IEP Chandigarh, March 29    

      Trials for the selection of players for the residential sports wings of the Punjab Institute of Sports (PIS) are starting on 3rd April and will continue till 25th of April. This time, increasing the scope of the trials, the trials of different sports will be conducted at 11 places, after which the final trials of the players selected from these trials will start on April 24 and will conclude on April 26.          Giving information through a press statement here today, Sports Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer said that continuous efforts are being made by the State Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to make Punjab a leader in sports again. ‘Khedan Watan Punjab Deya’ , held for the first time last year in Punjab, got a big thumbs up. Around 3 lakh players participated in these games after which it was decided to increase the scope of trials of sports wings for the new season.          In different sports, the trials of six age groups under 10, under 12, under 14, under 17, under 19 and under 21 will be held in zones created district wise and after that, the final trials of the players selected from the districts will be held at one place. There will be trials for around 1700 seats in 18 sports with 450 seats increased for a new session. These sports are Athletics, Basketball, Boxing, Football, Hockey, Gymnastics, Judo, Volleyball, Weightlifting, Wrestling, Handball, Archery, Cycling, Swimming, Table Tennis, Fencing, Shooting and Rowing.          This will bring out the best players. The concerned District Sports Officer has been placed as in charge of the district where the trials are held. The selected players will get free coaching, accommodation, diet and medical and insurance facilities.          Divulging the details, trials of various sports will be held in the Amritsar district on April 3 and 4 in which players from Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Pathankot and Tarn Taran will participate. Similarly, the trials of Jalandhar, Kapurthala and Hoshiarpur districts in respect of various sports will be held at Jalandhar on April 6 and 7. Trials for various sports in Ludhiana, Moga, Malerkotla and Nawanshahr districts will be held at Ludhiana on April 9 and 10.          The trials of Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib and Sangrur districts of various sports will be held at Patiala on April 12 and 13, the trials of Bathinda, Barnala and Mansa districts of various sports will be held at Bathinda on April 15 and 16, the trials of Faridkot, Mukatsar Sahib, Fazilka and Ferozepur districts will be held at Faridkot on April 18 and 19, and those of the SAS Nagar and Rupnagar districts of various sports will be held at SAS Nagar on April 21 and 22.          Apart from this, there will be trials for all districts for Rowing on April 3 and 4 at Rupnagar, all districts for Table Tennis on April 24 and 25 at Barnala and all district trials for Football on April 24 and 25 at Mahilpur (Hoshiarpur).          Players participating in tryouts will report at 8:30 a.m. on the day of tryouts. The player should be a resident of Punjab state and should have won medals in district/state/national level tournaments in the last three years, whose parents are UT (Chandigarh) residents but posted in government institutions of the state of Punjab, children can also participate in the trials. TA/DA will not be given to the players participating in the trials. Participating players should bring an Aadhaar card, birth certificate and 2 passport size photographs with them. In case the number of players increases during the trials, the date of the trials will be extended by one more day at the respective place. More detailed information is available on the department’s website www.pispunjab.org.          The final trials of hockey players (boys) selected from different districts will be held at Jalandhar on 24 and 25 April. Similarly, the final trials of athletics players will be held on April 24 and 25 at Jalandhar, the final trials of basketball players will be held at Ludhiana on April 24 and 25, the final trials of volleyball players will be held at Mohali on April 24 and 25, the final trials of swimming will be held at Mohali on April 24 and 25, and the finals of handball will be held at Mohali.          The Weightlifting Final Trials would be held at Mohali on 24th and 25th April, Wrestling Final Trials at Mohali on 24th April, Boxing Final Trials at Mohali on 24th April, Judo Final Trials at Mohali on 24th April , Table Tennis Finals Trials will be held on 26 April 2023 at Barnala and final trials of football players will be held at Mahilpur Football Academy (Hoshiarpur) on 26 April 2023. 

IEP Chandigarh, March 29

 Reiterating the firm commitment of the state government to channelize the unbounded energy of youth in a positive direction, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday handed over job letters to 219 clerks and 26 youngsters on compassionate grounds thereby bringing the total tally of jobs given government jobs to 27,042.         “Idle hands are devil’s workshop so we are trying our best to ensure that maximum youth get jobs so that they do not fall prey to the social menaces” said the Chief Minister, while handing over the job letters here during a function at Municipal Bhawan. The Chief Minister said that unemployment is the root cause of several social problems due to which the state government is focussing on eradicating this malady. He said that so far 27,042 government jobs have been given to the youth within merely one year of assuming the charge of office. Bhagwant Mann said that this spree will continue in the coming days too as the state government is laying major thrust on providing jobs to the youth. The Chief Minister said that this venue has witnessed a number of such events in which youth have got jobs in various government departments. He said that this reflects the commitment of the state government to ensure the well being of youth and opening new avenues of employment for them. Bhagwant Mann said that it is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction for him that all the youth have been selected for these posts purely on the basis of merit. The Chief Minister said that now these youth have become integral part of the government adding that now should serve the people with missionary zeal. Bhagwant Mann hoped that the new recruits will use their pen for helping the needy and underprivileged sections of society. He said that the newly recruited youth should ensure maximum welfare of the public so that every section of society is benefited from it. The Chief Minister said that in order to mitigate the woes of the service providers, the state government will soon issue notification for enhancing their salary by ending the contractual system.  He said that the state government is committed for the well being of every strata of society and no stone will be left unturned for this noble cause. Bhagwant Mann said that he hails from a humble background so he is well aware of the woes of the common man. Citing the example of Baba Sahib Dr. BR Ambedkar, the Chief Minister said that the hardships suffered by the legendary national leader is an inspiration for all the youth to excel in every field. He said that despite several hostilities the Chief architect of the Indian constitution acquired education and scaled new heights in life. Bhagwant Mann said that every youngster must take inspiration from the life and philosophy of this iconic leader to achieve success in life.  The Chief Minister said that as runways at the airports facilitate an Airplane for its smooth take off in the same manner the state government will help the youth to realize their dreams. He asserted that every effort will be made to give wings to the ideas of youth and no stone will be left unturned for it. Bhagwant Mann made a fervent appeal to youth to make all out efforts for carving an identity of their own to make a place in society. The Chief Minister further called upon the youth to be grass rooters instead of being parachuters. He said that the grass-rooters are those who arise from the ground to conquer the entire world adding that for these hard-workers only the sky is limit. Bhagwant Mann said that, whereas the parachuters come from sky and are doomed to fall on ground later or sooner. The Chief Minister further said that he has asked the officers especially the Deputy Commissioners and Senior Superintendent of Police to maximize their field visits, especially in villages, and interact with the people by going to villages. He said that it is the need of the hour to facilitate the people in getting their day-to-day works done easily besides ensuring good governance to them. Bhagwant Mann said that this will help in better functioning of the offices along with better acquaintance with the ground realities. The Chief Minister bemoaned that some people are trying to divide the state on sectarian lines for the sake of their own vested interests. He said that such self proclaimed leaders of religion have nothing to do with the state and its people adding that these leaders just want to disturb the peace and amity in the state. Bhagwant Mann said that Punjabis should not sway away from the ideas of such self proclaimed preachers who have no emotional bonding with the state and its people.           However, the Chief Minister categorically said that the state government is duty bound to maintain peace, amity and communal harmony in Punjab at all costs. He said that today is the era of education and across the globe the people with knowledge and expertise are recognized due to which the state government is making strenuous efforts to promote education in Punjab. Bhagwant Mann said that they want to see books, laptops, jobs, medals and progress in the hands of youth. 

IEP Chandigarh, March 29    

      Punjab Agriculture Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal has ordered all the field officers of the Agriculture Department to send the actual data of crops damaged due to rain in the past at the earliest. During a meeting with top officials of the Agriculture Department and Chief Agriculture Officers at Punjab Bhawan, Dhaliwal said that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has already announced that compensation for crop damage will be started around Baisakhi, so Chief Agriculture officers should present the real picture of the problem before the state government. He said that it should be ensured that the actual data is sent quickly without any recommendation and without causing trouble to the farmers.          On this occasion, Dhaliwal, taking serious notice of fake fertilizers and fake pesticides, announced that soon a separate complaint number will be issued for the convenience of farmers, where they can file a complaint in this regard. He issued special instructions to the officials to resolve such complaints in a timely manner. He said that there will be no compromise on the quality of fertilizers and pesticides and the culprits will not be spared at any cost. He ordered the officials to sensitize the farmers to buy quality seeds recommended by Punjab Agricultural University which have the capacity to withstand natural calamities.          Dhaliwal also gave special instructions to the officials for the upcoming wheat procurement season. He said that farmers should be encouraged not to burn stubble and also ensure that straw is used only for fodder. He also asked to organize awareness camps for farmers.          He said that the Punjab government is making serious efforts to increase the area of cotton and the farmers of cotton belt will be given seeds at 33 percent subsidy. He asked the officials that maximum number of farmers should be encouraged to buy seeds on subsidy and cultivate cotton. He said that according to the announcement made by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, irrigation water will be given to the farmers of cotton on time.          Apart from this, the Minister of Agriculture instructed that maximum number of farmers should be encouraged to plant seeds of PR 126 variety of paddy which requires less time and less water. He said that the field officials should intensify their efforts from now to bring maximum area under PR 126 variety of paddy this year. He said that the authorities should select the areas which are more suitable for direct sowing of paddy and encourage the farmers there for direct sowing.          Dhaliwal said that the agricultural policy of the state is being prepared under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to strengthen the welfare of farmers and the economy. For this purpose suggestions have been sought from the general public. He told the field officers that if there is a successful or progressive farmer in their area, suggestions should be sought from him.          On this occasion, he categorically asserted that the state government has adopted a zero tolerance policy against the corrupts said no corrupt or bribe-taking official will be spared at any cost. He said that the welfare of farmers should be the priority of all officials.          Principal Secretary of Agriculture Department Sumer Singh Gurjar, Director Gurvinder Singh, Chief Agriculture Officers of all districts and other senior officials of the Head Office were present on this occasion.

IEP Chandigarh/Malout, March, 29   

       The Punjab Government is striving to end unemployment and is giving all possible assistance to the unemployed to stand on their own feet. It was said by   Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities, Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Punjab Dr. Baljit Kaur, while inaugurating the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Punjabi Shoe Making Course at Valmiki Bhavan, Guru Ravidas Nagar, Malout.          On this occasion while addressing the audience SDM Malout S. Kanwarjit Singh said that it is a very good initiative of the Punjab government, therefore the unemployed should take maximum advantage of this training course.          Sarabjit Singh Gulati, Block President Karamjit Sharma, Satgurdev Singh Pappi from Doric Multimedia Pvt Ltd were present on this opening ceremony.          On this occasion, Cabined Minister said that this course has been implemented by Punjab Skill Development Mission and Doric Multimedia Pvt. Ltd. Ludhiana and under this course free training will be given to the unemployed to promote the profession of shoes so that after receiving the training one can start his own business.          The Cabinet Minister said that under this course, the person who will get training in making shoes will be given a certificate by the Punjab Skill Development Mission and on the basis of this certificate, the unemployed person will be able to get a loan from any bank or organization and start their own business.          After this Dr. Baljit Kaur visited the unseasonal rain and hailstorm affected villages Danewala, Rathadi, Kingra and Malwala, Eena Khera and village Thehri and took stock of the damage.           Talking to the farmers, she said that the Punjab Government is helping the needy to compensate for the damage caused by rain and storm and they will be compensated by the Government as soon as possible.          On this occasion, she issued instructions to the top officials that without any delay, the crops damaged by rain and hail should be checked so that the farmers can be compensated immediately. 

IEP Chandigarh

World TB Day was celebrated in Chandigarh on Wednesday. The theme for World TB Day 2023 is “Yes-We Can End TB”. It was celebrated today at Health and Wellness Centre, Mauli Jagran. Dr. Suman Singh, Director Health & Family Welfare, Chandigarh Administration inaugurated the function. She laid stress on the UT’s continuous efforts and targets of achieving TB elimination by 2025. She also facilitated Ni-kshay Mitras who had adopted TB patients in the city by supporting them and providing nutritional supplement to them. She lauded the efforts and contribution of these Mitras. She also spoke about the world class diagnostics and treatment facilities that were available in the UT and being provided to all the patients free of cost. State TB Officer Dr. Rajesh Kumar also mentioned that in order to strengthen TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, NTEP had started a 25 days Active Case Finding Survey which will cover around 1/3 rd of the population of Chandigarh. A door to door survey would be conducted in order to find presumptive TB patients so as to facilitate their early detection and early treatment so that we can break the chain of infection and make Chandigarh TB Free. A clarion call has been made to all affected communities, civil society organizations, media, health-care providers and State partners to unite forces under the banner “TB Harega Desh Jeetega” and let’s make 2022 truly the year for TB and move forward to end TB.