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Haryana

BPL cardholders will also to get sunflower oil from April 1: Chautala

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IEP Chandigarh, February 5

Haryana Deputy Chief Minister, Mr. Dushyant Chautala, announced that starting April 1, 2024, sunflower oil will also be made available on demand to BPL card holders of the state.

Providing updates on the initiatives in the interest of BPL cardholders, the Deputy Chief Minister said even after increasing the income limit in the state, about 57 lakh new beneficiaries have come under the ambit of BPL. As the Deputy CM overseeing the Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs Department, he highlighted the state government’s decision to raise the income limit for BPL cardholders from Rs 1.20 lakh annually to Rs 1.80 lakh two years ago.

Responding about the concerns raised by some people about a decrease in the number of BPL beneficiaries, Sh. Chautala clarified that prior to the revision of the limit in December 2022, there were 26,94,484 BPL cards and 1,22,12,778 beneficiaries. Following the limit revision, as of January 2024, the number of BPL cards has increased to 44,86,954, with beneficiaries reaching 1,79,44,045. In total, approximately 57 lakh beneficiaries have been newly added to the BPL list.

BPL card holders will also get pending ration: Deputy CM

The Deputy Chief Minister said that BPL cardholders will also receive pending rations. He explained that due to the inclusion of 57 lakh new beneficiaries in the BPL list, some recipients were unable to access their rations. Following a letter written to the Central Government requesting rations for the new beneficiaries, permission has been granted, and the remaining rations will be distributed promptly. The state government will procure wheat from central agencies and sugar from sugarcane mills.

He further disclosed that while the price of mustard oil was being transferred to the bank accounts of BPL cardholders through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), there were demands from the public to receive oil directly from the depot instead of money. In response, the government has decided to provide only mustard oil to BPL beneficiaries. Additionally, he announced that starting from April 1, 2024, sunflower oil will also be distributed to BPL cardholders in the state. Both mustard oil and sunflower oil will be allocated to BPL beneficiaries based on the demand received from each district, he added.

Haryana

Kila Raipur Rural Olympics to be held from February 12 to 14

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IEP Chandigarh  February 5

          Punjab Tourism & Cultural Affairs Minister Anmol Gagan Mann on Monday released the poster of famous Kila Raipur Rural Olympics-2024.

          The rural Olympics will be held from February 12 to 14 in Kila Raipur village of the district. This time the Rural Olympics will be organised by the Punjab government.

          While releasing the poster, Cabinet Minister Anmol Gagan Mann said that the Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government was committed to restoring the pristine glory of sports in the state and it will provide every kind of possible assistance to the organizing committee of these games so that more champions can be produced in the coming years.

          Mann said that the matches of Hockey, Kabbadi, Wrestling, cycling, race, tug of war and others would be played during three-day mega sporting events besides cultural programs by renowned singers will be presented.

          The Cabinet Minister also assured fulsome support of Tourism & Cultural Affairs department to take the popularity of these games to new heights.

          On the occasion, ADC (RD) Anmol Singh Dhaliwal and others were present.

Punjab

Local Govt Minister conducts review meeting on progress of development works

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IEP Chandigarh

          Punjab’s Local Government Minister, Balkar Singh, consistently holds review meetings to monitor the progress of various development projects. During these sessions, conducted meeting in the presence of MLAs and Halkar Incharges with Senior Officers from both the Head Office and the field, there is a strong emphasis on expediting office processes to kickstart new development projects.

          In today’s review meeting at Municipal Bhawan, Chandigarh, Minister Balkar Singh gathered detailed information from officers, including allocated and utilized funds for various schemes like Swachh Bharat and AMRUT Mission. He directed officials to promptly complete ongoing development projects. Additionally, he affirmed the commitment of the Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, to comprehensive and planned state development. To achieve this goal, Cabinet Minister shared detailed information about the works included in the each schemes and the outstanding funds with MLAs and Halka Incharges.

          Cabinet Minister also instructed field officials to communicate all information regarding development works to the respective MLAs and Hlaka Incharges, ensuring that projects align with the needs of local residents.

          Minister Balkar Singh emphasized the quick initiation of tenders for approved projects by the State Technical Committee to commence work promptly. He stressed a zero-tolerance policy for negligence in development works.

          Addressing concerns about funding shortages, the Local Government Minister assured that there is no lack of funds for development works. If Municipal Councils/Nagar Panchayats require additional funds for new projects, proposals along with action plans can be submitted to the head office after discussion with the concerned MLAs. He also urged special attention to be given to utilizing outstanding funds for development works.

          He emphasized that Legacy waste must be disposed of scientifically for a cleaner environment. Additionally, there should be door-to-door collection of dry and wet garbage, ensuring separation at the source. The waste should then be sent for processing at MRF and compost pits, allowing for composting after recycling. He also stressed the need for proper cleaning of sewerage in the area.

          Minister underscored the importance of quality and transparency in development work, warning officials that anyone involved in corruption would not be spared under any circumstances.

          During the meeting, MLAs/Halka Incharges, Amansher singh, Raman Behal, Shamsher Singh, Jagroop Singh Sekhwa, Gurdeep Singh Randhawa, Vibhuti Sharma, Uma Shankar Gupta, Director Local Government, Commissioner of Municipal Corporation (Pathankot and Batala), Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) of Gurdaspur and Pathankot, and Executive Officers from Municipal Councils/Nagar Panchayats of Gurdaspur, Dhariwal, Dinanagar, Dera Baba Nanak, Fatehgarh Churian, Qadian,  Sri Hargobindpur, Sujanpur, and  Narot Jaimal Singh were present.

Punjab

Medical Officers Recruitment Scam ; Health Dept Asks Police To Take Action Against Erring Candidates

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IEP Chandigarh, February 5

          The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB), during its ongoing investigations into the 2008-09 recruitment scam of Medical Officers (MO) conducted by the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC), has requested the State Government to take appropriate action against the erring candidates through the Police Department as recommended by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the High Court. Subsequently, on December 19, 2023, the Secretary of Health and Family Welfare has asked the Police to take necessary steps in this case. Meanwhile, the VB, having filed two cases at its Patiala range police station, is actively pursuing further investigations.

          Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the state VB said the High Court had appointed a SIT comprising MS Bali, IPS (Retd), Joint Director, CBI and Suresh Arora, the then Chief Director of VB, to examine this scam. The SIT had recommended filing cases under sections 120-B, 420, 468, and 471 of the IPC against candidates who utilized forged certificates for claiming social work weightage in the medical field. The VB, on December 15, 2023, has urged the State Government to initiate cases against such MOs through the Police department.

          Providing additional details, the spokesperson stated that in compliance with the directives received from the Punjab Government on December 14, 2023, the VB registered two cases related to this recruitment scam. An FIR No. 45 dated December 18, 2023, at the VB Police Station, Patiala, has been filed under sections 13(i)(a) read with 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act and sections 409 and 120B of IPC against the then members of PPSC for conspiracy and criminal misconduct during the MOs selection process.

          Furthermore, another FIR No. 46 dated December 18, 2023, at the VB Police Station, Patiala, under sections 13(i)(a) read with 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, has been registered against Dr. Satwant Singh Mohi, the then member of PPSC, for accumulating disproportionate assets, as reported by the SIT to the High Court.

          The spokesperson revealed that the SIT, supervised by the Senior Superintendent of Police, VB, Range Patiala, is actively conducting further investigations in both the cases. In FIR No. 45/2023, Dr. Satwant Singh Mohi was arrested by the VB on December 19, 2023. The other three accused in this case, namely D.S. Mahal, Ravinder Kaur, and Anil Sarin, have received interim protection from arrest from the HC, with a directive to join the investigation. Consequently, all the above mentioned accused have complied and joined the ongoing investigation.

Punjab

Health Minister launches website of Punjab institute of liver & biliary sciences

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IEP CHANDIGARH, February 5

          Ahead of the inauguration ceremony of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s much-ambitious Punjab Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (PILBS) in Mohali, Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh has launched the website “www.pilbs.punjab.gov.in” of the institute for convenience of the Public. The website was launched in the presence of Director of the Institute Professor Virendra Singh, who is Former Prof & Head, Department of Hepatology PGIMER, Chandigarh.

          Dr Balbir Singh said that the Institute, which has been running OPD services for last 8 months at 3B1, SAS Nagar, is expected to get fully-functional soon as all the latest ultra-modern equipment are being installed and the recruitment process of super-specialist doctors and other para-medical staff has also been completed.

          “Once the institute gets fully functional, people will be able to avail first-class medical care for patients with liver and biliary diseases at this institute,” he said, while adding that patients with various types of liver diseases including acute and chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver cancer, alcoholic liver disease, ascites, various pancreatic diseases and disorders of the gallbladder and biliary diseases can avail the treatment.

          “People will also be able to avail the liver transplant procedure at this institute, which is being established at par to The Institute of Liver & Biliary Sciences (ILBS), New Delhi,” said Dr Balbir Singh, while adding that this would be the second government super-speciality institute to offer first-class medical care for patients with liver and biliary diseases in the country.

          Meanwhile, the website will help in sensitising patients about basic overview of the diseases, preventive measures and Health Education, besides providing insights about the laboratory tests, online reporting, procedures and Liver transplantation. The details of Faculty, OPD days and Specialities at the hospital will be available on the website for the general public’s convenience. The website will have details of Tele-Medicine for the outreach to all the Government hospitals of the Punjab.

Punjab

Speaker Sandhwan takes unique initiative to safeguard Punjabi language from extinction

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IEP Chandigarh, February 5

          Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan took a distinctive initiative on Monday to integrate Punjabi into Google’s Gemini AI platform by engaging in discussions with various departments and Punjabi intellectuals.

          Emphasizing the need for a roadmap, the Speaker expressed concern that while Google’s latest release included languages like Gujarati and Marathi, Punjabi was excluded due to the unavailability of vocabulary and data.

          Mr. Sandhwan stressed the importance of preparing data related to Punjab language within the next six months to ensure its inclusion on the platform, enabling Punjabi to join the ranks of other languages accessible through Google’s AI. He highlighted the significance of incorporating Punjabi in the era of machine intelligence, emphasizing its status as one of the top 10 most spoken languages globally.

          Eminent figures, including Punjabi poet Dr. Surjit Patar and Punjabi critic Dr. Amarjit Singh Grewal, participated in the meeting along with representatives from various departments and Punjabi University Patiala.

Punjab

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann to launch Statewide Campaign from Bhankharpur (Derabassi) today

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IEP Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, February 5, 2024

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to launch the Statewide campaign ‘AAP di Sarkar AAP de dwar’ program from Bhankharpur Village of Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar District, falling on Zirakpur-Derabassi Road tomorrow (February 6), said Deputy Commissioner, Aashika Jain, today.

    Divulging the details, she said that the programme is aimed at delivering 44 types of services to the people at their native places from tomorrow in the special camps being organised under the ‘AAP di Sarkar AAP de dwar’ program. Deputy Commissioner Aashika Jain while reviewing the arrangements at Bhankharpur, directed the officials to ensure all necessary arrangements. She added that district Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar would have 422 camps during the month-long campaign to redress the problems of the residents by approaching each Village and ward.

    Further giving more information, DC Jain said that the camps would be held under the supervision of SDMs and officials from various departments including Revenue, Sewa Kendras, Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities, Social Security and Development of Women and Children, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Health, Water Supply and Sanitation, PSPCL, Rural Development and Panchayats, Food Supply Labour, Police and others will participate and solve grievances of the people at the spot. 

   The Deputy Commissioner said that in these camps, government services including birth or death certificates, Affidavit attestation, Stipend to children of beneficiaries, residence certificate, SC certificate, Registration of construction worker, pension to old age, BC certificate, Electricity payment, Addition of name in birth certificate, Inspection of revenue records, Registration of marriage (compulsory), multiple cases of death certificate, renewal of construction worker card, correction of entry in birth certificate, issuance of death/NAC certificate, Rural Area Certificate, multiple copies of birth certificate, General Caste Certificate, pension to widow/destitute citizen, non-encumbrance certificate, equity entry of mortgage, delayed entry of birth certificate, Income Certificate, pension to handicapped, Fard Generation, Apply for disability Certificate (UDID), Countersigning of documents, registration of marriage (Anand), Shagun Scheme, Pension to Dependent Children, Border Area Certificate, Delayed registration of death, Counter Signing of documents of NRI, Counter signing of police clearance certificate, Correction of entry in death certificate, Kandi Area certificate will be offered to the people.

    She urged the people to avail maximum benefit of these camps.

    Earlier Principal Secretary Punjab Government Krishan Kumar and Secretary Information and Public Relations Malwinder Singh Jaggi also visited the site and reviewed the arrangements. SSP Dr Sandeep Garg was also present.

Haryana

Development activities sweeping across the entire state: Hry Minister Kanwar Pal

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IEP Chandigarh, February 3

Haryana School Education, Forest and Tourism Minister, Sh. Kanwar Pal stated that the government led by the Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal is ensuring all round development across the entire state.

The Minister of School Education inaugurated and laid the foundation for development works worth Rs.78 lakh on Saturday in the Jagadhri Assembly constituency as part of the series of development activities.

He stated that the state government is working without any bias, giving priority based on the needs of all assembly constituencies. Special attention has been given to the construction of bridges, new construction, and maintenance of roads.

He said the government’s effort is to ensure that people effectively benefit from welfare schemes, and for this, transparent development plans are being implemented in every area. He emphasised that since the formation of the government in the state, special attention has been given to the roads. Now, all districts of the state are being connected to national highways. In the Jagadhri Assembly constituency, new and old roads have been improved with projects costing crores of rupees.

Sh. Kanwar Pal said that along with roads, other development projects in the Jagadhri Assembly constituency are also being expedited. At present, projects worth crores of rupees are being run by the government in Jagadhri city, some of which have been completed, and others will be completed soon, for the benefit of the public.  

Haryana

Labour Department starts registration facility for unorganised sector workers

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IEP Chandigarh

The Ministry of Labour and Employment of the Government India is using ‘eShram’ portal for the welfare of unorganised sector workers, and is being actively implemented in Haryana. Under this, the Labour Department has reopened the registration for the unorganised sector workers.

Sharing information in this regard an official spokesperson said that the Haryana government is committed towards the workers’ welfare. The unorganised sector includes agriculture workers, labourers, street vendors, domestic workers, and construction workers and others. This digital platform aims to connect unorganised workers with the welfare schemes of the government.

He said that the e-Shram portal is not just a digital platform; it is an initiative to bring comprehensive improvements in the living standards of unorganised labourers, as they face various challenges, and by registering them on the e-Shram portal, the government aims to ensure they benefit from the schemes offered.

He encouraged all unorganised sector workers to ensure prompt registration on the e-Shram portal. The Labour Department is conducting a massive campaign across all districts of Haryana for the registration of unorganised workers on the e-Shram portal. Each registered worker will be given a 12-digit Universal Account Number (UAN), which will be valid for lifetime. Additionally, the workers’ skills will be mapped, allowing employers to provide employment according to their needs.

Any worker can register themselves on eshram.gov.in or visit the nearest Common Service Centre (CSC) to complete the registration. After registration, workers can easily avail benefits of schemes related to health, education, and other social security based on their needs. Even migrant workers should ensure their registration with the Labour Department to avail the benefits of all the schemes.

Eligibility for Registration on the eShram Portal

The spokesperson said that workers like Small and marginal farmers, agricultural labourers, people involved in the field of animal husbandry, labeling and packing, carpenters, newspaper vendors, rickshaw and auto drivers, MNGRGA workers, Asha workers, milk farmers, migrant workers etc. are eligible and can register themselves on eshram portal. Also they should be between 16-59 years old, and not members of EPFO and ESIC, and not income tax payers. Eligible candidates can register with their Aadhar number, mobile number, Aadhar-linked bank account, etc. 

Haryana

Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, a boon for helpless people

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IEP Chandigarh, February 3

Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) being implemented by the Department of Health and Family Welfare, provides free treatment for diseases of helpless families. Under this scheme, each family is provided with free health insurance of up to Rs 5 lakh per year. The PMJAY has proved to be a boon for the helpless people.

Sharing information in this regard an official spokesperson said that the state government has expanded the scheme and started the Chirayu Yojana Haryana for the health welfare of the citizens of the state under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana. With the help of the Chirayu Yojana, poor families can get free treatment of up to Rs 5 lakh and under the Chirayu Yojana.

Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana started in 2018 with the aim of providing health benefits to the underprivileged ones. Earlier, only BPL families with income up to Rs 1.80 lakh were eligible for the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana. To ensure the scheme’s full advantage, the state government decided to provide health benefits to families with incomes of up to Rs 3 lakh. Such families can provide health benefits to the entire family by paying a very low monthly charge of Rs 1500 per year. As a result, the government is now providing assistance to around 30 lakh families under this initiative.

He said that under the Chirayu Yojana, new members can join by providing their birth or marriage certificates. The scheme is completely cashless, and beneficiaries can receive free treatment by showing their Ayushman Bharat card at empaneled private or government hospitals. To get an Ayushman Bharat card, beneficiaries can visit any Atal Seva Kendra or health centre with their Parivar Pehchan Patra or Aadhaar card. Notably, during the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra, efforts were made to create Chirayu cards in every village.

He mentioned the unique feature of portability in this scheme, meaning patients from the state can avail free treatment at panels of private or government hospitals in any other state. The government not only provides free treatment but also focuses on ensuring quality treatment.