Concern over financial mess

V.P. Prabhakar

V.P. Singh Badnore The Punjab Governor, Mr V.P. Singh Badnore, said that though his government had inherited an empty treasury, it was fully conscious of the promises that were made to the people of Punjab in the recently concluded elections and was fully committed to implement the same.
The Governor, who was addressing the first session of the 15th Vidhan Sabha on March 28, 2017, said during the last 10 years the total debt of the state had increased from Rs. 48,344 crore in 2006-2007 to Rs. 1,82,537 crore at the end of 2016-17, The State Government during 2015-16 and 2016-17 borrowed Rs, 15,632 crore on behalf of the Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd (PSPCL) alone. In order to settle the gap in Cash Credit Limit (CCL) for food, the Government had agreed to a term loan of Rs. 31,000 crore which had further burdened the state. Even the Atta Dal Scheme and the Urban and Rural Mission were undertaken by borrowing huge amounts of money from commercial banks, mortgaging a large number of properties of the state. This mismanagement had saddled the government with huge liabilities in terms of non payment of arrears of dearness allowances, salaries and non payment of old age and other pensions and non payment of power subsidy to the Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd. Even scholarship payable to dalit and other poor students were outstanding.
Mr Badnore said that the Government would take up the issue of term loan of Rs 31,000 crore with the Union Government to help the state. He said that has government was fully committed to restores the financial position of the state and to once again put it on a high growth trajectory by vastly improving the quality of services being provided by accelerating the rate of growth and by affording quality employment opportunities, specially for the youth of the state. While doing so, it would be ensured that the weaker and deprived sections were not subjected to any additional burden. It would take fiscal and other performs.

'Marthon race'

Jagat Ram At long last the 'marathon race' for the post of the Director of the post Graduate institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) was won by the soft spoken and ever smiling Dr Jagat Ram, Professor and Head of Ophthalmology Department of PGI. He occupied the chair on March 18, 2017.
A number of VIPs came forward to congratulate him. Former Director of PGI, Prof. Yogesh Kumar Chawla and Prof. K.K. Talwar personally came to congratulate Dr Jagat Ram. Besides, other professors even leaders of employees organizations, nurses, technicians came to congratulate him and offered all cooperation to him. Dr Jagat Ram also assured them that he would take all wings along with him in order to make difference in the administration.