SHARE BUY BACK AND NEW REGULATORY CHANGES

A company can buy back its shares through two methods - from the existing shareholders on a proportionate basis through the tender offer; and through the open market. When a company announces a buyback, the stock price of the company moves upwards as investors perceive the buyback as a huge positive for the stock. However, it is not so in case of many stocks, as some companies announce the buyback of shares just to ramp up the stock prices. The past data show only a few companies have bought back full or large portion of the targeted quantity. We explain the relevance of buybacks through open market.

What is a share buyback?

A repurchase of outstanding shares from investors in the open market by a company using its surplus cash within a stipulated time frame. Shares are bought back at their prevailing market prices or at a premium to market price, but not exceeding the maximum buyback price.

Why do companies buy back shares?

In order to stabilise the share price by buying it at a premium to market price and reducing the number of shares in the market. It also improves the financial ratios of the company. On the other hand, a buyback increases the promoter holding in the company and eliminates a takeover threat from major shareholders.

How does it benefit the company?

By reducing the number of outstanding shares, the financial ratios look better. First, the return on equity (ROE) and the earnings per share (EPS) go up, resulting in improvement of the price-to-earning ratio (PE). Buybacks also reduce the cash on balance sheet and hence the assets. As a result, return on assets (ROA) actually increases.

What does it mean for investors?

Buybacks are used by companies to return surplus cash to shareholders or provide support for the share price during periods of temporary weakness. In cases where companies are serious, buybacks increase shareholders' value by maximising investors' return as the companies invest in buying their own shares.

What are the recent changes proposed by the market regulator?

To curb the rampant misuse of buyback provisions, Sebi has proposed changes to the existing bye-laws. Proposed provisions mandate that the company must acquire at least 50% of the maximum share quantity announced with 25% of the money in an escrow account. Sebi also restricted the time frame from 12 months to 3 months for buybacks.  The other important changes proposed were a 2-year cooling off period before capital raising and a 1-year cooling off between two buybacks along with rationalisation of disclosures.

PUNJAB E-DISTRICT

E-District

Districts are the de facto front-end of government where most Government-to-Consumer or G2C interaction takes place. The eDistrict project was conceptualized to improve this experience and enhance the efficiencies of the various Departments at the district-level to enable seamless service delivery to the citizen.

Front-ends under the scheme, in the form of citizen facilitation centers, are envisoned to be built at District-, Tehsil-, Sub-division- and Block- levels. Village-level front-ends would be established through Gram Suwidha Centre (GSCs) for delivery of services.

Indicative services planned to be delivered through this MMP include:

• Certificates: Creation and distribution of certificates for income, domicile, caste, Birth, Death etc.
• Licences: Arms Licenses etc.
• Public Distribution System (PDS): Issue of Ration Card, etc.
• Social Welfare Schemes: Disbursement of old-age pensions, family pensions, widow pensions, etc.
• Complaints: Related to unfair prices, absentee teachers, non-availability of doctor, etc.
• RTI: Online filing and receipt of information relating to the Right to Information Act
• Linking with other e government projects: Registration, Land Records, and Driving Licences, etc.
• • Information Dissemination: About government schemes, entitlements, etc.
  • Assessment of taxes: Property tax, and other government taxes.
  • Utility Payment: Payments relating to electricity, water bills property taxes etc.
  Punjab E-District

  

  E-District project envisages integrated and seamless delivery of citizen services by district administration through automation of workflow, backend computerization, data digitization across participating departments.

  The project aims to target high volume delivered at the District level and to undertake back-end computerization to enable the delivery of citizen services through Common Service Centres in a systematic way. It further aims to integrate multiple applications, faster processing of public cases/appeals/grievances, dissemination of information as per public requirement and redesign the processes for the core services to be delivered through the Common Service Centers.

  
  

MEMBRANE COMPUTING

Membrane computing is an area within computer science that seeks to discover new computational models from the study of biological cells, particularly of the cellular membranes. It is a sub-task of creating a cellular model.

Membrane computing or MC deals with distributed and parallel computing models, processing multisets of symbol objects in a localized manner. Thus, evolution rules allow for evolving objects to be encapsulated into compartments defined by membranes. The communications between compartments and with the environment play an essential role in the processes. The various types of membrane systems are known as P systems after Gheorghe Păun who first conceived the model in 1998.

An essential ingredient of a P system is its membrane structure, which can be a hierarchical arrangement of membranes, as in a cell, or a net of membranes (placed in the nodes of a graph), as in a tissue or a neural net. P systems are often depicted graphically with drawings.



The intuition behind the notion of a membrane is a three-dimensional vesicle from biology. However the concept itself is more general, and a membrane is seen as a separator of two regions. The membrane provides for selective communication between the two regions. As per George Paun, the separation is of the Euclidean space into a finite “inside” and an infinite “outside”. The selective communication is where the computing comes in.

Graphical representations may have numerous elements, according to the variation of the model that is being studied. For example, a rule may produce the special symbol δ, in which case the membrane that contains it is dissolved and all its contents move up in the region hierarchy.

The variety of suggestions from biology and the range of possibilities to define the architecture and the functioning of a membrane-based multiset processing device are practically endless. Indeed the membrane computing literature contains a very large number of models. Thus, MC is not merely a theory related to a specific model, it is a framework for devising compartmentalized models.

Chemicals are modeled by symbols, or alternatively by strings of symbols. The region, which is defined by a membrane, can contain other symbols or strings (collectively referred to as objects) or other membranes, so that a P system has exactly one outer membrane, called the skin membrane, and a hierarchical relationship governing all its membranes under the skin membrane.

If objects are symbols, then their multiplicity within a region matters; however multi-sets are also used in some string models. Regions have associated rules that define how objects are produced, consumed, passed to other regions and otherwise interact with one another. The nondeterministic maximally parallel application of rules throughout the system is a transition between system states, and a sequence of transitions is called a computation. Particular goals can be defined to signify a halting state, at which point the result of the computation would be the objects contained in a particular region. Alternatively the result may be made up of objects sent out of the skin membrane to the environment.

Many variant models have been studied, and interest has focused on proving computational universality for systems with a small number of membranes, for the purpose of solving NP-complete problems such as Boolean satisfiability (SAT) problems and the traveling salesman problem (TSP). The P systems may trade space and time complexities and less often use models to explain natural processes in living cells. The studies devise models that may at least theoretically be implemented on hardware. To date, the P systems are nearly all theoretical models that have never been reduced to practice, although a practical system is given in.

PCS MAINS 2012 UPDATE

The next hearing has been fixed on 18th feburary in Honourable Punjab and Haryana high court.

Happy Basant panchmi to everyone

Happy basant panchmai to eveyone especially all ferozepurias and fazilika waale...happy Kite flying.....

FINANCIAL INCLUSION

What is financial inclusion?

In a broader sense, financial inclusion is providing or ensuring banking services at affordable costs to the weaker sections of society or the unbanked segment which does not have access to the formal banking system. In bigger cities, every household may have more than one bank account but thousands of villages in India do not even have a bank branch. The Indian central bank — Reserve Bank of India, or RBI — is keen on achieving 100 per cent financial inclusion and has nudged banks to extend the reach to as many citizens as possible.

What is the status of financial inclusion in India?

Despite the rapid advance in technology, after five decades since independence, close to 60 per cent of the population in India do not have a bank account. This ratio is especially higher in the North-Eastern part of the country. Of the six lakh villages, only 30,000 have bank branches. A government-sponsored report says only 10 per cent of Indians have a life insurance cover, 13 per cent have debit cards and just two per cent own credit cards.

Why is RBI keen on 100 per cent financial inclusion?

In a recent speech, RBI Governor D Subbarao said financial inclusion was the key to sustaining equitable growth. Access to financial services will provide the poor opportunities to build savings, make investments and avail of credit. Also, such access helps them insure themselves against income shocks and equips them to meet emergencies such as illness, death in the family or loss of employment. Further, 'it protects the poor from the clutches of the usurious money lenders,' he was quoted as saying.

PUNJAB GOVT SPORTS POLICY 2009

1. Preamble:

1.1 The competitive Sports & Games are integral part of life of human beings
and there is an urgent need to promote sports in a systematic manner. In
order to achieve excellence in sports, both at National and International
levels, there is a need to streamline the functioning of the department, adopt
a uniform policy so that sports is broad based, sports activities in the state
are well spread over the year; the competitions are held regularly; people of
different stratas in the society get a fair chance to show their mettle; harness
talent at grass root level besides providing beneficial recreation and
fostering of social harmony and discipline.
2. VISION

2.1 To make Punjab a vibrant leading edge state in the sports arena, to create
adequate infrastructure, promote rural games, adopt maximum disciplines
of Olympic games, broadbase sports, synergise the activities of Sports and
Education Departments, raise the standards of sports in the state; promote
the spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie, harness talent at the grass root
level, nurture the potential sportspersons and achieve excellence in the
sports at both National and International level and give incentives to
sportspersons who win laurels for the  State at National and International
levels.
3. PRINCIPLES


3.1 To ensure autonomy in sports, a close coordination with Punjab Olympic
Association and the other state level sports associations, so that the spirit of
Olympic games is  respected, safeguarded and developed.
3.2 To take all steps to bring more transparency in the working of sports
associations.
3.3 To ensure sustainable financial supporting to POA and other state level
sports associations of disciplines  of Olympic games to ensure regular activity in the field of sports and at the same time encourage them to create
their own sources of revenue to obviate total  dependence on the  state.
3.4 For giving financial assistance to State level associations a self contained

transparent policy shall be framed.
3.5 To provide technical manpower to state sports associations and academic
institutes.
3.6 To take appropriate steps to encourage involvement of Private and
Corporate sector in development of  sports infrastructure, training and
conduct of sports competitions.
4. OBJECTIVES

4.1 Broad basing of sports in three tier system i.e. State level, District level and
Village level.
4.2 To develop sports culture in the  state by providing improved sports
facilities at all levels.
4.3 To lay emphasis on improving the existing sports infrastructure and
develop latest state-of-the art sports infrastructure in the state at each
District headquarter with pro-active  support of Municipal Corporations/
Councils and Private/ Corporate sector.
4.4 To create sports infrastructure and sports facilities at village and block level
through Panchayat Yuva Krida Aur  Khel Abhiyan (PYKKA) and other

state level schemes.
4.5 To set up a Punjab Institute of Sports, a centre of excellence at Jalandhar.
4.6 To set up Regional Training Centres.
4.7 To strengthen the sports wings in schools and colleges.
4.8 To encourage sports & youth clubs to conduct sports activities.
4.9 To develop synthetic surfaces for Athletics, Hockey & other games in the
state.
4.10 To take effective steps to patronize and promote local games like Circle
Kabaddi, Gatka, Tug of War etc.
4.11 To provide sports equipment to  all coaching centres, sports wings and
coaching camps for selected competitions.

4.12 To organize sports competitions at block, district, state, national and
international levels.
4.13 To organize seminars/ clinics for coaches/players to update their knowledge
by inviting coaches of international level.
4.14 To provide cash incentives, awards and employment opportunities to
outstanding sportspersons.
4.15 To establish a Scientific Evaluation and Monitoring Lab.
4.16 Promotion of sports among girls and women to be encouraged.
4.17 Promotion of sports for disabled to be encouraged.

5. MECHANISM TO ACHIEVE THE OBJECTIVES

5.1 SPORTS IN GENERAL
5.2 To provide access to sports for all classes of citizens in all segments of
society.





5.3 Provision of funds to create basic sports infrastructure and development of
playfields in all the villages and blocks of the state, during the next ten
years. Annual acquisition and operational grants would be provided to
purchase sports equipment and running of sports activities by the trained
sports volunteers.  
5.4 Creation of basic sports facilities in schools/colleges and to make sports an
integral part of school/college curriculum.
5.5 To assist educational institutions, boards, corporations & private
undertakings to organize sports competitions and to patronize specific
games by creating their own teams.
5.6 Competitions at block, district, state  and national level to be encouraged
and Annual League Format in selected sports disciplines, to be introduced.  
5.7 To encourage girls and women participation in sports and organizing
tournaments at all levels, exclusively for girls.  5.8 To make optimal use of Govt. of India funds to create sports infrastructure,
running of sports activities and organization of tournaments at various
levels. 5.9 To make sports infrastructure disabled friendly and promote sports among
persons with disabilities.
5.10 High priority will be accorded to development of sports and regular
conduct of sporting events at Block, District and State levels. Mass
participation will be ensured by involving institutions of Panchayati Raj,
local bodies of towns and cities, schools and colleges, sports associations,
youth clubs, corporate houses and  semi/ autonomous bodies of the
government. Earnest efforts shall be made to promote club culture to ensure
autonomy. 5.11 The broad basing of sports will be achieved by creating a 3 tier system as
under:-
 a. Block Level.
 b. District Level.
 c. State Level.
5.12  Integration of sports with education: The Department of Sports and
Youth Services will ensure that the annual sports calendar is prepared in
synchronisation with the academic calendar in such a manner that it allows
the students to take active part in sports competitions without having any
adverse impact on their academic performance.
5.13  Appointment of Coaches:    Adequate number of coaches will be provided
in all districts. Besides the regular appointees the shortfall of coaches, if
any, will be met by appointing coaches on contract basis.
5.14  INFORMATION & DOCUMENTATION
 
5.14.1 To disseminate information to the general public, the Sports Department will
make use of all available information technology tools. The website of the
department shall contain upto date  information of sportspersons, sports
infrastructure, different schemes of the department, records of different level of
the competitions.

5.14.2 The Sports Department will strengthen the exiting libraries in the offices of
Districts Sports Officers. A state level sports library will also be established in the
Office of Director Sports, Punjab.
6. SPORTS IN PARTICULAR
6.1 In order to develop sports standards in schools and colleges, which have
adequate sports infrastructure and show keen interest in organizing specific
sports, their needs of technical support and of basic equipment, trained
personnel and diet charges shall be met by the state to some extent. The govt. would encourage the opening up of new sports wings and strengthen
the existing ones, to create ideal feeding centres. The selected players
would be provided boarding/lodging, insurance and medical cover, sports
infrastructure, equipment, kitting and training by the expert coaches. These



sports wings would serve as feeding grounds for the Centres of Excellence.
The diet charges of the players would be revised from time to time, keeping
in view the prevailing prices.
6.2 To give competition exposure to the players, competitions at block, district,
state and national level would be organized.
6.3 The government would provide financial  assistance to all District Olympic
Associations of the state to conduct district level competitions, through District
Sports Associations. Financial assistance upto 10,000/- per association would be
provided. Guidelines in this regards shall be issued  separately. To encourage
participation and competitiveness at grass-root level, all the District Olympic
Associations of the state shall be encouraged to organise district level games . The
Sports Department shall provide financial assistance @ Rs. 2.00 lac per year to
every DOA for this purpose.
6.4 To commemorate birthday of Hockey Legend Major Dhyan Chand every year,
29
th
 August would be celebrated as National Sports Day at each district
headquarter. The District Olympic Associations shall organise popular sports
events like Cycle race, Marathon, Tug of War, Circle Kabaddi, and other games
on this occasion. It would be ensured that the finals of Inter Block Tournament
under PYKKA Scheme are held on this day and awards to the winning teams are
distributed on this occasion.



6.5 The state government recognises the contribution of education institutions in the
promotion of sports. It has always encouraged the creation of sports infrastructure
in the universities which organise inter-college tournaments in different
disciplines and participate in all India  Inter University Tournaments. Govt. of
India presents Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad   (MAKA) trophy every year to the
university which gives best  overall performance. The Universities situated in
Punjab have the honour to bag this award for the last 27 Years.
6.6 The universities in the state shall be  further encouraged to maintain their
supremacy at All India Inter University Level and will be encouraged by
providing a lump sum grant of 1.00 crore every time for winning MAKA trophy.
7. EXCELLENCE IN SPORTS
7.1 Achieving excellence and winning  medals in the Olympics and other

international sports events has been a matter of pride for all nations of the
world. Many countries have been spending sizable resources and providing best of facilities to the top

best of facilities to the top sports persons for coaching, training etc. on a
long term basis to enhance their performance in various international sports
events, winning laurels for the country. Over years, competition at
international level is getting tougher and tougher. Latest technology is
being adopted increasingly for improving upon the existing world records.
International sports have become  extremely competitive and infact no
longer subscribe to the theory of “Sports” for the sake of sports.
7.2 International competitive sports have also become extremely expensive
owing to huge investments required in equipment, costly coaching and
training services etc. The centre and states have been supporting high
performing national sportspersons  who represent the country and
participate in recognized international competitions. In some cases,
corporate sponsors step in to provide resources to sportspersons to train and
gain international exposure in return for commercial endorsements and
brand ambassador duties for the sponsors. It may have been helpful in
individual cases but may not always lead to most desirable results.
7.3  Under the New Sports Policy, the Punjab Govt. commits itself to providthe necessary financial and other support to outstanding sportspersons to
pursue the goal of winning medals in world class competitions.
7.4 The govt. intends to organize competitions of international level in selected
sports disciplines on annual basis to provide international exposure to our
national teams and facilitate people of  the state to witness international
matches live.  
7.5 The govt. also intends to establish Punjab Institute of Sports at Jalandhar
which would serve as a ‘Centre of  Excellence’ for international medal
prospects of  the  state. They would be provided  modern  state-of-the  art
sports infrastructure, nutritious diet, latest sports equipment and training on
scientific lines.
7.6 Three Regional Training Centres, one each in Majha, Malwa and Doaba
would also be established and provided with hi-tech sports facilities.  

7.7 The govt. will adopt innovative methods to mobilize funds from the state,
para statal bodies, private and corporate sector, for promotion of sports.  7.8 Concerted efforts would be made to revive Punjab’s pre-eminent position in
the national game of hockey and focus  would be on selected individual
games.
8. SPORTS INFRASTRUCTURE

8.1 The Govt. is committed to provide funds for development of playgrounds in
all the villages and blocks of the state, in the next ten years.
8.2 Latest sports infrastructure for different games would be developed in the

state and efforts shall be made to provide synthetic surfaces in the games of
hockey, athletics, badminton, lawn tennis, handball, basketball,  etc.  
8.3 Modern state-of-the art, multispeciality sports complex would be developed
at SAS Nagar.
8.4 World class Hockey and Cricket Stadiums would be developed in the state.
8.5 Training Synthetic Hockey Grounds would be developed in rich pockets of
hockey.
9. AWARDS AND INCENTIVES TO SPORTSPERSONS
9.1 The state awards are presented to the sportspersons for their outstanding
achievement in the field of sports. The state govt. is fully alive to its
responsibility to nurture, facilitate and encourage sportspersons. It has
instituted Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award for the sportspersons who bring
laurels and glory to the state and country by winning medals at national and
international level. Apart from Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award, the other
awards and incentives which shall be conferred upon sportspersons of the
state are detailed at Annexure ‘A’.
9.2 The award money for Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award and other state awards

to be instituted by the govt., would be reviewed periodically, in consonance
with prevailing value of money.
9.3 The govt. intends to institute some more state awards in future for further
encouragement of sports-persons/ sports officials/ sports administrators and
sports promoters.
9.4 The cash awards are introduced primarily to compensate the medal winners
of national/international sports events for the expenses incurred on diet,
training, preparations and for the deprivations suffered by them due to their devotion

devotion and service to sports. The  objective is also to mitigate the
sufferings caused due to hardships encountered during preparation. Another
purpose of the cash awards is to encourage and motivate the outstanding
sportspersons for even higher achievements and to attract the younger
generation to take to sports as a career. These cash awards definitely help to
rehabilitate the medal winners with honour, dignity and comfort after the
conclusion of their active sports career which is generally of a very short
duration. The cash awards are also  the expression of appreciation and
gratitude of the state to the medal winners for winning laurels for the state
and country.
 
9.5  The govt. has formulated Cash Award Policy for outstanding sportspersons
of the state. The quantum of money  of cash awards would be enhanced
from time to time, keeping in view the high status of these awards.
9.6 The games covered under Cash  Award Policy shall be reviewed
periodically.
9.7 Bus concession upto 75% would  be provided to players who have
participated in National level championships and free travel concession to
Arjuna Awardee, Maharaja Ranjit Singh Awardee, Medalist of
Asian/Commonwealth games and Olympian in Punjab Roadways ordinary
and deluxe/AC buses.

10. PENSION TO10.1 There is a need to have a provision of pension for eminent sportspersons to
give an unambiguous message to all those talented sportspersons, who
aspire to become international champions, that the govt. would back
appreciation of their achievement with tangible and meaningful life-time
assistance in the form of a pension. The assured monthly income is a
compensation for the opportunities spurned by sportsmen at the altar of
growing commercialization of sports to win laurels for the country.  
10.2 The rates at which the Sports Department/ Punjab State Sports Council
would provide pension to medalists and participants of Olympics and other
International competitions, are appended as Annexure ‘B’. The eligibility
criteria for the Pension Scheme and its rates shall be reviewed periodically
to neutralize the impact of inflation.

11. RECRUITMENT POLICY

11.1 The Govt. in the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms has
formulated a Recruitment Policy to provide reservation in employment to
outstanding sportspersons of the state.


11.2 The Govt. will review the Recruitment Policy from time to time to provide
wider employment opportunities to sportsmen.
12. INVOLVEMENT OF NRI’S FOR GIVING FILLIP TO SPORTS
12.1 A large number of Punjabis, particularly from the Doaba region who
migrated to foreign lands have retained strong emotional and cultural bonds
with Punjab. Many a times, they display their affection and generosity by
organizing rural tournaments with impressive participation of several
teams. The games they particularly patronize are Circle Kabaddi,
Wrestling, Weightlifting, Hockey and Football.
12.2 The government will join hands with such NRI’s from Punjab and apart
from assisting them in the organization of these tournaments, it shall also
give them proper honour and recognition. It will have a salutary effect and
shall encourage a large number of NRI’s to contribute more substantially to
make sports a mass movement in villages. With the active association of
the government these tournaments shall also acquire a higher status and
prestigious teams would start participating in them, raising the standard of
competition.


 

13. INVOLVEMENT OF SEMI-GOVT. CORPORATIONS AND
BOARDS

13.1 All the Corporations/Boards and Apex Cooperative Institutions in the state
would be brought under the overall umbrella of SAPSO (Sports
Associations of Punjab Semi-Government Organizations). These
Organizations shall be encouraged to adopt atleast one game of their
choice.
The purpose of setting up SAPSO and adoption of games by individual
organizations would be four-fold :-
(i) To promote Sports Culture in the Units, which would have the effect of
improving overall discipline, increase  productivity and bring about close
identification and a feeling of pride among the employees in these
organizations. Sports are acknowledged as an important tool for improving
employee-management relations. (ii) It will give a tremendous boost to the promotion of Sports by opening up
facilities for training of budding sportsmen generating Competition among
them due to suitable incentives. (iii) It will prevent drain of sportsmen and women from Punjab because the
scheme will open up more avenues of employment within the home state.
(iv) These Corporations/Boards will compliment Govt. effort by contributing in
money and resources to augment sporting facilities in the State.
14. EXEMPTION OF ENTERTAINMENT DUTY ON SPORTS
TOURNAMENTS/ EVENTS
14.1 With an aim to open up more avenues of competition, and to improve
financial well being of sports organizations and clubs, govt. shall exempt
sports competitions/ events from payment of entertainment duty even when

the money is raised by the organizers, by ticketing the event in Olympic
disciplines including Circle style Kabaddi.
14.2 The possibility to levy some cess on liquor or license fee, would also be
explored to raise adequate financial resources for promotion of sports.
15. SPECIFIC MEASURES FOR GENERATING ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL
RESOURCES BY ASSOCIATING PRIVATE SECTOR  AND OTHER
BODIES  
15.1 The govt. would endeavour to involve Private Sector, Industrial and
Business Houses to make contribution  for promotion of sports either by
employing sportsmen or by sponsoring sports events. The govt. would also
rope in the private sector by giving suitable recognition to such industrial
houses which come forward to help sports projects. A suitable package of
attractive incentives shall be offered to encourage industrial and business
houses for sports promotion.
16. SETTING UP OF PUNJAB SPORTS INFRASTRUCTURE
DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE BOARD.
16.1 For proper and sustained development of sports, it is imperative that
sports infrastructure is continuously developed, upgraded and

maintained. To achieve this objective, the State Government may set
up a Board for the development  and maintenance of sports
infrastructure under the name and style of Punjab Sports
Infrastructure Development And Maintenance Board.
16.2 The Govt. will create adequate and appropriate sports related
infrastructure at Block, District and State levels through funds from
budgetary provisions, semi government boards/ corporations and
private corporate houses. 16.3 The maintenance of different stadia shall be done by Punjab Sports
Infrastructure Development and Maintenance Board. Till the board
comes into existence and is fully operationalised, the Sports
Department shall provide a lump sum grant of 5.00 lac per district




per year to District Sports Councils for the maintenance of stadia.
The Sports Department would depute coach(es) for operation and
maintenance of block level stadia. A committee comprising of
principal/headmaster of the school, coach, physical education
teacher of the school and the concerned sarpanches would be setup
to make the stadiums operational.
16.4 To make optimal use of sports stadiums and sports infrastructure
existing in universities and other educational institutions, a suitable

institutional frame work shall be evolved so that it could be used by
different organizations and sportsmen of the state

SANT FATEH SINGH(Sikh leader)

Fateh Singh (27 October 1911 - 30 October 1972) was an Indian Sikh religious and political leader, and a key figure in the Punjabi Suba movement.^[1] He was revered as Sant Fateh Singh among his followers.

Early days

Fateh Singh was the son of Channan Singh, a resident of Badiala in Bathinda district of Punjab. Fateh Singh did not have any formal schooling, but he started learning to read and write Punjabi language at the age of 13. He expressed deep interest in the Sikh scriptures, as a result of which his father apprenticed him to a Sikh scholar named Ishar Singh. Later, Fateh Singh migrated to the Ganganagar in the princely state of Bikaner (now in Rajasthan). He toured the nearby villages, preaching the Sikh faith. He also promoted education among the citizens, and established several gurdwaras and schools, besides an orphanage.

Punjabi Suba movement

In the 1950s, Fateh Singh entered politics when he started supporting the concept of "Punjabi Suba", a separate state for the Punjabi speakers in India. By the late 1950s, Fateh Singh had become the senior vice-president of the Shiromani Akali Dal, and had led several marches supporting the Punjabi Suba movement. On 18 December 1960, he started a fast-unto-death in support of his demand. Several prominent Indian leaders tried to convince him to abandon his fast. He ended his fast on 9 January 1961, after the Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru issued a statement indicating the support for establishment of a Punjabi Suba. Paul R. Brass, the Professor Emeritus of Political Science and South Asian Studies at the University of Washington, opines that the Sikh leader Fateh Singh tactically stressed the linguistic basis of the demand, while downplaying the religious basis for the demand—a state where the distinct Sikh identity could be preserved.^[2]

In July 1962, Fateh Singh broke away from the prominent Sikh leader Master Tara Singh, and formed his own Akali Dal. On 2 October 1962, his party gained control of the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee. In the Gurdwara elections on 17 January 1965, Fateh Singh's party annexed 90 of the seats, while Master Tara Singh's party could manage only 45.

After a few unsatisfactory meetings with Nehru, on 16 August 1965, Fateh Singh threatened another fast-undo-death and self-immolation, if a Punjabi Suba was not created. However, after the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965broke out, he decided to postpone his fast, and asked his followers to support the government in this need of hour.

After the war ended, the Government of India set up a Cabinet Committee consisting of Indira Gandhi, Mahavir Tyagi and Yashwantrao Chavan to consider the Punjabi Suba proposal. On Fateh Singh's request, a Parliamentary Consultative Committee headed by the Lok Sabha speaker Sardar Hukam Singh was also constituted for the same purpose. The report of the Hukam Singh committee was made public on 18 January 1966, recommending the reorganization of the Punjab state on linguistic basis. When Indira Gandhi became the Prime Minister after Lal Bahadur Shastri's death, she agreed to the Punjabi Suba proposal. On 3 September 1966, the Punjab Reorganization Bill was introduced in the Lok Sahha and the modern Punjab state came into being on 1 November 1966.

However, Fateh Singh was not happy about Chandigarh and some other Punjabi-speaking areas being left out of Punjab. He threatened a fast starting from 17 December 1966 and self-immolation on 27 December 1966, if his demands were not met. Hukam Singh and Giani Gurmukh Singh Musafir (the Chief Minister of the Punjab) persuaded him to end his fast on behalf of Indira Gandhi, and Fateh Singh ended his fast on 27 December 1966.

Fateh Singh's influence began to decline in the late 1960s. He started another fast-unto-death on 26 January 1970, demanding the inclusion of Chandigarh into Punjab, but ended it on 30 January. He announced his retirement from politics on 25 March 1972, and died in Amritsar a few months later, on 30 October 1972.