IEP Chandigarh, February 14

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday envisioned that the Special Orientation Program being organised for the MLAs of the state will act as benchmark for quality debates and legislative work in the Punjab assembly during the ensuing sessions.The Chief Minister, while addressing the MLAs during the inaugural session of the Orientation program here in Punjab Vidhan Sabha, said that this is a path breaking initiative that will bring qualitative change in the functioning of the assembly. He said that people have elected the MLAs with a whopping mandate and they have high expectations from them. Bhagwant Mann said that these aspirations can be cherished through active participation of the MLAs in debates and law making procedures. The Chief Minister said that the time has come when all the political parties in the state must sink their differences and work in tandem with each other for safeguarding the interests of the state. He said that the political parties in other states unite for the common cause of their state and its people but this feature is missing in the state. Bhagwant Mann said that this is the need of hour to ensure that issues of the state are resolved at the earliest.Citing the example of a faulty decision of the Union government to supply coal to the state from its allotted coal mine via sea route, the Chief Minister said that this arbitrary decision of centre is irrational. He said that the state uses this coal for producing paddy which plays a key role in filling the food bowl of the country. Bhagwant Mann said that Punjab is being made to bear high expense of coal just which is unjustified, intolerable and unwarranted.The Chief Minister said that in democracy people are supreme and the government is run by the people elected by them. However, he quipped that some selected persons of the centre are just peeping their nose into the affairs of state which cannot be tolerated. Bhagwant Mann said that these selected persons should remain in the area of their own jurisdiction rather than locking horns with the elected representatives of people.The Chief Minister said that the Punjabis don’t remain isolated from politics and they take active interests in the political environment concerning them. He said that the Punjabis have inherited the leadership traits which can be judged well from the fact they have carved a niche for themselves even on foreign land. Bhagwant Mann said that Punjabis can be seen dominating the political field in Canada, England, New Zealand and other countries.The Chief Minister said that Punjab is the only state across the globe which has its franchise all over the world as Punjabis dominate the affairs in every other country. He said that the live session of Punjab Vidhan Sabha is seen across the globe with huge enthusiasm due to which the legislatures have a huge responsibility. Bhagwant Mann said that as the entire world is looking at us so we have a huge responsibility to maintain decorum while discussions in the Vidhan Sabha.The Chief Minister said that as the bouquet with flowers of various colors look beautiful and soothing in the same manner in a democratic system the opposition and treasury benches both are important. He said that both the opposition and ruling parties are a catalyst for healthy democracy. Bhagwant Mann said that both opposition and ruling party should play an active role for quality discussions in the house.  The Chief Minister said that homework is very important for quality debates by the MLAs adding that all the legislatures must come prepared for these debates. He said that all the MLAs must remember one basic thing that the chairs on which they are sitting today were once occupied by the great stalwarts who had shaped the destiny of the state. Bhagwant Mann also asked the MLAs to visit the Parliament Museum in New Delhi to get knowledge about the rich legacy of democracy inherited by them.The Chief Minister also batted for starting Members reference service for the MLAs on lines of the Lok Sabha. He said that it will help the MLAs in raising the issues of public far more effectively. Bhagwant Mann also shared his experiences as MP in Lok Sabha with the members.Earlier, Speaker of Punjab Sabha Kultar Singh Sandhwan welcomed all the dignitaries during the special orientation program. He said that the orientation program will help a lot in improving the quality of debates and proceedings of the house. Kultar Sandhwan said that this session will prove to be beneficial for all the MLAs and the people of the state also.Addressing the gathering, Cabinet Minister Dr Inderbir Singh Nijjar said that this program will be a boon for the first time as well as other MLAs. He said that this is a path breaking initiative which will have long term benefits for the state. Dr Nijjer urged the MLAs to take maximum mileage out of these sessions in which various experts will put forth their views.In his address, Leader of opposition Partap Singh Bajwa suggested that a cluster of MLAs be formed and Legislative assistants be associated with them. He said that this will help the MLAs in aptly raising the matters pertaining to their concern. Partap Singh Bajwa also hailed the Speaker of Punjab Vidhan Sabha for holding this session and advocated constructive functioning of the house.Deputy Speaker of Vidhan Sabha Jai Krishan Singh Rouri proposed vote of thanks on the occasion.On the occasion, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker also felicitated the Chief Minister and other guests. 

IEP Chandigarh, February 14

Speaker of Punjab Vidhan Sabha Kultar Singh Sandhwan on Tuesday said that the Orientation Program has been chalked out to impart in-depth overview to Legislators about the functioning of Assembly.Addressing the MLAs on the first day of a two-day special orientation program organized at the Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration here, the Speaker suggested MLAs to make the Vidhan Sabha manual a part of their daily life to have better understanding of the legislative functioning. He envisioned that this orientation program will boost the morale of all the members, especially those who have been elected for the first time.In his address during ‘Interaction on Good Governance and Legislative Oversight’, Rajya Sabha Member Mr. Sanjay Singh described the disruption practices during debates on important issues in Parliament or Vidhan Sabha Sessions as a part of the parliamentary system. Citing an example, he said that if our suggestions (disruptions) regarding not bringing the farm law had been taken into consideration in time; the ruling party would not have had to face the brunt of the farmers’ struggle for a year. Mr. Sanjay Singh said that late Mr. Arun Jaitley and late Mrs. Sushma Swaraj also believed that ‘disruptions’ by the opposition during the Session was also a part of healthy democracy.He said that MLAs should take advantage of Zero Hour and others to raise issues related to their assembly segments. He told the MLAs to equip themselves with deep knowledge about the legislative functioning to ensure better facilities to the people.In his address, former Secretary General of Lok Sabha and Advisor to Delhi Vidhan Sabha Mr. PDT Achary, while speaking on Good Governance, said that Good Governance never means that houses of people are razed through bulldozers. Rather, he said that good governance means efficiently running the government in consonance with the constitution and working of legislative and executive in coordination with each other to ensure the well being of people. He said that the government is duty bound to provide good governance to the people.Mr. Achary highlighted the importance of Legislative/Parliamentary Committees for fixing accountability. Informing about the formation of various committees and functioning of Parliament, he said that the Public Accounts Committee audits every single penny spent by the government so as to ensure the judicious use of public funds.Earlier, Director General MGSIPA Mr. Anirudh Tewari welcomed the MLAs participating in the Orientation Program.  He said that Speaker Punjab Vidhan Sabha Mr. Kultar Singh Sandhwan has taken this initiative which is highly commendable.Meanwhile, Mr. Ajay Kumar Sood from Lok Sabha Secretariat New Delhi and Former Advisor of Speaker Punjab Vidhan Sabha and Former Additional Secretary, Haryana Vidhan Sabha Ram Narayan Yadav also expressed their views on Parliamentary Devices-Practices and Procedure (Calling Attention Notices, Resolutions, Zero Hour and Question Hour etc.)

IEP Chandigarh, February 14

          Aiming to curb the menace of corruption in the state, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) on Tuesday nabbed a bill clerk, Rohit Sachdeva, posted in the office of Sub Divisional Magistrate, Abohar, Ferozepur district red handed for demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs. 10,000.

Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of VB said the above said clerk was arrested on the complaint of Gaurav Nagpal, resident of Fazilka.

Giving more details he informed that the complainant has approached the VB and alleged that the above said clerk was demanding a bribe of Rs. 10,000 for clearance of bills pertaining to his firm. He further added that the accused bill clerk has already taken Rs 10,000 in two instalments for the same.

After verifying this complaint, a VB team from Ferozepur range laid a trap and the accused clerk was caught red handed accepting a bribe of Rs. 10,000 as third instalment and tainted money recovered from him in the presence of two official witnesses.

He informed that a case under prevention of corruption act has been registered against the accused at VB police Ferozepur and further investigation was under progress.

IEP CHANDIGARH, February 14

          Taking yet another step to ensure world-class health systems as per the vision of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Medical Education and Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh, Directorate of Medical Education and Research (MER) is all set to implement the Hospital Management Information System (HMIS) and expanding access to tele-consultations in all districts of the state. This will include a dashboard of inventory and patients for the secretary, while, Minister can monitor instantly.

          To realise this flagship project, Secretary MER Alaknanda Dayal on Tuesday chaired a meeting with representatives of all government medical colleges and attached hospitals and representatives from NIC to discuss implementation of eHospital and Hospital Management Information Systems, besides, improvement of services in state hospitals including medicine and inventory management.

          Divulging details, the Secretary highlighted that HMIS will be proven as one of the major reforms in the health sector of the state, which will significantly improve the standards of health care service in the state and make it more accountable and transparent.

          She directed the implementing agencies to kick start the areas of OPD, Stores and Pharmacy inventory control and the patient feedback mechanism initially in the shortest possible time.

          Secretary Alaknanda Dayal impressed upon the officers that smooth coordination and synergy should be maintained between various stakeholders associated with the project, so that it can be implemented successfully within the stipulated time frame.

          Meanwhile, Additional Secretary MER cum Vice Chancellor GRAU Rahul Gupta,  Deputy Secretary MER Manreet Rana, Director MER cum Vice Chancellor BFUHS Dr Avnish Kumar, Registrar BFUHS Dr Nirmal Ousepachhan, along with principals and medical superintendent of all four Medical Colleges were among prominent who attended the meeting.