala	DSP/5th IRB, ASR.	Against vacant post.
15.	Kirpal Singh, 154/FR	DSP/Fatehgarh Churian	DSP/5th CDO Bn. BHG., PTL.	Against vacant post.
16.	Ranjit Singh, No. PPS, No. 569/BTA	DSP/Det., Bathinda.	DSP/Int. Wing, Pb.	Against vacant post.
17.	Jaswinder Pal 556/FDK	DSP/SD, FDK.	DSP/2nd IRB, Ladha Kothi, SGR.	Against vacant post.
18.	Sulakhan Singh, PPS, No. 213/GSP	DSP/SD, Mansa	DSP/SD, Zira.	--
19.	Baljit Singh, PPS, No. TP/114	DSP/Guru Harsahai	DSP/Nihal Singh Wala	--
20.	Sukhwinder Singh, 7/FR, 2/JR	DSP/Det., HPR.	DSP/SPU, Pb., Chg.	Against vacant post.
21.	Kulwant Singh, No. 28/Jal.	DSP/Chabewal	DSP/2nd CDO BHG., PTL.	Against vacant post.
22.	Harinderpal Singh, 420/J	DSP/SD, Nakodar	DSP/36th Bn. PAP, BHG., PTL.	Against vacant post.
23.	Mandeep Singh, 5/J	DSP/SD, Shahkot	DSP/Hqrs., LDH. (R)	--
24.	Ranjit Singh, 528/PAP	DSP/Det., Jal. (Rural).	DSP/1st IRB, PTL.	Against vacant post.
25.	Ranbir Singh, 384/J	DSP/Det., Khanna	DSP/SPU, Pb.	Against vacant post.
26.	Jagbinder Singh, 1358/PAP	DSP/SD, Samrala	DSP/3rd IRB, LDH.	Against vacant post.
27.	Prithipal Singh, 372/PR	DSP/SD, Khanna	DSP/SPU, Pb., Chg.	Against vacant post.
28.	Navreet Singh, 1362/PAP	DSP/Mullanpur Dakha	DSP/City-2, SAS Nagar.	Vice Sr. No. 33
29.	Sh. Rattan Singh, No. 304/PR	DSP/Hqrs., LDH. (R)	DSP/NRI, Pb., SAS Nagar.	Against vacant post.
30.	Nahar Singh, 529/PAP	DSP/Traffic, PTL.	DSP/Det., SGR.	Against vacant post.
31.	Gurmail Singh, 424/J	DSP/SD, Moonak	DSP/6th IRB, Ladha Kothi, SGR.	Against vacant post.
32.	Hardeep Kumar, 1285/FZR	DSP/Det., SBS Nagar	DSP/SD, Chabewal	Vice Sr. No. 21
33.	Ajinder Singh, TP/117	DSP/City-2, SAS Nagar	DSP/75th Bn. PAP, Jal.	Against vacant post.