IEP Chandigarh, February 5

 Under the direction of Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur, to follow the instructions issued by the Department of Social Justice on 3-11-2015 regarding reservation in outsource recruitment, a letter has been written to the Special Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary, Financial Commissioner, Principal Secretary, Administrative Secretary, Divisional Commissioners, head of all Departments, all Deputy Commissioners, Additional Deputy Commissioners (Development) and all Sub Divisional Magistrates.

 It has come to the notice of the Minister that these instructions are not being followed by many departments and institutions under them.  She said that the government has seriously considered this issue and has decided that as per the instructions issued by the Department of Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities dated 3-11-2015 reservation should be ensured in the recruitment done on outsources basis.  In view of the provisions of the Reservation Act-2006, implementation of reservation for Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes in recruitment through outsources method should be ensured.

 Dr. Baljit Kaur said that if any such complaint comes to her notice in future, action will be taken under Section 8 of the Punjab Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes (Reservation in Services) Act, 2006.

IEP Chandigarh, February 5

          Water Supply and Sanitation Minister Bram Shanker Jimpa informed that as per the instructions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the first state-level online ‘Janta Darbar’ will be organized on February 6 from 11.30 am to 2 pm. If the residents of state’s villages are facing any problem regarding the supply of clean water and sanitation or they want to file a complaint, they can register their complaints online, he added.

           In the ‘Janta Darbar’, grievances would be heard by Water Supply and Sanitation Minister Bram Shanker Jimpa. All senior officers of the department and district officers would also be present with the minister. Water Supply and Sanitation Department has already shared the online link for filing complaints.

          Citizens who want to lodge a complaint can connect online at the link  https://headdwss.my.webex.com/headdwss.my/j.php?MTID=mb93a5a19bb8a03372346bce9780ae495. Apart from this, they can also be connected through WebExMeeting number: 2642 015 6498 (Password: 1234). Those who want to convey their grievances before the Minister should register their grievances in advance so that the complaint can be properly resolved by the Minister after analyzing it before the meeting.

          Advance complaint can be lodged on toll free number- 1800-180-2468 or email dwsssnkhelpdesk@gmail.com or website dwss.punjab.gov.in/Citizen Corner Register Online Complaint. (If there is any technical problem while filing the complaint then it can be sent to the given email)

          It is pertinent to mention that the citizens will wait in their virtual waiting room during the ‘Janta Darbar’. Citizens will come one by one on the basis of the priority of the registered complaints and after listening to the complaints, the minister will make every effort to solve them on the spot. Only after solving the first complaint, the next complaint will be heard. If a complainant does not want to wait or if the meeting time runs out, he/she can lodge his complaint later on, at the toll free number/email/website.

IEP CHANDIGARH, February 5

With investigations into the Kotkapura Firing incident reaches the advanced stage, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) head ADGP LK Yadav on Sunday said that if anyone having any additional, relevant information, which may have a bearing upon the case could share by personally meeting him at his office at Floor 6, Punjab Police Headquarters, Sector 9-C here from 11am to 4pm on February 10 or February 14, 2023. The Kotkapura Firing incident took place on October 14, 2015.He said that people can also share information in this regard by sending a message on WhatsApp no 9875983237, or by emailing at ID newsit2021kotkapuracase@gmail.com. Even at this stage any input/information provided by any responsible individual might prove to be very helpful  for the SIT in completing this legal process of investigation at the earliest, he added.The ADGP also expressed gratitude to the good people of Punjab for their kind cooperation with the SIT in the discharge of the sacred responsibility entrusted.Pertinently, on the directions of Punjab and Haryana High Court Chandigarh, the State Government had constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) consisting of three Senior officers including ADGP LK Yadav, IG Rakesh Agrawal and SSP Moga Gulneet Singh Khurana to investigate the Kotkapura firing incident. 

IEP Gorsian Khan Mohammad (Ludhiana), February 5

          In a historic initiative aimed at ensuring supply of cheap sand and gravel to the public, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann today dedicated 16 public mines here to the masses thereby ensuring pit head price of sand to Rs 5.50 per cubic feet.

          Interacting with the media persons after dedicating 16 public mining sites spread over seven districts here today, the Chief Minister said that the state government has fulfilled another poll guarantee made with the people. He said that the state government has eradicated the sand mafia which had flexed its muscles in the past to ensure that people get cheap sand. Bhagwant Mann said that now the sand will be sold at just Rs.5.50 in each of these public mining sites thereby giving a major reprieve to the people.

          The Chief Minister said that only manual excavation of sand will be permitted in these public mining sites and no mechanical excavation of sand will be allowed.  He categorically said that no mining contractor will be allowed to operate in these public mining sites. Bhagwant Mann said that sand from public mining sites will only be sold for use in construction of non-commercial projects.

          The Chief Minister said that sale of sand will happen only till sunset and a government official will always be present to regulate the extraction of sand at each public mining site. He said that the state government has built an app which will give complete information to people about public mining sites and will even facilitate online payments. Bhagwant Mann said that 16 mines have been dedicated to the people and by next month 50 more such mines will be operational across the state.

          The Chief Minister said that an app has been launched that will be linked to Google maps and will guide the person to the nearest public mine. He said that it will ensure supply of cheap sand to the people and check their exploitation by contractors and transporters. Bhagwant Mann said that it will boost the rural economy as a large number of youth and labour will be engaged in this exercise, leading to higher incomes.

          The Chief Minister said that it will eliminate middlemen in the sale and purchase of sand and gravel, leading to empowerment of the common man. He said that it is now one of the lowest rates at which sand is available to any person across the country. Bhagwant Mann said that the presence of public mining sites will automatically distort the prices and cause them to stabilise at a lower level, as these mines present a regular alternate avenue for the common man for purchasing cheap sand.

          The Chief Minister said that operation of the mines will be completely a transparent process as CCTV cameras have been installed to keep 24 hours surveillance on it. He said that apart from this Police patrolling will be ensured on these public sites to keep a check over it. Bhagwant Mann said that these Mines will be operational from 6 am in the morning to 7 pm from April 1-September 30 and from 7 am to 5pm from October 1 to March 31.

          The Chief Minister categorically said that the sand mafia that had flourished during the previous government regimes will no longer exploit the people. He unequivocally said that those who have minted illegal money through the sand mines will be held accountable for their misdeeds. Bhagwant Mann said that those people who have committed this heinous and unpardonable crime with the state will not be spared at any cost.

          Listing the several guarantees fulfilled by the state government so far, the Chief Minister said that within ten months of assuming the charge the state government has eliminated the transport mafia. He said that free power has been provided to 87% households of the state since July, 2022. Bhagwant Mann said that more than 26,000 government jobs have been provided so far to the youth of the state and more are in pipeline.

          The Chief Minister further said that the state government has started 500 Aam Aadmi Clinics across the state to impart quality health services in the state. He said that to deliver the best education to the students ‘Schools of Eminence’ have been set up across the state. Bhagwant Mann said that to upscale the expertise of the Principals, a batch of 36 Principals have been sent to Singapore for professional training.

          The Chief Minister said that this is the dawn of new and vibrant Punjab adding that the day is not far when with the strenuous efforts of the state government, Punjab will lead the country in every sphere. He said that his government is duty bound to restore the pristine glory of the state and no stone will be left unturned for it. Bhagwant Mann solicited the support and cooperation of people of the state to ensure a progressive and prosperous Punjab.

          On the occasion Cabinet Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer, MLAs Sarabjeet Kaur Manuke, Hardeep Singh Mundian and Jeewan Singh Sangowal, Secretary Mining Gurkirat Kirpal Singh, Director Mining DPS Kharbanda and others were also present,

IEP Chandigarh, February 4

            Revenue and Water Supply and Sanitation Minister Bram Shanker Jimpa today greeted the people of the state on the occasion of Parkash Utsav of Sri Guru Ravidas ji.

            Extending his greeting on the eve of Parkash Utsav of Sri Guru Ravidas ji, Jimpa said that Guru Ravidas ji embodied the spirit of humility and human dignity. He said that the message of Guru Ravidas ji have been a source of knowledge and wisdom for the whole society. His life and teachings would always inspire us to create a humane and just society, where every individual is given due dignity, regardless of his or her caste, creed, religion or gender, he added.

            He said that Guru Ravidas Ji’s message of love, compassion and equality would continue to inspire us to serve humanity with dedication and devotion in times to come.

IEP Chandigarh, February 4

          Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday flagged off the first batch of 36 Government school Principals visiting Singapore for upgrading their professional knowledge and expertise in the field of education.

          Interacting with the delegation here at MGSIPA, the Chief Minister gave a clarion call to the teachers for becoming the torchbearers of the Education revolution being witnessed in the state since last ten months. He said that this first of its kind initiative by the state government is part of the State scheme for teachers’ foreign training cleared by Cabinet on Friday and aims at ensuring that the professional skills of the teaching fraternity is enhanced, so that they can deliver best education to the students. Bhagwant Mann said that the sole aim of this step is to enable the students of the government schools to compete with their convent educated peers and excel in life.

          The Chief Minister reiterated that teachers are the nation builders who can uplift the level of education, so the state government has decided to upgrade their teaching skills by ensuring quality training to them. Bhagwant Mann said that as a part of this guarantee first batch of 36 Government School Principals are going to Singapore today I.e February 4 for professional training.

          He said that these Principals will be participating in a Professional Teacher Training seminar from February 6-10.

          The Chief Minister said that after the completion of training this first batch will return back on February 11. Bhagwant Mann said that this training will further widen the horizon of the teachers by equipping them with state-of-the-art teaching practices, leadership skills, creation of teaching-learning materials and audio-visual technology to meet  objectives of Education in the post-Pandemic world, Essentials of Strategic Management, Shaping School Culture, Building Teachers’ Professional Capital, Curriculum Leadership, Mentoring, and Lesson Observation Skills, Innovation in Teaching and Learning and Effective Communication. He envisioned that this path breaking initiative will prove to be a milestone for reforming education system in the state adding that with these efforts Punjab will soon become a front runner state in the field of education.