IEP Chandigarh, April 15

In a one-sided cricket match played between Cabinet Ministers and MLAs of Punjab and Haryana State, the Punjab speakers-XI defeated Haryana Speaker-XI by 95 runs here at Cricket Stadium, Sector-16.Batting first after winning toss, the Punjab Speaker-XI scored 235 runs in 15 overs with the loss of two wickets. Haryana Speaker-XI could only score 140 runs in 15 overs. Punjab Sports Minister Meet Hayer and MLA Amolak Singh started inning as the opening batsmen. Meet Hayer scored 150 runs for the Punjab Speaker-XI with the help of 12 sixes and 13 fours and became “Man of the Match”. Batala MLA Amansher Singh Sherry Kalsi remained not out and scored 54 runs with the help of 8 fours. The Punjab team lost two wickets of MLA Amolak Singh and MLA Amarpal Singh. They both scored 14 runs and 1 run, respectively.Haryana Governor Mr. Bandaru Dattatreya, Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan and UT Cricket Association President Mr. Sanjay Tandon bestowed the trophies to the winning Punjab team and runner-up Haryana team.Chasing for 236 runs, Haryana Speaker-XI MLA Bhavya Bishnoi and Charanjeev Rao started inning as openers. MLA Bhavya Bishnoi scored 72 runs while Charanjeev Rao could only clinch 12 runs with the help of 2 fours. He was catched out by MLA Amansher Singh Sherry Kalsi on the ball of Amritpal Singh. Similarly, MLA Rajesh Nagar and MLA Shashipal Singh could only earn 19 and 16 runs, respectively. 

IEP Chandigarh/ Ludhiana, April 17     

     Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Punjab Dr. Baljit Kaur today distributed grants to all NGOs working for the betterment of society under PM6 scheme. She not only distributed the grants, but also encouraged them to work wholeheartedly so that maximum people can be benefitted.          A function in this regard was organised at Bachat Bhawan, here and was also attended by MLA Rajinderpal Kaur Chhina, Director, Department of Social Security, Women and Child Development, Punjab Mrs. Madhavi Kataria, Special DGP Mrs. Gurpreet Kaur Deo, CP Ludhiana Mr Mandeep Singh Sidhu, ADC (D) Mr Amit Panchal, besides several others.          On this occasion, Cabinet Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur said that the grants which were given by the previous governments on written demand to the NGO, that system has been completely stopped by the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab Government. She said that now, the NGOs have been selected after following the interview process. She said that now the department would keep a check on works carried out by these NGOs with the help of these grants.          She said that the grants will be regularly checked either on monthly basis or by surprise visits by officials of the department. She said that further grants would be issued to the NGOs if their work is found satisfactory and in case the department guidelines are not followed, strict legal action would be taken against them. She also clarified that if these grants are used by these organizations for any political work instead of welfare of the people, legal action will also be taken against that NGO.          During the meeting with representatives from NGOs, Police, Health and Education departments, Cabinet Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur spoke specifically about the empowerment of women and announced that training will be imparted to all the employees working in the Sakhi One Stop Centres so that our women can be made aware of the benefits of these one stop centres.          Dr. Baljit Kaur said that “Mahila Mitras”, who are serving as counsellors at Sakhi One Stop Centres, were specially invited in this meeting. She said that by contacting the “Mahila Mitras”, our women who face domestic abuse or those who do not know as to go where for help, they can get immediate help by contacting a Sakhi one-stop centre. The Cabinet Minister instructed the officials to protect children from labour and begging and to strengthen the Act in this regard.          Cabinet Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur emphasized on the empowerment of women and said that women sarpanches and panches should work independently. Women sarpanch and panch and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) who perform exceptionally will also be honoured by the Punjab government.          The Cabinet Minister said that the Aam Aadmi Party government under the able leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is working tirelessly for the welfare of the people and they are directly benefiting the common people by launching several pro-people schemes.

IEP Chandigarh, April 17       

    The Punjab Government led by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is ensuring hassle free procurement in the mandis across the State during the current Rabi Marketing Season (RMS).  Payments are being made directly into the bank accounts of the farmers within 24 hours of confirmation of purchase, breaking previous records and beating the target of release of payments within 48 hours of purchase set by the Government.           Disclosing this today, the Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Mr. Lal Chand Kataruchak said that payments of more than Rs. 3014 crore have been released directly into the bank accounts of nearly 1,05,574 farmers till date. This is much beyond the amount of Rs.2700 crores which was due for purchases made until 48 hours earlier, he said, adding that these figures clearly prove that payments are being released with 24 hours of purchase.            To a question regarding imposition of value cut, the Minister categorically stated that no value cut is being allowed and Punjab Government will never allow even a single farmer to be paid below MSP.           Meanwhile ACS to CM Mr. A. Venu Prasad,  today held meetings with senior officials to review the ongoing procurement of wheat. He directed the MDs of Markfed, PUNGRAIN, PUNSUP and PSWC  to immediately tour various mandies and monitor the procurement operations at the ground level. 

IEP Chandigarh, April 17

 Exhibiting zero tolerance policy against those involved in heinous crime of drug smuggling, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday terminated the services of PPS officer Rajjit Singh, after his involvement has surfaced in this grave crime against humanity. Divulging more details, the Chief Minister said that this action is in consonance with the directions of Punjab and Haryana High court to act strictly against those named in report pertaining to drug trade in state. He categorically said that those who have ruined youth of Punjab through drugs won’t be spared adding that he had asked the Vigilance Bureau to probe about the wealth amassed by Rajjit by drug money so that it can also be confiscated. Bhagwant Mann said that as Rajjit’s involvement has been ascertained in this serious crime so his services have been terminated with immediate effect. The Chief Minister said that further details will be shared very soon adding that this is just the beginning and all those who are involved in this sin against state and its youth will be brought to book. He said the drug trade which had flourished during the previous Akali-BJP and Congress regime had ruined the future generations of the state. Bhagwant Mann said that the affluent leaders of both these parties had patronised this illegal trade in connivance with the bureaucrats and drug smugglers to mint money illegally. The Chief Minister said that the probe report on this issue had been in wraps since long as none of the previous government was sincere to take action against those forces which had ruined the future of Punjab. However, Bhagwant Mann said that now when he had received the report in three packets from High court, severest of severe action will be ensured against  forces inimical to state and its youth. He assured the Punjabis that exemplary action will be taken against those people whose hand are drenched with blood of countless youth who fell prey to drug menace. Pertinently, these reports were pending since five years and the previous Congress government had not taken any action on the same but after assuming the charge of office, the Chief Minister had given consent to High court on February 15. Bhagwant Mann had given his consent to bring into public domain all sealed reports submitted before the Punjab and Haryana High Court that establish a nexus between police officers and drug traffickers. These reports were submitted by a Special Investigating Team, which enquired into the matter deeply. This action had paved way for stern action against the strong nexus of officers-politicians and drug peddlers who have been involved in this trade since long.

IEP CHANDIGARH/KHANNA, April 17  

        Call it as his expertise, experience or a vigil eye, any anti-social elements including drug smugglers could not get away from the naka being headed by Khanna Police Anti-Narcotic Cell Incharge Jagjiwan Ram, who has got registered as many as 145 first information reports (FIRs) mostly under the Arms Act and NDPS act in just one year.          These FIRs led to the effective recovery of 6.8Kg heroin, 77.5Kg opium, 8 quintals poppy husk, 1.8Kg ICE, 5.8Kg Charas, 79Kg Ganja, 2.39 lakh intoxicant tablets, 50 pistols, one rifle, Rs Indian currency worth Rs 4.74 crores, Fake Indian currency worth Rs 1.39 lakh fake currency, 4kg gold and 213kg silver. Apart from this, Jagjiwan was also a man behind unearthing the illegal liquor distillery plant running at the premises of rice sheller in Baho Majra village in Khanna.           Recognising extra-ordinary dedication towards his duty, Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav on Monday promoted Sub-Inspector Jagjiwan Ram to the local rank of Inspector. The DGP was accompanied by Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Khanna Amneet Kondal.          DGP Gaurav Yadav, while symbolically pinning the star on the shoulders of Jagjiwan Ram, wished him good luck. “The added star on your shoulders comes with a bigger responsibility,” he said, while encouraging the newly promoted Inspector to work harder and perform with dedication, sincerity, and honesty.          Special DGP Arpit Shukla termed Insp Jagjiwan Ram as a role model for the 80000 strong Police force and exhorted all the field Police officers/officials to do their duty selflessly and with full devotion to make Punjab a crime-free and drug-free state.          SSP Khanna Amneet Kondal said that the quality of Jagjiwan Ram is that he always remains available for the duty and he does not have any fixed time to conduct special nakas. “Jagjiwan could be seen conducting nakas even during the odd hours and he could detect the anti-social elements from their movement, facial expressions and body language,” she said.            Inspector Jagjiwan Ram, while thanking the DGP Punjab and Special DGP Law and Order for recognising his services said that he has fully devoted himself for the service of the nation. Jagjiwan had joined the Police force as a constable in 1991, and was promoted as an ASI in 2013, followed by SI in 2021.

IEP Chandigarh April 14      

    The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its ongoing campaign against corruption in the state, on Friday nabbed an Assistant Sub Inspector -Local Rank (ASI/LR) Rajinder Singh, posted in police station, Hariyana, Hoshiarpur district for demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 5,000. Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of the VB said the above said police official has been arrested on the complaint of Sanjay alias Ashu, resident of village Bassi Nau, in Hoshiarpur. Giving details he added that the complainant has approached the VB and alleged that the above said police official has demanded Rs 5,000 as a bribe to submit chargesheet in a police case registered against the complainant at the police station, Hariyana. The spokesperson informed that a VB team from Jalandhar range has laid a trap and the accused police official has been arrested on the spot while taking Rs 5,000 as a bribe from the complainant in the presence of two official witnesses.In this regard a case under prevention of corruption act has been registered against the accused ASI at VB police station Jalandhar range. Further investigation in this case was under progress.