IEP Chandigarh, February 1

          Minister of Social Security, Women and Child Development Dr.  Baljit Kaur said that the CDPO Ajnala Jaspreet Singh has been suspended with immediate effect accused of demanding bribe and harassing an Anganwadi worker.

Giving information in this regard, the Cabinet Minister said that Amandeep Kaur, an Anganwadi worker of village Karimpura near Ajnala of Women and Child Development Department, had alleged that Jaspreet Singh CDPO  used to demand bribe to get her transferred and harassed her unnecessarily. Due to which the Anganwadi worker resigned.

          The Minister of Women and Child Development also said that the Anganwadi worker said that this officer used to demand bribe from her through a supervisor. Due to which this officer has been immediately suspended by her.

The minister said that the main objective of the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is to provide corruption free administration to the people of the state. Therefore, while suspending this officer, She has given instructions to other officers and employees of the department that any officer and employee who commits corruption will not be spared in future.

IEP Chandigarh/New Delhi, February 1

Asserting that the Union Budget 2023 will act as a “turbo engine” to propel and excel India’s as fastest growing economy, BJP National Spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill has termed the Budget as “Bumper Bonanza Budget” for youth, tax payers, MSME, women, farming community, LIGs beside many other sectors. In his Budget reaction, Shergill said, “The Budget is path-breaking and will provide wings to India’s growth story by focusing on investment, increased expenditure, employment and ease of doing business.”

 Further terming the Budget as visionary, development-oriented and beneficial for all the sectors, the BJP Spokesperson said that Budget 2023 has taken care of everyone. Highlighting some key announcements in the Budget, Shergill said, “This Union Budget has the highest budget allocation for Railways, for Middle Class – tax slabs have been revised and a new small savings scheme with 7.5% interest rate ‘Mahila Samman Bachat Patra’ for women has been announced.”

 The BJP Leader said that an agri-focused accelerator fund to encourage startups has been launched for farmers. “Start-up in agriculture for farmers, agriculture fund and digital training to farmers will revolutionize agriculture in the country”, he emphasized. Shergill added that the FM’s announcement of increasing agricultural credit target to Rs 20 trillion with a focus on animal husbandry, dairy and fisheries besides Centre to encourage 10 million farmers to take up natural farming is a very big announcement aimed at the welfare of the agri sector.

 Further applauding the Union Budget 2023, Shergill said that FM’s speech making an announcement of a Digital Public Infrastructure for Agriculture to be built as an open source, open standard, interoperable public good will go a long way in the progress of the farm sector. “As Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman rightly said, this will enable inclusive farmer-centric solutions and help improve access to farm inputs, market intel and support for the agriculture industry, and startups”, he added.   

 Complimenting Sitharaman for her public welfare announcements, Shergill said, “Allocation for PM Awas Yojana Raised by 66 per cent to provide houses to poor will immensely benefit the underprivileged. Also, the government has announced to launch ‘PM Kaushal Vikaas Yoajna’ 4.0 to skill the Indian youth in new-age courses for Industry 4.0 in the next three years.”

 Shergill said that increasing CAPEX by 33 per cent and enhancing Credit Scheme, Refund to MSMEs besides reducing as many as 39000 compliances for industry/Simple KYC are also a welcome step. “This Union Budget 2023 is nothing short of “Kamaal” budget by “Kamal Ki Sarkar”, Shergill concluded.

IEP Chandigarh

CII welcomes the budget for new India which addresses the growth imperatives without compromising on the fiscal prudence path. Through a slew of measures in forward-looking areas encompassing green growth, digital infra, urban rejuvenation among others, we are happy to note that the budget lays the roadmap for preparing India for the Amrit Kaal, the next 25 years upto India@100, said Mr Sanjiv Bajaj, President, CII, while reacting to the budget proposals, today.

It is encouraging to note that the budget has made a bold attempt to invigorate the critical demand drivers of consumption and investment. The move to rationalise personal income tax rates will go a long way in increasing disposable incomes, thus giving consumption a leg-up which will in turn have a salutary impact on India Inc’s investments. The sharp 33% rise in capital spending budgeted for 2023-24 is in line with CII’s suggestion and lends credence to government’s vision of improving the economy’s growth potential through a push to overall productivity of the economy and creation of jobs, Mr Bajaj highlighted.

Even as a boost was given to demand drivers, the FM did a fine balancing act of maintaining fiscal discipline by containing the fiscal deficit at 6.4% of GDP for the current fiscal and bringing it down along a steady glide path to 5.9% next year, added Mr Sanjiv Bajaj, President, CII.

Statement by Mr Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General

Growth oriented fiscally prudent budget, with continued focus on capex and inclusion

The Finance Minister delivered a growth centric budget building further on the strategy of high capex. The first Budget of India’s Amrit Kaal also lays strong foundations for a Viksit Bharat by 2047.

The continued thrust on capital expenditure will boost overall economic productivity, crowd in private investment, and drive growth through a multiplier effect.

Capex spending is budgeted to rise steeply for the third year in a row.  Capex spending budgeted at Rs 10 lakh crore in FY24 as compared to budgeted print of Rs 7.5 lakh crore in FY23, implies over 33% rise in FY24 BE over FY23 BE. This is in line with CII recommendations.

The focus on agriculture, skill development and “Vanchit ko Variyta” are big positives, which will spur a transformational shift in the quality of life of the large population driving inclusion and broad basing growth.

While supporting growth with equity, the Budget does not fall short on the fiscal consolidation imperative. The projected fiscal deficit of 6.4% for FY23 and 5.9 % for FY24 is very much in line with what CII had suggested and will help India weather the global uncertainties well as also boost investor confidence. The reiteration of reducing the fiscal deficit to below 4.5% by 2025-26 is a welcome move as it gives a glide path.

The Budget lays down the foundations for the long-term vision with focus on agriculture and rural development, technology and R & D, sustainability, urban reforms, encouraging private sector investment through the Ease of Doing Business and inclusive development.

Statement by Mr R. Dinesh, President Designate, CII

The finance minister deserves kudos for presenting a landmark budget that provides a substantial growth impetus to the economy while at the same time maintaining a prudent fiscal framework. CII welcomes the emphasis on demand-led growth, higher public investment on infrastructure, addressing social sector priorities and ensuring fiscal credibility to uplift the economy.

The seven key priorities outlined in the budget namely inclusive development, reaching the last mile, infrastructure and investment, unleashing the potential, youth power, financial sector and green growth are in resonance with our journey towards Amrit kaal and the vision of India@100, which the Indian industry has articulated. Apart from steps for boosting the economy, the finance minister has also announced a host of measures to further inclusion drive.

Many of the budget provisions are indeed path-breaking. The focus on capital expenditure especially on infrastructure is especially welcome, as it would sustain recovery and create jobs at a time when the world is reeling under extreme global uncertainty and headwinds. Specifically, the increased allocation for ports, roads and the highest allocation for rail etc would raise the efficiency of logistics and supply chain that would spur manufacturing competitiveness.

Similarly, of the announcements on fiscal consolidation, ease of doing business, promoting Atmanirbhar Bharat through customs duty rationalization on inputs used by domestic industry are commendable and deserve to be applauded.

Similarly, a bold agriculture thrust, higher allocation on health, education, skills, attention to start-ups and MSMEs, income tax concessions to boost consumption in the middle class would promote all round growth.

Overall, the Budget is in sync with the dreams of an aspirational nation while envisioning a blueprint and a Strategy for a New India@100.

Statement by Mr Sanjiv Puri, Vice President, CII on the Union Budget 2023-24

CII welcomes the Budget 2023-24, which is growth and investment oriented. While addressing fiscal consolidation, it also focuses on inclusive and sustained human development.

The finance minister needs to be complimented for moving ahead with its vision of creating significant infrastructure assets to take India to a high growth orbit. Significant allocations have been made on roads and rail. The adherence to the path of fiscal consolidation while attempting to maintain the quality of deficit would help build credibility and promote investor confidence. Raising the outlay on affordable housing and encouraging capex in states is another welcome announcement. CII particularly welcomes the enhanced outlay on education, healthcare, and skill development with a view to increasing opportunities for the youth and realizing the demographic dividend.

The Budget has retained an agrarian and rural pivot. A comprehensive set of measures have been announced to improve agriculture competitiveness and generate the interest of the private sector. The creation of the agri accelerator fund for agri startups in the Budget would encourage investment in the agri start-up ecosystem.

Besides, the focus on diversification of agriculture towards animal husbandry, fishery, dairy, emphasis on production of millets, creating an efficient information network, increasing the target for agriculture credit, creation of digital public infrastructure are encouraging initiatives which would have a salutary impact on raising agriculture productivity and boosting farmer income.

The Budget rightly recognizes the importance of sustainability and climate as an integral component of our development journey which is intrinsically linked to survival challenge.

Overall, a coherent, purposive and pragmatic Budget, having beneficial provisions for almost all the segments of the society.

IEP Chandigarh, February 1

Bringing a new technological convenience to provide a hassle-free experience for visitors during the 36th Edition of the Surajkund International Crafts Mela, a smart parking facility has been introduced by the Haryana Tourism and the Surajkund Mela Authority.

Speaking on this latest development, Managing Director, Haryana Tourism Corporation and Chief Administrator, Surajkund Mela Authority, Dr. Neeraj Kumar said, “The parking facility at Surajkund Mela is being revolutionised with the introduction of smart parking for a hassle-free experience. BookMyShow along with Park+ has been engaged to enable smart parking solutions at Surajkund Mela grounds.”

He said that the technology will be FASTag enabled for easy payments and visitors will now be able to use the Park+ app to discover, book and prepay for a parking spot at government approved parking areas, near the mela. “This is the first time in the country that such advanced parking and online ticket booking technology is being used for such an event. It is the constant endeavour of Haryana Tourism and Surajkund Mela Authority to introduce new technological conveniences and provide a hassle-free experience for visitors every year,” said Dr. Neeraj Kumar.

The Surajkund Mela is geared up with the participation of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) as the ‘Partner Nation’ and the North Eastern Region of India as the ‘Theme State’. “Together they will spread their traditional vibes, art and craft in this gargantuan, colourful and global platform,” he added.

To use the app-based parking services, the visitors are required to download the Park+ app (available on iOS & Android), enter the location to park the vehicle, choose the parking spot and book it for the time duration by paying for it through the app.

IEP Chandigarh

“The Union Budget 2023-24 presented by Smt Nirmala Sitharaman, Hon’ble Finance Minister is a growth-oriented budget as it has clearly indicated the government’s vision for Amrit Kaal through a focus on the ‘7 Priorities’ of inclusive development, reaching the last mile, infrastructure and investment, unleashing the potential, green growth, youth power and financial sector,” said Mr Anshuman Magazine, Chairman, CII Northern Region. At CII, we believe that this year’s budget scores well on many fronts including its focus on developing infrastructure, meeting green goals, providing tax relief to the middle class and boosting the MSME sector. Measures such as an increased outlay for affordable housing, enhanced focus on tourism and development of unity malls in key cities would give a fillip to the real estate sector, which will be further aided by the tax relief to citizens which should boost consumption appetite, he said. Promoting Sabka Saath, Sabka Vishwas, the Union Budget focuses on promoting inclusive development of the agriculture sector, which is the major source of employment in the Northern Region, opined Mr Deepak Jain, Deputy Chairman, CII Northern Region. The initiatives such as building Digital Public Infrastructure; setting up of Agriculture Accelerator Fund; enhancing the agriculture credit target to Rs 20 lakh crore and making India a global hub of millets are the steps in the right direction, he highlighted. CII also thanks the Hon’ble Finance Minister for accepting the recommendations on enhancing the prominent Credit Guarantee Scheme and easing the cost of credit by reducing the interest rates for loans to MSMEs. CII Northern Region is happy to note that this last full Budget before the 2024 general elections has ticked all the right boxes for growth and development. We welcome the government’s announcement towards infrastructure development through building fifty additional airports, heliports, water aerodromes etc which will improve regional air connectivity, especially for the landlocked Northern Region. CII also welcomes the government’s decision for increasing capital investment outlay by 33 per cent which amounts to 3.3 per cent of GDP. This will have a positive multiplier effect on economic growth. The highest ever outlay of Rs 2.40 lakh crore has been provided for the Railways, which will further spur regional connectivity. CII is happy to note that the Union Budget 2023 has provided a boost to enhancing the ease of doing business by introducing reform measures, which are in line with CII recommendations including the reduction of 39,000 compliances, decriminalisation of more than 3,400 provisions and the introduction of Jan Vishwas Amendment Bill, 2022;  adoption of the Permanent Account Number (PAN) as a single business identifier; provision for allocation of Rs 7,000 Crore for Phase III of E-Court Project etc. “CII also welcomes the Hon’ble FM’s thrust on boosting domestic demand by augmenting personal disposable incomes through the various direct tax reforms announced in the budget”, added Mr Amit Thapar, Chairman, CII Punjab. Mr Rajiv Kaila, Chairman, CII Chandigarh expressed that the budget has given a strong impetus to skill development and education through the setting up of 157 new colleges along with a new programme to promote research and innovation in the pharmaceuticals sector along with the setting up of 30 Skill India International Centres will also be set up across different States. The Budget also brings laser-sharp focus to AI-led skill development by announcing the establishment of three centres of artificial intelligence, he added.

IEP Chandigarh, February 1

          Punjab Water Regulation & Development Authority (PWRDA) ‘s new directions for extraction and Conservation of groundwater has come into force today i.e. February 1, 2023.

These Directions exempt the following categories Agriculture Usage, Drinking and Domestic Usage, Places of Worship, Government Drinking Water Supply Schemes, Military or Central Para-Military Forces, Urban Local Bodies, Panchayati Raj Institutions, Cantonment Boards, Improvement Trusts, Area Development Authorities and all Units extracting up to 300 cubic meters per month.

          With the coming into force of the Directions all non-exempt Users who are extracting groundwater shall have to pay groundwater extraction charges w.e.f. 1st February, 2023. Even those Users who have not installed a water meter shall have to pay these charges. For details see PWRDA website https://pwrda.org

          Existing Users have been given a grace period of 3-9 months to apply for permission of the Authority and for installing water meters. The Users extracting more than 15,000 cubic meters per month shall have to apply within three months latest by 30th April, 2023. The medium size Users extracting between 1500 and 15,000 cubic meters per month have been given six months time to apply latest by 31st July, 2023. The smallest Users extracting between 300-1500 cubic meters per month can apply in nine months time, latest by 31st October, 2023.

          Users are advised to install new meters as per specifications of the Authority at the earliest and pay the monthly bill by taking the water meter reading themselves. The report of the monthly water meter reading will be sent by Users to the Authority by email to gwebilling.pwrda@punjab.gov.in . The amount of the monthly bill be paid by each User to the bank account of the Authority which is HDFC Bank Account No. 50100071567691, (IFSC: HDFC0000035)

          In case a User does not install a water meter of the required specification he shall have to pay the monthly bill for the full volume of groundwater extraction permission sought for the entire period from 1st February, 2023 up to the date of installation of water meter. Accordingly, it is in the interest of each User to install water meters of the required specifications at the earliest. The water meter specifications are given at website https://pwrda.org 

Existing users who have installed a water meter of the required specifications should note their meter reading on 1st, February, 2023 and then every month. Groundwater charges can be paid by all such users on monthly basis by self reading. The first bill for February, 2023 shall be payable by 20th March, 2023 by such users. 

IEP Chandigarh

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Manohar Lal Khattar on Tuesday instructed the officials to conduct door-to-door survey by constituting teams for data verification of the Citizen Resource Information Department (CRID). “Along with data verification, maintaining data security is our top priority,” he said.

The Chief Minister was chairing a review meeting held here today, regarding the use of data of the CRID. He directed the officers of the Women and Child Development Department, School Education Department, Higher Education Department and Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurship Department; to start the work for the survey by ensuring that the teams verify the data properly and the work is completed by all the departments together.

Khattar said that the state government is working constantly to ensure that the people have a comfortable life and get opportunities to progress and increase their family income. He said that there is a need to lay emphasis on promoting such welfare services and schemes so that awareness about them can be created among the common people at the grassroot level.

The Chief Minister said that the verification of this data has been given to various departments according to the age group; so that complete verification information is available. He said that through Parivar Pehchan Patra, the government is reaching the doorstep of every beneficiary who wants to get the benefits of welfare services and schemes of the government.