India signs MoU with USA on labour and employment
WASHINGTON:“The road map laid down in the Memorandum of Understanding will facilitate very close cooperation and interaction between our two countries and bring about improvements in the life of workers and their working conditions.” This was emphasized by Mallikarjun Kharge, Union Minister for Labour & Employment on the occasion of signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with US Department of Labour in Washington DC.The MoU was signed by kharge and US Labour secretary Ms.Hilda Solis.
Kharge expressed happiness that Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India and US Department are signing the MoU for cooperation in the areas of Skill Development, Youth Employment, Occupational Safety and Health and Mines Safety. He further expressed the hope that this MoU will help us in increasing our know-how in the areas of accreditation systems, self-regulation and auditing through collaboration, exchange and sharing of ideas, etc with USA.
He said that we look forward for a possible tie-up for training and information exchange in areas of underground and open cast mining, disaster control , emergency management, statistical analysis and development of data bank. He further mentioned that Government of India looks forward to work together for furthering its knowledge in the area of occupational diseases, toxicology and occupational medicine.
US Labour Secretary Ms.Hilda Solis welcomed the structured bilateral engagement between the Ministry of Labour of India and US Department of Labour. She appreciated the initiatives undertaken by the Ministry of Labour under Kharge’s leadership to address various challenges of skill development, youth development, occupational safety ,health, etc.
Kharge reiterated PM’s vision of skilling 500 million persons by 2022. He stated that collaboration with USA will enrich us in the areas of training delivery methods, certification, preparation of instructional material, curriculum development and expanding outreach. He stressed the need for cooperation and collaboration in mutual recognition of qualifications, vocational guidance to the unemployed youth and rehabilitation of differently-abled persons.
This MoU will be another milestone and testimony to the increasing cooperation between India and USA in various strategic areas and this will help us in further developing an appropriate employment strategy for inclusive growth in India and strong bonds between the people of our two great nations, the Minister added.
(Naresh Kumar Sharma)
February 5, 2012
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Badal pays obeisance at Golden Temple
AMRITSAR: Chief Minister Punjab, Parkash Singh Badal here today in the evening paid obeisance in the sanctum sanctorum of Golden Temple.
It was his first visit in the Golden Temple after the completion of polling process in Punjab.
Talking to media Badal said that he was thankful to the masses of Punjab for peaceful voting with maximum turnout.
Appreciating the move of Election Commission for strictly following the norms during poll process in the State, he said that job of election commission was satisfactory.
Launching scathing attack on Centre Government, Badal alleged the notification with regard to complete of election process of SGPC being delayed which prevented for the formation of Executive committee and the selection of next SGPC president. He said that without notification previous body of SGPC unable to take any decision even unable to carry out day to day functioning of religious body of Sikh community. He said that four months have been passed when polling process of SGPC was completed and now UPA Government deliberately delaying to issue notification.
Talking about the elections of Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee said that SAD would actively particapte in the elections and party was ready for elections.
During his visit in the Amritsar Badal also visited at the residence of Punjab Cabinet minister Ranjit Singh Brahmpura to express condolence for demise of Brahmpura’s wife at Village Brahmpura, in Taran Tarn district.
February 5, 2012
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PM Manmohan Singh for centre and states work together
NEW DELHI:All problems can be overcome with Centre and the states working together says the Prime Minister. Inaugurating the third Conference of Chief Secretaries of states and UTs, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh said that the Central Government has taken several initiatives recently to achieve the goal of ensuring transparency, accountability and probity in public life but we still have to go a long way.
Stressing the need to equip a large number of our people with skills, the Prime Minister appreciated the good work done by some States in the area of skill development. He urged all States to show leadership in this field. He further said that the central government is creating an enabling policy framework in infrastructure development and the state governments will be encouraged to adopt the instrumentalities provided in the policy.
Referring to National Investment and Manufacturing Zones (NIMZ), the Prime Minister urged Chief Secretaries to carefully consider how the States can take the maximum advantage of the new policies. (The full text of the Prime Minister’s speech is available on the PIB website www.pib.nic.in )
The Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, V. Narayanasamy, in his address said that good governance has to be participatory, transparent, accountable, responsive, effective and efficient and inclusive. Transparency is not only the key to upholding integrity in the public service but is also contributory factor towards better performance.
The Minister said that Sevottam framework of the DARPG is a vital tool for training and sensitizing Government’s machinery towards a system of accountability and transparency. A series of workshops on Sevottam have been held in the last two years in consultation with the States/UTs.
He said that this framework is now proposed to be taken to the district levels and training programmes have been planned in collaboration with the state governments. The first such district level programme on Sevottam has been planned in Thane, Maharashtra. The Minister noted that today we face multiple challenges which need to be addressed with socially workable plans.
Narayanasamy further said that the Government has so far considered 13 of the 15 reports of the second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC). 508 recommendations relating to the Centre have been implemented and other 497 are at various stages of implementation. He called upon the Chief Secretaries to consider implementations of the ASC recommendations on priority as a substantial number of recommendations pertain to the States.
He said that the Centre has taken several measures like enactment of RTI Act, ratification of United Nations Convention against corruption, Lokpal and Lokayukt Bill, Judicial Standard Accountability Bill, Rights of citizens for Time Bound Delivery of Goods and Service and Redressal of Grievances Bill, Whistleblower Bill etc. to bring in transparency and accountability in the governance.
In his opening remarks, Cabinet Secretary, A.K. Seth said that the Centre’s intention is to ensure that the States and the Centre work in coordination. He further said that the Government has identified high priority areas so as to make governance effective and transparent. Shri R.C. Mishra, Secretary, DARPG, proposed a vote of thanks.
The Conference is organised annually by the Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances. The Conference has institutionalised the process of interaction with States/UTs. It serves as a standing forum for exchange of views between the Centre and the States. It also provides an occasion for discussion on global developments that have a bearing on the country as a whole and the broad contours of national policies in select areas of relevance. This conference also helps in ensuring an integrated and holistic approach towards the development of the country.
(Naresh Kumar Sharma)
February 4, 2012
ਲੇਖਕ: Current Issues No Comments
US Sikh hire firm to educate media on Golden Temple
By Sheetal Ranga
WASHINGTON: To counter American TV show host Jay leno’s controversial remarks; an atrium has been hired by USA Sikh community to educate the American media about the true characteristics, picture and meaning of Sikhism.
In Jay Leno’s show on channel NBC the Golden Temple was shown as the summer home of Mitt Romney, the leading Republican presidential candidate so the lobbyists is going to approach the same channel to provide a medium to group of Sikh intellectual to educate the American media and American public about the holiness and compassion of the Golden Temple, said by group of Sikh for Justice (SFJ).
The group will also be urging to NBC to run a documentary on Sikhism during prime time to help spreading the true identity, image and message of Sikh religion also as Sikhs have been victims of hatred crime after September 2011 due to half truths about Sikh religion and identity, atrium will approach the US media to run fraction showing actual message of Sikhism.
SFJ legal advisor Gurpatwant S. Pannun said that it is much essential to educate the international media about true information regarding Hari Mandir Sahib and Sikhs.
A complaint has also been lodged against TV host Jay Leno and NBC with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of the US Government by SFJ.
February 3, 2012
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UAE’s Sikh community gets its first dedicated gurudwara
Jebel Ali: The United Arab Emirates has inaugurated the country’s first official Sikh gurudwara.
Guru Nanak Darbar opened on Friday in Jebel Ali around 35 km from Dubai, ending years of demand from the Sikh community for a dedicated place of worship.
The gurudwara is believed to be the first of its kind in the entire region.
Narinder Singh resident of Dubai and member of SikhinDubai.com who conducts kirtan (devotional songs) believe, “It’s a historical step and a boast for the Sikh community living in the UAE”.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai gave his consent for the gurudwara. He also gave away free land for the gurudwara.
The gurudwara is spread over an area of 25,000 square feet near the Jebel Ali Hospital.
It has a dedicated floor for community feasts (langar) and a huge hall for devotional songs (kirtan). Arrangements can be made for community feasts for about 5,000 people at a time.
After a long-standing demand, the Sikh community believes it was an example of the strength of the community and their role in UAE society.
Media professional Abhimanyu Vir Pratap says, “It’s good for the community specially people residing this part of the town. We don’t have to go as far as Bur Dubai. On holidays the entire community can gather together and exchange our views, philosophies and carry out our charity work.”
The Sikh community in Dubai till now offered prayers in a gurudwara in the temple complex in Bur Dubai.
Shweta Jain Chavan who visited the Bur Dubai complex says, “This will help our community immensely, the old complex was not spacious enough to hold large gatherings. This also goes on to show Dubai’s tolerance towards other religion.”
The main prayer hall of the new gurudwara has a 7.2 metre high ceiling and 18-metre diameter dome roof. The function hall can accommodate up to 900 people. There is parking space in the basement too.
There are an estimated 50,000 Sikhs in the UAE, hailing from India and Pakistan
Dubai Marina resident Giftie Sahany says, “This has proved once again that Dubai is a cosmopolitan city and respects all religion when far more liberal countries like Canada are not allowing Sikhs to practice their religion freely. Dubai’s efforts are commendable, also it’s a credit to the Sikh community here to start a gurudwara.”
Source: Ajanta Paul, Emirates 24/7 News
February 3, 2012
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Women found murdered with Moga DSP identified, major breakthrough for police
By Naresh Kumar Sharma
CHANDIGARH: With the woman who was found murdered with Moga DSP Balraj Singh Gill at a farmhouse on Hambran road near Ludhiana has been identified, the Ludhiana police investigating the case has made a major breakthrough. The said woman been identified as Monica Kapila (34) resident of Model Town in Ludhiana.
Earlier on Thursday, the husband of Monica had refused to identify the body of his wife. However, eventually after the identification by family, the police is looking into the possibility of alleged involvement of the husband in the crime.
The body of slain DSP Balraj’s body was lying on a sofa with its neck sliced away. There were multiple injuries on the body of slain DSP. The accused had attacked the DSP with sharp-edged weapon. The body of the woman was found near bathroom in a semi-nude condition..
The family of slain DSP said that Balraj who lived at Kitchlu Nagra as usual cam home from Moga on Wednesday evening and went for his routine evening walk with his pet dog. After this, the slain DSP went away in the car of his friend Narinder Pal Singh telling his family that he would be back within one or two hours.’
However, when the DSP did not return for long time, his wife got suspicious and informed the police. The police sensing some trouble depute search party to trace the cop. Finally, the police came to know around midnight that the DSP had gone to the farmhouse from his home. On reaching the spot, the police the farmhouse locked from outside.
The Assistant Commissioner of Police, Gurpreet Singh said that the police broke open the locks and saw the blood stains being spread in the garden and surroundings. He said as the room was opened, the bodies were found lying in a pool of blood. He said that as per prima facie investigations, it seems that the accused as a pre-planned act had attacked the DSP as he just was entering the farmhouse. He said the DSP had put up soem
resistance but with attackers could be more than three were able to cow down the cop.
The accused after committing the crime also took away the car used by the DSP for going to farmhouse. The police also found clump of hair and some small pieces of clothes stuck in DSP’s hands which had been sent for forensic examination.
The Police Commissioner Ishwar Chander said that some vital leads had come to the fore. He said that the vehicle has been found to be seen abandoned in the area of Nurpur Bedi near Anandpur Sahib. Besides this, he said that the tower location of the mobiles also indicates towards same area.
He said all the angels in the case are being probed. He said Gill was an upright officer and possibility of sullying his image with women’s body found together could not be ruled out. Gill was a decorated officer and had very good image. He was awarded the President’s Medal for his services on August 14, 2010 and also won many state-level medals for his meritorious service
The police was also probing the angle of possibility of illicit relationship between woman and the DSP.Gill is survived by his wife Harinder Kaur and son Gurman (15). Gill’s father is a retired BSF commandant.
Meanwhile, the slain DSP Balraj Singh Gill was cremated at a crematorium near the Arya College for Boys in Ludhiana on Thursday evening. The family of deceased DSP is in a state of shock and sorrow with his wife Harinder Kaur and mother Gurdeep Kaur finding extremely difficult to come to terms with the tragedy.
The father of the slain DSP, KS Gill, a retired BSF commandant, understandably also shocked somehow was able to maintain his composure as relatives converged t the house after they came to know about the sad demise of DSP Balraj.
The Commissioner of police,Ishwar Chander, SSP Khanna, Mandeep Singh Sidhu, SP (D) Mohali Bhupinder Singh, SP ( special security) Harmohan Singh nd other senior police officials were among those who were present there. Amng other prominent citizens of the city, included Harish Rai Dhanda, former chief parliamentary secretary, Punjab, Rajinder Bhandari, former BJP state president, and Congress leader Bharat Bhushan Ashu were also present.
A Punjab Police contingent also gave a guard of honour to their officer.
February 3, 2012
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Moga DSP murder mystery gets murkier
By Naresh Kumar Sharma
CHANDIGARH: Even though, the police are continuing the investigations into the alleged murder of Moga DSP Balraj Singh Gill and woman found, the mystery behind the incident seems to be getting murkier. Despite the prima facie investigations by police having revealed that the said women in the incident belongs to Ludhiana but with none of her relatives including a person supposed to be her husband not coming forward to claim the body has made things complicated for the police.
The deceased police cop who was posted at Moga four months back had reportedly sought the permission of his superiors while moving out of Moga to Ludhiana on Tuesday evening.
Last year also in in February 2010 , the Moga police had to face great deal of embarrassment due to allegedly sex scandal. However, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Crime), Ludhiana,Harjinder Singh, speaking to Punjabnewsline said that the deceased police official had very good reputation and was regarded as one of the efficient officers of the police department.
February 2, 2012
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Ludhiana shocked by DSP’s murder
By Avinash Chopra
LUDHIANA: The Ludhiana city was shaken by the news of shocking murder of Moga DSP Balraj Singh Gill and a woman. The incident occurred at Humbra road about 15-20 kilometres from Ludhiana.The DSP and women who had been putting up a farm house was attacked by unidentified persons with a sharp-edged weapon which led to their death. Sources said that murder had been allegedly committed around afternoon on Wednesday but the police wanted to keep it under wraps from the media.
The Additional Deputy Commissioner (Crime), Ludhiana,Harjinder Singh said that women is yet to be identified. He said that a case under section 302 of the IPC has been registered. He said that the police was further investigation into the matter. On being asked about the prima facie investigations, he said that angle of woman’s relationship with police official could be one of the reasons for the murder. He said that police was verifying the mobile calls made on victim’s phone to get into the bottom of matter. He said that police will crack the case soon as the investigations move further.
February 2, 2012
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Punjab Elections-Speaking Winds
By Col. J.S Chaudhary (Retd.)
BATHINDA:The voters in Punjab on 30 Jan 2012 demonstrated overwhelming enthusiasm and interest for 117 seat assembly elections with approximately 77 Percent voters exercising their franchise. This is the highest polling figure in the State of Punjab since its reorganization. The highest percentage of polling about 90 percent took place at Guru Harsahai and the lowest in the list is Amritsar (West) with 56 percent of polling votes.
Despite the winter chill the voters came out to exercise their right to vote in large number indicating a very positive & responsive attitude towards this democratic process. Barring a few incidents of violence, the polling throughout the state has been by and large peaceful with no incidence of booth capturing. With the completion of polling process the fate of 1078 candidates in the election fray has been sealed in EVM’s which will be known on 06 March 2012.
The analysis of the election process in the State clearly brings out that major credit for this turnout goes to Election Commission. They planned, managed and monitored the electoral process to the minutest details with total transparency and impartiality thus giving every political party an equal level playing field. Incorporation of suitable checks and balances with adequate security provided to the voters restored their confidence as a result they could exercise their franchise fearlessly and freely. Another factor which contributed to the large percentage of voting is participation by youth particularly the first time voters. This was further boosted by PPP of Manpreet which specifically targeted the youth and educated class.
The EC effect was remarkably visible in all spheres where the same police and civil officials did commendable job in an unbiased manner which improved the overall law and order situation in the State. Though it was not fully effective to control use of cash & liquor for votes but whatever has been achieved is praiseworthy.
Whatever may be the outcome of results on 6th March 2012, the wind of change in the mindset of voters particularly among young voters has started blowing in the positive direction which is a very healthy sign. It is expected from the political class that they will learn many constructive lessons for future out of it and those who will ignore the past will certainly be condemned to repeat it.
February 1, 2012
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Scuffle between Sikh hardliners and SGPC employees
By Jagmohan Singh
AMRITSAR: A group of nearly twenty five people belonging to Sikh NGO “Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Committee” being run by hardliners indulged in brawl with the task force of SGPC at Gurudwara Ramsar where the copies of Guru Granth Sahib were being printed.
A group of Sikh hardliners on reaching at the Printing press being run by the SGPC raised objection over the alleged unholy practice being adopted by the SGPC. They objected that the transportation of Sikh religious scripture like ordinary goods in a dirty commercial vehicle was a blasphemous act.
During heated altercations with the SGPC employees, hardliners allegedly attacked SGPC employees with swords and other sharp edged weapons for not following Sikh tenets regarding transportation of Sikh scriptures in a respectful manner.
On being contacted SGPC Secretary Dalmegh Singh said that a group of nearly twenty five people being led by Balbir Singh Muchal and Gurnam Singh have allegedly attacked on the employees of SGPC working in the printing press, first SGPC employess were confined and beaten up with sharp edged weapons by hardliners. He further added that the timely intervention of police saved the SGPC employees.
He warned that nobody would be allowed to play with sanctity of SGPC. Continuing further he said that if Balbir Singh Muchal was having any
complaint on the working of SGPC with regard to printing of religious matter, he should have written a complaint letter to the SGPC president or any senior officials rather to play with law and order or disturb the peaceful atmosphere of pious place where devotees come to pay obeisance.
February 1, 2012
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