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Manpreet to announce action plan on Nov 14
Leader sans party a non-entity: Sukhbir
Badal: Crisis in party was a result of destiny
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Opening of Hussainiwala border to boost trade
Chidambaram to lay stone of viewers’ gallery today
PracticalS in Schools
Now, farmers have access to online payment centres
Paddy farmers block traffic over procurement delay
SHABAD KIRTAN
6 cancer specialists to train in USA
Without salary for 3 months
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Manpreet to announce action plan on Nov 14
Chandigarh, October 21 “I have taken up cudgels to highlight the plight of the state’s economy and I will take this initiative to a logical end,” he said, adding that there was no scope of any reconciliation. “I am committed to whatever I have said and, if need be, I will seek forgiveness at the Golden Temple for any mistakes that I may have committed, but I will live and die with honour.” The former Finance Minister, who was talking to mediapersons here today, lashed out at his cousin and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal for “capturing” the entire electronic media network in the state to “black out the voices of dissent”. The entire electronic media broadcast through cable is under Sukhbir’s control, he said adding that his coverage was being blocked from being transmitted. Launching a frontal attack on the Deputy Chief Minister, Manpreet said, “I am being accused of raising my concern over Punjab’s economy in an attempt to thwart Sukhbir’s succession. I can tell you I was never in the race; I had accepted Sukhbir as the party president three years ago. My only concern is the rising debt and the state government’s reluctance to see the problem”. Coming back to the monopoly in the cable television operations, Manpreet said he would find out through the Right to Information (RTI) Act about the money that had gone to the cable network owned by Sukhbir Badal in the form of government advertisements. “I am an ordinary farmer; I don’t own hotels or transport, so I can empathise with the farmers of the state and I want that their debts should be reduced”. Manjinder Singh Kang and Jagbeer Singh Brar who accompanied Manpreet said they will decide whether to reply to the SAD Disciplinary Committee show cause notice only after they receive the notice.
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Leader sans party a non-entity: Sukhbir
Amritsar, October 21 “A leader without the support of the party is a non-entity and such leaders cannot survive after getting detached from the roots of the party,” he said, while addressing a gathering after paying glowing tributes to Saint Kartar Singh Bhindrawale, on his birth anniversary at Khemkaran, near here. Launching an attack on his cousin, Manpreet, he said the state government would continue its pro-people policies as per the manifesto of the SAD-BJP combine. “We will not be bullied by mischievous tirade against pro-poor subsidies. Individual’s whims cannot dominate the basic philosophy of a 90-year-old party,” he added. Without naming Manpreet, Sukhbir said certain individuals wanted the state government to stop subsidies by discontinuing its pro-poor, pro-farmer policies, which was not acceptable to the party. He reiterated the resolve of the SAD-BJP regime to continue pro-poor, pro-farmer and pro-people policies. On his government’s flagship - atta-dal scheme, Sukhbir said, “How can we charge Rs 20 per kg for atta instead of Rs 4, and Rs 100 per kg for dal instead of Rs 20 from BPL families? We cannot snatch bread from the mouth of poor families that are unable to feed their families in the Congress regime’s “inflation age”. He said the former Finance Minister wanted the government to charge farmers for power consumption and discontinue supply of free 200 units of power to SC families. “But, we believe in raising revenue to continue pro-poor programmes instead of stopping subsidies,” he said. According to him, the state has doubled the VAT collection from Rs 5,000 crore to Rs 10,000 crore within three years, whereas excise collection has reached Rs 2,500 crore from Rs 1,500 crore. Later, Sukhbir announced Rs 15-crore project to connect all religious deras with metallic road. He also announced setting up of 30 gymnasiums in Valtoha constituency, besides distribution of 50 sports kits to the villages to promote sports. SGPC president Avtar Singh, inaugurated Saint Kartar Singh Gurmat Sangeet Vidhyala and announced a grant of Rs 5 lakh on the occasion. Prominent among those present included Tourism and Jail Minister, Hira Singh Gabaria, MLAs Bikram Singh Majithia and Virsa Singh Valtoha.
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Badal: Crisis in party was a result of destiny
Chandigarh, October 21 Sharing some of his emotions at an informal lunch, a physically frail, but mentally agile Chief Minister revealed his heart, “I was the most affected party, for others it was a party issue, for me it was my party, that I consider above all, going through a turmoil over two people I love most. I reconciled to what happened by accepting that it was meant to be this way and none could prevent this crisis”. Unwilling to accept that Manpreet could “be a traitor”, he says, “I am confident that neither the Congress nor the Government of India has any role in what Manpreet has done. He has a mind of his own. I have counselled him many times not to go against the party policies, but I cannot force anyone to do things against their wishes. I am not a dictator”. Describing himself to be “fit as a fiddle”, the Chief Minister said, “My health is perfect, my age is no impediment to anything, least of all my work. I don’t think it’s time for me to step down and retire, but if the party wants me to do that, I will never take a minute.” “Don’t ask me anything about Manpreet; it is for the senior leaders of the party to decide how to deal with issues concerning the party,” was his parting remark.
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Opening of Hussainiwala border to boost trade
Ferozepur, October 21 As many as 39 years down the line, the economically wrecked residents of this district, still dream for the opening of border for trade purpose so that this region could regain its old economic glory. Hussainiwala-Kasur border was the lifeline of traders till 1971 Indo-Pak war. However, it witnessed its sudden closure after two nations developed bitter relations and it sounded death knell for the prosperity of this town. As such due to close proximity to the international border, the town, sans any industry or employment generating institutions, and with the closure of this border, brought the already grim situation to a total economic breakdown. The hopes of the residents, in connection with the opening of Hussainiwala border for trade, have been rekindled as Union Home minister, P Chidambaram, is visiting the joint check post (JCP) on October 22. “We will try to meet Chidambaram with the request to make arrangements for opening of border for changing their fates,” said a section of residents, who feel that in the absence of special initiatives from the Indian government, the opening of Hussainiwala-Kasur border can’t be a reality. “When Wagah has been carrying Indo-Pak trade without any problem, then why Hussainiwala can not be developed into another international trade hub,” the residents asked. “The economy is the key factor, which decides the fate of diplomatic relations of two neighbouring nations. The opening of Hussainiwala border, which is the need of the hour, will change the complexion of India-Pakistan relations, apart from bringing economic prosperity to this region,” said Ravi Kant Gupta, chairman, Industrial Chamber of Commerce of Ferozepur. Subash Tulli, chairman, Beopar Mandal said the only way the economy of this town could be revived was the resumption of Indo-Pak trade through Hussainiwala border. The trade activities would change the economic complexion of Punjab and would generate huge employment opportunities in the border state.
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Chidambaram to lay stone of viewers’ gallery today
Hussainiwala, October 21 Additional quick-reaction teams have been deployed and the route on which the cavalcade of Chidambaram will proceed has been sanitised. Special Director-General (BSF) PPS Sandhu, along with other senior officials, have been camping here since yesterday to oversee security and other arrangements. DGP (BSF) Raman Srivastva will arrive tomorrow. “Special commandos have been deployed near the the venue of the function and security agencies have also been alerted in connection with the Union Home Minister’s visit,” said a senior functionary of the
BSF. Apart from laying the foundation stone, Chidambaram will also address a public meeting at the
JCP. He will also pay tributes at the samadh of the national martyrs located at a stone’s throw from the
JCP. Chidambaram will take guard of honour from BSF jawans and will also give sweets to the Pakistan Rangers. Punjab will be represented by its Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal, the DGP, PS Gill, and other senior civil and police officials apart from local politicians belonging to the ruling SAD-BJP alliance. Though mediapersons have been allowed to attend a public meeting to be addressed by Chidambaram, the authorities concerned have not kept any press conference with him in the schedule of
the programme. Meanwhile, welcome arches have been erected and a cleanliness drive has been launched to give the area a fresh look. The district administration has been trying to gather nearly 3,000 persons at the venue of the function.
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PracticalS in Schools
Patiala, October 21 Sources say educational institutes are not keen on inviting these B.Ed students to their schools for teaching students. With this, it has become difficult for B.Ed students to finish their teaching practice, which is an integral part of the course. Authorities in the Education Department have refused to entertain any B.Ed student in government schools, which is causing great trouble, a student said. Director General of School Education Krishan Kumar, however, denied having issued any such instructions. “It’s just that we have laid certain guidelines for B.Ed colleges in order to accommodate students doing the course. A number of students in these colleges prefer to go for training to schools which are either located at good places or have complete staff. Also, these students prefer teaching subjects as per their liking, due to which schoolchildren have to suffer.” Therefore, said Kumar, they had decided that these colleges should send a list of students to district education officers, who would then allot schools to B.Ed students for teaching practice. “This will not only give them more experience, but also reflect well on us that we have trained these students well. We don’t want this training just to be a formality. In fact, these students should learn something from it and use it in their future,” he added.
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Now, farmers have access to online payment centres
Chandigarh, October 21 The scheme, which transfers money from the head office here directly into the bank accounts of commission agents who then distribute the same to farmers, has been in the making since the past two years but has become fully functional in this current paddy procurement season. Stating this here today, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Adesh Pratap Singh Kairon said the online payment system allowed commission agents as well as farmers to know exactly how much foodgrain had been procured in their procurement
centre, whether a bill had been raised by the agent concerned and whether payment had been made into his account or
not. Kairon said this had brought in complete transparency in the system and was resulting in prompt payment to farmers. “Commission agents are getting payment for the produce procured from farmers within 48 hours,” he said, adding that the agents distributed the money to farmers in another two days. The new system had brought in much-needed efficiency. Now once a Bill has been raised and verified and sent to the head office, money is transferred into the bank accounts of commission agents immediately rather than being sent down the line in stages through
cheques. The system also allows farmers to access information about payments through the screens put up at various places. The department is likely to place the screens in all procurement centres in the state in a phased manner and is also open to working out ways and means to ensure that this information is available on the mobile
also. Pungrain, which is the only agency following this system, has a 30 per cent share in the total procurement. The agency is procuring foodgrain from 640 centres at present but can cover 1,600
centres, if needed. Kairon said his department was ready to provide data for the start of this system by other procurement agencies also but that they must undertake the process engineering needed for this purpose first. The system has got thumbs up from the banks also. Banker Karan Butalia said the system ensured financial inclusion and that banks were able to reach to farmers through it. “We are getting a new clientele,” he said, adding that the clients also benefited as no charges were imposed for the service.
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Paddy farmers block traffic over procurement delay
Fatehgarh Sahib, October 21 Farmers said they had been waiting for the past more than a week to get their produce lifted, but officials of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) seemed not interested. The SDM, Khamano, tried to pacify the agitators by saying that the process of lifting paddy would be expedited. “We have demanded relaxation of 1 per cent in moisture content (from the existing 17 per cent to 18 per cent), besides immediate acceleration in the process of paddy lifting,” said Gurtej Singh, a farmer who had been waiting for the lifting of his produce at the Sanghol grain market for the past one week. Arhtiyas said there was only one procuring agency at Khamano, but even that was not lifting paddy as many farmers failed to comply with the specifications prescribed by the government. President of the Sanghol Arhtiya Association Gursewak Singh said FCI officials were not purchasing paddy on the pleas of discolouration and high moisture content. “Around 12,000 quintal paddy is lying in the market but only 1,000 quintal produce was purchased today,” he said. While there was only one agency making purchases at the Sanghol grain market this year, Markfed, Punsup etc. were also involved in procurement last year. Since Punjab agencies owed around Rs 60 lakh to arhtiyas of six-grain markets, namely Nanowal, Barwali, Raipur Majri, Sanghol, Khamano and Ranwan, as commission and labour charges for the previous season, these agencies did not turn up to make purchases this season.
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Schemes to aid the poor to continue, says Upinderjit
Chandigarh, October 21 Making it clear that farm subsidies would continue in Punjab, she said, “There is no state in India and no country across the world that does not follow differential income policies to aid the poor to ensure that the income generated by the state flows towards those who need it the most,” she said. “I intend to work with three objectives - to generate resources and enhance the state income, to focus on the development of better infrastructure, and to work towards an equitable distribution of income with special focus on those who are economically weak,” she said. Quoting Guru Nanak, Dr Upinderjit Kaur said. Soon after taking over, she called on CM Parkash Singh Badal for “guidance” and to express her gratitude for having given her this “immense responsibility”. “It is a critical juncture and to have chosen me to head the fianaces of the state is a very big responsibility as well as a challenge,” she pointed out. When asked if she would continue with talks regarding the debt waiver from the Centre she said, “ I have just joined today; I need some time before I can respond to this question,”she said.
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Foodgrain Storage
Chandigarh, October 21 During an interaction, the minister claimed that the space shortage in Punjab had been created due to the inability of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) to transfer foodgrains out of the state in a timely fashion. He said old stocks had piled over to create the problem. Kairon said the state had undertaken a tendering process under the Private Entrepreneur Godown (PEG) scheme since 2008 but had been receiving lukewarm responses due to lack of secure guarantees to entrepreneurs willing to participate in the scheme. He said now, however, following a tendering process, the department had received 533 bids for 110 lakh tonnes of storage space. The minister said a central survey had earlier revealed that a storage space of 70 to 80
lakh tonnes was needed in Punjab.
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Martyrs’ kin face humiliation
Jalandhar, October 21 While Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal, who also holds the portfolio of the Home Department and the DGP PS Gill, were praising the police martyrs for their bravery, the families of over half-a-dozen martyrs were jostling their way to the function at the main gate of the PAP Complex. “Every time the leaders and top cops assure all benefits and immediate help to the families, but the reality is otherwise. The affected families and kins of the martyrs, who approach the authorities concerned for the promised benefits, face harassment at the hands of the officials,” claimed Gurnam Singh from Khan village in Ludhiana. Members of some of the aggrieved families apprised the Deputy CM of their grievances, who asked the DGP to give a consideration to their problems and act accordingly. — TNS
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SHABAD KIRTAN
Amritsar, October 21 These LED screens will be put up on top of the ‘chhabeels’ in different corners of the ‘parikrama’ around the sanctum sanctorum. The project entails installing outdoor LED screens for spreading the message of Gurbani among the devotees visiting the shrine. These LED screens will also let devotees read the translation of Gurbani, irrespective of weather conditions prevailing at any point of time. The project will cost $2 lakh with each screen coming at $50,000. With the help of these screens, the devotees awaiting their turn to have darshan can have full inside view of the sanctum sanctorum. They could see a live telecast of kirtan while standing or sitting in different parts of the parikarma. SGPC secretary Dalmegh Singh confirmed that the Sikhs from Canada had got their approval for installation of these LEDs. Earlier, the SGPC had installed 10 LCD screens at vantage points in the ‘parikarma’ and within the ‘serais’ in the Golden
Temple complex. However, these screens merely display the Gurbani being recited inside the sanctum sanctorum in text form and its translation. Some of these screens also double up as interactive touch-screen panels, providing information about the Golden Temple and the SGPC apart from train and bus timings.
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6 cancer specialists to train in USA
Patiala, October 21 These doctors are from Medical College, Amritsar, Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot, and Government Medical College, Patiala. The department had designed this scheme to update these doctors as cancer is a fast growing disease in the state and the need for spreading awareness in this field was felt time and again. Those who are selected for this programme are Dr Tejinder Sikri, Dr Jatinder Singh, Dr Kuldeep Singh Chahal, Dr Ramesh Chandra, Dr Rajin Devgan and Dr Vinod Kumar Dangwal, who are currently undergoing 15-day training at PGI, Chandigarh.
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Without salary for 3 months
Fatehgarh Sahib, October 21 Association press secretary Ravinder Joshi today said that teachers in 150 schools across Punjab had not received salaries for the past 10 months, while their counterparts in another 334 schools had not been paid for the past seven months. The teachers union threatened to intensify their agitation if the government failed to release their pending salaries soon.
— TNS
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Chandigarh, October 21
