IEP Chandigarh, February 21

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led Punjab Government will present its budget for the financial year 2023-24- on March 10 as the budget session of 16th Punjab Vidhan Sabha will be held from March 3rd to March 24th.

This was decided at a Cabinet meeting chaired by the Chief Minister here at his office in Punjab Civil Secretariat I.

Disclosing the details a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that the Cabinet authorized the Governor to convene the session, as per Article 174 of the Constitution of India.

As per the schedule, the budget session will commence on March 3 at 10 am with Governor’s address followed by obituary references at 2 pm.  On March 6 the motion of thanks and discussion on Governor’s Address will take place at 10 am till the conclusion of the same. The Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India for the year 2021-22, presentation of supplementary grants for year 2022-23 and Appropriation bill on supplementary demands for grants for year 2022-23 will be held on March 7th, followed by legislative business.

Non official business will be held on March 9th and Budget estimates for the year 2023-24 will be presented before the House on March 10th followed by general discussion on the budget. General discussion on the Budget estimates for the year 2023-24 will resume at 10 AM on March 11 till its conclusion and voting. Non-official business will be conducted at 10 am on March 22, followed by legislative business on March 24th after which the house will be adjourned sine-die.

EX-POST-FACTO APPROVAL TO THE OFFICERS COMMITTEE TO FORMULATE SOP FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF OPS

The Cabinet also gave ex-post-facto approval to the officers committee constituted by the Finance Department to formulate the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the implementation of the old pension scheme in Punjab. The Government of Punjab, Department of Finance, vide its Notification No. 02/01/2022-2FPPC/153-159, dated 18.11.2022, has implemented the Old Pension Scheme for all employees of Government of Punjab who are covered under Defined Contributory Pension Scheme (NPS). In continuation of this notification, the ex-post-facto approval has been given to the officers committee constituted by the Finance Department’s Notification Number 02/01/2020-22FPPC/09 dated 27.01.2023 to formulate the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the implementation of the old pension scheme in Punjab and to consider the recommendations of officers Committee, the Cabinet Sub-Committee constituted vide Notification No. 1/196/2022-1cab/530 dated 31.01.2023 issued by the General Administration Department (Cabinet Affairs Branch) and the Hon’ble Chief Minister’s order dated 13.02.2023.

GREEN SIGNAL TO NOTIFY AFFORDABLE COLONY POLICY, 2023

With a view to provide houses at affordable prices to the Lower Income Group in the State, the Cabinet also gave green signal to notify Affordable Colony Policy, 2023. The policy proposes to increase the saleable area from 62% to 65% and further to reduce CLU/EDC/LF/SIF/UDF charges to 50% of the applicable charges in respective zones in the State of Punjab (except in GMADA Regional Plan and Master Plans/ Proposed Land Use Plan Lalru in GMADA Region where there shall not be any reduction in charges). Further, for quick approval of the project, power for the grant of approval of CLU, License and Building Plan shall also be delegated to Chief Administrator of the concerned Development Authority (at local level) as a single agency.

APPROVES “INTEGRATED LOGISTICS & LOGISTICS PARK POLICY”

          With the aim of holistic development of the Logistics Sector of State, the Cabinet also accorded approval to “Integrated Logistics & Logistics Park Policy”.  Punjab has built a robust logistics infrastructure and has carried out various regulatory and structural reforms and has also designated Logistics as thrust sector. The policy offers several incentives for the development of infrastructure like MMLPs, Logistics Parks and Trucker Parks/Wayside Amenities Further, to ensure de-carbonization of the sector.

The policy incentivizes use of Commercial EVs for logistics and non-EV Refrigerated vehicles (Reefer vehicles). In order to ensure balanced regional development specialized services and warehouses in border districts have also been incentivized. The Policy further envisages a single integrated approval system for setting up units in the logistics sector, which will usher in a new era of development of logistics sector resulting in transformation of Punjab’s economy from agri-focused to manufacturing based, MSMEs becoming more competitive and enhanced employment opportunities.

GIVES NOD TO IMPLEMENT ‘PUNJAB YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR PROGRAM’

The Cabinet also gave nod to implement ‘Punjab Young Entrepreneur Program’, which envisions development of entrepreneurial skills and mindsets in students of government schools, to prepare them for the real world – as job creators and problem solvers for the country in general and Punjab in particular. Under this program a Business Blasters Program has been launched as per which the Department will provide seed money to a group of students to develop and implement a business idea, @2,000/- per student. As the experience of using seed money for implementing the business idea is at the core of the program, benefits or losses, if any, will not be recovered by the Department from the students. The teacher/ schools heads will exercise oversight on utilization of seed money and the profit and loss statements maintained by the students.

NOD TO CHANGE NOMENCLATURE OF THE OFFICES OF THE HEADS OF SECONDARY AND ELEMENTARY WINGS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION

The Cabinet also approved a proposal to change the nomenclature of the offices of the Heads of Secondary and Elementary wings of the Department of School Education from Director Public Instructions (Secondary Education) and Director Public Instructions (Elementary Education) to Directorate of School Education (Secondary) and Directorate of School Education (Elementary).

APPROVAL TO CONVERT 101 TEMPORARY POSTS OF DISTRICT AND SESSIONS JUDGE/ADDITIONAL DISTRICT AND SESSIONS JUDGE

The Cabinet also gave nod to convert 101 temporary posts of District and Sessions Judge/Additional District and Sessions Judge, whose pay scale (Entry level) is Rs.51,550-1230-58,930-1380-63,070/- and 270 temporary posts of Civil Judge (Junior Division)-cum-Judicial Magistrate, whose pay scale (Entry level) is Rs 27,700-770-33.090 920 40,450-1080-44,770/- of State Subordinate Courts into permanent posts to  further strengthen the judicial system in the State.

IEP Chandigarh, February 21

Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann today gave nod to the Policy for Welfare of Adhoc, Contractual, Daily Wages, Work Charged and Temporary employees thereby paving way for regularising the services of 14417 employees.

A decision to this effect was taken in a meeting of the Council of Ministers chaired by the Chief Minister here at the Punjab Civil Secretariat- I.

Divulging the details, a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that the services of 13,000 employees have already been regularised. Under the regime of the earlier Governments, various appointments to ‘Group C’ and ‘Group D’ level posts , have been made on contract/temporary basis on the basis of imminent requirement and exigencies of service. Some of such employees have now put in a period of 10 years and more with State and they have given their prime years of life in service of the State.

The Government has felt that now at this stage, to relieve them or to replace them in this capacity in service with another set of people will be unjustified and improper. Thus, being a Welfare State and to protect the interest of these contractual/ temporary employees, state has formulated the present policy, under Article 162 read with entry 41 of list-Il of the Seventh Schedule of Constitution of India, to ensure that such employees do not suffer from uncertainty and harassment and to grant them a security of tenure. The state has taken a policy decision to continue such desirous suitable employees, who fulfill the eligibility conditions, in service till the age of 58 years by placing them in a special cadre.

The employees who have worked on adhoc, contractual, daily wages, work charged or temporary basis for a continuous period of minimum ten years till the issuance of present policy will be regularized. The applicant must have the requisite qualification and experience for the post in terms of rules if any at the time of placement in the Special Cadre. The work and conduct of the applicant must have remained satisfactory as per the assessment of the department/employer during the period of 10 years service.

For calculation a period of ten years, the employee must have worked for a period of minimum 240 days in each of these ten calendar years and notional breaks will not be considered while calculating a period of ten years. For the purpose of grant of continuation to the contractual/ad-hoc/ temporary employees etc. and giving them security of tenure, subject to good work and conduct, till the age of 58 years, they will be placed on a post, which shall not be a cadre post, by creating special cadre of posts.

These employees will not be placed in the regular cadre of sanctioned posts in the service under the statutory service rules and will form a special cadre of posts created especially for them. The process of placement of beneficiary employee, subject to clause 2 and 3 of this Policy, shall commence on the submission of the Application Form by an employee seeking placement under this Policy.  Application form must be accompanied with all required documents as prescribed and incomplete application form shall be liable to be summarily rejected.

GREEN SIGNAL TO PUNJAB STATE ADVENTURE TOURISM POLICY

The Cabinet also gave green signal to Punjab State Adventure Tourism Policy for attracting private investment in the stale. The Policy provides a transparent mechanism for approval of Adventure Tourism Projects which will be cleared only by an Empowered Committee chaired by the Chief Minister and the various parameters on which each project will be evaluated. A single-window system and ease of Inter- Departmental Coordination at various levels has been suitably incorporated in it.

As per the policy permissions to commence Adventure Sports in the State shall initially be given to recognized National Adventure Sport Federations as they are best equipped to handle the safety issues. As far as possible the sites shall be given free of cost for a period of two years in order to give an initial boost to the development of Adventure Tourism in the State. These sports are expected to generate a lot of local employment as well as overall economic upliftment of the area where these are organized.

GIVES NOD TO THE PUNJAB STATE WATER TOURISM POLICY

The Cabinet also gave nod to the Punjab State Water Tourism Policy which seeks to give a big boost for attracting private investment near Water Bodies in the state. The Policy provides a transparent mechanism for approval of Water Tourism Projects. Keeping in view the scarcity of water resources and the huge economic potential these offer, Water Tourism Projects are proposed to be cleared only by an Empowered Committee chaired by the Chief Minister. The Policy focuses on long term economic gain and the choice of projects shall depend on the future growth potential and their ability to boost the image of the State as a popular and “smart” tourist destination.

 IEP Chandigarh, February 21 

Punjab Cabinet under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday approved an amendment in Punjab Shops and Commercial Establishments Rules, 1958 by insertion of new rules 23 and 24, after existing rule 22, to promote the Punjabi Language the mother tongue of Punjab in a big way. A decision to this effect was taken in a meeting of Cabinet held under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister here at his office in Punjab Civil Secretariat- I. Divulging the details a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that as per the amendment it will be mandatory for every establishment to display its name on the Name Board in Gurmukhi script in Punjabi. However, other languages can also be used to display name on the board in addition to the display in Gurmukhi script in Punjabi. Those establishments, who have not done so far, will have to do so within six months of coming into force of these rules. Whoever contravenes the new provisions shall be punishable with fine not exceeding rupees one thousand for first offence and rupees two thousand for every subsequent offence. SIMPLIFIES PROCESS TO ENSURE CLU WITH 45 DAYS In order to give boost to economic activity in the state by encouraging real estate sector, the Cabinet also gave nod to simplify the process of issuing Change of Land Use (CLU) within 45 days. Permission of CLU is mandatory to start any construction/activity on any parcel of land in Punjab only after which permission of Layout plan/Building Plan and license to colony is granted for that activity. This whole process sometimes takes more than 6 months which cause undue delay in the project. But now permission of CLU, Layout Plan/Building Plan and license to colony will be given at a single time which will reduce the time-line for granting the above said permission to 45-60 days. EXTENDS RESERVATION TO RIOT/ TERRORIST VICTIMS TILL DECEMBER 31, 2026 The Cabinet also gave a go ahead to extend reservation of 5% to Riots/ Terrorist Victims in allotment of plots/ houses by Urban Estates/ Improvement Trusts/ Pepsu Township Development board and others without any financial concession. The policy had expired on December 31, 2021 but with this decision the policy will be extended for five more years, i.e., upto December 31, 2026. NOD TO “THE PUNJAB FOOD GRAINS TRANSPORTATION POLICY 2023” AND “THE PUNJAB FOOD GRAINS LABOUR & CARTAGE POLICY 2023” The Punjab Cabinet also approved “The Punjab Food grains Transportation Policy 2023” for the transportation of Food grains and “The Punjab Food grains Labour & Cartage Policy 2023” for the Labour & Cartage of Food grains in the state of Punjab. Government of Punjab through its State Procurement Agencies and FCI procures food grains from various designated centres/mandis. During the year 2023, works of food grain transportation, Labour and Cartage of food grains will be allotted through a competitive and transparent online tender system. Punjab government has sought an upward revision of 25% in wage of labours from the Food Corporation of India. However, the central agency has allowed only 20% due to which the state government has agreed for gap funding of 5% to secure rights of labours for which state government will spend Rs 7-8 crore.  EX-POST FACTO APPROVAL TO INCREASE THE SALARY OF PATWARI ON CONTRACTUAL BASIS AND FILLING 1766 REGULAR POSTS OF PATWARIS FROM RETIRED PATWAIS/ KANUNGOS ON CONTRACTUAL BASIS In wake of administrative requirements, the Cabinet also gave ex-post facto approval to increase the salary of Patwari on contractual basis from Rs. 25000/- to Rs. 35000/- and to extend the upper age limit from 64 to 67 years w.e.f. August 16, 2022. As Revenue Department is one of the major departments of the State and the major duty of Revenue Patwaris is to maintain, update and maintain old revenue record. However, due to vacant posts of revenue patwaris it has became difficult to run the affairs of the Revenue Department in an efficient manner due to. 

IEP Chandigarh, February 20

          Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Rural Development & Panchayats and NRI Affairs Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal has ordered the officials to ensure that the entire work was to be done in Punjabi language.

          Mr. Dhaliwal congratulated all Punjabis on ‘Punjabi Diwas’ (February 21) and said that the state government led by Bhagwant Mann has taken a big decision and announced to give top priority to Punjabi language on all boards across the state. He said that the state government has made it mandatory to write Punjabi language at the top of all government, private or other boards, after that any language can be written.

          The cabinet minister directed the senior and district officials of the departments under his portfolio to give priority to Punjabi in writing the names of all the boards, notice boards and names of their offices, while other languages should be written after Punjabi.

          The minister appealed the Punjabis that they should use Punjabi in their families to ensure existence of their mother tongue.

          Mr. Dhaliwal invited the entire Punjabi community and said that Punjabi is our mother tongue and it is our moral duty to respect and give priority to the mother tongue. He said that Punjabi is spoken in 150 countries. While citing a report of UN, he said that Punjabi has got 12th place out of 7000 languages around the world. He said that it is expected that as many as 2000 languages would disappearing in the next 50 years and Punjabi is also one of them, as revealed in this report. He said that the state government will take all meaningful steps to promote the mother tongue Punjabi.

IEP Ludhiana, February 20

Reiterating the firm commitment of the state government to clean Buddha Nullah in Ludhiana, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday dedicated STP and other projects Worth Rs 315.50 crore  for cleaning and rejuvenation of Buddha Nullah.

The Chief Minister, while addressing the gathering during dedication of Punjab’s biggest STP here, expressed deep concern over the polluted Buddha Nullah adding that this was the result of the callousness of successive governments of the state. Bhagwant Mann said that he had been raising this issue as MP too because the polluted water from Nullah mixes with Satluj river and causes havoc in other parts of state too. He said that the villages in Jalalabad (Fazilka) were worst affected by it but the former Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, who represented Jalalabad never did anything to solve this problem resulting in miseries for the people.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister envisioned that the newly constructed STP with capacity of 225 MLD will be instrumental in the cleaning of the Buddha Nullah in the city. He said that this will act as a catalyst in checking the water pollution in this nullah which was flowing in the heart of the city. Bhagwant Mann said that 14 kilometre of this nullah crosses from within the city adding that a detailed project has been chalked out for the cleaning of this nullah.

The Chief Minister said that as per this detailed project has been chalked out at a cost of Rs 650 crore under AMRUT and Smart City scheme. He said that as per the funding pattern the state government is spending Rs 392 crore on this project whereas the Union government is giving a matching grant of Rs 258 crore. Bhagwant Mann said that today projects worth Rs 315.50 crore including STP with 225 MLD capacity and others have been dedicated to the people.          

The Chief Minister further said that corruption was the enemy of Punjab and its people adding that his government has adopted a zero tolerance policy against the corrupt elements in the state. He said that his government has started a crusade against corruption due to which the leaders of corrupt parties are hatching conspiracies against him. Bhagwant Mann said that baffled by this drive, the corrupt leaders are stooping too low by passing derogatory personal comments against him but this will not deter him from wiping out corruption from the state.

The Chief Minister reiterated that anyone who had plundered the money of Punjab and its people will be made accountable for his sins against the state. He said that the corrupt elements will be put behind the bars and will not be spared at any cost. Bhagwant Mann solicited fulsome support and cooperation from the people in the tirade of the state government against the corruption.

Talking about the ‘Sarkar Aapke Dwaar’ scheme, the Chief Minister said that it is aimed at ensuring that the officers especially the Deputy Commissioners and Additional Deputy Commissioners maximize their field visits, especially in villages, and interact with the people by going to villages. He said that it is the need of the hour to facilitate the people in getting their day-to-day works done easily besides ensuring good governance to them. Bhagwant Mann said that this will help in better functioning of the offices along with better acquaintance with the ground realities.

The Chief Minister said that the state government has fulfilled the guarantee of giving 300 units of free electricity per month from July 1. He said that it is a matter of great pride and satisfaction that 87% of the households in the state have zero electricity bills in the months of November-December, 2022. Bhagwant Mann said that he hails from a common family and knows well what are the problems being faced by them.

The Chief Minister unequivocally said that the state has not even a single drop of surplus water to share with any other state. He said that there is no question of initiating the work on SYL as it is not in the interest of the state and its people. Bhagwant Mann reiterated the firm commitment of his government to safeguard the interests of the state at all costs.

The Chief Minister also assailed the traditional parties of the state for working against the interests of the state. He said that these parties connived with the toll and sand mafia to extend largesse to them by backstabbing the people of state. However, Bhagwant Mann said that his government has shut the toll plazas who’s term has expired adding that 33 public mines have been dedicated to people for ensuring cheap availability of sand to people.

IEP Chandigarh, February 20

          Punjab Water Resources Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer on Monday handed over appointment letters to newly selected 15 JEs and 14 clerks in Punjab Water Resources Management and Development Corporation (PWRMDC) at Punjab Bhavan, Chandigarh.

          Congratulating the newly appointed employees, the Water Resources Minister said that the State Government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is giving employment to the youth on priority basis.

          The State Government has given appointment letters to 27000 youths in a span of just 11 months. Even in the coming time, the government will create employment opportunities for the youth by establishing new projects by creating an investment-friendly environment in the state, said the Minister.

          Meet Hayer also said that the Punjab Government, lending a helping hand to the corporation neglected for a long time, has made new recruitments besides giving promotions. Apart from this, Rs. 220 crore worth projects of tube wells and hollows are being started across the state.

          The Minister asked the youth who got the appointment letters to perform their services in the public interest with diligence and honesty. He said that the water resources department is directly connected with the farmers, that’s why the newly appointed employees can contribute to the welfare of farmers by rendering their best services.

          Prominent among others who were present at the occasion included PWRMDC Chairman Ranjit Singh Cheema, Water Resources Principal Secretary Krishan Kumar, PWRMDC Managing Director Dr. Harinder Pal Singh Bedi and other officials.