IEP Chandigarh, March 16

Punjab Local Government Minister Dr. Inderbir Singh Nijjar on Thursday released the maiden issue of the quarterly newsletter of his department. He said that this initiative would act as a report card of the Local Government department.Releasing this newsletter here at Municipal Bhawan, Dr. Nijjar said that under the visionary and dynamic leadership of the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the Punjab government is committed to striving for the comprehensive development of the municipal towns of the state and to report its initiatives to the general masses in a transparent manner. “The intent of this newsletter is to reach out to all the relevant stakeholders and make them conversant about the works being carried out. Further, it shall help in making the residents aware of various important projects”, said Mr. Nijjar while adding that this newsletter has shown the seriousness of the Government through initiatives taken by the State as well as ULBs to ensure transparent, accountable and responsive Governance.Divulging further, Dr. Nijjar said that the quarterly newsletter (March-2023) released today has reported the progress under key projects like Smart City Mission, AMRUT, Swachh Bharat Mission, MSeva (e-Governance), Punjab Municipal Services Improvement Projects (PMSIP). “Apart from this, information regarding World Bank/Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, GIS-enabled geospatial planning, urban transport (Bus Rapid Transit System – BRTS), housing for the urban poor, affordable housing projects, credit link subsidy scheme, urban livelihood missions, business process re-engineering and municipal fire services has been also carried in this newsletter”, he added.Cabinet Minister said that this issue has also highlighted the financial support provided to the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) under AMRUT and Swachh Bharat Mission besides mentioning the new initiatives in the field of e-governance such as instant issuance of trade license for non-hazardous trades, Public Works Integrated Management System and Integrated Financial Management System.On this occasion, Mr. Vivek Pratap Singh, IAS, Principal Secretary, Local Government, Ms. Isha Kalia, IAS, Chief Executive Officer-PMIDC, Mr. Uma Shankar Gupta, IAS, Director Local Government and other departmental officers were present. 

IEP Chandigarh, March 15

The newly appointed Chairman of the Punjab State Industrial Development Corporation (PSIDC) Jasvir Singh Kudni on Wednesday assumed charge of his office at Udyog Bhawan here in the presence of Finance, Planning, Excise and Taxation Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema and HUD, Information and Public Relations, New and Renewable Energy Sources Minister Aman Arora.Congratulating the newly appointed Chairman, the Ministers expressed confidence that Jasvir Singh Kudni will work hard to resolve the issues related to the industries in addition to making concrete efforts to uplift the industries in the state. Expressing gratitude to the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Jasvir Singh Kudni said that he would perform his duties with full dedication and diligence. He said that he would make every possible effort to ensure the rapid growth of the industry so that it could contribute adequately to the ‘Rangla Punjab Mission’.

IEP SAS Nagar /Chandigarh, March 15

Punjab Grievance Redressal, Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Labour, Investment Promotion and Hospitality Minister Anmol Gagan Mann said that the Punjab government is fully determined to solve all the problems of the people. She said that sufficient funds are available for development works.     Today, while listening to the problems of the people of different villages of Kharar Constituency, minister said that the Punjab government has ushered in a new era for the development of the state and all the problems in way   development are being removed. During the camp held in Swara of Kharar block today, she listened to the problems of the people of Gabbe Majra, Magar, Rasanheri, Nangal Faizgarh and Swara villages and assured to solve them soon. The minister also issued necessary guidelines to the officials of various departments on the spot.Addressing the camps organized to solve the problems of the people, she said that solving the problems of the people is the priority of the state government and various schemes have been started by the state government for the welfare of the people. The minister also appealed to the people to take maximum advantage of the facilities being provided by the Punjab government.Anmol Gagan Mann urged the people to play their role more and more in the development of villages. Meanwhile, she also asked the people to get over the factionalism and keep an eye on the development works so that there is no mistake in the development works and all the development works can be done according to the prescribed standards. She also assured the people that the bus routes will be framed as per the need of the people. She sought people’s cooperation to implement the government schemes. The minister said that the role of people is important for the development of the state and only with their support the state can be freed from various problems.       During the camp organized to listen to the problems of the people of Sohali, Nanglia, Rakoli and Shahpur and surrounding villages of Majri block, the cabinet minister also made people aware about the advantages of labour card. She added said that through labour cards, people get financial help for treatment and along with this, many other facilities are provided apart from Shagan scheme, scholarship for students. The minister appealed to the needy people to make job cards so that they can take advantage of the schemes related to MGNREGA.Apart from this, during these camps, action was taken to provide facilities such as free medical facility, registration for employment, creation of Aadhaar card in addition to job card, widow pension, old age pension, disabled pension etc. on this occasion SDM Kharar Ravinder Singh, officials of various departments were also present on this occasion.

IEP Chandigarh, March 15

The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its ongoing campaign against corruption, as directed by the Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann, on Wednesday nabbed a Junior Engineer (JE) Puneet, posted at Sub Division Bhai Rupa, Bathinda district, for accepting a bribe of Rs 8,000.Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of the VB said the accused JE has been arrested on the complaint of Gurtej Singh, of village Dullewala, Bathinda district.Giving details he informed that the complainant have approached the VB and alleged that the above said JE had demanded Rs 12,000 to install a new transformer at his new tubewell and had already taken Rs 4,000 a bribe. He further informed that the JE was demanding remaining money from him.The spokesperson said after verifying this information, the VB Bathinda unit laid a trap and the above said accused JE was arrested while taking a bribe money of Rs. 8,000 as a second instalment from the complainant in the presence of two official witnesses.He informed that a case under Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered against the accused at VB police station, Bathinda range and further investigation was under progress. 

IEP Amritsar, March 15    

       Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday envisioned that the G-20 summit will prove to be a healthy platform for seeking vital inputs of expert nations to boost the education sector across the globe in general and state in particular thereby immensely benefiting the youth.           The Chief Minister, while addressing the gathering during second meeting of Education Working group of G-20 here today, said that he ardently believes that the deliberations in this summit will not only uplift the standard of education but will also benefit the youth of the state immensely. He expressed hope that the strenuous efforts of the G-20 in addressing major issues related to the global economy will give a major fillip to the economic growth of the country in general and that of the state in particular. Bhagwant Mann also lauded the concerted efforts being made by G-20 for promoting an environment of peace, understanding and international cooperation.           Highlighting the landmark initiatives taken by the state government in field of education to share that in consonance with the ideology of Baba Sahib Dr BR Ambedkar, the chief architect of Indian constitution, who once said that ‘Knowledge is the basis of human life’, state government is according top priority to the education sector. He said that the state government believes that ‘Health’ and ‘Education’ form bedrock for human and social development and stands committed to strengthen and expand these two critical sectors. Bhagwant Mann said that the state government has proposed an outlay of Rs 17,072 crore for school and Higher education in the coming fiscal year.           The Chief Minister said that budget of Rs 200 crore has been kept for up-gradation of the schools into the school of eminence. He said that these world class 117 schools of eminence will ensure holistic development of the students. Bhagwant Mann said that these schools will cater to the students of classes IX to XII and are being built on five pillars of support and strength i.e. Infrastructure, Academics, Human Resource Management, Sports & Co-curricular Activities and Community Engagement.           The Chief Minister said that apart from this, these schools will create opportunities to nurture individual ability and skills valuable for higher education, employment, training and others. He said that these schools will focus on grooming students for five professional and competitive courses including engineering, law, commerce, UPSC and NDA. Bhagwant Mann said that the state government remains committed to uplift Education in the State.            The Chief Minister said that in order to ensure that the environment of schools is conducive to improved levels of education for the students of Government schools, a budget of Rs.141.14 crore has been approved. He said that it will ensure that the work of cleanliness, protection of properties and management in the school is carried out effectively by Campus Managers allowing Principals of schools to focus on their administrative and academic duties. Bhagwant Mann said that an International Education Affairs Cell (IEAC) has been established to provide world class training to teachers, school heads and educational administrators working at different levels in the School Education Department.            Underscoring the need for knowledge sharing, the Chief Minister said that it can act as a catalyst for the overall development of the students. He said that his government is already focusing on enhancing the knowledge sharing agreement between the students from state and other countries. Bhagwant Mann said that it is the need of hour to ensure that the students become partners of the socio economic growth of the world.           The Chief Minister said that the state government has sent batches of trainees consisting of 66 Principals/Education officers have been sent to Principals Academy, Singapore for upscaling their expertise. He said that on their return these teachers will share the foreign practices with students and their colleagues thereby ensuring that students get acquainted with the pattern of study on foreign shores so that they are able to compete with their peers educated abroad. Bhagwant Mann said that this is a revolutionary step which will rejuvenate the entire education system of the state for the well being of students by bringing the much needed qualitative change in the education system of the state.            The Chief Minister said that sole criteria to choose these teachers for training are merit so as to ensure that they play a vanguard role in education reform. He said that the single aim of all these efforts is to reverse the trend of brain drain by making youth an active partner of socio- economic growth of the state adding that this path breaking initiative will prove to be a milestone for reforming the education system in the state. Bhagwant Mann said that in another landmark initiative the state government has set up, the “Punjab Sikhya-te-Sehat Fund” that will act as a catalyst to transform education and health sectors by active participation of NRI brethren.             The Chief Minister said that this summit will go a long way in sensitizing the governments by highlighting the issues and problems concerning the populace across the globe. He also said that the Government of India really deserves an accolade for holding this mega event on this land of great Gurus, saints and seers. Bhagwant Mann said that it is his proud privilege and honour to be here to welcome galaxy of eminent personalities representing their respective countries.           The Chief Minister profusely thanked the Government of India (GOI) for choosing this holy city to organize two sessions on Education and Labour. He said that his is a sacred city, which is deeply revered by one and all in the annals of history, where devotees from all over the world pay homage to seek peace and solace. Bhagwant Mann recalled that this holy city was once the prominent center of trade and commercial activity in the country in pre-partition days adding that the state government is making strenuous efforts to again develop Amritsar as the trade hub as several national and international companies of excellence and repute have evinced keen interest to set up their ventures in the holy city.           The Chief Minister also said that since time immemorial Punjab has been a cradle of civilization and culture adding that the hardworking and brave Punjabis had closely witnessed numerous pages of history unfolding on this sacred land of five years. He said that the state of Punjab has a successful growth story for ushering in the green revolution in mid 1960s followed by rapid industrialization in terms of Hosiery, Hand tools, Sports, Auto-parts, Agriculture implements, Rubber and others. Bhagwant Mann also said that besides being the nation’s food bowl, Punjab also has a distinction of being the sword arm of the country and its people are well known all over the world for their courage, resilience and spirit of enterprise.           The Chief Minister expressed hope that the delegates will have a comfortable stay in the city during the summit and they will enjoy the warm hospitality of the state. He said that during their stay the delegates will take along with them the vivid memories of their visit to Punjab.  Bhagwant Mann also wished successful accomplishment of the summit to the participating delegates. 

IEP Chandigarh, March 15      

    The State Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has fulfilled most of the promises made to the people within the first one year. During the period of one year, the honest intentions of the Chief Minister to work for the welfare of all the sections of the society, led to progress on every front.          It was stated by Cabinet Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer during an interview on a private channel on the completion of one year of the State Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.          Talking about the one year performance of his departments, the Mining Minister said that it was decided to give affordable sand to the public at Rs 5.50 per cubic feet from public sites and so far people have bought 3.71 lakh metric tonnes of sand from these sites. The labourers are earning one to one and half lakh daily from this pro people initiative. The goal of the government is to take the number of public sites to 150. The government’s aim is to end mining and provide sand to the people at reasonable prices. The notification of the new policy has also been issued.          Speaking about the Environment Department, Meet Hayer said that 30 percent less stubble burning cases have come up in Punjab compared to last year. If the central government had given financial support, the incidents of stubble burning would have been reduced by 70 percent this time. Due to in situ and ex situ management, this year cases of stubble burning will see further decline.          Talking about the Sports Department, Sports Minister Meet Hayer said that the department is working continuously to make Punjab the number one state of the country again. “Khedan Watan Punjab Deya” got a great response. A new sports policy is being framed with the opinion of experts. A scholarship scheme has been started in the name of the great hockey Olympian Balbir Singh Senior. Special attention has been given to prepare the players for international competitions, added Meet Hayer.

IEP CHANDIGARH/AMRITSAR, March 15

Keeping in view of the ongoing G-20 Summit, the Amritsar Commissionerate Police on Wednesday have banned flying drones and unmanned aerial vehicles in the entire Commissionerate area from March 14 to March 21, 2023. The ban also includes the venues of G-20 Education Working Group meetings, the places where the delegates are staying and the routes.Notably, Punjab is hosting the second Education Working Group (Ed WG) from March 15-17 and 28 G-20 member countries, guest countries and invited organisations (OECD, UNESCO, and UNICEF) will be participating in the 3-day event consisting of seminar/exhibition and working group meetings. The L20 meeting on labour is scheduled to be held on March 19-20.Commissioner of Police (CP) Amritsar Naunihal Singh said that the venues of meetings, the places of stay and routes have been declared red zones and flying of drones and unmanned aerial vehicles have been prohibited to beef up the security and to prevent any untoward incident from Airborne entities.