Chandumajra, Jain on LS estimates panel

Chandigarh Tribune
NEW DELHI, July 27 - Mr Satya Pal Jain (BJP, Chandigarh) and Mr Prem Singh Chandumajra (SAD, Patiala) have been elected to the Lok Sabha Committee of Estimates for the year 1998-99.
Voting for the 30-member panel was held last week. The term of the committee will end on April 30, next year, a Lok Sabha bulletin said. ...

Ludhiana rail link gets underway

Tribune News Service
SAS NAGAR, June 27 — One of the most prestigious railway projects in Punjab in the past 50 years — the Chandigarh-Ludhiana rail link providing a direct link from Chandigarh to all cities of the state besides the Jammu region — finally got underway today.
The Railway Minister, Mr Nitish Kumar, formally laid the foundation stone of a new railway station here as part of the massive Rs 248 crore project. It will entail the laying of a 112.09-km-long rail line, 23 bridges, three road over-bridges and 12 road underbridges besides 50 level-crossing gates, will have state-of-the-art signalling and communication systems. The totally electrified track will be able to handle trains running at a speed of 160 km per hour, the authorities said.
Between Ludhiana and Chandigarh the track will have six new stations — Madhpur, Samrala, Khamano, Morinda, Kharar and SAS Nagar. The last mentioned station is located on the land of Kambala village and the Chandigarh station is 11.2 km away from here. ...
... Earlier, Mr Badal said the Chandigarh-Ludhiana rail link was more of a necessity than a demand that had been pending for more than three decades while successive Congress governments did nothing in this regard. The rule of the BJP is the first time that the Centre had given some major projects to Punjab while earlier nothing had been done.
The latest project will link the two industrial hubs of Ludhiana and SAS Nagar, and generate jobs. He stressed the need to have industries across Punjab as the state had reached at a saturation point as far as agriculture was concerned.
The Thein Dam is complete and the Prime Minister has been invited to fix a date for its inauguration, Mr Badal said. He hoped that the Rajasansi Airport at Amritsar, once upgraded, would help in the export of agriculture produce.
Among those present on the occasion were Mr Tota Singh, Mr Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Mr Sarwan Singh Phillaur and Mr Swarna Ram (all ministers of Punjab, Mr Balwinder Singh Bhunder, a Rajya Sabha member, and Mr Satya Pal Jain, a former MP from Chandigarh.

Shake-up in UT police on cards

Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, July 26 — A change at the top echelons of the Chandigarh Police is on the cards as the Home Ministry is understood to have taken a serious view of "deteriorating law and order situation in the union territory." ...

The local MP, Mr Satya Pal Jain, who is supporting Mr Badal's recommendation wants that a "competent Inspector-General of Police should be posted in Chandigarh, a nerve centre of two states besides being a union territory."

DD studio plan lends glamour to Sector 37

Chandigarh Newsline

ਓੁਤਰਾਂਚਲ ਬਾਰੇ ਅਜੇ ਬਿਲ ਨਹੀਂ ਪੇਸ਼ ਹੋ ਰਿਹਾ: ਸੁਸਮਾ

Punjabi Tribune

ਕੇਂਦਰ ਸੂਚਨਾ ਤੇ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਰਣ....

Ajit Punjabi

Union Minister for Information, Broadcasting and Communications Sushma Swaraj is a all attention as Mr B.K. Dey,....

Tribune

Sushma echoes concern on cultural pollution

Tribune
CHANDIGARH, July 24 — The Union Minister of Information, Broadcasting and Communications, Mrs Sushma Swaraj, today emphasised the need to provide quality entertainment to the viewers of Doordarshan without compromising the country's cultural ethos and value system.
Speaking after "bhoomi pujan" of the Chandigarh studio of Doordarshan here this afternoon, she said that lot of concern was being expressed over cultural pollution brought about by foreign channels and cable networks.
... Earlier, the local MP, Mr Satya Pal Jain, in his address of welcome, thanked the minister for taking up the project which has been hanging fire for the past nine years. Chandigarh, he said, was perhaps the only city which is a joint capital of two states besides a union territory, in itself, which continued to be without a Doordarshan kendra.
Mr B.K. Dey, Engineer-in-Chief, Doordarshan, said that five new kendras would come up in Haryana at Karnal, Yamunanagar, Mahendragarh, Tohana and Ferozepore Jhirka in addition to nine centres already functioning in the state. ...

BJP 'committed' to women's Bill

The Tribune

महिला आरक्षण और नए राज्यों बारे विधेयक चालू सत्र में नहीं

पंजाब केसरी

चंडीगढ़ के दूरदर्शन स्टूडियो में रिले केंद्र भी होगा

जनसत्ता

पाक टीवी के कुप्रचार की काट के लिए उच्च स्तरीय दल : सुषमा

जनसत्ता

भारत-विरोधी प्रचार से निपटने के उपाय

हिन्दी ट्रिब्यून

भारत-विरोधी प्रचार का जवाब देने को दल गठित

हिन्दी ट्रिब्यून

पाक दुष्प्रचार का जवाब देने के लिए भारत की मोर्चाबंदी

दिव्य हिमाचल

विदेशी चैनलों के लिए सरकारी अनुमति अनिवार्य की जायेगी : सुषमा स्वराज

दिव्य हिमाचल

Sushma gifts relay centre with DD studio

Chandigarh Newsline
CHANDIGARH, July 24: The City will not only have a Doordarshan studio but a relay centre as well, Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Sushma Swaraj announced today, after laying the foundation stone of a Rs 7.21-crore Doordarshan studio in Sector 37.
It's strange that the capital of two states has to depend on some other centre," She also announced that the Punjab regional service of DD will telecast programmes from the first week of August.
"I know the City has plenty of talent and the programmes produced by its studios will find place even on the national hook-up," said the Minister, who studied Law at Punjab University and got married in the City. She recalled with nostalgia her Chandigarh connection: "I'm the bahu and beti of this City. Therefore, it's not just another stone-laying function. I felt as if I was amongst my family members, celebrating a festival."
...Later, addressing a gathering at Tagore theatre, local MP Satya Pal Jain said the "shilanayas" of the studio was done in 1989 and neither any MP nor any government took pains to start construction.
Sushma Swaraj also sat through a cultural programme at the theatre, which was made to suit just the kind of culture she propagates.
... Local MP Satya Pal Jain suggested that the department should make such plans so that telephones connections are made available in Chandigarh on demand by January 31, 1999.
He also requested the department to consider the calls for Dera Bassi and nearby areas as local calls. "Most of the people from Chandigarh have set up their industries over there," he said.

'Indian to fight Pak propaganda through TV'

Chandigarh Newsline

पाक के सैटेलाइट चैनल को जाम करने का कोई इरादा नहीं : सुषमा

अजीत समाचार

Jain urges govt to implement PGI-JAC pact

Chandigarh Tribune
CHANDIGARH, July 21 - Mr Satya Pal Jain, local MP, has urged the union government to implement the agreement arrived at between the management of the PGI and the Joint Action Committee of the employees of the institute signed last year by a five-member committee of the union health minister. Represented on the committee were two MPs Mr Satya Pal Jain and Mr Venod Sharma.
Mr Jain in a statement here said that he had met the Union Health Minister, Mr Dalit Ezhilmalai, and apprised him of the situation in the institute. Mr Jain told the minister that a number of clauses of the agreement had not been implemented so far. The employees had been looking to the new government with hope and patience and expect the government to take an early decision on their pending demands.
Mr Jain added that there was anguish among employees, as some of their leaders suspended during the agitation last year, had not been reinstated yet and were now being threatened with compulsory retirement.
He told the minister that the situation should not be allowed to worsen. He also demanded immediate reconstitution of the governing body and the institute body of the PGI so that the normal administrative procedure became functional. ...

DD kendra: minister 'bows' to pressure

The Tribune

AMBALA, July 21 — The chairman of the Ambala Cantonment Traders Federation, Mr N.C. Jain, has expressed surprise at the setting up of a Doordarshan kendra at Chandigarh as the Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Mrs Sushma Swaraj, had promised that a kendra would be set up at Ambala contonment.

In a statement issued here yesterday, Mr Jain said while local MLAs, Mr Anil Vij and Mr Nirmal Singh, were trying to arrange suitable land in the area for the kendra, the Minister had already decided to have one at Chandigarh presumably "under pressure" from the Chandigarh MP, Mr Sat Pal Jain.

HP progress at all costs, says Dhumal

Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, July 19 — The Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, announced today that the ruling BJP-HVP combine would leave no stone unturned to ensure uniform and speedy development of the hill state.

Speaking at a cultural function organised by the Himachal Vikas Manch at the Sector 18 Tagore Theatre here, the Chief Minister alleged that the Congress was responsible for uneven development of the state, as during its rule all developmental works were undertaken on a political basis and were aimed at creating vote banks. ...

He announced that keeping in view the problems faced by the fruit growers of the state, a kisan bhavan would be constructed in Delhi for which the state government would spend Rs 1 crore. Similarly, there was a provision of Rs 70 lakh for the construction of Himachal Bhavan in Chandigarh.

The local MP Mr Satya Pal Jain; a former MLAs from Una, Mr Rattan Singh, also spoke.

Earlier, a colourful cultural programme consisting of Himachali Folk songs and dances, including famous 'Jhamakra' dance of the Kangra valley, was presented.

Transfers cast shadow on clean-up drive

Chandigarh Tribune
CHANDIGARH, July 18 - The recent transfers of five senior functionaries of the investigation cell of the income tax department and the Chief Vigilance Officer of Chandigarh have raised doubts among knowledgeable circles about the seriousness of the present government's drive against officials with "doubtful integrity". ...
... The local MP, Mr Satya Pal Jain, who belongs to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, maintains that there will be no let up in the fight against corruption.
"All those involved in playing fraud with the public money must be convicted. I have already raised a question in the Lok Sabha on this issue. One of top engineers had tried to put pressure on me at one stage but I made it very clear that the law will take its own course and no laxity will be shown towards those who played fraud with public funds.
"As far as the recall of the Chief Vigilance Officer-cum-Home Secretary is concerned, I have already taken up the issue both with the Home Minister and the Haryana Chief Minister. I cannot comment anything beyond this.
"I was not aware of the transfer of officials of the income tax department. I will take it up with the Union Finance Minister and make sure that no one who is involved in investigating this case gets transferred in between, " Mr Jain said.

Notice against RJP MP

The Tribune

NEW DELHI, July 16 (PTI) — A BJP member in the Lok Sabha today gave a notice of breach of privilege against RJP member Anand Mohan in the light of media reports that the latter had carried a firearm and two knives into the House.

Mr Satya Pal Jain, in his notice, said the recovery was reportedly effected when Mr Anand was taken to hospital after he received injuries when forcibly evicted from the House by marshals on July 14 on the orders of Speaker G.M.C. Balayogi.

The BJP member raised the issue during zero hour but was told by Mr P.M. Sayeed, who was in the Chair, that his notice was under consideration of the Speaker.

Mr Rajesh Pilot (Congress) and Mr B.C. Khanduri (BJP) expressed serious concern over the report that Mr Anand was carrying arms.

Demanding the government came out with the truth, Mr Pilot said if the report was true, it would lower the dignity of the House. Mr Khanduri, while supporting Mr Pilot’s contention, wanted the house to take a decision on the issue.

Small scale industry grateful to City MP

Indian Express
NEW DELHI, July 13 - The president of Federation of Small Scale Industries, Yash Pal Mahajan has thanked local MP Satya Pal Jain for arranging a meeting between Union Minister for Power and officials of Chandigarh Administration to find out permanent solution to the power problems in the Union Territory. FSSI general secretary Rajeev Gupta has thanked Union Power Minister Kumara Mangalam for accepting one major demand of making Chandigarh a partner of Bhakra Beas Management Board and adequate participation in Parvati Kolden Chamera-II project.

Small scale industry grateful to City MP

Indian Express
The president of Federation of Small Scale Industries, Yash Pal Mahajan has thanked local MP Satya Pal Jain for arranging a meeting between Union Minister for Power and officials of Chandigarh Administration to find out permanent solution to the power problems in the Union Territory. FSSI general secretary Rajeev Gupta has thanked Union Power Minister Kumara Mangalam for accepting one major demand of making Chandigarh a partner of Bhakra Beas Management Board and adequate participation in Parvati Kolden Chamera-II project.

Satya Pal Jain on consultative committee

Indian Express
CHANDIGARH, July 9: Local MP Satya Pal Jain has been nominated as a member of the Consultative Committee of Ministry of Home Affairs.
The committee headed by Union Minister for Home L.K. Advani has 25 members from the Lok Sabha and 13 members from the Rajya Sabha. The important members of the Committee include State Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Ram Nayak, besides Dilip Ray, Sita Ram Kesri, Kuldip Nayar, V.N. Gadgil, Mamta Banerjee, Somnath Chatterjee, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, C.K. Jaffer Sharif, Ram Bilas Paswan, Kamal Chaudhary, Jagannath Mishra, Vijay Kumar Malhotra and Arif Mohammad Khan.

Chandigarh may get own power plant

Chandigarh Tribune
NEW DELHI, July 7 - The Centre has agreed to consider the demand for giving a power plant to Chandigarh to solve the problem of power shortage, according to Mr Satya Pal Jain, MP representing the city.
Mr Jain said today he had met the Union Power Minister, Mr P.R. Kumaramangalam, to discuss the issue of shortage of power in Chandigarh.
The Power Minister, he said, is expected to visit the city on Saturday to have further discussions on the issue with senior officials of the city administration.
Mr Jain informed the minister that in Chandigarh, the problem of power shortage was increasing each day and it was affecting industry, business and trade apart from causing problems to citizens.
He said that in the whole country perhaps Chandigarh is the only Union Territory that does not have a power plant of its own.
The city administration has to purchase power from the neighbouring states which is costly in addition to incurring substantial losses in transmission. ...
... In another development, Mr Jain urged the Centre to immediately withdraw a circular issued by it in 1986 barring the issuance of certificates to the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes except to those who were settled in the city on before November 1, 1966.
Raising the issue through special mention in the Lok Sabha yesterday, he said the circular was playing havoc with thousands of those who want the certificate for getting jobs or getting their children admitted to various schools. ...

Chandigarh may get own power plant

Tribune News Service
NEW DELHI, July 7 — The Centre has agreed to consider the demand for giving a power plant to Chandigarh to solve the problem of power shortage, according to Mr Satya Pal Jain, MP representing the city.
Mr Jain said today he had met the Union Power Minister, Mr P.R. Kumaramangalam, to discuss the issue of shortage of power in Chandigarh.
The Power Minister, he said, is expected to visit the city on Saturday to have further discussions on the issue with senior officials of the city administration.
Mr Jain informed the minister that in Chandigarh, the problem of power shortage was increasing each day and it was affecting industry, business and trade apart from causing problems to citizens.
He said that in the whole country perhaps Chandigarh is the only Union Territory that does not have a power plant of its own.
The city administration has to purchase power from the neighbouring states which is costly in addition to incurring substantial losses in transmission.
Mr Jain said that Mr Kumaramangalam was concerned about the power situation in Chandigarh and the government, he said would seriously consider the demand for setting up a power plant.
In another development, Mr Jain urged the Centre to immediately withdraw a circular issued by it in 1986 barring the issuance of certificates to the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes except to those who were settled in the city on before November 1, 1966.
Raising the issue through special mention in the Lok Sabha yesterday, he said the circular was playing havoc with thousands of those who want the certificate for getting jobs or getting their children admitted to various schools.
He said thousands of SC/ST people had come and settled in Chandigarh from the neighbouring States of Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh during the last 30 years and the city being a Union Territory a large number of employees are posted/transferred to Chandigarh.
He urged the Centre to issue directions to the Chandigarh administration to issue certificates to all eligible persons of SC/ST irrespective of the fact as to when and how they settled in Chandigarh.

CHANDIGARH CALLING

"Statehood" for Chandigarh
The Tribune
THE demand for "statehood" for Chandigarh, which until a couple of months ago was ridiculed by almost all local units of various political parties except the Bharatiya Janata Party, is gradually gaining ground.
Initially when the local MP, Mr Satya Pal Jain, demanded a legislature and status of a state for Chandigarh, a majority of political parties ridiculed him saying that there was no justification for making the demand.
But now after the BJP-led coalition government at the Centre has announced formation of three new states, there is sudden change in the tone of all these parties demanding "statehood" for Chandigarh. The local unit of the Samajwadi Janata Party was the first to raise this demand followed by one of the frontal organisations of the Chandigarh Territorial Congress Committee. ...

Bill to triple judges’ salaries passed

Tribune News Service and agencies

NEW DELHI, July 4 — The Lok Sabha today approved a Bill enhancing the salaries of judges of the Supreme Court and high court by over three times.

The High Court and Supreme Court Judges (Conditions of Service) Amendment Bill which replaces an ordinance promulgated this April enhances the salary of the Chief Justice of India to Rs 33,000 per month from Rs 10,000 and that of Supreme Court judges to Rs 30,000 per month from Rs 9,000. ...

The report of the committee, which recommended the revision of salaries, was laid on the table of the Lok Sabha today by the BJP MP from Chandigarh, Mr Satya Pal Jain.

Mr Jain told TNS that the committeee was critical about the government’s decision in promulgating an ordinance.

Mr Jain said the All India Judges Association had submitted a representation regarding the revision of salaries of judges. The association demanded that the salary of the judges should not be less than the salary of the Cabinet Secretary as was the position in 1950. There was also a demand for revision of service condition of the lower judiciary. ...