IEP Chandigarh, August 24

Exuberating with results of the Pilot Project of Surface Seeder, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Thursday gave his consent to subsidize Surface Seeders developed by Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana under Crop Residue Management (CRM) Scheme for better management of crop residue across the state.

Announcing to provide 50% subsidy on this newly developed technique, the Chief Minister said that in view of the results of the pilot project implemented at Satauj (Sangrur), the Surface Seeders proved its worth to manage the crop residue and the state government has decided to include Surface Seeder under CRM Scheme to subsidize the equipment, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that a machine costs Rs. 80,000 and after 50% subsidy it will cost Rs. 40,000 to the farmers.

Lauding the efforts of the Agriculture Department and PAU about the Crop Residue Management in a meeting with agriculture officials, the Chief Minister said that Punjab Agriculture University recommended the Surface Seeders to be included under CRM scheme. He informed that the process for empanelment of manufacturers for supplying the machinery under the scheme is being done by PAU, Ludhiana. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the individual farmers/Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies/ Registered Farmers Groups/Farmer Producer Organizations/Panchayats can apply for purchasing various CRM machines and also for establishing Custom Hiring Centre (CHC).

The Chief Minister further said that under the scheme the equipment such as Super SMS, Super Seeder, Smart Seeder, Happy Seeder, Zero Till Drill, Paddy Straw Chopper/Shredder/Mulcher, Hydraulic Reversible Mould Board Plough, Shrub Master/Rotary Slasher, Crop Reaper, Balerand Rakeare available on subsidy @ 50% of the cost of the equipment/machine or a maximum amount approved by Union Government in the guidelines. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the CHC can be established with an investment of Rs.15 lakhs and any of the above machines can be purchased by the CHCs @ 80% subsidy.

The Chief Minister further informed that a total of 65421 applications for 152300 various CRM equipments have been received so far and no stone would be left unturned to save the environment with complete control on crop residue burning. He said that the state government has been strengthening and establishing collection infrastructure, bailing, transportation and handling of large amount of crop residue and creation of storage facilities. He said that the state government has started to utilize the paddy straw in different industries such as biomass power generation units, Biomass co-firing in Thermal Power Plants, Bio-CNG and Bio-Ethanol etc. Bhagwant Singh Mann also announced to organize next edition of Kisan Melas throughout the state soon.

IEP Chandigarh, August 23

          Today, Dr. Baljit Kaur, the Minister of Social Security, Women, and Child Development, unveiled a short film and a poster aimed at raising awareness about the Senior Citizens Act of 2007. The objective behind this initiative is to inform the senior citizens of the state about their rights.

          During the event, the Cabinet Minister highlighted that the government has implemented the Parenting and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act of 2007 to honor and safeguard the rights of the elderly. This legislation includes provisions for obtaining a maintenance allowance for parents and senior citizens who are neglected by their children or blood relatives.

          The Cabinet Minister further explained that the act has established maintenance and appellant tribunals to address the concerns of senior citizens. Any senior citizen facing problems can file a complaint with the sub-divisional officer of the relevant sub-division.

          Moreover, the Cabinet Minister mentioned that the District Social Security Officer has been designated as the Parenting Officer under this act. This role involves ensuring that the basic needs of elderly citizens, such as food, clothing, shelter, and healthcare, are met adequately.

          The event was attended by Ms. Madhvi Kataria, Director of the Social Security, Women, and Child Development Department, Mr. Gaurav Toora, AIG (Personnel-2), and Mr. Charanjit Singh, Additional Director of the Social Security, Women, and Child Development Department.

IEP Chandigarh

Punjab Transport Minister S. Laljit Singh Bhullar, on Wednesday, informed that the Minister’s Flying Squad, formed to combat corrupt practices within the department, has nailed a driver pilfering 20 liters of diesel from government bus, a conductor for embezzling ticket money and not issuing tickets to passengers, while five buses were reported for operating on unscheduled routes and one bus plying sans passengers.

          Further elaborating, S. Laljit Singh Bhullar revealed that the Flying Squad conducted a raid in Jiwan Nagar (Haryana) and caught the driver, Ranjit Singh, red-handed in the act of pilfering 20 liters of diesel from his alloted Bus No. PB-10FF 4952 of PUNBUS Depot Ludhiana.

          During the checking in Dhar Kalan (Pathankot), the Flying Squad caught a conductor Amandeep of Bus No. PB-06AS 8772 of Pathankot Depot for not issuing tickets to passengers despite collecting Rs.545 from them.

          The Flying Squad also reported five buses operating on unscheduled routes. In a check in Goraya, Bus No. PB-02-EG 4673 of Tarn Taran Depot and Bus No. PB-02-EG 3064 of Amritsar-2 Depot were found operating on unscheduled routes. Similarly, during an inspection in Phagwara, Bus No.PB-02-EH 2749 of Amritsar-1 Depot and Bus No. PB-32P 3598 of Nawanshahar Depot were found plying on unscheduled routes, while Bus No. PB-02-EG 9427 of Patti Depot was also found operating on different route than the scheduled one during the checking at Kartarpur. Apart from this, Bus No. PB-06BC 0216 from Batala Depot was found operating without passengers.

          The Transport Minister has instructed the department officials to take appropriate disciplinary action against the employees involved.

IEP Chandigarh, August 23

          Cricket legend and Bharat Ratna awardee Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar today began a new innings – as the ‘National Icon’ for voter awareness and education for the Election Commission of India. An MoU was signed with the legend for a period of 3 years at an event organized at Akashvani Rang Bhavan, New Delhi in the presence of Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar and Election Commissioners Anup Chandra Pandey and  Arun Goel. This collaboration marks a significant step towards leveraging Tendulkar’s unparalleled impact with the youth demographic for increasing voters’ participation in the forthcoming elections, especially in General Elections 2024.

          ECI through this partnership aims to bridge the gap between citizens, especially youth and urban populations and the electoral process thereby, trying to address the challenges of urban and youth apathy.

          Sachin Tendulkar, in his role as the National Icon for the Election Commission of India, expressed his enthusiasm and commitment to the cause, and said that for a vibrant democracy like India, the youth play a key role in nation building. The hearts that beat for Team India during sports matches, with the unified cheer – ‘India, India!’, shall also beat the same way to take our precious democracy forward. One simple yet most powerful way to do that is to cast our votes regularly.

          Speaking on the occasion he said that from thronging stadiums to thronging polling booths, from taking time out to stand by the National team to taking time out to cast our votes, we shall keep up the spirit and enthusiasm. When youth from the nooks and corners of the country participate in large numbers in electoral democracy, we shall see a prosperous future for our country.

          Speaking on the occasion, CEC Rajiv Kumar said that Sachin Tendulkar, an icon revered not only in India but globally, has a legacy that extends far beyond his cricketing prowess.

          Rajiv Kumar said his illustrious career is a testament to his commitment to excellence, teamwork, and the relentless pursuit of success. His influence transcends sports, making him an ideal choice to bat for ECI and drive up voter turn-outs, the CEC added.

          The collaboration will encompass a range of activities, including Tendulkar’s promoting voter awareness in various TV talk shows/ programs and digital campaigns etc, all aimed at raising awareness about the importance of voting and the role it plays in shaping the nation’s destiny.

          During the event, students from National School of Drama also presented an impactful skit on the importance of voting in strengthening of democracy.

          ECI associates itself with renowned Indians from various fields and designates them as ECI’s national icons to motivate voters for participation in the festival of democracy.

           Last year, the Commission recognised famous actor Pankaj Tripathi as the National Icon. Earlier, during the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections, stalwarts like M.S.Dhoni, Aamir Khan and Mary Kom had been the ECI National Icons.

IEP Chandigarh, August 23

Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains today announced holidays in all government/affiliated/private/recognized schools in the state due to heavy downpour up till August 26.

          He said that complying to the directives of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, holidays have been declared in all the government/private/recognized schools due to heavy rainfall in various parts of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.

IEP Chandigarh, August 23

          Punjab government is actively implementing various schemes to promote the economic empowerment of women. Social Security, Women and Child Development  Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur shared that the government is earnestly working to enhance the economic status of women in the state.

          Cabinet Minister stated that as part of this endeavor, a training workshop was organized for nodal officers assigned in different departments to facilitate the implementation of the Gender Budget at the Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration (MAGSIPA).

          During the workshop, the processes and systems related to the seamless execution of ongoing schemes aimed at empowering women were thoroughly discussed.

          Minister said the various departments to collaborate in order to efficiently implement women’s welfare programs at the grassroots level, ensuring transparency and maximum benefit to eligible recipients. Representatives from diverse departments actively participated in the workshop.

          Dr. Baljit Kaur highlighted that a comprehensive process has been initiated through a training workshop focused on Gender Budget. The aim is to sensitize departmental staff to effectively implement Gender Budget across the state of Punjab.

          She emphasized the need to properly structure schemes and programs operated by different departments to enable women’s empowerment. Minister stressed that gender budget is a potent tool that will contribute to reducing gender-based inequality and ensuring equitable distribution of resources.