Chandigarh, June 26, 2013: Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today urged the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology Environment and Forest, GoI to empower the state authority to clear Environmental Clearance for minor mineral projects irrespective of their areas instead of present limit of 50 hectares.     

This demand was raised by Badal before the Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology Environment and Forest (GoI) Dr. T Subbarami Reddy, who called on Badal at his residence late last evening. The other members of the committee who accompanied Reddy included MP (Bihar) Prof. Ranjan Prasad Yadav, MP (UP) Ramashnaker Rajbhar, MP (Assam) Joseph Toppo and MP (Bihar) Ramkripal Yadav.

Expressing concern over the inordinate delay in Environment clearance for mineral projects of 50 ha., Badal said that the state cases regarding this were still pending with the central authorities for the last six months despite his personal frequent requests to the Central Ministers. He also demanded that the limit of 10 km. from the International Border and Inter State Boundary to be reduced up to 1 km for the Environment clearance of mineral projects rooted through GoI.

Discussing the other issues pertaining to Industrial and Forest sectors Badal said that the state Government had adopted a diversification programme under which the state government would boost alternative crops, Agro activities and Forestry to reduce the much water consuming crop of paddy consistently in next 5 years which would save the ground water. He asked the committee to recommend the Centre to permit forestry under agro activity besides revision of 10% enhancement in the limit of Rs.1000 crore for all states under Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) and farm forestry must be allowed under CAMPA.

Regarding the issue of water Cess collection from the industry and local bodies which was attributed the consolidated fund of India and 80% of it be reimbursed to Pollution Board after 2 to 3 years, Badal asked that Pollution Board must be allowed to retain this 80% and deposit remaining 20% in the Consolidated Fund of India. He also asked them to revise the ten year old water Cess rates, which earlier fixed in 2003.

On the occasion, Reddy assured the Chief Minister to take up all these issues with the respective authorities and support to resolve soon. He also asked the state government officers’ team to visit New Delhi so that process could be expedited with committee’s support and guidance.

Prominent amongst those were present on the occasion included Financial Commissioner Forests DS Bains, Principal Secretary to CM SK Sandhu, Principal Secretary Industries and Commerce Karan A Singh, Special Principal Secretary to the CM KJS Cheema and Secretary Coordination Sanjay Kumar.

Rishikesh (Uttrakhand), June 26, 2013: The teams of Punjab Police leading the rescue operations in Uttarakhand to save thousands of lives were proving a boon for the stranded Pilgrims of Punjab and other states as the teams not only evacuated stranded pilgrims but got them reached at the base relief camp of Punjab Government at Gurdwara Sri Hemkunt Sahib Mangement Trust, Rishikesh. The Punjab Police rescuers were evacuated Pilgrims from Gobind Dham, Gobind Ghat and Joshi Matth and lifted them to Rishikesh in its buses.

Adding another feather in its cap the rescuers of Punjab Police today reached the Rishikesh Gurdwara along with 61 devotees of different areas of New Delhi, who later on dispatched to their homes in Punjab Roadways Roop Nagar Depot bus.  All the pilgrims were from the Karol Bagh area of New Delhi, who had reached at Gobind Dham on June 15 around 7am and they were struck there due to heavy floods in the area.

Telling the tale of their woes, student of B.Com Simran, who along with her family too went to Gobind Dham, said that there were thousands of Pilgrims at Gobind Dham when they all reached there. She said that immediate after their arrival the bridge near Gobind Dham collapsed resulting in troubles for the pilgrims. She said that they all struck there for 8 days and once they have lost the hope of their safe return. 

Simran said that it was Punjab Police, who not only saved them but also lifted them out to Rishikesh in their own buses. She said that the Rescue Teams of Punjab Police brought them to Joshi Matth, where they had been feeded with langar, dry fruit and other eatables and provided medical assistance.

Harinder Singh, a pilgrim from Noida who was also gone to Sri Hemkunt Sahib along his family members, said that they were lifted out to Rishikesh by the rescuers of Punjab Police and brought here safely. He said that teams of Punjab police travelled a total 260 kilometer extra run due to heavy landslides on the way to Rishikesh between Srinagar-Chamoli road.

After their arrival at Rishikesh Gurdwara, the Officers of Punjab Government provided a separate bus to the Delhi pilgrims. The bus of Punjab Roadways Roop Nagar Depot would leave them at New Delhi.

Chandigarh, June 26, 2013: Describing the assault on the senior IAS officer Kahan Singh Pannu as “an attack on the Punjab government,” the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today ordered the setting up of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to get to the root of the incident to ensure exemplary punishment to the culprits.”

The Chief Minister today called the state DGP Sumedh Singh Saini and asked him to immediately form the SIT and to keep him informed of the progress.

Expressing “complete solidarity with the assaulted officer”, Badal told members of the IAS officer Association who called on him this morning that he was fully seized of the matter and of its gravity.”I have been deeply and personally anguished over the incident.  He assured the Association that the government regarded the incident as “an act of extreme provocation, requiring prompt and effective government response, treating it with the gravity that it deserves.” Fully backing the officer,

Badal said, “Pannu is one of our finest officers, and he was performing a most difficult and challenging task with extreme personal courage, deep commitment and commendableprofessional competence. In doing so, Pannu displayed remarkable personal character, braving extreme odds at considerable personal risk. The officer went far above and beyond the call of his duty, for which all those trapped in the calamity are rightly proud of and obliged to him.”  He and other members of the Punjab rescue team there represented the government and therefore, we regard any harm inflicted on them as a direct affront to the government, and it will be dealt with accordingly.

Badal also appealed to everyone to exercise calm and composure in dealing with a grave human and national tragedy in  Uttrakhand, “We are all in it together, and instead of creating problems for each we must fight shoulder to shoulder in meeting this most  difficult challenge. The situation requires all of us to demonstrate calm, composure, perseverance and patience as preached to us by the Gurus.”  

Badal reiterated his appeal to the Uttrakhand government to provide maximum security to all the officers of various state governments deputed at different locations in the calamity stricken state for the smooth execution of relief, rescue and rehabilitation work besides ensuring that such unfortunate acts should never be repeated in future.

Rishikesh/Chandigarh, June 26, 2013: With the arrival of 1200 more pilgrims from Rishikesh to Punjab tonight, the total number of pilgrims so far evacuated from different parts of Uttarakhand would touch 7500, those have already been left for Punjab in the buses of Punjab Police, Punjab Roadways and other hired vehicles.        

Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Punjab Government said that as per latest updates more than as per the latest updates more than 1800 Pilgrims were on the way to Rishikesh from Nagrasu Gurdwara in the buses of Punjab Police and other mode of state transportations.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister Punjab Parkash Singh Badal lauded the pro-active role of rescue teams including Punjab Police personnel and officials of other departments, who were working admirably for the cause of humanity in this difficult hour. He instructed the teams deputed by state government to ensure the safe return of all the pilgrims from Punjab to their homes.

The Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal also conveyed the officers overseeing the entire operations for mandatory medical checkup of each pilgrim evacuated from the flood hit upper hills of Uttarakhand and to provide the needful medical assistance. He said that teams from Punjab would work for the evacuation and safe arrival of Pilgrims stranded at various places in Uttarakhand and they would extend requisite facilitations and cooperation to the stranded pilgrims in the relief camps of Punjab Government between Badrinath and Rishikesh. He also asked DIG Khubi Ram to deploy Punjab Police personnel at the sensitive places, when they were being lifted to Rishikesh, to avert any untoward incident in case of bad weather besides ensuring their complete safety and security. He also directed the Director Transport, Punjab to ensure the safe arrival of all Pilgrims at their respective homes in Punjab in State Transportations including buses of Punjab Police.  

Giving the latest details about the operations, A. Venu Prasad, Secretary Housing, Punjab, who was stationed here to monitor the operations, said that the mass arrival of Pilgrims has become possible after resumption flow of traffic on Srinagar-Chamoli road with the efforts of Border Road Organisation. He said that more than 50 buses Punjab Government had already been sent to Nagrasu on Monday evening to bring back the Pilgrims and more than 25 buses has been arrived at Rishikesh. He said it is expected that homecoming of all more than 3000 Pilgrims will be ensured by Wednesday evening while more than 1200 pilgrims has already been left for Punjab.  Venu Prasad said that the Chopper of Punjab Government today evacuated more than 94 Pilgrims from Badrinath, who were safely landed at base camp of Joshi Math. He said that the majority of Pilgrims evacuated from Badrinath were of other states. The Special Trekking Team deployed by Punjab Government has been sent to Badrinath for the assistance of other agencies engaged in rescue operations. He said that this team will work in coordination with the Indian Army.

Meanwhile, the Punjab Government has now deputed Secretary Forests Mandeep Singh in place of Secretary Housing and Urban Development A. Venu Prasad to further oversee the relief and rescue operations in Uttarakhand.

Chandigarh, June 26, 2013: The Vigilance Bureau Punjab has registered a case against V. S. Chimni, CEO, Viticulture Council of Punjab for irregular diversion of Rs. 4 crore to the Punjab Council for Citrus and Agri-Juicing (CCAJ) for paying off land lease overdue to the farmers without obtaining necessary approval from the competent authority.

Disclosing this here today, Sursh Arora, Chief Director-cum-DGP Vigilance Bureau Punjab said that in this regard a criminal case (FIR No. 8 dated 26.6.2013) has been registered at Vigilance Bureau Police Station, Flying Squad-I at Mohali u/s 409 IPC, 13(1) (d) R/W 13(2) 1988 Prevention of Corruption Act.

Giving details he said that the project approval board of the state government in its meeting held on November 27, 2006, approved the proposal of setting up the grape based winery project in the state and decided that a smaller unit with a total capital cost of Rs. 4 crore be set up to process the grape production. He added that initially, the money was to be invested by Punjab Agro Industries Corporation Limited (PAICL) since the State Viticulture Council has applied for a grant under National Horticulture Mission Scheme (NHMS). "It was decided that if the grant amount received from NHM it would be paid back to the PAIC or otherwise, a new company be registered and shares equivalent to the investment made by the PAIC would be allotted", he said.

Vigilance Chief further added that on the basis of this approval, the PAIC released the entire amount of Rs. 4 crore on February 12, 2007 as advance to Viticulture Council of Punjab (VCOP) for setting up of a grape based winery project at Talwandi Sabo. But later, during the month of August 2010, VCOP transferred the total fund to the state Citrus Council for paying off land lease overdue to the farmers without obtaining necessary approval from the Project Approval Board (PAB), a competent authority.

He said that the state government after examining the irregular diversion of Rs. 4 crore sent the case to Vigilance Bureau for registration of a criminal case against the then CEO (who happens to be same person for both VCOP and CCAJ and other functionaries involved in this decision for criminal breach of trust and misuse of official position. After finding the veracity of facts on record vigilance has registered this case which was under further investigation.

Chandigarh, June 26, 2013: The Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today urged his Uttarakhand counterpart Vijay Bahuguna to take the strictest possible legal action against all those involved in the attack on a senior IAS officer Kahan Singh Pannu, who was deputed to lead a team at Gobind Ghat to carry out relief and rescue operations in the wake of flash floods in Uttarakhand

In a letter to Bahuguna, the Punjab Chief Minister sought his personal intervention for initiating prompt police and legal action against the guilty involved in this unsavory incident to keep the morale of officers ever high.

On the directions of the Chief Minister, the Punjab DGP Sumedh Singh Siani today constituted a Special Investigating Team (SIT) to probe into the entire incident of attack on Pannu, who was deputed to lead a team at Gobind Ghat to carry out relief and rescue operations in the wake of flash floods in Uttarakhand.

Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that the 4-member SIT led by IG Security Sanjeev Kalra would comprise DIG Gautam Cheema, who had already been camping at Gobind Ghat to look into this unfortunate incident since Sunday on the directions of DGP, DIG Cyber Crimes Kunwar Vijay Partap Singh and SSP Mohali Gurpreet Singh Bhullar.

After the submission of the report by the SIT, the ADGP (Law & Order) has been mandated by the Chief Minister to take up the entire issue on the basis of the findings of the SIT with the Uttarakhand for the registration of FIR against all the accused involved in this episode under the relevant sections of law.

The spokesperson further said that as per the preliminary reports two persons have been identified so far. The preliminary findings revealed that KS Pannu was on his assigned task from Joshimath to Gobind Ghat along with other members of his team including MD Punjab State Cooperative Banks Kamaljit Singh Sangha, Amarjit Singh, Assistant Project Officer of DGSE office, and Punjab Police Inspector Kulbhushan in civil clothes. Besides these officials, Pannu was assisted by an Assistant Manager Gurdwara Sahib Joshimath, a Punjab Police constable and an Army jawan in uniform who was deputed by the Commanding Officer of the unit where Pannu was staying at Joshimath. On the fateful day on June 24, 2013, Pannu was on visit at Gobind Ghat to oversee the evacuation operations of pilgrims, where a mob of 30-40 persons attacked him suddenly. In the meantime, the Punjab Police Inspector Kulbhushan rushed to the nearby ITBP patrol party for seeking their help.

Meanwhile, a case of Cyber Crime was being registered under the provisions of IT Act and section 295-A of IPC for hurting the religious sentiments against the culprits at the Police Station Mohali.

New Delhi/Jalandhar, June 27, 2013 :   Haryana has been given the IFC-Mint State Competitiveness Award-2013, for being the best State in the ‘Innovation in Economy’ category.

Haryana Chief Minister, Bhupinder Singh Hooda received the award, which was given by the Vice President of India, M. Hamid Ansari at a function in New Delhi last evening. The award has been instituted by the Institute for Competitiveness (IFC) and the H.T. Media Groupm Haryana had got the award last year also.

After receiving the award, Hooda said that actually there is no competition among the States. Each State is unique and has its own strengths.

On the progress of Haryana, he said that basically the progress of any State or nation is measured on the basis of four parameters, which are – per ca-pita income, per ca-pita investment, per ca pita plan budget and resource mobilisation. Haryana is leading in all these four parameters.

Thanking the organisers for giving award to Haryana State, the Chief Minister said that this is not the honor for me, but for the people of Haryana.

Badrinath/Rishikesh/Chandigarh, June 27, 2013: With the arrival of 500 more pilgrims from Rishikesh to Punjab tonight, the total number of pilgrims so far evacuated from different parts of Uttarakhand would touch 8000; those have already been left for Punjab in the buses of Punjab Police, Punjab Roadways and other hired vehicles.   

Meanwhile, the Punjab government today intensified its rescue operations to evacuate over 2500 pilgrims including over 350 Punjabis stranded at Badrinath by Friday evening as heavy rains lashing the route halted the operation for few hours. Concerned about the prediction of rains, the Punjab government today dispatched a Special Rescue and Relief operation team led by Dr. Adapa Karthik, to Badrinath that joined rescue operations in association with other rescue agencies.  According to latest information provided by the team of Punjab at Badrinath, there were more than 2500 devotees from several states of the country still stranded out of which more than 350 were from Punjab. 

Giving more details about the ongoing evacuation operations, Dr. Adapa Karthik said that they have joined the operations in the morning and met the stranded devotees at Badrinath. He said that about 350 pilgrims from Punjab were at Badrinath and sick pilgrims were being evacuated on priority. He said that, the weather permitting they were planning to complete the evacuation operation by Friday or Saturday evening. He said that heavy rains and bad weather in afternoon halted the rescue operations.

Expressing satisfaction over the evacuation process, Karthik said that the teams from Punjab had been safely rescued thousands of Pilgrims from Sri Hemkunt Sahib, Gobind Dham, Gobind Ghat, Nagrasu and other hilly areas. He said the remaining pilgrims, at Badrinath weather permitting, will be air lifted out to Joshi Matth by Friday afternoon. He said that all the necessary and requisite arrangements of transportation have been made at Joshi Matth for the devotees, where more than 200 rescuers of Punjab Police were working day and night for the safe landing of pilgrims at base camp of Punjab Government at Gurdwara Sri Hemkunt Sahib Management Trust, Rishikesh.

Kartik said that Jawans of Punjab Police had been attached with the other rescue agencies to rescue the people from other states too. He said that more than 20 buses of Punjab Government including Punjab Roadways, Punjab Police and PRTC were still parked at Rishikesh to ferry the pilgrims to their respective destinations in Punjab.

Meanwhile, Mandeep Singh, Secretary Forest, Punjab also informed that the pilgrims brought by Punjab Police Jawans from Joshi Matth has been dispatched to various districts of Punjab in the buses of Punjab Police and Punjab Roadways on Thursday Morning. He said that sufficient arrangements including refreshment, food, medical, and transportation and relief material have been made at Rishikesh for the facilitation of pilgrims being evacuated from Joshi Matth and Nagrasu. 

Jalandhar, June 28, 2013: Indian Air Force Headquarters invited applications from male and female candidates for grant of permanent/short service commission in Flying, Technical and Ground Duty branches in the Indian Air Force for the courses Ser No 14,85,57,136 and 29 for Men and Courses Ser No 43, 57, 45 for Women only commencing from July 2014.

The candidates applying for Flying Banches should be Graduate in any discipline from a recognized university with minimum 60% marks in aggregate and for Technical Branch candidate should have undergone a minimum of four years degree course from a recognized university. For Administration & Logistics Branch of Ground duty, a candidate must have a Graduate Degree in any discipline with a minimum of 60% marks in aggregate or a Post Graduate Degree/equivalent Diploma in any discipline with a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate.  For Accounts branch of Ground duty, a candidate must have a Graduate Degree in Commerce  with a minimum of 60% marks in aggregate or Post Graduate Degree in Commerce with a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate.  For Education branch of Ground duty, a candidate must have a Post Graduate Degree in any discipline with a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate.

Candidates applying for Flying Branch should be born between 02 July 1991 to 01 July 1995, for Technical Branch should be born between 02 July 1986 to 01 July 1996. For Ground Duty Branch, Candidate should be born between 02 July 1991 to 01 July 1994,  Post Graduate/LLB (Five years integrated course) candidates should be born between 02 July 1989 to 01 July 1994 whereas LLB (Three years course after Graduation) candidates should be born between 02 July 1988 to 01 July 1994 and M Ed/Ph D/CA/ICWA passed candidate should be born between 02 July 1987 to 01 July 1994.

All eligible candidates are to apply only online on IAF career website www.careerairforce.nic.in upto 07 July 2013.  Last date for submission of Online applications is 07 July 2013.

Jalandhar, June 28, 2013: The Special Judge, Guwahati (Assam) has sentenced Tileshwar, the then Treasury officer;  Jiten Hazarika, then Accountant Treasury office;

Abidur Rehman, then Accountant, Intensive Cattle Development Project(ICDP), all of Nagaon (Assam) to undergo three years Rigorous Imprisonment with fine of Rs.5,500 each in a cheating case. A private person  U.N. Gogoi was also sentenced to undergo three years Rigorous Imprisonment with fine of Rs. 2000.    

The CBI sleuths   registered a case on May17, 1994 by against the then  Officer In-charge, Intensive Cattle Development Project (ICDP) and others on the allegation that they hatched a Criminal Conspiracy with the Treasury officer, Nagaon; his Accountant and other private persons during May 1991, for cheating the Govt. of Assam through Veterinary Department. In furtherance of the said Criminal Conspiracy, the accused persons cheated the Government of Assam to the tune of about Rs.12 lakh on the basis of false Letter of Credits (LOC) and false bills.

After completion of investigation, a chargesheet was filed on January 3, 1997 against the then Officer In-charge, ICDP, Nagaon (Assam); Abidur Rehman,  the then Accountant in ICDP, Nagaon (Assam); . Tileshwar Dutta, the then Treasury Officer, Nagaon (Assam); Jiten Hazarika, the then Accountant Treasury Office, Nagaon (Assam); the then JE Civil, Office of  EE (Irrigation), Nagaon; the then SO (PWD), Nagaon Building Sub-Division and three private persons under Sections 120B, r/w 420, 467, 471, 477(A) & 201 of IPC & Sec. 13(2) r/w 13(1)(d) of PC Act 1988.  The then OC, ICDP, Nagaon (Assam) and then JE Civil, O/o EE (Irrigation), Nagaon died during the trial. 

The Trial Court found the four said accused persons guilty and convicted them.

Chandigarh, June 28, 2013: On the complaint by K.S. Pannu, IAS, DGSE, Punjab an FIR has been registered in Punjab Cyber Crime Police Station, Mohali u/s 66-A IT Act, 295-A, 298, 500, 120-B IPC .

In his complaint, Pannu has stated that under a deep rooted conspiracy some mischievous persons by uploading the video of his manhandling at Gobind Ghat  on social networking sites i.e. youtube and facebook have defamed and insulted in the society and hurt  religious sentiments. Further investigations are in progress.

Chandigarh, June 28, 2013:    As part of the ongoing efforts of the Punjab Government in rescue and relief efforts in Uttarakhand, a 13-member mountaineering squad of the Punjab Police had been deputed to the affected area of Uttarakhand on June 23, 2013, to assist the pilgrims, who had gone ahead of Gobind Ghat, and were attempting to walk back from the devastation of Alakhnanda river.

According to an official spokesman, a road-section of about 14 kms had been washed away between Gobind Ghat and Hanumanchatti, including the only bridge and the barrage of the 400 megawatt Jaypee Lamagarh Power Project. The pilgrims didn’t have any option but to walk along the Alakhnanda river to cross this stretch, which involved a risky mountainous trek at some places.

He further said that alongwith the Indian Army, the Punjab Police Squad put up fixed ropes at these stretches with the help of Tyrolean Traverse, to ensure a safe passage to the pilgrims and prevent them from falling into the gushing waters of the raging Alakhnanda river. These ropes were the only way down from Badrinath. About 800 people were assisted through these crossing over the ropes over a period of 2-3 days, and the Punjab Police squad worked non-stop while operating these ropes. The Indian Army had two ropes, and the Punjab Police operated as a post multiplier by setting up 2 more pulley-cable systems. While moving onto other areas for relief operations, the Punjab Police squad loaned their technical equipment and the ropes to the Army on their request so that the Army could continue with their rescue operations.

 Tyrolean Traverse is a method of crossing through free space between two points on a rope. It is used for the emergency evacuation. Setting up a practical and safe Tyrolean Traverse is a highly technical operation needing considerable training and skills.

Ferozepur, June 29, 2013: During the ‘Special Search Operation’ by BSF jawans under the supervision of Malkit Singh, Commanding Officer, pistols, cartridges and Pakistani SIMs have been recovered.

Giving this information, DIG BSF Ravi Joseph Loku said, “On getting a secret information that Pakistani smugglers are sending a consignment of arms and ammunition, via BHP Joginder in Mamdot area, the surveillance on the international border to check infiltration, smuggling of narcotics and fake currency etc. from the other side more effectively was intensified to keep a vigilant on suspicious activities from across the border.”

He further said, “Today at the wee hours at about 1 AM, when BSF jawans were busy in special search operation in BHP Joginder area, they found a hidden packet near pillar No.212/16-17, containing 9 China  and Pakistan made pistols, 39 live cartridges and 2 Pakistani SIMs, were found. 

“All the recovered material was taken into custody and BSF has started further investigation into the matter, to ascertain as to whom these were to be passed on to the smugglers on the Indian side”, he added.

New Delhi/Jalandhar, June 29, 2013: During last six days helicopter took more than 60 sorties and evacuated 232 people from Gangotri valley to safer places. Besides these, four officials were also evacuated. After evacuating them from Harsil, Batwari and Minari, these people were taken to Dharasu and Uttarkashi.

Helicopter carried 30 quintal of relief material, including food items and other necessary items. It also carried 100 kilogram of food items to Guptkashi. For carrying the relief material, the seats in the helicopter were removed.

These relief and rescue activities were carried under supervision of Senior Pilot Dharmendra Nehra and his colleague Wing Commander Mr Viddi.     

Haryana Chief Minister,  Bhupinder Singh Hooda had left the Haryana Government helicopter in Dehradun on June 22 after a meeting with Uttarakhand Chief Minister, Vijay Bahuguna there.

Jalandhar, June 30, 2013: Northern Command today bid a fond adieu to their GOC-in-C, Lt Gen KT Parnaik, on his retirement after an illustrious career of 41 years.

General Parnaik took over the reins of this Operational Command on January 1, 2011 in the wake of a period of protests in the Valley. He conceptualised and executed a realistic and practical strategy in conjunction with the Civil, State Police, CAPF’s and other Intelligence agencies resulting in relative peace in the region for three consecutive summers.

The General Officer contributed significantly in the initiation of a number of developmental  projects for the welfare of  the people under Operation Sadbhavana specially to channelise the energy of Youth for constructive  and purposeful activities like  vocational training and sports,  truly reflecting his genuine love for the AWAM.

Owing to his sustained efforts, several projects to upgrade  the facilities for troops deployed in extreme weather conditions and inhospitable terrain were initiated. He also contributed immensely towards the welfare of the Veer Naris, Veterans and their dependants.

In his farewell message, the Army Commander complimented all ranks for

their immense professionalism, steadfastness, dedication and loyalty.  He also thanked the Civil administration for their excellent synergy with the Armed Forces. “The Honour and Integrity of our Great Nation rests on your shoulders and the strength of your resoluteness. I am sanguine that you shall continue to do the Country proud.”  he told his Command.

The General Officer is a Soldier General and a great Motivator. As all ranks of Northern Command say “Good Bye”, they will remember him for his sterling qualities as a Military Leader, Statesmanship, firm resolve to follow the righteous path and his unwavering commitment to the National cause.

New Delhi, June 30, 2013: People from different walks of life- political, social and religious today paid rich tributes to late Uttamjit Kaur, wife of former Chairman of National Minorities Commission and former MP Tarlochan Singh, here today on her Bhog and Antim Ardaas.

In a function held at Lakhi Shah Vanjaara Hall in Gurudwara Sri Rakabganj Sahib Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, National President of BJP Rajnath Singh, Leader of BJP Parliamentary Board Lal Krishan Advani, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley, Rajya Sabha MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Punjab Finance Minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa, Lok Sabha MP Dr. Rattan Singh Ajnala, President Shiromani Gurudwara Prabhandak Committee (SGPC) Jathedar Avtar Singh, MLAs Pargat Singh and Dr. Daljeet Singh Cheema, President Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (DSGMC) Manjeet Singh GK, Special Principal Secretaries to Chief Minister Gaggandip Singh Brar and KJS Cheema shared their heartfelt sympathies with the bereaved family.

On the occasion Jathedar Sri Akal Takht Sahib Giani Gurbachan Singh, Managing Editor of Ajit Group of Newspapers Dr. Barjinder Singh Hamdard, Chief Editor Punjab Kesri (Delhi) Ashwani Kumar Minna, Rajya Sabha MP and former Editor of the Tribune HK Dua, veteran Journalist Kuldip Nayyar and former Chief Secretary of Punjab SL Kapur also paid homage to the departed soul.

On the occasion Vice Chancellor of Punjabi University Patiala, Dr. Jaspal Singh thanked on behalf of the bereaved family of late Uttamjit Kaur to all the dignitaries and people who joined here in her Antim Ardaas thereby sharing sympathies with them, relatives and friends in this hour of grief.

Chandigarh, June 30, 2013: The Punjab police Cyber Crime Cell, Mohali has today arrested Gurvinder Singh alias Baba Panesar resident of Ludhiana in video uploading case in attack on Senior IAS Officer Kahan Singh Pannu at Gobindghat.

Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the Punjab Police said that Gurvinder Singh has been produced before a Mohali Court, where the Court has remanded him in four days police custody.

Further investigations are in progress.

It may mentioned here that on the complaint by K.S. Pannu, IAS,  DGSE, Punjab an FIR had been registered in Punjab Cyber Crime Police Station, Mohali u/s 66-A IT Act, 295-A, 298, 500, 120-B IPC on June 28.

Chandigarh, July 1, 2013: Expressing solidarity with the Uttarakhand Government and its people who have been rendered homeless due to the devastating floods across the state, the Punjab government has decided to send ten thousand tones of Atta/rice, 100 tones of sugar besides 10,000 blankets/shawls and sweaters for the victims of one of the worst natural calamities that ravaged the ‘Valley of Gods’ beyond anyone’s imagination.

Presiding over a high level meeting of senior officers of state administration here at Chief Minister’s residence this morning, the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal reiterated his commitment to bailout the Uttarakhand Government and its inhabitants, who had severely hit by the recent fury of foods and said it was our bounden duty to provide succor to them this hour of crisis.

Aiding the state in its rebuilding process, Badal also decided to construct the dwelling units for the victims in nearly 25 villages, whose houses had been completely demolished due to floods and were rendered shelter less, for which he had deputed the Secretary and Chief Engineer of PWD (B&R) to work out modalities and logistics with the Uttarakhand Government besides fixing priorities for the execution of this gigantic task in accordance with their advice.

The Chief Minister had also constituted a high level committee under the Chairmanship of state Chief Secretary with Financial Commissioner Revenue, Relief & Rehabilitation, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Principal Secretary Coordination, Secretary Food & Civil Supplies and Secretary PWD (B&R), as the members to oversee the entire relief & rehabilitation operations and the committee had been mandated to ensure adequate deployment of staff and vehicles for proper disbursement of relief material to the victims in consultation with the Uttarakhand administration.

The chief minister also appealed to the people of Punjab to donate generously for this noble cause as the Punjabis were known for magnanimity and sense of belongingness world over and called upon them to demonstrate their all pervasive spirit of charity.

Meanwhile, the Food & Civil Supplies Minister Adesh Partap Singh Kairon assured the Chief Minister that the Department would leave no stone unturned in accomplish this robust exercise with missionary zeal. He said that the officials of department of Food and Civil Supplies would coordinate with district administration for the dispatch of relief material in Uttarakhand.

Prominent among who attended the meeting, Food & Civil Supplies Minister Adesh Partap Singh Kairon, Chief Secretary Rakesh Singh, Financial Commissioner Revenue NS Kang, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister SK Sandhu, Principal Secretary Coordination Sanjay Kumar and Secretary Food & Civil Supplies DS Grewal.  

Chandigarh, July 1, 2013: Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today sought the personal intervention and support from his Haryana and Himachal Pradesh counterparts Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Virbhadra Singh for immediately taking effective steps to prevent the reckless discharge of untreated domestic waste water and industrial effluents into drains, which ultimately joins river Ghaggar in Punjab territory.

Presiding over a meeting of the senior officers of Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), Badal monitored the situation besides underscoring the need to resolve this interstate environmental issue in a broader perspective here at Chief Minister’s residence this morning.

Badal was apprised that the state board had surveyed the river Ghaggar along with catchment area. Starting from Nadha Sahib Gurdwara (District Panchkula) in Haryana after which, the river enters into the territory of Punjab near village Mubarkpur, the color of water in the river was found changing at the downstream of confluence point of Sukhna choe, which carries sewage/sullage and Industrial effluent from Focal Point of Panchkula area and meets river Ghaggar near village Bhankherpur, district Mohali. On further downstream, the Industrial and domestic wastewater of Ambala, Shahbad Markanda and many villages of the state of Haryana, located in the catchment area of river Ghaggar was discharged into Ghaggar directly or through some storm water drains. The waste water from Pehowa and Kurukshetra towns besides Industrial effluents of some Paper and cardboard mills of district Kaithal entered into Punjab territory and meets River Ghaggar near village Rasauli, Tehsil Patran, District Patiala. The color of the water changes to blackish-brown at the downstream of confluence point of Sagarpara drain near Khanuri, district Sangrur. Further, the sewage/sullage of Kaithal, villages located in the catchment area of Kaithal drain, Industrial wastewater of card board mills located at Kaithal was discharged into river Ghaggar at village Khanauri, district Sangrur. In addition, the wastewater of Jakhal and Ratia of Haryana was also discharged into the river Ghaggar. In Shukhna Choe, untreated/partially treated effluent of Municipal Corporations of Chandigarh and Panchkula was directly discharged directly/indirectly or through of through Singhpura drain, which ultimately joins river Ghaggar near village Bhankepur, Tehsil Dera Bassi, district SAS Nagar. As per the analysis results of the sample of water in Sukhna choe entering the river Ghaggar was highly polluted with BOD and COD as high as 57 mg/l and 192 mg/l, against permissible limits of 30 mg/l and 250 mg/l, respectively.    

Likewise, Badal was also informed that the domestic sewage of towns namely Nahan, Parwanoo and Kala Amb in Himachal Pradesh was also discharged into river Ghaggar.

Summing up the discussions, the Chief Minister asked the Chairman PPCB to coordinate with his counterparts of CPCB, HSPCB and HPSPCB for a joint sampling to be carried out from the interstate points to know the actual pollution load at these points so that effective measures could be taken up accordingly to combat this problem at the earliest.

He also said that he would soon take up this matter with Punjab Governor Shivraj V Patil, who was also the Administrator of UT Administration of Chandigarh for taking timely measures to prevent pollution caused due to discharge of waste water of Chandigarh city at various points so that a time bound action plan could be evolved by him for an early resolution of this vexed environmental issue in an efficacious manner, which was posing a major health & hygiene hazard to the life of lacs of inhabitants residing in the towns across river Ghaggar.

Badal also asked Secretary Environment, Science & Technology to flag up this issue with his counterparts of Haryana and Himachal Pradesh for convening separate meetings with Haryana and Himachal Pradesh CM so that all the pending interstate issues relating to river pollution especially of Ghaggar could be resolved permanently.

The Chief Minister categorically said the state government had already carried out a robust task of cleaning the rivers Satluj, Beas and Ghaggar at a cost of Rs. 2332 crore and the entire project would prove to be a futile exercise provided the careless and uncontrollable discharge of Municipal waste and industrial effluents from our neighbouring states Haryana and Himachal Pradesh was not ceased.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister offered all out support and cooperation to the both the Chief Ministers of Haryana and HP on behalf of Punjab Government, if there was any cause of blatant pollution on part of Punjab ostensibly affecting rivers in their respective territories adding he said the same should be brought to his notice forthwith so that it could be immediately resolved amicably. He also asked the Chief Secretary to keep a close tab on the interstate river pollution issues in future so that these could be settled forever through a mutual dialogue in a congenial atmosphere as they directly affect the very existence of mankind.

Prominent among who attended the meeting, Chief Secretary Rakesh Singh, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister SK Sandhu, Secretary Environment and Science & Technology Anirudh Tiwari, KJS Cheema and Gaggandip Singh Brar (both Special Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister), Chairman Ravinder Singh and Member Secretary Babu Ram of PPCB.

New Delhi/Jalandhar, July 1, 2013:  NCR Planning Board has approved the inclusion of Mahendragarh and Bhiwani districts of Haryana in the NCR area and the proposal for inclusion of Jind and Karnal districts in NCR has also been agreed to.

This was stated by the Union Urban Development Minister, Kamal Nath at the 33rd meeting of NCR Planning Board held in New Delhi today.  Kamal Nath stated that the Board has also approved inclusion of Bharatpur district (Rajasthan) in NCR.  

The meeting was attended by Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Lt. Governor of Delhi  Tejender Khanna, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit, Union Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation Minister  Girija Vyas,  Urban Development Ministers from Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, Secretaries of concerned Union Ministries, Chief Secretary of Haryana,  P.K. Chaudhery and Principal Secretary to Haryana CM, Chhatar Singh, besides other senior officers of Centre and States.

The work of Haryana in completing the three road projects funded by Asian Development Bank was appreciated at the meeting. It was informed that the Bank has now approved 6 more road projects for Haryana.              

During the meeting,  Kamal Nath said that for economic development of NCR, there was need for a Regional Rapid Transit System. Implementation of the projects will not only help in reduction of travel time within NCR, but will also in reduction of number of vehicles on roads and in pollution levels, ultimately improving the quality of life in NCR, he said. The NCR Transport Corporation to be formed, will implement RRTS projects of Delhi-Panipat (111 km), Delhi-Alwar (180 km), Delhi-Meerut (90 km).  Kamal Nath said that the work on these three corridors will start soon and will be completed by 2016. NCR Planning Board will contribute Rs. 200 crore to be begin.

During the meeting, Hooda said that Haryana Sub Region has fulfilled the objectives of the creation of NCR by effectively checking migration to Delhi as also by attracting reverse migration. City of Gurgaon has grown @ 293 per cent in the last decade, registering the highest growth rate in the region. As such there is need to improve the basic infrastructure and inclusion of Gurgaon in JNNURM, he said. Hooda also said that Haryana is about to finalize its Sub-Regional Plan, which will be sent to NCR Planning Board in a month’s time. Development plans for 2031 are also being revised and this should also be incorporated in the Regional Plan.  

Hooda said that for smooth traffic movement between Delhi and Haryana NCR towns, additional road links are required. In this connection, he mentioned Delhi-Gurgaon, Delhi-Sonipat and Badli to IGI Airport links. He requested that the Planning Board should provide financial assistance in the form of grant-in-aid for major projects like metro connectivity and affordable housing.

Later, talking to media persons Hooda said that a new Corporation is being formed for implementation of RRTS schemes of Delhi-Panipat, Delhi-Alwar and Delhi-Meerut. The share of all the four States – Delhi, Haryana, UP and Rajasthan in the equity of Corporation will be 12.5 per cent each. This Corporation will decide about the funding for States.

While thanking Union Urban Development Minister Kamal Nath, Hooda said that the inclusion of Mahendragarh, Bhiwani and also Jind and Karnal districts of Haryana in the NCR will be helpful in faster development of these districts.