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Chandigarh

HARJOT SINGH BAINS FORMS EDUCATION MINISTER TASK FORCE TO STOP LOOTING BY PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN THE NAME OF BOOKS AND FUNDS

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IEP Chandigarh, April 1

Taking strict notice of the Loot being done by private schools in the name of books and funds, Punjab School Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains has formed a task force to stop this loot.          The Education Minister said that Task Force has been formed in each district of the state in which three principals from that district have been included.  This task force will investigate the complaint received by the Education Minister and submit its report to the regulatory authority.          Giving information about this decision through a video message, Punjab School Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said that for the past several days, complaints were being received from parents and students that private schools are looting parents in the name of   books/copies and funds.He said a few days ago, a letter was issued to the private schools through all the District Education Officers of the state asking them to follow the instructions of the school regulatory authority regarding books/copies and fees/funds.          He said that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has also received complaints regarding the looting of parents by private schools.  Of which the Chief Minister took serious notice and instructed that the robbery done by private schools by placing books of expensive publishers will not be tolerated.          Mr.  Bains said that he was very surprised to know that books of one class are being sold by private schools for 7000 rupees, in which the book of the first class mathematics subject is only 600 rupees.          The Minister of School Education instructed the owners and managements of private schools to teach only NCERT in the schools.          Mr. Bains said that according to the rules, schools located in small cities have to write the names of three to five shops outside the school and in big cities like Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Amritsar, a list of twenty-twenty shops has to be posted outside the school.  From where students can buy the book.          Cabinet Minister also issued an email emofficepunjab@gmail.com through which students and parents can directly complain to the Education Minister about the looting of private schools.          He instructed the managers of all the private schools to fill and submit the information regarding the increase in fees/funds made by the school, the infrastructure of the school as per the rules by 30 April 2023.  He also said that the information submitted by the private schools will be checked randomly.          Harjot Singh Bains said that the Bhagwant Mann government will not allow the education of the state to become a business.  All work will be in accordance with laws and regulations and violators will not be spared.

Chandigarh

Alarming increase in prevalence of autism in recent times with around 1 in 100 children getting affected

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IEP Chandigarh

April 2 is International Autism Awareness Day. Autism spectrum disorder is a common, heterogenous and heritable neurodevelopmental disorder affecting multiple spheres like communication, socialization and emotional reactions.There is an alarming increase in prevalence of autism in recent times with around 1 in 100 children getting affected. Children and adults with autism spectrum disorders are often subjected to bullying, discrimination, and decreased opportunities.Symptoms of many go unrecognized even though effective diagnostic management tools exist.To create awareness about Autism Spectrum Disorders among frontline health care workers, doctors, students and community, Dr. BR. Ambedkar State Institute of Medical Sciences, Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar organized a two- day International Conference on Autism Awareness and Neurodiversity on Saturday.Renowned national and international speakers participated in the conference.Speakers like Dr Prahbhjot Malhi from PGIMER, Chandigarh, Dr Jessica Brian from University of Toronto, Dr. Bhavneet Bharti  Director Principal, Dr Sharmila  Mukherjee Professor Pediatrics Lady Harding Medical College and Dr Nidhi Malhotra from AIMS, Mohali.Experts deliberated about various aspects of diagnosis and management of Autism spectrum disorders and train frontline workers, doctors and community alike.On Sunday, an awareness session encompassing experts from various areas like Madhavi Kataria, Director Social Security, Women and Child Development; Dr Sunita Seshadri, Deputy Director, NIPCCD; Dr Arun Singh AIIMS Jodhpur and Dr Jaskirandeep  State Program officer RBSK; Dr Olaf Kraus de Camargo  from McMaster University, Canada, Kavita Das Principal St John’s School. There would be discussions pertaining to the role of various agencies and sectors in making a more inclusive community for people with Autism. An action plan for Mohali District shall also be discussed by SAP, Mohali.

Chandigarh

MCC Launches “Swachh Bazaar, Swachh Chandigarh” Campaign*

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IEP Chandigarh, April 1

In a unique initiative, the Municipal Corporation Chandigarh has launched a campaign called “Swachh Bazaar, Swachh Chandigarh” to promote cleanliness and hygiene in the market areas besides creating awareness to avoid use of banner plastic products.While sharing the highlights of the campaign, Sh. Anup Gupta, Mayor, Chandigarh said that the campaign will run from 1st April to 30th April aiming to focus on cleaning the markets, collecting segregated garbage, installing more dustbins and implement the plastic ban effectively.He said that the main objective of the campaign will be to create awareness about the harmful effects of plastic waste and to encourage citizens to stop using plastic bags.As part of the campaign, citizens who carry their own shopping bags made of clothes and jute will be appreciated and offered special discounts. The month of April will be celebrated on the theme of “Swachh Bazaar, Swachh Chandigarh” to encourage people to keep their surroundings clean and hygienic.The MCC has also planned a special campaign for the Sabzi Mandi, where vendors and shopkeepers will be encouraged to participate in cleaning up the market and implement the scheme at ground level.The campaign will also involve a shop-to-shop initiative, where pamphlets and stickers will be distributed to shopkeepers, encouraging them to promote cleanliness by pasting stickers at the entry points of their shops. Additionally, discounts and other schemes will be offered to customers who bring their own bags while shopping.The Mayor also appealed to citizens to ensure their valuable participatation in the campaign and take necessary measures to keep their surroundings clean.”To achieve the objective of the campaign, MCC has already deployed vehicles and manpower for garbage collection in commercial areas, coordinated with MWAs, and fixed timings for collection. Additionally, parking spots for door to door waste collection vehicles have also been deployed.

Chandigarh, Punjab

Women delegation from Himachal Pradesh visits Chandigarh for Swacch Yatra as part of to Swachhotsav

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IEP Chandigarh, March 31 

A delegation of office bearers of various Self Help Groups from Himachal Pradesh visited Chandigarh to celebrate Swachhotsav, a festival of cleanliness, and to learn about the best practices of the Municipal Corporation Chandigarh. The visit was to promote the convergence of Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) and Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana- National Urban Livelihood Mission (DAY-NULM).The delegation was welcomed with flowers and mementoes made from recycled items packed in hand-made cloth bags. All the standees and banners used during the event were biodegradable and made up of cloth, in an effort to promote zero waste event and sustainability.During the event, officials of the MCC briefed about the projects of MCC in a detailed presentation on best practices and functions, including solid waste management, processing of construction & demolition (C&D) waste, sewerage treatment plant and many more practices.The delegates also visited different projects handled by local self-help groups working with 3R projects like ‘Arpan’ which makes agarbattis from waste flowers, Jagruti, the self help group which makes herbal Holi Colors from floral waste, Bartan Bhandar and the self help group making art from waste materials. The delegates praised the work of SHGs and appreciated their work for reducing and reusing waste materials. They also visited Gaushala and saw the maintenance of community toilets handled by SHGs.The beauty of Chandigarh, including its roads and clean environment, was also appreciated by the delegates. They praised the cleanliness of the city and the solid waste management system, along with other projects of MCC.

Chandigarh, Punjab

COMMITTED TO ENSURE SEAMLESS CLEARANCE PROCESS FOR CBG, CGD PROJECTS, SAYS AMAN ARORA

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IEP Chandigarh, March 31    

      In a continuation to the series of meetings to remove the bottlenecks from the clearance process for Compressed Biogas (CBG) and City Gas Distribution (CGD) projects in the state, Punjab New and Renewable Energy Sources Minister Mr. Aman Arora on Friday brainstormed with officials of Forest & Wildlife and Local Government department to create a mechanism to make the approval process hassle-free and time-bound.          Chairing a meeting with Local Government officials, Mr. Aman Arora and his cabinet colleague Mr. Inderbir Singh Nijjar, Local Government Minister, in principle have also decided to review the annual rental amount for laying CGD pipelines. During the meeting, they also discussed various inter-departmental issues related with CBG and CGD projects.          During the meeting with Financial Commissioner Forest & Wildlife Mr Vikas Garg and other officials of the department, it was decided to reduce the time period to grant forest permission for CBG and CGD projects.          Mr. Aman Arora emphasized that the fee being charged by various departments should be collected at a single point to facilitate the investors. He also directed the Director PEDA to prepare a list of CBG and CGD projects pending at the end of different departments and send it to departments concerned by next week so that clearance process could be expedited.          He further informed that a Working Group of all stakeholders will soon be constituted to formulate CBG Policy of the state and the Group will submit its report by April end.          Principal Secretary Local Government Mr Vivek Pratap Singh, Director PEDA Mr MP Singh, APCCF Mr Saurabh Gupta, PCCF Mr. R.K. Mishra, Chief Wildlife Warden Mr. Dharminder Sharma, General Manager Torrent Gas Private Ltd. Mr. Jignesh V. Agravat, Senior Manager Indian Oil Corporation Ltd Mr. Kshitiz Sanadhaya, Senior Manager, Vice President Think Gas Private Ltd Mr. R. Maheswaran, GA- Head Gujarat Gas Ltd Mr. Mahendra Dha Dubey, Project Manager Thind Green Energy Pvt Ltd Mr Gaurav Kathpal and Project Head EverEnviro Resources Management Pvt Ltd Mr. Pankaj Kumar were also present in the meeting. 

Chandigarh, Punjab

PUNJAB CABINET LED BY CM GIVES HEALING TOUCH TO FARMERS BY ENHANCING COMPENSATION DUE TO NATURAL CALAMITIES BY 25%

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IEP Chandigarh, March 31

          In a major pro-farmer decision aimed at safeguarding their interests during natural calamities, the Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday gave nod for hiking the compensation due to nature’s fury by 25% per acre thereby giving a major respite to the food growers.

A decision to this effect was taken by the council of Ministers in its meeting held here at the Punjab Civil Secretariat- I under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister.

          Divulging more details a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that keeping in view the loss incurred by the farmers recently due to heavy rains, hailstorms and strong winds, the Cabinet has decided to enhance the relief amount from Rs.12,000/- per acre to Rs.15,000/- per acre for 76-100 percent for loss of crops. This measure will give a healing touch to the affected farmers who will be able to get a reasonable financial relief from the government. These relief rates will be applicable from March 1, 2023.

Nod to extend exemption of 2.25% stamp duty and fees land registration by April 30

Keeping in view the larger public interest, the Cabinet also gave its consent to extend the exemption of 2.25% stamp duty and fees to those registering their property/land by April 30. Those opting for registration of land will now be exempted from 1% Additional stamp duty, 1 % PIDB fees and 0.25 % special fees.

GIVES NOD FOR HIRING 2574 KISAN MITRAS AND 108 FIELD SUPERVISORS IN THE AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT

The Cabinet also gave approval for hiring 2574 Kisan Mitras and 108 field supervisors in the Agriculture department. These Kisan Mitras and Field Supervisors will encourage the farmers to get out of the rut of wheat/ paddy circle and cultivate less water guzzling crops like Cotton and Basmati. This step will act as a catalyst to save precious groundwater of the state by boosting crop diversification program on one hand and providing employment to the youth of the state on the other.

NOD TO ENACTMENT OF THE PUNJAB CANAL AND DRAINAGE ACT, 2023

The Cabinet gave its nod for formation of the Punjab Canal and Drainage Act-2023 to regulate and manage canals and drainage in the state. The main objective of this act is to ensure hindrance free canal waters to farmers and land owners for irrigation purposes, maintenance, repair and timely cleanliness of canals, drainage and natural water courses. Apart from this, the act will also provide a fair and transparent mechanism for redressal of grievances of water users and other regulatory restrictions against unnecessary wastage of water.

At present, the activities relating to irrigation, navigation and drainages in the state are regulated by an Act namely the Northern India Canal and Drainage Act-1873 which was enacted by the Government of India in the British Era. With the passage of time and Re-organization of the state, a number of provisions contained in the said Act have become outlived. The Punjab has not enacted any separate legislation to manage and control the aforesaid activities.

ACCORDS ITS APPROVAL TO FRAME THE PUNJAB CHILD LABOUR (PROHIBITION AND REGULATION) AMENDMENT RULES, 2023

In order to further curb the menace of child and adolescent labour, the Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday gave its approval to frame The Punjab Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Rules, 2023 with amendment in The Child Labour (Prohibiton and Regulation) Act, 1986 through The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act 2016.

NEW SERVICE RULES OF DEFENSE SERVICES WELFARE, EMPLOYMENT GENERATION AND WATER RESOURCES DEPARTMENT APPROVED

In another significant decision, the Cabinet also accorded consent to newly framed Group-A Service Rules after restructuring of the Defense Services Welfare Department. These rules will be implemented after issuance of notification in this regard.

Likewise, the Council of Ministers also approved the Departmental rules for Group A, Group B and Group C of Employment Generation, Skill Development and Training Department.

The Cabinet also gave nod to Service Rules of various posts of Water Resources Department. These rules are related to Engineering, Scientist, Technical, Ministerial as well as Non-Technical Staff belonging to Group A, B and C services posted in the Head Office and Field offices in the Department.

GREEN SIGNAL TO SEND THE CASES FOR SEEKING PREMATURE RELEASE OF LIFE CONVICTS CONFINED IN THE JAILS OF STATE

The Cabinet also gave green signal for sending the cases of eight prisoners for seeking Premature Release of life convicts confined in the jails of state. After the nod of Cabinet under Article 163 of the Constitution of India, these special remission/premature release cases will be submitted to the Punjab Governor under Article 161 of the Indian constitution.

The Cabinet also gave approval for sending the case of special remission to convicts confined in Jails of Punjab, in the second phase to commemorate the 75th Independence Day of India being celebrated as ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’.

Chandigarh, Punjab

LOKPAL PUNJAB FELICITATES PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL WINNER INSPECTOR KESAR SINGH ON HIS SUPERANNUATION

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IEP Chandigarh, March 31   

       Lokpal Punjab Justice Vinod Kumar Sharma on Friday felicitated Presidential Medal Winner Inspetor Kesar Singh, who was posted as Reader of ADGP Lokpal, on his superannuation.          Terming his services as great success, Justice Sharma said that Kesar Singh’s performances during services were remarkable and he attained valuable achievements during his tenure. It is worth mention here that Mr. Kesar Singh was completed his 38 years of service with utmost dedication in Punjab Police and accorded many medals specifically 60 Appreciation letters. Kesar Singh was awarded with Presidential Medal in 2013 for his dedication towards duty.          During this felicitating ceremony held here at Punjab Civil Secretariat-2, Lokpal Justice Sharma has extended his warmest congratulations and wished successful & prosperous post retirement life for Kesar Singh.Justice Sharma motivated other colleagues of Kesar Singh, to follow his footsteps and made valuable contribution toward their duties. He added that his (Kesar Singh’s) absence will be deeply felt by his colleagues.          Prominent among others who were present included Vibhu Raj IPS ADGP Lokpal Punjab, Rajiv Prashar IAS Secretary Lokpal Punjab, Inderjit Kaushik Registrar Lokpal Punjab, Harbans Singh Secretary Minister/Lokpal Punjab and family members of Kesar Singh.

Chandigarh, Punjab

LALJIT SINGH BHULLAR REVIEWS FUNCTIONING OF THE FOOD PROCESSING DEPARTMENT

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IEP Chandigarh, March 31       

   Punjab Food Processing Minister S. Laljit Singh Bhullar, on Friday, reviewed the functioning of the newly assigned Food Processing Department. During a maiden meeting, the Cabinet Minister instructed the officials to accelerate the department’s operations to create maximum employment opportunities for the youth.          Presiding over the meeting in his office at the Secretariat with Additional Chief Secretary Mrs. Ravneet Kaur, Director Mr. Manjit Singh Brar and General Manager Mr. Rajnish Tuli, Cabinet Minister S. Laljit Singh Bhullar said that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led government was giving big boost to the food processing sector in the state, which will create employment opportunities and give benefit to the farmers to a large extent.          Apprising the Cabinet Minister about the various schemes of the department, Additional Chief Secretary Ms. Ravneet Kaur informed that about 66,000 micro and small food processing units are functioning in Punjab, of which two-thirds units are located in the villages, where jaggery, flour, rice, mustard oil, biscuits, honey, pickles, marmalade and animal feed etc. are being prepared. She said that for the expansion of these micro category units, the entrepreneurs have to face various challenges such as lack of modern technology, difficulty in getting loans, lack of product awareness, branding and marketing etc.          She said that the department provides all kinds of support to the entrepreneurs of such units, which includes providing bank loans at cheap rates, connecting them with supply chain companies for marketing the products, providing free technical and business training, helping in getting registration of FSSAI, GST and “Udhyam”. Apart from this, financial assistance is also provided in setting up common processing/storage/packing infrastructure, she added.          Discussing various schemes of the department such as “One District-One Product”,  “Financial Assistance and Training for Small Entrepreneurs” etc., the Cabinet Minister emphasized that the benefit of each scheme should be reached at the grass-root level and benefit of the scheme to the eligible beneficiaries should be ensured.Laljit Singh Bhullar directed the officials to prepare new schemes related to food processing so that the economy of the state can be boosted

Chandigarh, Haryana

TRANSPORT MINISTER ISSUES CONTRACT TERMINATION NOTICE TO “SMART CHIP LIMITED COMPANY” FOR FAILURE OF ISSUING RCS & DLS

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IEP Chandigarh, March 31

Taking serious note of the suspension of the work of issuing registration certificates (RCs) of new vehicles and driving license (DLs), Punjab Transport Minister S. Laljit Singh Bhullar, on Friday, issued contract termination notice to “Smart Chip Limited” company for failure to comply with the terms and conditions of issuing RCs and DLs in a stipulated time-frame.

Earlier show cause notices were issued to the company due to halting of work, to which no adequate response was given by the company.

Giving details, the Transport Minister said, the management of the company was being instructed from the last several days to complete the work in a timely manner as per the terms and conditions of the contract in view of the reports of delay in the issuing work. Show cause notices were also issued to the company by the transport department, but the company continued to reluctant for timely complete the work.

The Cabinet Minister informed that offer letters are being issued to L-2 and L-3 companies and Public Sector Units (PSUs) to allot this work so that registration certificates and driving licenses could be issued at the earliest.

Laljit Singh Bhullar strictly asked that stern legal action will be taken against the company, which does not live up to the agreement, adding that the process of blacklisting the company has also been initiated for disrupting the government work.

The Cabinet Minister said that directions were also given to Mr. A.S. Rai, ADGP Traffic, Punjab Police that the RCs and DLs downloaded from DigiLocker or M. Parivahan App should be considered as valid and commuters showing these online documents should not be challaned.