The fourth annual convention of the NRI Sabha Punjab will start on 7^th Jan, 2000, according to a press release issued by the NRI Sabha Punjab. This week long convention will conduct various seminars including the seminar on the problems in agriculture & agriculture in the 21^st century, on 7^th Jan, 2000. On 8^th Jan, a seminar on the employment opportunities in Punjab, by the state level committee of the banks & the department for village development, will be conducted.

The seminars on 7^th & 8^th Jan. & the main convention on 9^th Jan ’2000 will take place at the Guru Gobind Singh Stadium, Jalandhar. The seminars on the opportunities for capital investment on 10^th Jan & Inter-differences of the NRI in the literary meetings, will be held on 11^th Jan. The seminars on 10^th & 11^th Jan will be held at the Red Cross Bhawan, Jalandhar.

According to the information received from the NRI Sabha Punjab, entering in the 21^st century, year 2000 will be celebrated as the year of NRIs in Punjab.

It has also been decided by the Sabha to issue more funds to the district units for strengthening them. Prior to the main convention, district level conventions will also be organised at the district head offices on 2^nd Jan ’2000.

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The World Bank has approved the second phase of the integrated watershed development project (hills) for five states including Punjab with an outlay of $193 million (1999-2005).

Independent evaluation studies in Punjab had shown positive achievements and a substantial contribution towards resource conservation (soil erosion and checking run-off water) and economic development, the rural economy had improved so did environment and health of forests.

The construction of the first phase of a complex of the Baba Farid University of Health Sciences at Faridkot will be started in the middle of January next year. A requisite piece of land of 156 acres has been acquired and the Punjab Government has agreed to release a grant of Rs. 6 crore.

During its first counselling in August last 920 students were admitted to MBBS, BDS, Ayurvedic and Nursing courses in different colleges of the university.

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The Airport Authority of India has planned to conduct an origin-destination survey of international passengers at the Indira Gandhi Airport at New Delhi and at Amritsar Airport Project.

According to official information available here, the proposal for upgradation and development of Amritsar airport is under the consideration of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA).

Indian Airlines has now introduced city check-in facility for passengers travelling with only hand bags and without registered baggage.

Executive and economy class passengers of IA flights from Delhi can now check-in and obtain the boarding cards for their flight.

After collecting the board card, the passenger only has to report at the airport for security clearance and boarding 30 minutes prior to the departure of the flight. City check-in facility is also available in Mumbai, Calcutta and Chennai.

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