With a view to commemorating the 50th anniversary of Punjabi Suba in a befitting manner, the Punjab Cabinet today gave approval for organizing a series of state level functions across the state from now onwards till November 1, 2016. This decision was taken in the meeting of Council of Ministers chaired by the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal here at Punjab Bhawan this evening. Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that these state level functions and other programmes to be organized during the aforesaid period to apprise people about the relentless struggle launched by the Punjabis for the creation of Punjabi Suba. The Cabinet also gave nod to constitute a high level organizing committee to chalk out various programmes for this purpose.In recognition with the supreme sacrifice of the great nature lover Smt. Amrita Devi Bishnoi and 363 other residents of Bishnoi community, who laid down their lives for opposing the tree cutting by the then erstwhile ruler of Marwar (Jodhpur) in 1730, the Cabinet also gave approval to set up a nature park-cum-memorial in their fond memory at village Sitogunno in Abohar near Fazilka district. The requisite land for this purpose would be provided by the village Panchayat of Sitogunno and the entire expenditure for the aforesaid nature park-cum-memorial would be borne by the Forests Department out of Greening Punjab Fund. This initiative would go a long way in sensitizing the people for preservation of forests & wildlife to make Punjab clean, green and pollution free on one hand and ensure ecological balance on the other.
The Cabinet also approved the commemoration of 300th Martyrdom Anniversary of legendary Sikh warrior Baba Banda Singh Bahadur beginning from May 29, 2016 to June 30, 2016 through organizing various programmes and nagar kirtans. An Organizing Committee under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister with Deputy Chief Minister as its Vice-Chairman will oversee the commemoration. Eminent scholars and personalities will be associated for this mega event. The Cabinet also gave a go ahead to form an Executive Committee to be constituted under the Organizing Committee with a Cabinet Minister as its Chairman and an officer in the rank of Principal Secretary as its Member Secretary. The other members in the Executive Committee would be decided by the Chairman of the Executive Committee. The Cabinet also decided to incur entire expenses on these celebrations amounting to Rs.25 crore by the State Government. A 20 feet tall statue of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur will also be installed at Mehroli, New Delhi by the state government at a cost of Rs.30 lac as a part of month long celebrations.
The Cabinet also approved ‘The Punjab Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) prepared under the provision of the Energy Conservation Building Code-2007 as per composite climate zone applicable to the state of Punjab. It would also be mandatory in government buildings/building complexes including buildings/building complexes of Municipalities/local bodies, boards, corporations, government aided institutions and other autonomous bodies of the state government. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) under the Ministry of Power, GoI has developed Energy Conservation Building Code-2007 under the provision of the EC Act-2001 for commercial buildings having connected load of 10KW and above or contract demand of 120KVA and above. This will also be applicable to all commercial buildings having connected load upto 100 KW or contract demand of 120KVA.
The ECBC would enormously benefit the state of Punjab as; the state ECBC compliant buildings would consume 30% to 40% lesser energy than the conventional buildings, reduction of electricity and water demand in buildings, ensure construction of environment friendly buildings resulting less Greenhouse Gases (GHG) emission thus lower the risk of related health issues, the innovative use of improved technologies in buildings will create the employment opportunities, reduces the capacity addition of power generation hence reduction in capital investment of energy supply infrastructure, creation of competitive markets in construction industry by efficient use of resources, reduces load on utility, flatters the load profile, effective load management/grid stability and decreases the breakdown & power cuts and boosts the market development of energy efficient products/appliances. In a significant decision, the Cabinet decided to undo the disparity and sanction dual family pension on the basis of Ministry of Defence, Government of India order no. 01(05)/2010-D(Pen/Policy) dated January 17, 2013.
This decision would entail a financial liability of Rs.7.42 crore per annum on the state government. It may be recalled that widows of ex-servicemen, whose husbands were re-employed in the Punjab government were entitled to family pension either from Ministry of Defence, Government of India or Government of Punjab based on their option. However, GoI vide its above cited notification sanctioned dual family pension to the widows of ex-servicemen employees. This facility was not available to such widows in the state, which has now been allowed. The Cabinet also gave approval to extend the services of 582 veterinary pharmacists and 531 sweepers already working as service providers in the Civil Veterinary Hospitals as a stop gap arrangement till June 30, 2017.
The Cabinet also gave approval to deposit the Purchee Fees in lieu of Artificial Insemination (AI) services received from different Veterinary Institutions of Animal Husbandry department with the Punjab Livestock Development Board permanently. This step would overall help immensely in providing these services far more efficiently at farmer’s doorstep besides resolving the problems faced by the department to impart A.I services and to purchase articles required for A.I services. Apart from this, this initiative would also substantially result in improving the breed potential of cows and buffalos in turn enhancing the total milk production of state markedly. It may be recalled that the Punjab Livestock Development Board is committed to provide A.I to 100% breed able cows and buffalos across the state. Earlier, several articles like frozen Semen Straws, AI Sheaths, Disposable AI Gloves, Liquid Nitrogen Gas, AI Guns etc needed to carry out Artificial Insemination, were purchased by the Punjab Livestock Development Board with amount thus collected from Purchee Fees received from different veterinary institutions of Animal Husbandry. The Cabinet also gave approval to omit the provision 3 (1-A) of “The Punjab State Legislature Members (Pension and Medical Facilities Regulation) Act, 1977” from October 30, 2006 and to amend the provision 3 (5) of “The Punjab State Legislature Members (Pension and Medical Facilities Regulation) Act, 1977” under the Representation of Peoples Act, 1951, if a person is declared disqualified, he will not be eligible for pension during the said term. The Cabinet also approved the Annual Administrative Report of the Defence Services Welfare Department for the year 2014-15.