CAPT AMARINDER LED CABINET APPROVES INTERNATIONAL CIVIL TERMINAL AT HALWARA

Congratulations to Punjab Government for great decision today: Ar Sanjay Goel

Chandigarh, December 3, 2018: In a bid to further boost industrial and economic activity in the state, the Punjab Cabinet on Monday approved the setting up of a new international civil terminal at Indian Air Force (IAF) Station, Halwara, Ludhiana.
The decision fulfills an old demand of the state, which was first taken up by Captain Amarinder Singh with the central government during his previous tenure as chief minister. The matter, however, remained in abeyance pending clearances from the Centre.
The Cabinet, at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, also gave go-ahead for signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for the same.
Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that the Civil Terminal would be developed jointly by the AAI and the Government of Punjab through a Joint Venture Company (JVC) to be constituted for the purpose. While AAI would have majority stake of 51%, the Punjab Government, through the Greater Ludhiana Development Authority (GLADA), will have 49% stake in the project.
The state Government would provide 135. 54 acres of land free of cost to the JVC by way of its equity in the project. The capital expenditure on development of the new airport would be borne by AAI, whereas the expenditure on the operation, maintenance and repairs would be taken care of by the JVC.
According to the spokesperson, the first phase of the project, which will include development of a new international civil enclave over an area of 135.54 acres for full-fledged operations up to Code-4C type aircraft, is likely to be completed within three years.
The project, aimed at giving a fillip to the economic development of Punjab’s business and industrial hub Ludhiana, also fulfills a long-pending demand of the Ludhiana-based industry, which the Chief Minister has now acceded.
Notably, Ludhiana is Punjab’s largest industrial and business city with a population of nearly two million, which is presently serviced by a small airport at Sahnewal under the operational control of AAI, which runs RCS-UDAN flights to Delhi. Ludhiana also has the advantage of being at the geographical centre of Punjab.
With the length of the runway at the present airport being limited, it only allows for operation of small aircraft which severely limits air connectivity. Moreover, as the city has grown significantly around the airport, acquisition of additional land and expansion of the existing airport at Sahnewal is not feasible. Further, Ludhiana has substantial export potential, which could be exploited with the growth of cargo traffic.
BETTER LATE THAN NEVER
Ludhiana: Meanwhile, Ar Sanjay Goel, Director, Ludhiana Smart City and Chairman, Punjab Architects, said today that its very big news not only for Ludhianvis or Punjabis but Punjabis living and doing business all over globe that Punjab Government has finally given go ahead signal for proposed International Airport at Halwara near upcoming smart city Ludhiana. “This is the first smart announcement ever since Ludhiana was selected to be created as smart city among first 20 cities shortlisted in India”, he said, adding, “This decision will bring a lot of happiness for Ludhianvis who were struggling since many years. Manchester of India will progress more once international and domestic flights start operating.” He added “congratulations to Punjab Government for great decision today”.

PUNJAB CABINET CLEARS DRAFT PUNJAB WATER RESOURCES (MANAGEMENT AND REGULATION) BILL, 2018

Chandigarh: The Punjab Cabinet, led by Captain Amarinder Singh, on Monday approved the draft of Punjab Water Resources (Management and Regulation) Bill, 2018, aimed at ensuring judicious, equitable and sustainable utilisation and management of the state’s critical water resources.
The proposed Punjab Water Regulation and Development Authority (PWRDA) would have a Chairman, besides two members to be appointed by the state government. The Authority would be empowered to take all such measures as it deems necessary or expedient for the objective for which it is to be set up, and would have powers to issue directions and guidelines for the conservation and management of the water resources. The Authority would also be empowered to issue tariff orders specifying the charges to be imposed by entities supplying water for drinking, domestic, commercial or industrial use.
The bill further proposes an Advisory Committee on Water Resources, headed by Chairman of the Authority to be notified by the Govt., consisting of experts and ex-officio members from various government departments to advise the Authority. The Authority may also engage experts on its own. The Authority shall have and maintain a separate fund to be called the PWRDA Fund in which the grants/loans would be credited by the state government.
The Bill also proposes to empower the government to issue to the Authority such general or specific directions in writing in the matters of policy involving public interest and the Authority shall be bound to follow and act upon such directs.

PUNJAB CABINET PASSES SPECIAL RESOLUTION HAILING KARTARPUR CORRIDOR
Chandigarh: The Punjab Council of Ministers, under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, on Monday passed a special resolution to set up a Dera Baba Nanak Development Authority for the development and beautification of the area in and around Dera Baba Nanak ahead of the 550th Prakash Purb of Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji.
The Chief Minister has already announced a slew of development projects for the upgradation of infrastructure and facilities for the lakhs of pilgrims expected to visit the area during the historic occasion, for which the year-long celebrations were kicked off by the state government on Gurpurb, on 23rd November 2018.
In its special resolution, the cabinet also welcomed the opening of the Kartarpur Corridor as a historic step to mark the auspicious occasion.
The cabinet, at its meeting here, said with the laying of the foundation stone for the corridor, a long-pending demand of the Punjabis had been fulfilled, thus paving the way for opening the way for devotees to visit the historic Kartarpur Gurdwara, close to the Line of Control.
The cabinet noted the persistent efforts by Captain Amarinder Singh, which had culminated in the momentous decision to open the corridor.

PUNJAB CABINET DECIDES TO SUMMON WINTER SESSION OF VIDHAN SABHA FROM DEC 13 TO 15
Chandigarh:The Punjab Cabinet has decided to summon the next session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha from December 13 to 15, 2018.
A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh here today.
With the Cabinet decision, the Punjab Governor has been authorized to convene the 6th Session of THE 15th Punjab Vidhan Sabha, as per clause (1) of Article 174 of the Constitution of India.
A spokesperson of the Chief Minister's Office said that the session would commence on the afternoon of December 13 with obituary references. Legislative Business would be transacted in both, the morning and evening sessions on December 14.
The house would adjourn sine-die after the proposed legislative business on December 15, said the spokesperson.

PUNJAB CABINET OKAYS MERGER OF 20 DCCBs WITH PSCB TO STRENGTHEN RURAL CREDIT SYSTEM
Chandigarh: The Punjab Cabinet has okayed the merger of 20 District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs) with the Punjab State Cooperative Bank (PSCB) to strengthen the state’s rural credit system and facilitate famers taking credit from cooperative banks
With the Cabinet giving the green signal to change the state’s three-tier Cooperative Credit Structure into two-tier, by amalgamating the DCCBs with the PSCB, the latter has now become a larger entity bank. This has paved the way for PSCB to play a greater role in the area of rural credit, according to an official spokesperson.
The spokesperson said the decision had been taken in view of RBI guidelines, which mandate that all DCCBs should have a minimum capital adequacy ratio of 9% (CRAR). Although at present the DCCBs are adhering to the required CRAR of 9% (CRAR), there is hardly any space for majority of these DCCBs to enhance their business and to increase their profitability. Without further capital induction the CRAR stipulation given by the RBI cannot be met. Hence, the Cooperative Credit Structure in the State is facing severe hardships.
To meet the CRAR stipulation mandated by RBI for the Cooperative Banks, the State Government had to infuse capital amounting to Rs. 307 crore in the past. With this merger, the Cooperative Bank in the State will emerged a financially and structurally stronger entity.
After amalgamation, the single entity will have capital adequacy in the range of 13- 14%, allowing Cooperative Banks to increase their business while meeting RBI's stipulation of capital adequacy. It would increase the profitability of the Bank and help it to adopt the latest technology and give better delivery services to its customers as well as the farmers of the State. There are around 9 lac farmers who are holding Kisan Credit Cards of the Cooperative Banks in the State and are dependent on credit in the prevalent Cooperative Structure.
Notably, the amalgamation of the DCCBs with the Apex Bank would be largely beneficial for ensuring maintenance of Capital to Risk Weighted Assets Ratio (CRAR) on regular basis, enhance the profitability of the Cooperative Banking Structure in the state, increase regular flow of credit to the farmers, curtail the cost of computerisation and other administrative expenses besides better tax compliance and human resources management.