Chandigarh/New Delhi, August 6, 2014: The Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has expressed “shock and deep anguish” over the armed and violent attacks on holy  religious shrines in Haryana today.
Badal squarely blamed the Congress party and its government in Haryana for the painful developments of today and  said that he had been shocked by this attack on holy Sikh shrines at the behest of the same party which has a long record of anti Sikh designs and acts in the past too.  This needs to be condemned in the strongest possible
words by all right thinking people in the country and abroad, said Badal in a statement here.
The Chief Minister issued an appeal for peace and restraint and said that no one should try to take law in his own hands.   Badal said that all issues can and should be resolved by “following  the path shown by our great gurus  through mutual understanding, negotiations and  by  upholding respect for historic achievements of the Sikh masses in establishing their supreme religious institutions.”
“This unspeakable outrage against sacred and historic religious shrines in Haryana today is clearly a part of the larger conspiracy of the Congress party to defame Sikhs all over the world. This is at the same time an attempt to gain control over the holiest places and institutions of our religion. The assault on the historic and sacred Gurdwara Sahibs in Haryana today is clearly an attempt to forcibly snatch the right of seva sambhal of Sikh shrines from peaceful and peace- loving Sikh Sangat and their duly elected representatives,” said Badal in a statement here.
Badal said that the Congress has a long history of trying to weaken the spiritual might of the Sikh community by gaining control of sacred Sikh religious institutions and eroding their credibility. They have always tried to capture our shrines and downgrade our religious  institutions  by all kinds  of moves, including trying to dismantle the SGPC and replace it with a board of their nominated agents. They tried backdoor entry by sponsoring candidates to oppose
the popular representatives of the Sikhs masses.
But the Congress perhaps thinks that it can succeed outside Punjab in doing what it failed to achieve in Punjab. But Sikhs all over the country, including the Sikh masses in Harayana , are fully aware of the real designs of this anti-Sikh party.

Chandigarh, August 7, 2014: The Punjab Police has issued transfer/posting orders of 91 Dy. Superintendents of Police (DSPs) with immediate effect. These officers have been directed to join at their new place of posting. According to a spokesman of the police department the list of transfers/postings is here by attached;

Ludhiana, August 7, 2014: BSNL Employees Union Ludhiana observed demands day on the call of Joint Action Committee of unions and association of non executives in BSNL. The entire non executive wore demands badges today. Employees of BSNL are on the path of struggle for the settlement of their long pending demands.
Balbir Singh, Circle Secretary and Balwinder Singh, District Secretary of the union told that the BSNL management is not settling their demands like stagnation in cadres of Regular Mazdoor, Group-D and Industrial workers. Employees of these cadres are facing huge monetary loss due to non grant of annual increments. Revision of pay scales of all the cadres like Sr. T.O.A, Telecom Mechanic, T.T.A is also very much necessary to save them from stagnation in future.  Staff recruited after January 1, 2007 is also facing financial loss due to wage deduction after the wage revision from January 1, 2007.
The entire workforce of BSNL is also agitated due to non payment of productivity linked incentive since last four years. Fixed medical allowance, Leave travel allowance is also frozen since last three years. Dependents of the deceased are also facing hardship due to lethargic attitude of the BSNL management in offering jobs on compassionate grounds. The Management is also not implementing the earlier settled issues like executive scale for non-executives, change of designations etc. The retired employees of BSNL are also harassed a lot due to non revision of their pension on 78.3 IDA mergers.
They demanded immediate settlement of these issues. They told that the struggle will be intensified if their long pending demands are not settled by the BSNL Management.

Ludhiana, August 7, 2014: To mark the 68th Independence Day, the newly opened mall, Pavilion, near Fountain Chowk is celebrating Freedom, which promises a fabulous shopping experience along with fun filled entertainment activities for kids, youth and families.
The 10-day celebration starts from 8 August 2014 and will also feature workshops like tri color pot painting, face painting, Freedom tattoos, balloon sculpting, art & craft workshop, kite making and many more engaging with host of prizes up for grabs.
To celebrate the spirit of brotherhood and harmony on the auspicious occasion of ‘Raksha Bandhan, special workshops such as Rakhi making and Rakhi thali decoration are being organised.
The mall is being adorned with inspiring tri-colour decoration to induce a spirit of freedom amongst the visitors. The key attraction will be the installation of a 20 feet kite which will adorn the atrium of the mall and the visitors will get a chance to write their heartfelt freedom messages on the kite. Apart from that, to make the event memorable, the mall will release 500 tri-coloured balloons on August 15.
Pavilion - Pride of place amongst the malls in Ludhiana is spread across 5 lac sq.ft. and is located near Fountain Chowk on the extension of famous high street destination- Mall Road. Pavilion is the first mall in India that has been conferred LEED Gold Pre-Certification by Indian Green Building Council.
Pavilion offers a limitless shopping and entertainment experience with a retail mix comprising of national and international premium retail brands, the largest 7-screen multiplex, Ludhiana’s biggest food court, entertainment and fun zones. Several global and Indian brands like Shoppers Stop, Marks & Spencer, Blu-O, Beer Café, Hang Out among many others are making their first foray in the city.
For the first time in Punjab, Pavilion has introduced convenient multi-level stack parking for shoppers.

Chandigarh, August 6, 2014: The Punjab Health and Family Welfare Department, Punjab today provided 500 vials of Anti-snake venom to the PGIMER Chandigarh on the request made by the Director, PGIMER, Chandigarh. Disclosing this here today Surjeet Kumar Jayani, Health & Family Welfare Minister, Punjab said that PGI Chandigarh had been facing a shortage of Anti-snake venom for the past some time. He said that Anti-snake venom is a life saving serum for the cases of snake bites.
Minister Jayani said that the Punjab Health Systems Corporation a nodal procurement agency for providing essential medicines and consumables
in the hospitals in Punjab had a sufficient stock of anti snake venom, which proves to be a blessing for the snake bite victims being reported at PGI. He said that during the monsoon season the number of cases of snake bite raises manifold, the demand of anti-snake venom also rises sharply. On the request of PGI, Chandigarh, the Health Minister has immediately directed the PHSC authorities to dispatch 500 vials to PGI, Chandigarh so that precious lives could be saved.
Jayani said that Punjab Health Systems Corporation has streamlined the drug procurement and distribution system which has resulted in maintaining adequate stocks of such crucial life-saving drugs and other essential medicines in case of any emergency. The Health Minister said that Health Deartment has established a state-of-the-art online inventory management and monitoring system of drug procurement,  storage and supply which is linked with 3 regional drug warehouses at Verka (Amritsar), Bathinda and Kharar and the state headquarter which is supervised by the central Quality Control Cell.
Husan Lal MD PHSC further elaborating said that Punjab Health Systems Corporation is  providing 235 types of essential medicines free of cost, besides 40 items of consumables and 19 items of suture material in all Government hospitals. He added that apart from these, another 44 types of medicines and 12 types of consumables are being provided to various hospitals under Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram.

Chandigarh, September 6, 2014: A Two day Wedding & Lifestyle Extravaganza: ‘Cocktail’ kicked off at Chandigarh’s Hotel J W Marriott. The Exhibition organized by A Million Dollar Affair is a treasure trove for not just those who want to shop for Haute Indian Bridal wear but also for chic top end couture for high profile parties. Fashion conscious Divas of the tricity can have a pick from a wide array of apparel like Cocktail gowns, Bodycon dresses, Crop tops, Midi skirts, Cigarette pants etc.      
Says Neha Singla, Co Promoter, A Million Dollar Affair, “Cocktail is two days of pure indulgence, which will give fashion enthusiasts; a niche shopping experience. 75 creative designers of apparel, interior decor products, jewellery, lifestyle accessories.etc have put up their collections at the Exhibition.”
‘The You’ by Simran has brought Bollywood Replicas so you get an opportunity to have designs worn by your favorite actress in a Bollywood flick, customised at ‘Cocktail’. Designer Simran Kaur has dresses made on Pakistani concepts and also designer wear from Dubai. Libaaz Mojaris has a bevy of Pakistani suits on display. As the name suggests, there is a lot of fusion that can be seen at ‘Cocktail’. Designers have added traditional Indian design ideas to Western Couture and vice versa which has made the lines breathtaking.” Ms. Reeta from ‘Sutra’, Delhi is one such designer. She explains, “I have a range of stylish divided Sharara skirts. I have tried to develop couture using the Shararas and added Western styles to it. The unique ensemble has beautiful Phulkari work done on the Kurtis.” There is a host of designers who are catering to Indian sensibilities too. Niharika from ‘Ameeran’, Delhi is presenting beautiful suits with Gota Patti work. Says Niharika, “I have a special collection of Bridal Dhotis with Kurtis.”
Designers like ‘The Dressing Loft’ has top of the line Western party wear, ‘Uptown Laila’ is there with designer handbags, Tanya Oberoi has brought delicious handcrafted chocolates. ‘Miss Flurrty’ a New York based brand has a collection of International Jewellery, ‘Nayaab Jewellery’ too is enticing, ‘Divalicious’ has the bling element in its apparel and for those who want traditional Indian bridal wear there is ‘Wedding Touch’, Fashionomics has classy pastels to floral designer wear.
Cocktail presents options under one roof for all your Wedding and Fashion needs. There is bridal apparel, designer wear for different functions and parties associated with a wedding, handbags, footwear and much more.
Event:  Cocktail – The Wedding & Lifestyle Exhibition.
Venue: JW Marriott, Sec 35, Chandigarh.
Days:   Sep 7 from 10 am to 10 pm

New Delhi / Chandigarh, September 6, 2014: Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal asked the general public not to come with requests for transfers during sangat darshan programs as the Punjab government has already banned the general transfers in the state.
During a sangat darshan held here today at Punjab Bhawan he expressed to the applicants tha as per transfer policy of the state last date for transfers has already elapsed. Adding further he said that no request will be entertained during the sangat darshan for any transfer and employees could file their requests during next year in the month of May after release of new transfer policy.
In the public redressal programme Deputy CM patiently listen the grievances of about 150 people and directed the concerned to redress the same within week.
Terming the Sangat darshan programme as a fruitful exercise, Badal said that people were highly benefited from this move as they were able to get their pending issues resolved immediately.
Among others present in the sangat darshan included special principle secretary to Deputy CM Ashwani Kumar to help in redress the grievances of public.

Chandigarh, September 6, 2014: Punjab is all set to undertake entire peas farming operations through hi- tech mechanisation and the clearance to procure 'Green Peas Harvesting Machine' by the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal was a right step in the direction to bring 'Green Peas' Harvesting technology with a thrust to promote food processing industry on one hand and diversification of agriculture in the state on the other.
Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister's Office said that, the Chief Minister gave nod to purchase this ultra modern machine from Holland based firm Ploeger at a cost of Rs 3.50 crore for the mechanized plucking of peas, which would not only curtail the labour cost but also enhance the value addition as the peas plucked through this machine would be 100% utilised for processing. The state government through Punjab Agri Export Corporation Limited has identified Green Peas Harvestor of Hollond and was being imported as a prototype. The main purpose for introducing this harvester in the Punjab was to mechanize green peas harvesting technologies. This effort of the state government would help the farmers/processors to enhance area under peas and also result in diversification in agriculture. It has also decided to develop indigenous harvester and successful working of above Holland make machine. The indigenous machines would be developed at much lower cost once a prototype was available. It may be recalled that against 40 lakh Metric Ton of Peas produced in India only 10% were processed resulting in 1.25 lakh metric ton of frozen peas. On the contrary developed countries like UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Netherlands and USA indulged in 100% processing of peas because these countries had processing plants with mechanized harvesting operations of huge capacity.
The spokesperson further said that Punjab was the only state of the country which was endowed with excellent agro ecological conditions such as climate, soil, water, sunshine, etc., which were highly conducive for growing of several varieties of various crops. Predominantly, cereal crop productivity in the state has reached a plateau and cost of cultivation was increasing at a much faster pace than that of the final selling price. Therefore, the state government was laying thrust on cultivation of Fruits and Vegetables, as an alternative crop to ensure better remunerative prices to the farmers.  However, absence of requisite harvesting machinery and cool chain Infrastructure has adversely hampered distribution, processing and exports of horticultural produce.
As the farmers of Punjab were gradually taking up cultivation of horticulture crops viz. fruits & vegetables, thus it has been felt that comprehensive Infrastructure Development like harvesting machinery, setting up of nurseries, proper collection, handling, transportation, sorting, controlled atmosphere cold storage, processing facilities and a marketing network were the need of the hour. Thus, in order to enhance area under vegetables and give a boost to diversification in agriculture besides encouraging food processing industry in the state, the Punjab Government has decided to introduce mechanised harvesting of green peas and other vegetables in the state, which would not only bring down the cost of harvesting but would also help the farmers to take up another additional crop as its harvesting period would be reduced by over one month.      
It may be recalled that at the national level 40 Lacs MT of Green Peas was produced mainly in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan out of which, only 10% was processed, with annual production of around 1.25 lac MT of Frozen Green Peas. Likewise, Pea was the most popular crop of Punjab and in the year 2012-13 Green Peas were grown on 20,326 hectares across the state with production of 2,08,171 MT. Out of this only 10-15% was processed by Frozen Vegetables Processing Plants located in the state. Due to the manual picking of Green Peas farmers faced huge problems in organizing semi-skilled women labour, which not only increases the cost of Green Peas but also restricts adequate quantity supplies to the processing industry. Owing to this more than 50-60% demand of Green Peas Processing Industry was met through procurement from the adjoining States like Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
Presently, the farmers of Punjab were gradually taking up cultivation of horticulture crops viz. fruits & vegetables.   During 1996-97, the production of vegetables was 16.99 lac MT which has gone up to 41.02  lac MT during 2013-14.  Pea is the most popular crop of Punjab and Patiala, Ferozepur, Hoshiarpur, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Gurdaspur, Sangrur, Faridkot are major fruits & vegetables growing districts in the state of Punjab. 

Jalandhar, September 6, 2014: Today’s temperature and weather report of the region for next 24 hours recorded by meteorological department Air Force Station Adampur as follows:

Ludhiana, September 7, 2014: The condition of senior Akali leader and former president of the Shriomni Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) Jathedar Jagdev Singh Talwandi (85) is improving. He has been undergoing treatment in HERO DMC Heart Institute for the last a few days. He is suffering from a cardiac ailment, according to available information.
As his condition is improving now, there is a possibility that he may soon be discharged from the hospital. A large number of people, especially politicians and ministers, are making a beeline to visit the hospital concerned to enquire about his health. Those who have visited to enquire about his health included Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal, BJP Punjab president Kamal Sharma, Parliamentary Secretary Som Parkash, SGPC member Bhai Gurcharan Singh Grewal.
Jathedar Jagdev Singh Talwandi hails from Raikot in Ludhiana District. He had been an MLA thrice and MP once. Besides, he had also been on the post of president Akali Dal and president SGPC.

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Chandigarh, September 7, 2014: The Punjab Government is constructing new 26 community health Centres with the cost of 149.33 crore in the state out of which 125.52 crore have been released for this purpose. The Punjab Government is strengthening the Health Care infrastructure to provide better health care services to the people at their nearest places.
The Punjab Health Minister Surjit Kumar Jayani while presiding over a meeting to review progress report of community health centres being constructed & being constructed by the Public Welfare Department directed the officials to speedy up the work of incomplete Community Health Centres. Health Minister has also instructed the officials to ensure to maintain the quality of work and ensure that proper material is being used as per prescribed norms.
Minister has also issued a strict warning to the officials that no compromise should be made with the quality of material used for construction of these Community Centres. He issued clear cut instructions that no irregularities would be tolerated in the construction of these institutions.
During the meeting Public Welfare Department officials briefed that 13 community health Centres have been completed, one is ready for handover and remaining would be completed by the December end this year.
Others prominent present in the meeting included Vini Mahajan Principal Secretary, Health & Family Welfare, Vikas Garg Special Secretary Health, Husan Lal MD NRHM, Dr. Karanjit Singh Director Health and senior officials of the Public Welfare Department.
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Chandigarh, September 7, 2014: Uncontrolled urination, loss of appetite and forgetting things are signs of ageing problems that need immediate medical intervention. The senior citizens should not be allowed to face consequences of these problem said Dr Vineet Jain from Gian Sagar Medical College and Hospital while interacting with inmates of Old Age Home (sector 15-D), Chandigarh at the Grandparents Day celebrations.
In the event where the elderly at Old Age Home  today smiled through their wrinkles the team of Gian Sagar Medical College and Hospital conducted their free medical check-up. Team of doctors including Dr Vineet Jain, psychiatrist Dr Poonam Bharti, orthopaedician Dr. M S Narula and eye specialist Dr Saman talked to the people and examined them.
The doctors said that some old age signs should not be missed out and immediate medical attention should be sought if such signs are noticed in elderly people. Psychiatrist Dr. Bharti said that the elderly were happy to spend few hours with the Gian Sagar Medical College and Hospital's team. "We also made them aware about various problems related to old age, their symptoms and treatment," she said.
Dr. Vineet Jain said that loss of hearing and loss of sensation of touch were problems that required proper diagnosis and treatment.
At the same time the loss of control on urine and stool is common problem with the elderly. In men it can be due to prostate, and in women it can be due to stress incontinence. It can happen as a result of an illness like pneumonia as well.
He added that like  children, elderly too suffer from. loss of appetite due to dental problems, due to indigestion and inability to procure or cook foods of their liking or a general loss of interest due to loneliness or depression.
Dr.  Bharti said that any change of behaviour on elderly should be probed and treated.
Dr. M.S. Narula said that the elderly face mobility issues wherein like they are very prone to falls and with weak bones they are at higher risk of fractures and head injuries. They often feel pain in the joint,  difficulty walking or walking with a limp, pain that worsens with vigorous or extended activity and stiffness in the hip or limited range of motion.
Eye specialist Dr. Saman said that the seniors are usually beset with eye problems to solve which they should frequently visit the eye specialists.
With the doctors and medical students from Gian Sagar Medical College & Hospital, the elderly rejoiced their company. They danced to the beats of bhangra and giddha with the medicos enjoying in the evening of their lives.

Chandigarh, September 7, 2014: Well known actress Zarine Khan  who made her screen debut with a leading role in the 2009  period film 'Veer' co-starring with Salman Khan,  inaugurated a swank Jewellery Outlet –‘Jia Diamonds’ in Sector-37, Chandigarh. The red carpet opening was a glamourous one which also witnessed many rounds of fashion ramp walks in which models presented the beautiful & breathtaking Diamond and Gold Jewellery that Jia Diamonds has brought.
There is something for everyone at Jia. In Diamonds, the product categories include Rings, Nose pins, Tops, Pendant Sets, Manglasutras, Necklace sets, Bangles, Bracelets etc. In accessories watches are there. As far as designs are concerned, a lot of experimentation has been done by using Fusion Jewellery concepts. Diamonds with Kundan work as well as precious stones are available.  There are ‘Solitaires’ certified by Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and International Gemological Institute (IGI). In Gold, a wide range of Rings, Tops, Pendant Sets, Necklace Sets, Chains, bangles etc is there. There are beautiful Italian Gold chains also available. Jia provides 100% buy back of Gold & Diamond Jewellery. The products at Jia are all Hallmark & Certified Jewellery pieces.
The young entrepreneur behind Jia is H C Goyal; he is trained in Diamond grading and is a Gemologist from GIA. Said Mr. Goyal, “The main advantage that we will offer is on the price front as we have manufacturing unit in mumbai. We have been in the wholesale business of Jewellery specially Diamonds. So Jia will give Jewellery enthusiasts Diamond products that are 50 per cent less in cost than other retailers. What’s more, the making charges Jewellery will again be 50 per cent lesser than other players in the market.”  
The designing of all Jewellery is done Internationally in Dubai, Bangkok and Hong Kong. The company has its own manufacturing base at Mumbai which then uses the designs made at a Global level and produces scintillating and desirous pieces of craftsmanship.
After the grand inauguration ceremony the beautiful Zarine Khan said, "I relate with Jia Diamonds as the prices are so competitive that the range available here is within the reach of middle class Indians. I like the variety here. I am sure that this and genuine wholesale prices will make customers come back again and again.”
Jia Diamonds wants to take its unique business model of competitively priced Diamond Jewellery to other cities too. It wants to establish outlets on the Franchise mode in Panchkula, Mohali, Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Amritsar.

Ludhiana, September 7, 2014: The Aam Aadmi Party is preparing for holding its conference on the occasion of the Historic Chhappaar Mela on September 9 with full zeal and enthusiasm. The Punjab State Convener for the Aam Aadmi Party, Sucha Singh Chhotepur has said that “In this conference we will be creating awareness in the people of the state about their rights and they will be motivated highly to fight with full force against the atrocities being perpetrated on them.”
In a statement here today, he added senior party leaders like Jarnail Singh, Bhagwant Mann, H. S. Phoolka and other senior leaders will be addressing the conference. For this occasion party volunteers from all constituencies of Punjab are being geared up.
Chhotepur has appealed to the people of Punjab to make this conference at Chhapaar Mela highly successful and contribute greatly in this fight against corruption by the party.
The emergence of the Aam Aadmi Party is a signal to those who exploit the poor and common man of this country while themselves enjoying a lavish lifestyle while subjecting the “aam aadmi” to the rigours of rising inflation and widespread corruption, he said, adding our farmer brethren are committing suicides while the educated youth are unemployed. Those who have been able to find employment earlier are not given proper remuneration or any other privileges forcing them to struggle for survival.
The aim of the Aam Aadmi Party is not to acquire power and mint money but to provide their rightful place in society to the common man, so that no citizen of Punjab remains illiterate or remains unemployed even after acquiring proper education, he said.

Jalandhar, September 7, 2014: Today’s temperature and weather report of the region for next 24 hours recorded by meteorological department Air Force Station Adampur as follows:

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Chandigarh, September 7, 2014: Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today urged the Government of India (GoI) to review the procedure for fixing the Minimum Support Price (MSP) to make it far more remunerative in order to improve the viability of farming thereby adopting the formula of determining the rental value of the owned land as per actual market land rent.
Flagging up the Methodological issues to determine MSP with the Ministry of Agriculture, GoI, the Chief Minister pointed out that the provision in the Punjab Security of Land Tenures Act, 1953 to limit the land rent upto one third of value of the produce was made to protect the rights of the tenants and was no more applicable because of abolition of tenancy adding that in the light of this the state Agriculture department has already recommended to the Revenue department to amend the Act to provide for market based land rent. Taking up another issue, he said that since the farmer and his family work on the farm almost round the clock not only as labour but also as a skilled labour as well, e.g. drivers of machinery etc. as such the value for family labour should be provided at a rate 25% higher than the hired labour. Likewise, Mr. Badal also pleaded that interest on the working capital should be provided for whole of crop season as a major share of short-term credit was generally availed at the time of sowing of crops for arranging the inputs such as seeds, diesel/ hiring machinery, fertilizers and pesticides etc. and re-paid after the harvest.
Dwelling on the formula to be evolved for fixing the MSP, the Chief Minister said that it should be fixed on the basis of C3 cost i.e. it should include not only the paid-out costs and imputed costs (C2) but also the value for managerial input of the farmer adding he said that further, the managerial and supervision cost should be taken as 20% of the value of C2. Badal pleaded that the Punjabi farmers should be duly compensated for aptly managing their farms due to their inherent skills, vast expertise and experience of innovative farm practices, which they had acquired  from their ancestors over past several generations. Batting for the implementation of renowned agro scientist Dr MS Swaminathan’s formula he said that the MSP should include the cost of cultivation plus a margin of 50% as suggested by Chairman National Farmers Commission, so as to provide for the viability of farming and development of new infrastructure required for adoption of improved technologies. Badal also impressed on the Union Government to ensure that the farmers must continue to get the prevailing market prices for their produce when any change was made in the import/ export regulations and tariffs to safeguard the interest of consumers.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister has deputed the Financial Commissioner Development (FCD) Suresh Kumar to take up the entire matter for the fixation of MSP according to state’s recommendations with Director National Centre for Agriculture Economics and Policy Research (NCAP) Dr. Ramesh Chand, who is heading a committee set up by Ministry of Agriculture, GoI to examine methodological issues in fixing minimum support prices for this purpose.
It may be recalled that Punjab with mere 1.53 per cent of the geographical area of the country produces around 20% of wheat, 10% of rice and 10% of cotton production of the country. The state has contributed significantly to the national pool of food grains, making the country self-sufficient in food grains and food security. The assured procurement of food grains at Minimum Support Price has played a key role in this development. The farmers of the State have been demanding a review of the procedure to fix the MSP to make it remunerative and thereby improve the viability of farming.

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Chandigarh, September 8, 2014: As many as 10,56,000 households have been brought within the ambit of banking under ‘Pardhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojna’ in the state till date from the launch of the scheme on August 28, 2014.
While reviewing the progress of the scheme here at CMO this morning, the Chief Minister said that since it was the flagship program of the government of India and the state government was duty bound to implement it in the right earnest so that the fruits of development and prosperity could percolate at the grass roots level.  He asked the bankers to complete the task of opening accounts under this financial inclusion scheme positively by December 15, 2014.  
The Chief Minister further asked the Convener State level Bankers Committee (SLBC) to coordinate with the Principal Secretary Finance Vini Mahajan, who has been designated as the Mission Director to accomplish the gigantic task of opening these accounts in the rural and urban areas with an integrated approach to hasten up the process of account opening.  Badal also directed the Mission Director to rope in the services of Director Census to provide the latest available data on the basis of 2011- census to the bankers so that the scheme could be implemented effectively.  Badal also emphasized the need to create awareness amongst the people about the benefits of scheme through extensive media publicity so that majority of people who had been so far remain excluded from banking could now become account holders to partake the fruits of development and prosperity.    Badal also desired that the departments of Local Government, Rural Development & Panchayats and Social Security to involve the field staff of municipal corporations & councils, BDPOs and panachyat secretaries besides anganwadi workers to help the bankers in mobilizing the households for getting their accounts opened in the nearest camps organised by them under the scheme.  Badal also directed the Divisional Commissioners – the nodal officers for effective implementation of the scheme in the state to ensure that the group of villages/wards was assigned to individual officers, who would in turn coordinate with banks for the opening of these accounts.   
Badal asked the Mission Director and SLBC Convener to chalk out the modalities to ensure the financial empowerment of the people especially the women living below the poverty line in the rural areas of the state by opening their accounts under the scheme.  He reiterated that Punjab had ever been a role model state in implementing any development scheme or pro-people welfare initiatives launched by the state government and even the Government of India, adding he said Punjab would be No.1 state in the country to meet the deadline of December 15, 2014.  He also mentioned that the necessary directions had already been issued to all the Cabinet Ministers and Chief Parliamentary Secretaries to monitor the progress of the scheme at their own level.  
Meanwhile, the Field General Manager of Punjab National Bank and Convener State level Bankers’ Committee Harpal Singh thanked the Chief Minister for extending all possible help and cooperation to make this scheme a grand success and assured Badal that the bankers would make all out efforts to even advance the deadline set by him to November 30, 2014.  He also gave vital inputs to bring far more efficiency in the implementation of the scheme through close liaison with the district administration and concerned banks.  
It may be recalled that under this Scheme, each household would have at least one Bank Account which would be opened with zero balance. The Bank account would provide basic banking services with overdraft facility of Rs.5000/- after six months of opening the Account. It would also entitle the account holder with a RuPay Debit Card with inbuilt accidental insurance cover of Rs. 1 lakh. Those who open their accounts before January 26, 2015 would also be entitled for Health Insurance worth Rs.30,000.
Prominent amongst others who attended the meeting included Finance Minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa, Chief Secretary Sarvesh Kaushal, Principal Secretary to CM SK Sandhu, Principal Secretary Finance Vinni Mahajan, Secretary Expenditure Jaspal Singh, Special Principal Secretary to CM Gaggandip Singh Brar, Secretary Local Government Ashok Gupta besides several bankers from various banks. 

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Chandigarh, September 8, 2014: The Punjab Government would spend Rs 20 crore to construct 17391 toilets free of cost in rural areas for the families living under below poverty line.
Rural Development and Panchayat Minister Sikander Singh Maluka said that he has already given his nod to a proposal to provide sanitation facilities to the rural habitation in the state.
The Minister further said that Rs. 94.50 crore has already been spent by the Punjab Government to construct 80689 toilets in villages. He said that the Department has set an ambitious target to provide 17391 toilets to all families under BPL by the next financial year and the department has sought the reports from all BDPOs about the actual construction under taken in the villages to construct toilets in the areas fall under their jurisdiction to Director Rural Development by the every 7th of the month.
The Minister also said that approximately Rs 17, 500 would be spent on each lavatory. All the records including the pictures of the completed lavatory kept in office record, he added. The Minster has also directed all BDPOs to ensure quality construction under their personal supervision.
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Chandigarh, September 8, 2014: Sanjay Kumar, Principal Secretary, General Administration, Punjab today inaugurated the Punjab Agro Juice Bar at Punjab Civil Secretariat.
Speaking at the occasion Sanjay Kumar said that Punjab Agro is providing quality products at reasonable rates to the people. He said that Punjab Government has set more than 60 juice bars in the various parts of the country including Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat, Punjab and UT Chandigarh etc.
He said that Punjab Government has taken this initiative to provide employment to unemployed youth and ex servicemen by setting up juice bars of Punjab Agro Products. He said that these juice bars are being set up on commission basis where products made by Punjab Agro such as ready to drink juices, Sauces, Pickles, Jams are available at reasonable prices.
He further said that Punjab Agro Products are healthy products which are passed after testing by the Punjab Agro.
Prominent others present on this occasion included Bhushan Goyal, CEO, Punjab Agro Juices Ltd and Raman Arora, Senior Manager besides Rakesh Kumar, ADO-I and Mohinder Paul Goyal, ADO-II.
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Chandigarh, September 8, 2014: Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal would take up the serious matter of flowing heavy discharge of industrial effluents and domestic waste into the drains with the Punjab Governor Mr. Shivraj V Patil, who is also the Administrator of Union Territory of Chandigarh to seek his personal intervention for taking effective steps to prevent the reckless flow of these untreated municipal waste and industrial effluents into seasonal rivulets and drains, which ultimately merge in river Ghaggar thereby aggravating the magnitude of pollution problem manifold besides posing a major health hazard in the Punjab territory.
A decision to this effect was taken by Badal while presiding over a high level meeting to review the progress  of the Ghaggar river cleaning project along with Lissara and Chand Bhan Drains. According to the  mapping undertaken by the Punjab Pollution Control Board(PPCB) of the various Industrial and domestic sewer outlets within the jurisdiction of Chandigarh resulting in heavy pollution of river Ghaggar with about 2MLD discharge of untreated waste water. These sewer outlets included IT Park, Kishangarh, Bhagwanpura, Shastri Nagar, Bapu Dham Colony, Madrasi Colony and Hallomajra.
Badal would flag up this grave issue with the Union Territory Administrator so that proper treatment mechanism as per the prescribed norms could be put in place by the UT before discharging this waste water in the Sukhna Choe which ultimately polluted Ghaggar. On the Punjab's side PPCB had identified various waste water outlets and planned to install SewerageTreatment Plants (STPs) at a cost of Rs. 9.65 crore at Zirakpur and Dera Bassi to ensure zero discharge of effluents in Ghaggar. To check the inflow of untreated Industrial as well as sewer waste water into the Ghaggar from Haryana the senior officers of both the states had already organised several meetings for which Badal asked the concerned authorities from Punjab Government to expedite the process and resolve the issue in a result oriented manner.     
While monitoring the situation of Sewerage System and STPs that had already commissioned in Zirakpur with a capacity of 17 MLD (at a cost of Rs. 62.69 crore) , Sardulgarh for 4 MLD (at a cost of Rs. 18.61 crore), Mohali for 45.4 MLD, Bhikhi for 3 MLD and Samana for 10 MLD besides at Patiala where 46 MLD & at Banur where 4 MLD STPs had also been completed and were under stabilization, Badal underscored the need to expedite the work at war footing at various STPs at Rajpura, Lehra Gagga, Khanouri, Moonak, Patran, Bassi Pathana, Sirhind, Nabha, Mandi Gobindgarh, Sanour, Longowal, Sunam and Sangrur so as to make them functional in a stipulated time frame.
The Chief Minister also directed all the concerned to make use of zero discharge treatment technology in order to prevent mixing of Industrial effluents in the domestic sewers.
It was also informed in the meeting that STPs at the towns located along Lissara Drain were Rampura Phul (Rs. 22.21 crore), Kot Fatta (Rs. 6.14 crore), Bhucho Mandi (Rs. 6.69 crore), Talwandi Sabo (Rs.16.58 crore), Bathinda (Rs.85.95 crore) and Sangat Mandi (Rs. 5.36) had been completed, whereas 95% of work on STPs in Mour Mandi and 16% in Rama Mandi had already been completed.    
Prominent among who attended the meeting, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister SK Sandhu, Secretary Environment and Science & Technology Seema Jain, Secretary Irrigation KS Pannu, Secretary Local Government Ashok Kumar Gupta, Secretary Local Government and CEO PMIDC Balamurugan, CA GMADA AK Sinha,EIC-cum-TA PWSSB VK Garg, CEO PWSSB DK Tiwari, Director Industries Mr. Raminder Singh, Ajoy Sharma and Dr.S. Karuna Raju (both Special Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister), Chairman Ravinder Singh, Member Secretary Babu Ram of PPCB.
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