CHANDIGARH: Hotel business has been declared Industry in Punjab and Punjab would soon announce more facilities for hotel Industry to attract more tourists in the state.

Stating this here Wednesday after listening suggestions from Hotel and Restaurant Association, Hira Singh Gabrria, Tourism & Cultural Affair Minister, Punjab said that as per the demand of the Association Punjab Government would provide land for Information Centers and these centers would be run by the Association at their expenses.

Responding on another demand to reduce VAT from 12.5 percent on eatables, the minister said that if the Association gives assurance that the amount of VAT would increase than the Tourism Department would take up the matter with concerned department.

The Minister asked the deputation to constitute a five members committee with whom your all genuine demands would be considered sympathetically.

Prominent among others present in the meeting included, Mrs. Geetika Kalha, Principal Secretary, Tourism & Cultural Affairs, Mr. Arunjit Singh Miglani, Director, Tourism and Cultural Affairs, S. Manjit Singh Nagpal and Sh. Amarvir Singh, President and General Secretary respectively of Hotel Association, Punjab.

Punjab Health dept to issue 440 selected candidates
PNS/Chandigarth
The Punjab Government would give appointment letters to 440 selected candidates in the department of health and family welfare Punjab.

This was disclosed Wednesday by Lakshmi Kanta Chawla Health and Family Welfare Minister Punjab while listening to the grievances of public during 'Sahyog' camp in the office of BJP at Chandigarh.

Giving details, she said that 40 block extension educators and 400 multipurpose health workers (Male) would be given appointment letters for which the Punjab Council of Ministers has already given its nod in the last cabinet meeting. All the formalities have been completed, she added.

Referring to the health facilities in the state, the Minister said that besides strengthening the existing health services, 147 posts of specialists including drug inspectors, lab assistants and chemical analysists would be filled on priority in the health department. The process has already been initiated in this regard. Spurious drug and medicines worth Rs. 85 lakh have been seized from the chemists during various raids conducted by the Punjab Health Department. Ultra sound centres and doctors indulging in malpractices of determining sex and killing female foeticide were being constantly monitored and strict action would be taken against them. She, however, agreed that 90 percent problem of female foeticide and sale of spurious drugs has been controlled jointly by the public and the department.

As many as 36 complaints were received during the 'Sahyog' camp two were redressed on the spot and remaining were sent to the respective departments for immediate action.

Sat Pal Gosain, Deputy Speaker Punjab Vidhan Sabha was also present along with the Health Minister.