Punjab CM mourns death of Balram Jakhar

Chaudhary Balram Jhakar

CHANDIGARH, FEB 3
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today expressed profound grief and sorrow over the sad demise of veteran Congress leader and former Lok Sabha Speaker Chaudhary Balram Jakhar, who passed away at New Delhi this morning.
In a condolence message the Chief Minister said that in the death of Ch. Balram Jakhar the nation has lost a balanced and an experienced leader, who was an ardent exponent of clean and value based politics besides being an icon of farming community, who ever championed their cause at the highest pedestal. He said that Ch. Balram Jakhar was a seasoned politician, an able administrator, a true Parliamentarian and above all a fine human being with the rare qualities of head and heart, who served the country in various capacities. Describing death of former Union Minister as a colossal loss to the country in general and a huge ‘personal loss’ particularly, Mr. Badal recalled his warm and cordial ties with the Jakhar family since long, which were still persistent even in the second generation.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister called up Congress MLA and son of departed leader Mr. Sunil Jakhar over telephone to share his heartfelt sympathies with the bereaved family on the death of one of the greatest sons of soil. Mr. Badal shared his condolences from core of his heart with the members of the bereaved family and prayed to the Almighty to grant eternal peace to the departed soul and give strength and courage to them to bear this irreparable loss.
While conveying his condolences, the Chief Minister expressed his regrets and inability to attend Ch. Balram Jakhar’s cremation as doctors have strictly advised him not to travel in view of his ill health. In the mean time, Mr. Badal declared a holiday in all the government offices, boards/ corporations, public sector undertakings for the rest of the day as a mark of respect to the departed leader and directed the state administration to accord full state honours during Ch. Balram Jakhar’s cremation.  
It may be recalled that Chaudhary Balram Jakhar was elected as MLA to the state assembly in 1972 and remained Deputy Minister of Cooperation, Irrigation and Power. In 1977 he became the leader of Opposition in Punjab Vidhan Sabha during which he was accorded Cabinet rank by the then Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal. He was elected Member Parliament (MP) from Ferozepur in 1980 after which he was elected as Lok Sabha Speaker which he continued till 1989, after his election from Sikar (Rajasthan) in 1985. Chaudhary Jakhar was again elected as MP from Sikar in 1992 after which he became Union Agriculture Minister, Government of India.  He again represented Bikaner (Rajasthan) Lok Sabha segment in 1998 as MP. In 2004 he was appointed the Governor of Madhya Pradesh.
Chaudhary Jakhar has the rare distinction of having been elected unanimously twice to the august office of Speaker Lok Sabha in 1980 and 1985. He also earned the rare distinction of being the only Speaker of Lok Sabha in Independent India to have presided over two successive Lok Sabhas for their full terms from January 1980 to  December, 1989.
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RS Mann is chairman of Sixth Punjab Pay Commission.

CHANDIGARH, FEB 3
          Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today approved the appointment of former state Chief Secretary Mr. RS Mann as the Chairman of Sixth Punjab Pay Commission.
Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that Mr. Badal cleared the file to this effect today morning.
The spokesperson further said that the new Chairman of the pay commission has been mandated to give recommendations with regard to new pay scales for the employees and revision in the pension for the pensioners/family pensioners of the state government, after having detailed deliberations with the various state employees’ and pensioners associations.
CM DISCHARGED FROM PGI: Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal was discharged from PGIMER this morning following remarkable recovery from the chest infection.
Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that a team of doctors having examined him thoroughly decided to discharge him from the hospital as the infection from his chest has almost cleared and was fine now. However, the doctors advised Mr. Badal to refrain from vigorous travelling and exposure to intense cold wave.
 The doctors have also advised the Chief Minister to take rest and maintain restriction over the entry of visitors calling on him to enquire his well being as a precautionary measure.  
THREE IAS AND ONE PCS OFFICER TRANSFERRED:  In an administrative reshuffle, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today approved the transfers and postings of three IAS and one PCS officer in the state. 
Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chef Minister’s Office said that Mr. Badal cleared the file in this behalf today morning.
As per the orders Mr. KBS Sidhu IAS has been posted as Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue) thereby relieving Mr. Karan Avtar Singh IAS, Additional Chief Secretary Investment Promotion from additional charge of ACS (Revenue).
Likewise, Mr. Rahul Tiwari, IAS has now been posted as Secretary Information & Public Relations and Special Principal Secretary to Deputy Chief Minister. Ms. Rupanjali Karthik, IAS has been given the charge of Additional Secretary Information & Public Relations thus relieving Mr. Puneet Goel, PCS of this charge, who would be now Secretary Punjab State Technical Education Board.
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CM asks Haryanavis to adopt villages for development

CHANDIGARH, JAN 30
Haryana Chief Minister  Manohar Lal has exhorted the people belonging to Haryanavi community to come forward and adopt villages in Haryana so as to ensure development of villages.
        The Chief Minister was addressing a felicitation function organized by Haryana Nagrik Sangh, Kolkata in Kolkata today. He was in Kolkata to attend the second investors’ roadshow in the run up to Happening Haryana Global Investors Summit-2016 to be organized at Gurgaon on March 7 and 8, 2016 in which Confederation of Indian Industry is the national partner.
        While responding to the request made by President Haryana Nagrik Sangh, Kolkata Mr Babulal Dhanania for setting up an information centre at Kolkata, the Chief Minister asked the Sangh to nominate its one representative so that every important information about Haryana could be shared with the people residing in Kolkata. He said that this information would be provided by the Department of Information, Public Relations and Cultural Affairs, Haryana.
        Mr Manohar Lal said that State Government is committed to ensure the development of both urban and rural areas in the state. He said that while Central government has implemented an ambitious smart city scheme for the inclusive development of urban areas, new schemes are being prepared for the development of villages. He said that on the lines of Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojna, we have implemented Vidhayak Adarsh Gram Yojna under which all the MLAs have been asked to adopted atleast one village of their choice for development. We have also launched Sweh-prerit Adarsh Gram Yojna. Under this, entrepreneurs, big institutions and NGOs have been asked to adopt villages and contribute in the development process of the state.
        While describing corruption as cancer, the Chief Minister said that there was rampant corruption during the previous rules in Haryana but the present BJP government had been successful in keeping a tap on corruption by ensuring good governance. He said that e-services had been started in the state so as to ensure transparency and hassle-free delivery of various people centric services. However, he said that more needs to be done in this direction.
        He said that the state government is making concerted efforts to boost industrialization in the state to ensure industrial development and provide ample employment opportunities to the youth. He said that today he met CEOs and Directors of 14 leading companies who have expressed keen interest in making investment of Rs 5000 crore in Haryana. Apart from this, the Wanda Group of China is going to invest 10 billion USD (Rs 60000 crore) in Haryana. He also invited the people to come and expand their base in Haryana as well and attend the Happening Haryana Global Investors Summit-2016 and Haryana Pravasi Diwas to be organized at Gurgaon.
        Speaking on this occasion, Haryana Industries and Commerce Minister Capt. Abhimanyu lauded the role of Haryanavis in promotion of industry in all parts of the country and abroad. Indeed, Haryanavis have emerged as a pivot of business in the country. He said that now time has come to expand their base in their native place as the state offers a very conducive environment for the industry to grow.
        Minister of State for Excise and Taxation Mr. Ghanshayam Sarraf, President, Haryana Nagrik Sangh Mr. Babulal Dhanania and a representative Mr. Shayam Sunder Aggarwal also spoke on this occasion. Mr Ram Niwas, Additional Chief Secretary, Irrigation also spoke on the occasion.
          Chief Secretary, Mr D. S. Dhesi and Principal Secretary, Industries, Mr Devender Singh were also present on the occasion.
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KCGC to establish Khalsa University Amritsar

AMRITSAR, JAN 29 

The much-awaited education project of historic Khalsa College Governing Council (KCGC) to establish Khalsa University Amritsar (KUA) will soon be a reality. This professional varsity would be set up separately on vast campus available with the Society and its 1892-built historic Khalsa College would continue to stay as a University Grants Commission (UGC)-granted Autonomous College. 

A press release issued by Council office stated here today that there were news reports in section of vernacular media that Khalsa College is being converted into ` private University’ which is not true. ``The university will be an independent entity, separate from Khalsa College, which is housed in the heritage main buildings at the campus’’, said KCGC Honourary Secretary Mr. Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina. 

He said Khalsa College’s role in imparting education has been pivotal and it would continue to play that part and its stature has further been enhanced with the UGC bestowing it with an autonomous status. Thus the Khalsa College would continue to be under Guru Nank Dev University, Amritsar with its aided programs and courses intact. 

``The independent academic atmosphere of the College would remain autonomous’’, said Mr.Chhina. He said proposal for setting up Khalsa University Amritsar is lying with the state government and the management has assured government that heritage status of the Khalsa College would remain `independent’. 

Mr. Chhina said that they have plenty of lands available and KUA would be a multi-faculty university, professional university. He said they have more built up area than required for setting up the new varsity and more buildings to house various departments would come up in the times to come. He said the plans for these building are already ready. 

A top level team headed by Secretary Education Mr Anurag Verma recently visited here to make assessment and they were immensely convinced with the infrastructure, financial status and expertise  available with the management to set up the new university. 

Mr.Chhina further added that the society that would run the University affairs as per the laid guidelines of the state government, UGC and other monitoring bodies. The non-profit-making Society which would be managing the University, he said, has 124 years of experience and is presently running 11 colleges and 5 schools, apart from historic Khalsa College. He said that the varsity will be run by the Society which is duly elected every five year and there is no change in the constitution since 1892. 

``The aim of the KCGC is to impart value based education to all section of the society for building a progressive nation and society’’, said he adding that the varsity would be a centre of excellence for professional courses.

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Badal okays transfer of 12 IAS and 2 PCS officers

CHANDIGARH, JAN 29

        The Punjab Government today transferred 12 IAS and two PCS officers, including six Deputy Commissioners in the state.

          Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal cleared the file to this effect late this evening. As per the orders:

NAME OF THE OFFICER	PRESENT POSTING	NEW POSTING
Mr. SR Ladhar IAS	Commissioner cum Director Industries and Commerce	Principal Secretary Planning (Thus relieving Mr Jaspal Singh IAS of this additional charge)
Mr. Harbhupinder Singh Nanda IAS	Secretary Education	Commissioner Jalandhar Division
Mr. Rajat Aggarwal IAS	Deputy Commissioner Ludhiana	Excise and Taxation Commissioner, Punjab (Thereby relieving Mr. Anurag Verma IAS of this additional charge)
Mr. Tejinderpal Singh Sidhu IAS	Deputy Commissioner SAS Nagar	Secretary Mandi Board (Thereby relieving Mr. Deepinder Singh IAS of this charge)
Mr. Ravi Bhagat IAS	Deputy Commissioner Amritsar	Deputy Commissioner Ludhiana
Mr. Varun Roojam IAS	Deputy Commissioner Patiala	Deputy Commissioner Amritsar
Mr. Rambeer Singh IAS	Additional Excise and Taxation Commissioner Punjab	Deputy Commissioner Patiala
Mr. Kuldeep Singh IAS	Additional Deputy Commissioner Ludhiana	Deputy Commissioner Moga
Mr. Daljeet Singh Mangat IAS	Deputy Commissioner Kapurthala	Deputy Commissioner SAS Nagar
Mr. Karnesh Sharma IAS	Available for posting	Deputy Commissioner Ropar
Mrs. Tanu Kashyap IAS	Deputy Commissioner Ropar	Deputy Commissioner Kapurthala
Mr. Parminder Sing Gill IAS	Deputy Commissioner Moga	Municipal Commissioner Patiala
Mr. Subhas Chander PCS	Available for posting	SDM Phillaur
Ms. Damandeep Kaur PCS	SDM Phillaur	Assistant Commissioner (Grievances) Jalandhar

870 girl students awarded degrees at KCW Convocation

AMRITSAR, NOV 29 

At least 870 girl students were today conferred degrees at Khalsa College for Women (KCW) during College’s annual Convocation. The chief guest during the program, University Grants Commission (UGC) Dr.Jaspal Singh stressed on girls’ education and emphasized on the need for introducing skill development courses to make youth `employable’.

 Dr.Jaspal added that the traditional courses need a total revamp and professional degrees have to be encouraged as the main motive of the education is to earn livelihood. ``The job-oriented courses must be the focus and the UGC is doling out grants for vocational courses’’, said he as he congratulated the students to get graduate and post-graduate degrees.

 Khalsa College Governing Council President Satyajit Singh Majithia earlier remarked that every individual must inculcate the trait of humbleness which is also the aim of the education. He said that the education to girl students would help them to attain their rightful position of honour in the society. He also coaxed the students for loving the own culture and language.

 KCGC honourary secretary, Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina batted for ducation for girls. ``After getting the degrees, the girls who are the future of our nation would go to serve the motherland and as education is a great leveler, it provides girls honourable place in the society as it makes them independent financial’’, said Chhina

 KCW Principal Dr.Sukhbir Kaur Mahal, who welcomed the guests, read the progress report citing the achievements  in academics, cultural activities and sports. She said that under the able leadership of KCGC, the College was progressing day and night and new infrastructure development has put the college in the forefront in education field. She also congratulated the students who got degrees and those who earned medals and accolades for their achievements in past year.

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Gujarat, Punjab & Chhattisgarh Governors to attend Aryans National Seminar

MOHALI, NOV 29
Governor Gujarat, Sh. O.P Kohli; Governor Punjab, Prof. Kaptan Singh Solanki and Governor Chhattisgarh, Sh Balram Ji Das Tandon would attend Aryans National Seminar on 13th December in chandigarh. Sh Madan Mohan Mittal, Technical Education Minister, Punjab would also be guest of honour in the seminar. All the dignitaries would participate in a National Level Seminar on “Empowering Youth of Tribal States” being organized by Aryans Group of Colleges, Chandigarh.
 Dr. Anshu Kataria, Chairman, Aryans Group of Colleges while giving information about the seminar said that the topic for the seminar have been selected keeping in view that the Chandigarh is becoming an education hub for the tribal state students. The seminar would benefit to empower the youth of these states to widen the career options and Job skills among students.
 Kataria further said that students in large number from various tribal states like Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, North East have taken admissions in the Chandigarh and its periphery.
 It is to be mentioned that major tribal population in India is from the states like Andhra Pradesh, Tripura, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Bihar, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir etc.
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