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Punjab Government fully committed to provide every assistance to people affected by floods

IEP Chandigarh, July 20     

      As part of its commitment to provide succour to the beleaguered people in accordance with the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the State Government machinery has plunged headlong to mitigate the situation created by floods in the state.            To speed up the relief operations in the state and as per the directions of CM Bhagwant Mann, 26672 persons have been evacuated and taken to safe places. A spokesperson informed that 1441 villages have been affected by the flood till 8 am on July 20. A total of 155 relief camps are running in the state in which 4424 people are staying.           Currently, 19 districts are affected by floods including Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Fatehgarh Sahib, Faridkot, Hoshiarpur, Rupnagar, Kapurthala, Patiala, Moga, Ludhiana, SAS Nagar, Jalandhar, Sangrur, SBS Nagar, Fazilka, Gurdaspur, Mansa, Bathinda and Pathankot.            According to the report received by the revenue department from different districts, a total of 38 people have lost their lives due to floods in the state.            As per the information received from the animal husbandry department, a total of 2554 animals treated in the state.            Rescue teams of the department are working round the clock to provide treatment, supply feed, fodder and silage to the needy animals. Special flood relief camps are also being organised in affected districts.           On the other hand, the teams of the health department are working in the flood-affected areas with full attention. According to the spokesperson, 434 Rapid Response Teams (RRT) have been working at flood affected areas. The health department has set up 247 medical camps in the affected areas.           He further informed that dry food packets are being continuously distributed in the flood affected areas. 22,871 dry food packets have been distributed in Rupnagar, 64000 in Patiala, 4600 in SAS Nagar, 5700 in SBS Nagar and 2200 in Fatehgarh Sahib.

Vigilance Bureau arrests Retd PCS Officer Jagdish Johal in multi-crore Guava plants compensation scam

IEP Chandigarh, July 20      

    Punjab Vigilance Bureau on Thursday arrested Retired PCS Officer Jagdish Singh Johal, who was Land Acquisition Collector (LAC) of Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA), in connection with multi-crore Guava trees compensation scam.          This is the 20th arrest in the scam wherein compensation worth crores of rupees was wrongfully claimed in lieu of land acquired by GMADA at village Bakarpur in SAS Nagar (Mohali) district.          Revealing the details here today, an official spokesperson of the VB said that Jagdish Singh Johal was instrumental in approving disbursals of wrongful payments to accused beneficiaries on the basis of tailor made assessment report containing names and shares of said beneficiaries in contravention with the Revenue records.          Pertinently, two Retired Patwaris Surinderpal Singh and Surinderpal, then posted at the LAC Branch of GMADA, were also arrested last week in the case.          During the interrogation, the Spokesperson said, they disclosed that initially they refused to certify the payment forms as names of owners and shares mentioned in the assessment report of the Horticulture Department as it were different from actual owners and their shares as per the Revenue record. They alleged that the accused Jagdish Singh Johal exercised his influence and pressurised them to initiate noting for approval of disbursement of payments in accordance with the assessment report of Horticulture Department by ignoring Revenue records. Further as the LAC, the accused PCS officer approved the payments and subsequently released around Rs 124 Crores to various beneficiaries giving undue benefits to them while causing heavy losses to the exchequer.          To ensure payments to genuine beneficiaries, the Chief Administrator GMADA had even ordered that LAC would visit personally to inspect Guava orchards, check Girdawri records to ascertain age of trees, besides conducting GIS drone mapping survey and videography of the area. However, JS Johal deliberately ignored all these checks and released payments in connivance with the accused beneficiaries, he added.          A performa, which was devised by the Chief Administrator GMADA on 01.06.2021 on which basis the first payments of compensation were started, was totally ignored. The accused PCS officer has also released the compensation to Nisha Garg, Shubham Wadhawan, Binder Singh, Neelam Bansal, Kiran Bansal, Bimla Mittal, Chestha, Santosh Kumari, Chanchal Kumar, Anil Kumar Batra, Susheel Kumari Batra and Rashmi Arora, who were not even recorded as land owners in the Revenue record.          Therefore, he has released the compensation to the non-eligible land owners, whereas their land pooling case is proposed to be forwarded to the court being unauthorised purchase.          The spokesperson further informed that after surfacing of incriminating oral, circumstantial and documentary evidence against Jagdish Singh Johal, the VB has nominated the PCS Officer as an accused and arrested today from Mohali. Further, role of other officials concerned is under scanner.

Punjab Government to Celebrate ECCE Day in Anganwadi Centers, Prioritizing Child Development and Education

IEP Chandigarh, July 20      

    Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Day will be celebrated on 21 July 2023 in Anganwadi Centers of the state by the Punjab Government.           Minister of Social Security, Women, and Child Development, Dr. Baljit Kaur, emphasized the importance of ECCE, which includes aspects of healthcare, nutrition, play-based learning, and early education in a protective environment, contributing significantly to the holistic development of children. The slogan for Early Childhood Care and Education is “Child’s School Readiness, Home Responsibility.”          To commemorate this day, Cabinet Minister instructed all District Program Officers to organize ECCE events in Anganwadi centers (except flood affected areas). They are required to ensure the proper observance of the day.

PUNJAB HEALTH DEPARTMENT BUSTS ILLEGAL SEX DETERMINATION RACKET IN SUNAM

IEP Chandigarh, July 20    

      In a bid to eradicate the menace of female foeticide and balance the sex ratio in the state, Punjab Health and Family Welfare Department has busted an illegal sex determination racket in Sunam of Sangrur district. A portable ultrasound machine, Rs35000/- paid to the accused for sex test were also recovered.          Divulging the details here today, Director Health Services (FW) Dr. Ravinder Pal Kaur said that Civil Surgeons of Barnala and Sangrur formed a joint team of the health department comprising District Family Welfare Officer, Barnala Dr. Parvesh Kumar, Deputy Medical Commissioner Barnala Dr. Gurminder Aujla,          Gynaecologist Dr. Anchal Kashyap, Radiologist Civil Hospital Barnala Dr. Shikha, PNDT co-ordinator Gurjit Singh, District Family Welfare Officer Sangrur Dr. Inderjit Singla, Dr. Amanpreet Kaur and PNDT coordinator Harpreet Singh to conduct  the raid.          The health department team sent a pregnant patient as a decoy to a person for disclosing the sex of the foetus. An amount of Rs 35,000 was received by the accused woman for conducting the test and the patient was called to a house in Sunam.           As soon as the accused started conducting the test, the team of the health department reached the spot and caught the 53-years-old man red-handed.          Dr. Ravinder Pal Kaur lauded the efforts of Civil Surgeon Barnala Dr.Jasbir Singh Aulakh on whose tip off this operation was conducted and Assistant Director Dr.Vineet Nagpal who coordinated the whole raid from the state.          She said that there was a search for this accused person in the surrounding states as well, therefore under the strict directions of Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh, taking immediate action on this information, a joint team of Health officials of district Barnala and Sangrur was made to conduct the raid. Dr. Parminder Kaur, Civil Surgeon Sangrur and Police Party played a pivotal role in this joint raid.          In this raid a portable ultrasound machine, Rs35000/- paid to the accused for sex test were also recovered. Moreover, another amount of Rs 2,49000/- and instruments and medicines used for carrying out abortions were also recovered on the spot. Apart from arresting the kingpin, the police team accompanying the raiding health team also arrested a woman who was illegally performing abortions at her home. A case under PC  PNDT act has also been registered against the accused.

Haryana will soon setup a Centre of Excellence within the Post Graduate Institute of Dental Science, Rohtak

IEP Chandigarh, July 20

Haryana Government will soon setup a Centre of Excellence within the Post Graduate Institute of Dental Science, Rohtak, by establishing virtual learning laboratories with state-of-the-art facilities. The Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal has accorded administrative approval amounting to Rs. 17.50 crore for the same.Sharing more details in this regard an official spokesperson said that the Chief Minister had announced to setup a Centre of Excellence within the Post Graduate Institute of Dental Science, Rohtak during the budget session of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha. While fulfilling the same, Sh. Manohar Lal has today given administrative approval.The spokesperson informed that as per the detailed plan of the Center of Excellence, 24X7 Dental Emergency will be established at a cost of about Rs 47 lakh. Besides this, a Nodal Center for Oral preCancer diagnosis and management will be set up at a cost of about Rs 2 crore, Virtual Learning Lab at a cost of about Rs 8 crore, Advanced Maxillofacial Imaging Center at a cost of about Rs 2 crore and Advanced Maxillofacial Rehabilitation and Implant Center will be established at a cost of Rs 5 crore.

Haryana’s Economy to Get a Boost as Goods Sheds Come Up in Every District

IEP Chandigarh, July 20

The Union Ministry of Railways is establishing goods sheds in every district of Haryana under the ambitious PM Gati Shakti – National Master Plan. This strategic move is expected to significantly boost the state’s economy, enhancing trade and logistics across the region.Haryana Government has taken the decision to appoint a senior officer at the state level from the Public Works (Building and Roads) Department to facilitate seamless coordination with the Ministry of Railways to ensure the successful establishment implementation of this project.This decision was taken during a meeting focused on “Synergizing Railways,” which was chaired by the Chief Secretary, Mr. Sanjeev Kaushal here today. The Additional Deputy Commissioner and Executive Engineer of PWD (B and R) will coordinate and supervise the smooth functioning of goods sheds within their respective districts, added Mr. KaushalThe Chief Secretary said that the setting up of these goods sheds will have a transformative impact on Haryana’s transportation network, leading to increased trade and commerce within the state. He re-affirmed the state government’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the successful execution of this strategic move. In the last three years, 72.01 million tonnes of cargo has been moved from Haryana, which signifies the thriving state economy.Indian Railways has also undertaken the comprehensive revamping of 29 railway stations in Haryana, envisioning them as vibrant centers of economic activity for the respective cities and towns where they are situated.Additional Chief Secretary, Public Works (Building and Roads) Department, Mr. Anurag Rastogi and Engineer-In-Chief, Mr. Rajeev Yadav and other officers were also present during the meeting.

Services of Technical Education Department provided by Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University, Sonipat, now under the purview of the Haryana Right to Service Act, 2014

IEP Chandigarh, July 20

Chief Commissioner, Haryana Right to Service Commission, Sh. T.C. Gupta said that strenuous efforts are being made to increase the ambit of notified services under the Haryana Right to Service Act, 2014.        Recently, 4 services of the Technical Education Department have been notified under the Haryana Right Services Act, 2014. These include Issuance of Degree Certificate, Detailed Marks Card, Migration Certificate and Transcript Certificate. All these services have been on-boarded on the Auto Appeal System (AAS), for Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University, Sonipat.        The RTS timeline of Issuance of Degree Certificate, Detailed Marks Card and Migration Certificate within a span of 15 days. Furthermore, Transcript Certificate will be ensured within the timeline of 30 days from the date of application.        Sh. Gupta further said that if the University fails to deliver these four services within the RTS timeline, the complaint will automatically be escalated to the First Grievance Redressal Authority automatically on behalf of the citizen.          There are 656 services notified under the Act which has defined a timeline along with appellate authorities. Any citizen can check the list of these notified services on our website (www.haryana-rtsc@gov.in). It was mentioned that 403 services pertaining to 36 different entities have now been on-boarded on AAS.

Mutation will be ensured within 10 days of registry – Haryana Minister

IEP Chandigarh, July 20

Haryana Deputy Chief Minister, Sh. Dushyant Chautala said that the government is making strenuous efforts to ensure that government welfare schemes reach to the last person, in which success is also being achieved.        In the last three and a half years, whether it was the Covid phase or the farmer’s movement or any other movement, we never deviated from our aim of ensuring public service.        Earlier, farmers used to stay in the mandis for several days to sell their crops and would not receive money for months. But now the crops are being procured immediately and payments are also disbursed in the accounts of farmers within 72 hours. Now the farmers have the facility to report crop damages on e-Kshatipurti portal.        Sh. Dushyant Chautala was visiting Kharkhoda constituency of Sonipat district on Thursday. During this he addressed public meetings in more than 6 villages.    

    On this occasion, the Deputy Chief Minister announced that Sonepat would be made the first district in the state, in which within ten days after the registration of the land, the papers etc. would be prepared and reach directly to the concerned person’s house. Work is being done in this direction.        Sh. Dushyant Chautala while talking to the media persons informed that the government has given the power to the Deputy Commissioners that they can give compensation for the houses in case of flood. Along with this, he informed that directions have been given to assess crop loss.He further said that now one does not have to visit the offices to get ration cards, but people with an annual income of Rs. 1.80 lakh can get their card from CSC.

People’s representatives and eminent citizens should publicize welfare schemes and services, so that maximum can avail the benefits, says Haryana CM

IEP Chandigarh, July 20

The Manohar Lal-led State Government time and again has been taking several initiatives to bridge the gap between the government and the public. From starting the ‘Sarkar Apke Dwar’ programme to holding direct Samvad with eminent citizens and the local representatives, the Chief Minister is leaving no stone unturned in taking direct feedback from the general public about the ongoing development works, plans and works to be done in the future.        In this direct Samvad, the Chief Minister not only takes Vidhan Sabha-wise information about the work being done on the ground but also addresses on-the-spot grievances raised by the public. So far, Sh. Manohar Lal has held meetings with people’s representatives and eminent persons of 6 Lok Sabha constituencies and has quickly redressed most of the grievances by issuing directions to the top officers attached to the Chief Minister’s Office and administrative secretaries of various departments under one roof.        Meanwhile, continuing this series, today the Chief Minister had a meeting with public representatives and eminent citizens of Karnal Lok Sabha constituency. Notably, so far the Chief Minister has covered 54 Assembly Constituencies and plans to cover all 90 assembly constituencies by the end of July.        “Eminent citizens and officers are the team of the government and act as a bridge between the public and the government. Programmes could not be held in the field due to heavy rains in the past few days. The government along with NDRF, SDRF, Army, Police and NGOs has carried out relief work in the flood-affected areas with promptness. Eminent citizens should also cooperate with the administration in such an emergency and work in the public interest,” added Sh. Manohar Lal.        The Chief Minister said that usually there is a myth among the people that officers at the Chandigarh headquarters delay in clearing the files, but breaking this myth a transparent system has been made in which every single file or application reaches the CMO and is scrutinized. Not only this, the person who has sent an application or complaint is also informed about his demand and problem, added Sh. Manohar Lal.        During the meeting, the Chief Minister sought suggestions from the local representatives and eminent citizens, Indri MLA, Sh. Ramkumar Kashyap said that such meetings must be held at least once in three months.        Sh. Manohar Lal said that people’s representatives along with eminent citizens should publicize the schemes and services of the government among the masses, so as to ensure the maximum number of beneficiaries can take advantage of these schemes. The state government has made such a system through the Parivar Pehchan Patra, due to which the eligible citizens are getting the benefits of the schemes, said the Chief Minister.        In the meeting, the officer of the School Education Department apprised the Chief Minister that in every school where there are up to 100 students, recruitment on one post of Group D will be done and approval has also been given to keep the employees associated with EDUSAT on a full-time basis.  Group D posts will also be filled through Haryana Kaushal Rozgar Nigam.        The Chief Minister was further apprised that the amount of the old age allowance scheme will now be paid through an Aadhaar-based payment system.        MLAs, Sh. Harvinder Kalyan, Sh. Mahipal Dhanda, Sh. Dharam Pal Gonder, Sh. Ramkumar Kashyap, Sh. Pramod Vij, Mayor, Karnal, Smt. Renu Bala, former MLA, Sh. Bakhshish Singh Virk, Sh. Bhagwan Das Kabirpanthi, Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department, Sh. Sudhir Rajpal, Additional Chief Secretary, Development and Panchayats Department, Sh. Anil Malik, Additional Chief Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, Dr. G. Anupama, Additional Chief Secretary, Public Health Engineering Department, Sh. AK Singh, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Sh. V. Umashankar, Chairman, Power DISCOMS, Sh. PK Das, Deputy Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Sh. K. Makarand Pandurang, Political Advisor to Chief Minister, Sh. B.B. Bharti, OSD, Sh. Sudhansu Gautam, Sh.  Jawahar Yadav and Sh. Bhupeshwar Dayal and other senior officers also remained present on this occasion. 

Forensic Science University Campus to be Built in Panchkula

IEP Chandigarh, July 20

The National Forensic Science University is set to establish its new campus in Panchkula. A meeting was convened on Thursday, where Speaker Haryana Vidhan Sabha Sh. Gian Chand Gupta, along with Mayor, Kulbhushan Goyal, and senior officials of the state government discussed the allocation of land for the campus.        The meeting was attended by Home Secretary T V S N Prasad, Director General of Police P K Agrawal, Haryana Urban Development Authority Chief Administrator Ajit Balaji Joshi, Deputy Commissioner Panchkula Dr. Priyanka Soni, Municipal Corporation Commissioner Sachin Gupta, and various other dignitaries.        Home Secretary T V S N Prasad apprised that he is in constant touch with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and the Vice Chancellor of the University to establish the campus of National Forensic Science University located in Gandhi Nagar, Gujarat, in Panchkula. The project will require 50 acres of land for the new campus. In the interim period, classes can commence in any suitable building until the new infrastructure is constructed.        A temporary space of 50000 square feet will be needed to initiate classes, and a team, led by Deputy Commissioner Dr. Priyanka Soni, has been formed to identify a suitable location. This team comprises officers from the Home Department and Haryana Urban Development Authority, along with Panchkula DCP and Joint Commissioner of Municipal Corporation. Several potential sites, including Sector 26 Polytechnic, NIFT, Agro Mall, Saket Hospital, and various community centers, are being considered for this purpose.        To assess the building and land, a faculty team from the National Forensic Science University will soon visit Panchkula. Home Secretary TVSN Prasad expressed confidence that classes can begin within the next three months.        Speaking about this development, Speaker Vidhan Sabha Sh. Gian Chand Gupta noted the significant growth of large-scale institutions in Panchkula over the last about nine years. These institutions have contributed to the city’s enhanced reputation, and the robust infrastructure has paved the way for more such prestigious establishments. He emphasized that the new campus of the National Forensic Science University will create employment opportunities for the youth and will benefit Panchkula as well as the entire region. He said that the establishment of such institutions also boosts the economy.