Chandigarh, January 8 

Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister, Dr. Baljit Kaur, conducted a surprise inspection of Anganwadi Centers located in the villages of Bhokhra and Bajak in Bathinda Urban.

Divulging in this regards, Dr. Baljit Kaur stated that thorough inspection of records, including the graffiti and Supplementary Nutrition Program (SNP) at the Anganwadi Center in village Bhokhra, was carried out. She also interacted with SNP beneficiaries and elderly individuals to discuss pension-related issues. 

In village Bajak, the Minister inspected the building of the Anganwadi Center constructed with the assistance of the MGNREGA scheme. To assess the quality of the Supplementary Nutrition Program, discussions were held with children, pregnant women and lactating mothers, who expressed satisfaction with the nutritious food and services provided by the Anganwadi Centers.

During the visit, records related to the Supplementary Nutrition Program were reviewed. The minister also conducted an on-site quality check of items like sweet and savory porridge and pre-mix khichdi prepared at the centers. Additionally, interactions were held with elderly individuals regarding pensions and with women beneficiaries to review government schemes. 

To evaluate children’s intellectual and creative development, Dr. Baljit Kaur interacted with them, listening to their poems and observing their activities. She appreciated the dedication and performance of Anganwadi workers and helpers for their commendable efforts in child care and nutrition.

Dr. Baljit Kaur reaffirmed the Punjab Government’s commitment, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, to strengthen early childhood care and ensure the welfare of women and children across the state.

During the inspections CDPO Shri Pankaj Kumar, Smt. Usha and District Welfare Officer Shri Varinder Singh were present.

CHANDIGARH, January 8

Chandigarh MP and former union minister Manish Tewari has suggested the establishment of an International Financial Centre (IFC) in Chandigarh, modelled on the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City). 

In a letter to the Union Finance Minister Ms Nirmala Sitaraman, Tewari said, this project would bolster the region’s economy and elevate India’s position as a global financial powerhouse.

Making a strong case for Chandigarh as an ideal choice, he said, the city has a strategic location and accessibility given its exceptional geographic positioning as the shared capital of Punjab and Haryana, coupled with its proximity to Himachal Pradesh, which places it at the heart of North India’s economic matrix. 

He pointed out, the city boasts outstanding connectivity through road, rail, and air, including an international airport facilitating seamless domestic and global access-a critical prerequisite for an IFC.

Referring to unmatched social and physical infrastructure, he noted that Chandigarh exemplifies the confluence of modernity and meticulous urban planning, offering unparalleled infrastructure and a superior quality of life. 

Besides, Tewari added, Chandigarh is known

for its heritage, modern infrastructure, organised layout, and high quality of life.

Referring to Educational Ecosystem, he pointed out the institutions such as Panjab University, PGIMER, Punjab Engineering College, and the Government Medical College ensure a

robust pipeline of skilled professionals and a culture of research and innovation. 

The city also has numerous government and private schools, technical institutes, and polytechnics that provide quality education, he added.

The former union minister said, as one of India’s most meticulously planned cities, Chandigarh is ideally suited for integrating advanced utilities like smart grids, automated waste management, and energy-efficient infrastructure. “Its scalable urban model is perfectly aligned with the

vision of a futuristic financial hub”, he remarked.

Besides, he said, Compared to traditional financial centers like Mumbai or Delhi, Chandigarh offers significantly lower real estate and operational costs, a vital factor for attracting global investors and financial institutions. 

Combined with its superior living standards, the city presents a compelling value proposition, he said, adding, the establishment of an IFC in Chandigarh would not only transform the city and its surrounding regions but also deliver far-reaching national benefits like Economic Growth, new hub for financial services, fintech, and technology industries, significantly boosting India’s GDP.

It will also encourage balanced Regional Development, Decentralising economic activity from overburdened metros and fostering inclusive growth across northern India, he observed.

Tewari said, it will also help in Global Competitiveness with Cutting-edge infrastructure and investor-friendly policies which would draw international businesses and strengthen India’s position in global financial markets.

Suggesting leveraging the city’s educational and research institutions to create a thriving ecosystem for innovation-driven industries, he said it will help in employment generation and livelihood. 

Asserting that it will be ‘Visionary Step’ for a Resilient Future, Tewari said, the unparalleled combination of strategic location, modern infrastructure, and a vibrant talent

pool positions Chandigarh as a natural choice for establishing an IFC. 

“Such an initiative aligns seamlessly with the Government of India’s vision of fostering robust, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth”, he added, while earnestly urging the minister to initiate a detailed feasibility study to explore the

immense potential of Chandigarh as India’s next international financial hub. 

“This endeavour holds the promise of not only redefining the region’s economic landscape but also ensuring India’s stature as a global financial leader”, he observed while offering to remain at the disposal for any further inputs or

assistance in advancing this visionary proposal. “Together, let us pave the way for a new era

of growth and opportunity”, he urged the minister.

Chandigarh, January 8

          A Cabinet Sub-Committee comprising Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema and NRI Affairs Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, formed to address the legitimate demands and issues of Punjab government employees, held a series of meetings today with representatives from the Meritorious Teachers Union, 3704 Adhiyapak Union, Democratic Teachers Front, Purani Pension Prapti Morcha, Khetibari Vidhyarthi Association, and Anganwari Mulazam Union.

          During the meeting, representatives of the Meritorious Teachers Union highlighted the achievements of Meritorious Schools in creating a bright future for students and presented their demands and issues. Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, on behalf of the Cabinet Sub-Committee, directed the Education Department to consider regularizing the services of these teachers through the officers committee constituted for this purpose. He also instructed that a report on the financial demands of the union be prepared and sent to the Finance Department. Finance Minister Cheema assured the union that the Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is paying special attention to the demands and issues of employees who are delivering exceptional services.

          In the meeting with the Democratic Teachers Front, the Cabinet Sub-Committee directed the Education Department to seek legal opinion from the Advocate General’s Office on the issues raised by the front that are currently in court or may face legal hurdles. Regarding the financial issues raised by the front, Finance Minister Cheema assured that these matters are being taken seriously by the Finance Department. For the issues raised by the ‘3704 Adhiyapak Union’, the Cabinet Sub-Committee asked the Education Department to hold a meeting with the union and submit a report.

          The Khetibari Vidhyarthi Association demanded that agriculture be made a compulsory subject in schools. The Cabinet Sub-Committee, during discussions with the Education Department, asked the department to refer this matter to the Subject Expert Committee. Additionally, the Cabinet Sub-Committee directed the Education Department to consider including agriculture in vocational courses.

          The Purani Pension Prapti Morcha raised the issue of resuming the old pension scheme for state government employees. The committee informed the Morcha that the officers committee constituted by the Punjab Government is holding regular meetings to make appropriate decision in this regard. Finance Department officials apprised the Cabinet Sub-Committee that any further decisions will be taken after receiving detailed guidelines on the new pension scheme, the ‘Unified Pension Scheme’, presented by the Union Government.

          Regarding the issue of gratuity raised by the Anganwari Mulazam Union, the Cabinet Sub-Committee directed the Social Security, Women and Child Development Department to seek legal advice and then send the matter to the Finance Department. For the demands related to the Union government, the Cabinet Sub-Committee directed the department to write to the Union government to resolve these issues. Concerning the difficulties arising from the inclusion of some Anganwadi centers in primary schools, the Cabinet Sub-Committee asked the departments to hold a meeting with Education department to resolve these issues.

          Today’s meetings were attended by Dr. Tina, Dr. Ajay, Boota Singh and Ashpreet Kaur from the Meritorious Teachers Union, Vikram Dev Singh, Mohinder Kaurianwali, Gurpiar Kotli, Rajiv Barnala and Sukhdev Singh Dansiwal from the Democratic Teachers Front; Harjinder Singh, Yadwinder Singh and Charanjit Singh from ‘3704 Adhiyapak Union’, Angrej Singh and Akashdeep from the Khetibari Vidhyarthi Association, Gurjant Singh Kokri, Tehal Singh Sarabha and Randeep Singh from Purani Pension Prapti Morcha, and Usha Rani and Gurmeet Kaur from Anganwari Mulazam Union.

Chandigarh, 8 January 2025

          The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its ongoing drive against corruption in the state, has arrested Panchayat Secretary, Prithvi Singh,posted at BDPO Office, block Moonak in Sangrur district red handed while he was accepting a bribe of Rs. 20000. In this case another co-accused Davinder Bansal, Audit Inspector, posted in the office of Regional Deputy Director, Local Fund Audit, Patiala has also been nominated.

          Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of state VB said the aforementioned accused has been arrested following a complaint lodged by Gurwinder Singh, a resident of village Maha Singh Wala in Moonak who is husband of former Sarpanch.

          He further added that the complainant has approached the VB and alleged that the said Panchayat Secretary has demanded bribe of Rs 20000 for auditing of the development works carried out by the village panchayat of Maha Singh Wala during the previous tenure and told that the bribe money has to be shared with aforementioned Davinder Bansal, Audit Inspector.

          The spokesperson informed that after a preliminary enquiry of this complaint the VB team laid a trap during which the accused Panchayat Secretary was arrested while he was accepting the bribe money from the complainant in the presence of two official witnesses. In this regard a case has been registered against  said Prithvi Singh, Panchyat Secretary and Davinder Bansal, Audit Inspector, at VB police station Patiala range. The accused would be produced in the competent court tomorrow and future investigations into this case was under progress, he said.

Chandigarh, January 8:

          Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan has strongly condemned the decision to redesignate the UT Adviser’s post to Chief Secretary, terming it as trampling of Punjab’s right over Chandigarh.

          The Speaker said that this move is seen as a blatant disregard for the sensitive issue of Chandigarh’s status, which has been a long-standing point of contention between Punjab and the Union government.

        Sandhwan emphasized that the redesignation is not only an administrative anomaly but also an attempt to undermine Punjab’s legitimate claims over Chandigarh.

          “We urge the central government to reconsider this decision and respect the rights of the people of Punjab,” Sandhwan added.

          This development has sparked widespread concern among Punjab’s leaders and citizens, who see it as a deliberate attempt to erode the state’s authority. The Punjab government has consistently maintained that Chandigarh is an integral part of the state and any decision regarding its administration should be taken in consultation with the state government.