Chandigarh One Central University and another World University, two Greenfield Airports, Punjab's first ever IIT, and Indian School of Business, an unprecedented recruitment of over 29,000 school teachers in a single year, putting the Bathinda Oil Refinery back on track, pushing four new Power Plants towards completion and taking up of a comprehensive revamp of the canal irrigation network in Punjab-these are only some of the landmark achievements of SAD-BJP government during the year ending today।
Meanwhile, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal declared here today that his government would make 2010 a "Year of Governance Reforms". " Administrative reforms are long overdue to steer the state out of the legacy of the colonial mindset and make government machinery fully accountable and responsive to the needs of the common man," said Mr. Badal.
" Never in the history of post-Independence, Punjab has the state seen such path-breaking and ambitious development activity as during this year. Things which many could not even dream of have been put on the ground. Projects over Rs. 2 lakh crore are already at various stages of completion, many of these on or even before schedule, like Oil Refinery at Bathinda. Critical areas which were lying " in a state of neglect", like Canal rejuvenation, fighting water, soil and air pollution and international aviation have been put firmly on the agenda Theses areas saw material progress during the year, " in a year end appraisal of the governments thrust on development.
"For the first time since Independence a concrete initiative has been taken for administrative reforms to make day-to-day governance more responsive, accountable and transparent. The reforms, an initiative of Deputy Chief Minister, Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal would seek to eliminate the various grounds because of which people have to face harassment in Government offices. These include simple but critical task like the issuance or renewal of certificates for birth, death, marriage, driving and arms licenses, registration of property, availability of revenue records like "Fards", property sale and purchase documents etc. The offices of the revenue officials, like Patwari and Tehsildar as well as other points of public delivery like the offices of the Deputy Commissioners , S.D.Ms, D.T.Os etc. would be made totally people-friendly and accessible with automatic and in-built time frames for every work and grievance redress," said Mr. Badal..
People have to face harassment in government offices because of the existence of outdated law and cumbersome procedures even in simple things like getting ration cards, pensionary benefits and availing of other welfare schemes. This has to stop," said the Chief Minister.
Unfolding the year ender-2009 which had several spectacular achievements to the credit of SAD-BJP government, included an ambitious programme of Rs. 1388 crore for the cleaning of river Satluj (Rs.1076 crore), river Beas (Rs.222 crore) and Sirhind canal (Rs.90 crore) to provide clean water from river/canal system within next two years.
On the power front, the state government had embarked upon a massive programme to ensure reduction in demand of 1850 MW Power and better reliability of supply thereby saving nearly Rs. 8000 crore by the end of next fiscal 2010-11. The Scheme involved replacement of incandescent lamps with high quality CFL's at subsidized rate of Rs. 15 per lamp against the market price of Rs 85-90 in 48 lac households in the state at a cost of Rs. 1.92 crore under Bachat Lamp Yojna to be borne by the consumers. This scheme would result in net saving of 500 MW of power.
The total demand of the power in the state was 9786 MW against the total installed capacity 6841 MW with the short fall of 2379 MW which was being overcome by initiating four new thermal power plants in the state. In last two years additional capacity of 658 MW has been created in the state. The work on the 540 MW Goindwal Sahib and 1980 MW Talwandi Sabo Thermal Plant, has been in full swing. Machinery worth Rs 1000 Crore had ordered for Talwandi Sabo Thermal Plant and the order for the same had already been placed by the GVK group for Goindwal Sahib Plant. 1320 MW Rajpura Power plant had been awarded to the L&T group and the State government had been vigorously pursuing the case for sanction of coal link with Union Coal Ministry for 2640 MW Giddarbaha Thermal Project. In addition to it, the financial institutions had sanctioned 80% of loan for 168 MW Shahpur Kandi Project. This national project declared by GoI would be executed by the state Irrigation Department and completed within 4-5 years. The cost of the project was estimated at Rs.1628 crore.
In a bid to inject a major fillip into an economically resurgent Punjab's road infrastructure, the state government had planned to invest more than Rs 25,000 crore into a slew of projects aimed at improving the efficiency of road transport network. Under this ambitious programme the state government had chalked out infrastructure revamp in Punjab, covering over 13,000 kilometers and involving major four-laning, six-laning, widening and up-gradation of all key transport arteries in the state.
Among the more significant arteries, Six laning of Shambu border to Jalandhar (6-laning) and Amritsar–Attari Border, Kurali–Kiratpur Sahib, Ludhiana-Malerkotla, Kharar-Banur, Zirakpur–Patiala, Patiala–Bathinda, Kharar–Ludhiana, Ludhiana–Talwandi, Jalandhar–Dhilwan section, Amritsar–Pathankot, Morinda–Kurali–Siswan T.Junction, Siswan-T.Junction to Mullanpur Garibdass, Ropar–Phagwara (All 4-laning). The four-laning of projects alone would entail an expenditure of Rs. 5000 crore and cover a length of more than 800 kilometers in the state. In addition, the state has also undertaken works to upgrade 36 roads in the border districts, covering a length of 500 kilometers at an overall expenditure of Rs. 235 crore.
The SAD-BJP government successfully achieved another milestone in the field of Civil Aviation with the setting up of a Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport at Mohali and Rs. 17000 crore Greenfield Airport to be setup near Ludhiana. Likewise, the upgradation of Amritsar International Airport was being undertaken on war footing and expansion of Sahnewal domestic Airport was near completion. A domestic Civil terminal at Bathinda being setup besides New Flying Academies to be set up at Faridkot and Talwandi Sabo.
The Punjab government has implemented its New Industrial Policy (included agro and IT) to ensure level playing field to the prospective entrepreneurs and investors. Special Boards for promotion of trade and industry set up. Capital subsidy of Rs. 350 crore capital subsidy had been disbursed to industrialists. International Trade Centre for Export Promotion would soon come up at Attari border. Major concessions to the tune of Rs.300 crore had been given under VAT and Turnover Tax to State's trade and industry. One Time Settlement scheme for loanees of PSIDC, PFC and Punjab Agro introduced and Punjab SEZ Act notified to facilitate development of special economic zones. Rs. 18991 crore Guru Gobind Refinery Limited re-launched in collaboration with LN Mittal to develop India's major Petro Chemical Hub and was expected to start commercial production by March, 2011 before schedule.
On fiscal management, the Revenue Collection increased under VAT and CST from Rs. 5871 crore to Rs. 7043 crore in the year 2008-09. These collections are likely to touch nearly Rs. 8000 crore during the current fiscal showing revival of the State's economy. System of E-filling and E-payment had been introduced to facilitate traders.
As a major initiative to revamp the century old canal network in the state, the SAD-BJP Government has undertaken a massive Irrigation Infrastructure Development Programme at a cost of Rs. 3469 crore for rehabilitating/strengthening of main canal system/minors & distributaries, construction of minors/distributaries. A project for Canalization of Sakki/Kiran Nallah in Amritsar and Gurdaspur Districts at a cost of Rs. 118 crore had already been initiated by the Government besides another project of strengthening and embankment of river Ghaggar at a cost of Rs.138 crore to save the life and property of the people from the fury of floods.
To give a boost to the Medical education and Research the state government has laid special emphasis for the modernization and upgradation of infrastructure in this sector. A project for up-gradation of Amritsar Medical College with an outlay of Rs. 183 crore is under way and Rs. 68 crore would be spent on for the upgradation Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot and its associated Guru Gobind Singh Medical College/Hospital. Ninety super specialty Doctors and 200 odd Medical officers had been recruited and in positioned. Super -Specialty Cancer Treatment Hospitals being setup at Bathinda and Mohali in collaboration with MAX Health Care Ltd. at Rs. 300 crore besides another Cancer Treatment Center at Guru Gobind Singh Medical College, Faridkot.
On the education front, the Punjab government had recruited approximately 29000 teachers in the schools and Rs.400 crore scheme for setting up Adarsh Schools to provide quality education to poor and meritorious children free of cost was being implemented successfully. Rs.141 crore had been spent for upgradation of infrastructure in 351 Government Senior Secondary and High Schools in every constituency of the State. Rs.634 crore had also been spent on the upgradation of infrastructure in elementary schools to provide safe drinking water and toilet facilities in 18969 schools. Punjab pioneered the EDUSAT in the country. New Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Ropar has already started classes in the local government polytechnic college. Indian Institute of Information & Technology (IIIT) would be setup soon. World Class Indian School of Business (ISB) was setting up its second India campus at SAS Nagar (Mohali) as part of Knowledge City. Central University set up at Bathinda and World-Class University to come up at Amritsar. Rs. 104 crore to be spent on 13 new degree colleges in educationally backward areas Project for imparting security training to youth initiated in Police Recruitment & Training Center Jahankhelan (Hoshiarpur). Skill Development programme launched in collaboration with renowned L&T, Tata Motors and Bharti Walmart..
On the pro-poor initiatives, Punjab is probably the first state in the country to launch Atta-Dal Scheme to provide Wheat at Rs.4 per kg and Dal at Rs.20 per kg to approximately 13.5 lac families at a cost of Rs.400 per annum. The government has also enhanced the amount of Shagun Scheme from Rs.5100 to Rs.15000 given as a financial grant to Scheduled Castes/Christian girls at the time of their marriage.
Punjab has scripted a golden chapter in the History of state's development and prosperity with visionary approach coupled with sincerity and dedication. "Punjab which was relegated to 7th slot in terms of progress and performance amongst the state on all India basis would soon emerge as a front runner state with people's unstinted support and cooperation- it is not only our endeavour but a solid commitment which would be honoured at all costs" asserted Mr. Badal.
ने सत्संग के भजन आजा रे वापिस प्रभु है पुकारे, भुल गया क्यों घर तु प्यारे की व्याख्या करते हुए फरमाया कि संत जीवो को सत्संग लगाकर समझाते है कि अब सुनहरा अवसर है तुझे मनुष्य जन्म मिला है। तू इसका लाभ उठा। तू उस प्रभु परमात्मा से बिछड़ी हुई एक नूरे किरण हे जो प्रकाश का स्तम्भ है। जो कण-कण जर्रे-जर्रे में समाया है। वह इंसान को बुलाने के लिए संत दुनिया में भेजता है। जीव को प्रभु से बिछड़े सदियां हो गई है। संत सत्संग लगाकर इंसान को इसका असली घर, असली उद्देश्य बताते हैं कि भाई तु प्रभु-परमात्मा को भुलकर क्यों गम-चिन्ता परेशानिया झेल रहा है। तु प्रभु-परमात्मा के नाम का सिमरन कर जिससे तु इस दुनिया में भी खुशी से जीवन व्यतीत करेगा और आवागमन के चक्कर से मुक्त होकर भगवान को प्राप्त कर सकेग। संत दुनिया में परमार्थ के लिए आते हैं न कि स्वार्थ के लिए। संतो को अगर कोई बुरा भी कहता है तो उसके लिए भी संत दुआ करते हैं श्राप नहीं देते। संत सत्संग में इंसान को अमृत-आबोहयात हरि रस का खजाना लुटाते हैं वह ऐसा टॉनिक है जिसे पाने से सब गम चिन्ता परेशानी खत्म हो जाती है। यह टॉनिक बाजार से नहीं मिलता। इसके सेवन से इंसान के अन्दर छुपी हुई गैबी शक्तियां जागृत हो जाती है। जो इंसान को सफलता की ओर ले जाता है। संत जी ने आगे फरमाया कि इंसान को बुरे कर्म छोड़कर कर्तव्य का पालन करते हुए परमार्थ के मार्ग पर चलना चाहिए। इंसान जैसे-जैसे बुराईयां छोड़ता है वैसे-वैसे प्रभु-परमात्मा की कृपा के काबिल वह बनता जाता है। संत सच बोलते है एंव सच पर चलने की प्रेरणा देते है। संत जी ने फरमाया कि अगर जीव सत्संग में आकर संतो के वचनो पर दृढ़ता से अमल करें तो आत्मा का बीमा हो जाता हे। जिसपर कोई पैसा नहीं लगता। संत जी ने कहा कि किसी भी धर्म में नहीं लिखा कि माँस खाना चाहिए। बल्कि ग्रंथो में तो यह लिखा है कि जीव को इससे परहेज करना चाहिए। इंसान आज अपने दु:खो से दुखी नहीं है बल्कि दुसरों के सुख को देखकर दुखी हे। इंसान को किसी को हंसता देखकर दुखी नहीं होना चाहिए। संत जी ने कहा कि यह काल का देश हैॅ। यहां सच्चाई पर चलने वालों, राम नाम जपने वालो पर अत्याचार किया जाता है। राम नाम रोकने की कोशिश की जाती है और बुरे कर्म करने वालो को प्रोत्साहित किया जाता है लेकिन राम-नाम न कभी रूका है एवं न ही रूकेगा। संत जी ने बताया कि जो तांत्रिक किसी जीव ही बलि चढ़ाता है वह हत्यारा है पापी है। उसे करनी का फल अवश्य भोगना पड़ता है। संत जी ने श्रद्धालुओं से सभी प्रकार के गन्दे नशो से दूर रहने की हिदायत दी एवं कन्या भु्रण हत्या को जघन्य अपराध बताते हुए इसे रोकने के लिए सभी से अपील की और चेतावनी दी कि अगर अभी समय रहते इसे न रोका गया तो इसके भयानक परिणाम इंसान के भुगतने होंगे। पूज्य संत जी ने दुध की समस्या एवं इसमें मिलावट पर रोक लगाने एवं पशुओं से माँसाहार के लिए किए जा रहे लगातार कटान पर चिन्ता व्यक्त करते हुए इसे रोकने के लिए श्रद्धालुओं को जागृत किया। गिरते जल स्तर को रोकने हेतु अधिक-से-अधिक वृक्ष लगाने एवं पानी का आवश्यकतानुसार प्रयोग करने की श्रद्धालुओं को हिदायत दी। पूज्य गुरू जी ने सत्संग के पश्चात 16,654 जिज्ञासू जीवों को भक्ति करने का तरीका नाम-शब्द बताया।सेवादारों द्वारा सत्संग में आये लाखों श्रद्धालुओं को मात्र आधे घण्टे में भोजन खिलाया गया। ट्रेफिक व्यवस्था में लगे सैकड़ो सेवादारों द्वारा वाहनों को ग्राउंड में पंक्ति लगवाकर खड़ा कराया एवं सड़क पर जाम से छुटकारा दिलाया।
