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Chandigarh

Chetan Singh Jauramajra reviewed the status of implementation of FME Scheme

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IEP Chandigarh, January 18, 2023

In consonance with the aim of CM Bhagwant Mann regarding safeguarding the farmers and environment of the state, the Minister of Food Processing  Punjab Chetan Singh Jauramajra, took maiden meeting of the Department of Food Processing and reviewed the status of implementation of Centrally Sponsored Scheme ‘PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PM FME)’. Manjit Singh Brar, IAS, Director-cum-Secretary, Department of Food Processing and Rajnish Tuli, General Manager attended the meeting. 

The minister informed that the Department of Food Processing is the Nodal Department overseeing implementation of PMFME Scheme for which Punjab Agro is the State Nodal Agency.  The aim and objective of the scheme is to enhance competitiveness of micro enterprises and promote formalization of food processing sector. The outlay for 2022-23 is Rs. 98 Cr., out of which over Rs. 68 Cr. has been booked.

Disclosing about the subsidy provided by the government he said the state has so far sanctioned 789 proposals of individual micro enterprises/farmers for up-gradation of existing and setting up of new food processing units. The total subsidy of Rs. 62 Cr. has been released/ committed. The total capital investment by these units shall be over Rs. 300 Cr. These units are processing Pickle, Murabba, Jaggery, fortified Rice, Bakery products, Honey, Cattle Feed, packaged Mushroom etc.. Punjab is the 2nd State after Maharashtra to have sanctioned that much amount of subsidy to small food processing enterprises. The micro enterprises of Bathinda, Barnala, Mansa and Sangrur districts have taken maximum benefit of the scheme. Under group category, subsidy has been sanctioned to 3 projects belonging to a FPO from Mansa, a SHG from Bathinda and a Producer Co-operative from Hoshiarpur. Their total subsidy is Rs.1.2 Cr. for capital investment of Rs. 3.43 Cr. 438 members of  SHGs  have been disbursed seed capital of Rs. 1.51 Cr. PAU Ludhiana  has been sanctioned one common  incubation center being setup at Patiala by Krishi Vigyan Kendra for processing of fruits and other crops . Pre-construction activities have been completed and the project has been estimated to cost Rs. 4 Cr. Five more such proposals for incubation centers for different products for Amritsar, Hoshiarpur, Fazilka, Sangrur and Bathinda districts are under active consideration of the Govt. of  India. Over 600 beneficiaries have been imparted district level training on business and technical aspects of their projects. Awareness camps are organized at block/district level on regular basis to educate farmers /enterprises to avail benefits of the scheme.  Over 70 Resource Persons have been engaged to hand hold enterprises to filling the application and obtaining loan from banks.

The Minster directed that the Department should promote more proposals for chilly, carrot & tomato processing as the same are grown in abundance in Punjab and these crops consume less water.

Director-cum-Secretary Manjit Singh Brar thanked the participants and assured the minister to successfully execute his vision to uplift the farmers.

Chandigarh

Punjab government will leave no stone unturned to uplift Micro Food Processing Enterprises

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IEP Chandigarh, January 18, 2023

In consonance with the aim of CM Bhagwant Mann regarding safeguarding the farmers and environment of the state, the Minister of Food Processing  Punjab Chetan Singh Jauramajra, took maiden meeting of the Department of Food Processing and reviewed the status of implementation of Centrally Sponsored Scheme ‘PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PM FME)’. Manjit Singh Brar, IAS, Director-cum-Secretary, Department of Food Processing and Rajnish Tuli, General Manager attended the meeting. 

The minister informed that the Department of Food Processing is the Nodal Department overseeing implementation of PMFME Scheme for which Punjab Agro is the State Nodal Agency.  The aim and objective of the scheme is to enhance competitiveness of micro enterprises and promote formalization of food processing sector. The outlay for 2022-23 is Rs. 98 Cr., out of which over Rs. 68 Cr. has been booked.

Disclosing about the subsidy provided by the government he said the state has so far sanctioned 789 proposals of individual micro enterprises/farmers for up-gradation of existing and setting up of new food processing units. The total subsidy of Rs. 62 Cr. has been released/ committed. The total capital investment by these units shall be over Rs. 300 Cr. These units are processing Pickle, Murabba, Jaggery, fortified Rice, Bakery products, Honey, Cattle Feed, packaged Mushroom etc.. Punjab is the 2nd State after Maharashtra to have sanctioned that much amount of subsidy to small food processing enterprises. The micro enterprises of Bathinda, Barnala, Mansa and Sangrur districts have taken maximum benefit of the scheme. Under group category, subsidy has been sanctioned to 3 projects belonging to a FPO from Mansa, a SHG from Bathinda and a Producer Co-operative from Hoshiarpur. Their total subsidy is Rs.1.2 Cr. for capital investment of Rs. 3.43 Cr. 438 members of  SHGs  have been disbursed seed capital of Rs. 1.51 Cr. PAU Ludhiana  has been sanctioned one common  incubation center being setup at Patiala by Krishi Vigyan Kendra for processing of fruits and other crops . Pre-construction activities have been completed and the project has been estimated to cost Rs. 4 Cr. Five more such proposals for incubation centers for different products for Amritsar, Hoshiarpur, Fazilka, Sangrur and Bathinda districts are under active consideration of the Govt. of  India. Over 600 beneficiaries have been imparted district level training on business and technical aspects of their projects. Awareness camps are organized at block/district level on regular basis to educate farmers /enterprises to avail benefits of the scheme.  Over 70 Resource Persons have been engaged to hand hold enterprises to filling the application and obtaining loan from banks.

The Minster directed that the Department should promote more proposals for chilly, carrot & tomato processing as the same are grown in abundance in Punjab and these crops consume less water.

Director-cum-Secretary Manjit Singh Brar thanked the participants and assured the minister to successfully execute his vision to uplift the farmers.

Chandigarh, Punjab

Finance Minister holds meetings with teacher unions of government and aided schools

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IEP Chandigarh, January 18

Punjab Finance, Planning, Excise and Taxation Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Wednesday held meetings with various teacher organizations of government and aided schools and discussed their grievances and demands in detail.

During meetings with the representatives of Computer Teachers Union, Punjab, Punjab State Aided Schools Teachers and Other Employees Union, and 3704 Adhyapak Union Punjab respectively for about one and a half hour, the Finance Minister gave patient hearing to the demands and issues of the teachers’ organizations, most of which were regarding salary, pension and transfers. Meanwhile, Finance Minister discussed the grievances aired by teacher unions with the officials of the Finance and Education departments and asked them to address these on priority.

On this occasion, the Finance Minister directed the concerned officials to prepare a detailed report regarding the demands raised by the Union leaders. He also directed the concerned officials to hold meetings with the union leaders when and where required so that the legitimate demands could be adequately resolved. Cheema also asked the finance department officials to prepare a report on the fiscal implications regarding these demands.

During these meetings, the Unions also handed over memorandums to the Finance Minister. Cheema assured the organizations that the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led Punjab Government has been taking initiatives to take the education sector to the new heights. He appealed to the teachers to support the government’s efforts wholeheartedly to ensure that every student of the state should have access to the quality education.

Chandigarh, Haryana

Haryana government nominates link officers for smooth functioning of administrative work

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IEP Chandigarh, January 18

Haryana Government has designated various officers as Link Officers in order to ensure smooth functioning of the Departments, Boards, Corporations in the absence of the IAS and HCS officers. The link officers will perform duties during the leave, training, tour, election duty period of the designated officers. A letter has been issued in this regard by Chief Secretary, Sh. Sanjeev Kaushal.

Among these link officers, the first link officer of the Member Secretary, Haryana State Pollution Control Board will be the Managing Director, Haryana Land Reclamation and Development Corporation Ltd. and the second link officer will be the Managing Director, Haryana Seed Development Corporation.

Similarly, the first link officer to the Mission Director, Haryana Skill Development Mission will be the Director of Skill Development and Industrial Training Department. The first link officer to the Chief Executive Officer, Haryana Kaushal Rozgar Nigam Ltd., Panchkula will be the Chief Executive Officer of Haryana Parivar Pehchan Authority. The first link officer to the Managing Director, Haryana International Horticulture Marketing Corporation, Ganaur will be the Managing Director, Haryana Minerals Limited, New Delhi.

The first link officer to the Chief Executive Officer of Haryana Parivar Pehchan Authority will be the Chief Executive Officer of Haryana Kaushal Rozgar Nigam Ltd, Panchkula. The first link officer of the Managing Director, Haryana Minerals Limited, New Delhi will be the Managing Director, Haryana International Horticulture Marketing Corporation, Ganaur.

The Chief Secretary said that in order to ensure smooth functioning of the Departments, Boards and Corporations in the absence of the IAS and HCS officers, the mentioned officers will be Link Officer in the event of their being on leave, training, tour or election duty or during the away period of more than 2 days due to any other reason or in the event of vacancy due to retirement or transfer of officer. Every officer shall inform the link officer before going on leave, training, tour, election duty.

Chandigarh

Haryana to integrate prison database and e-prosecution with CCTNS-ICJS

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IEP Chandigarh, January 18

Haryana Chief Secretary, Sh. Sanjeev Kaushal directed the officers to integrate the prison database and e-prosecution with the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems CCTNS (Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems)-ICJS (Interoperable Criminal Justice System.

He gave this direction while presiding over a review meeting of Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS). The Meeting was attended by Director General of Police, Sh. P K. Agrawal, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Sh. OP Singh, and other senior officers were present during the meeting.
 
He further directed to expedite the preparation of SOPs on iMOT (Integrated Monitoring on Terrorism) and Counterfeit Currency and Management System.

It was apprised in the meeting that Haryana Police has started sending alert link to citizen for the convenience of the public regarding progress made during investigation, FIR Registration, Arrests and Final Report etc.

 He stated that in Haryana 277 Police Stations are currently connected with SWAN Bandwidth high speed internet facility up to 10 MBPS speed. Sh. Kaushal directed to integrate 47 more police stations with this facility at the earliest.

 Sh. Kaushal directed the officers to expedite the work of installation of new computers with the latest technology in all police stations across the state. He added that keeping in view of the future requirements, officers should explore the possibility of enhancing the bandwidth speed up to 100 MBPS.

 Haryana Chief Secretary was informed that in December 2022 Haryana was recognised as the best state in the category of ‘Major States’ in the implementation of CCTNS- ICJS along with 1st prize for integration of FSL Pillar in the integration with ICJS. Haryana efforts were also recognised for the efforts made to ensure an automated generation of crime statistics-CCTNS 2.0.

Chandigarh, Punjab

Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar conducts surprise checking at RTA Office Patiala, Driving track and PRTC Office, reviews functioning

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IEP Chandigarh/Patiala, January 18

Punjab Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar, on Wednesday conducted a surprise check at the office of the Secretary, Regional Transport Authority Patiala in District Administrative Complex besides inspecting the Automated Driving Test Track and Head Office of PRTC on Nabha Road.Cabinet Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar interacted with the visiting people and obtained feedback from them for further improvement. He inquired about the official work of the staff and instructed to provide services to people on a priority basis so that the people do not face any hardship.The Transport Minister said that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann firm resolve is to provide transparent and corruption-free services to the people. He instructed that no laxity will be tolerated and strict action will be taken against those who cause trouble to the people.Laljit Singh Bhullar took stock of the work such as issuing new RCs, truck permits, renewal and driving license etc. from the staff of the RTA and driving track offices, and instructed Assistant RTA Sham Lal and other employees to keep themselves updated as per the prevailing scenario.After inspecting the Head Office of PRTC, Driver-Conductor Training School, Tire Plant and Bus Body Fabrication Cell, the Transport Minister directed the General Managers Parveen Kumar and Maninderpal Singh Sidhu and Executive Engineer Jatinderpal Singh Grewal that no stone should be left unturned to take the public bus services to new heights as the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led government was taking every initiative to strengthened the PRTC and Panbus by filling the loopholes.

Chandigarh, Punjab

Govt adopt multi-pronged approach for overall development of sc category people: Dr Baljit Kaur

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IEP Chandigarh, January 17

Punjab government has adopted multi-pronged approach for the overall development of Schedule Caste Category people in Punjab for which various welfare schemes by the state and centrally sponsored schemes are introduced.

Stating this in a press release today Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities of Punjab Minister, Dr. Baljit Kaur said that projects are sought in this connection from every district under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati  Abhyuday Yojana—PM-AJAY. Last date for submitting the project is January 20. 

She said that the Department of Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities provide grants-in-aid to district/state level projects for the socio-economic betterment of Scheduled Castes under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati  Abhyuday Yojana for the year 2023-24. Under this project, proposals from all the districts of Punjab State are invited till 20th January 2023.

She said that this initiative is aimed at social empowerment through educational development; economic empowerment through income and employment enhancing avenues and integrated development of SC majority. Comprehensive livelihood projects related to income enhancement and skill development related to social and economic development of Scheduled Caste families/individuals will be covered under this scheme.  These projects are planned and structured at state level and district level keeping in mind the needs of Scheduled Castes in urban and rural areas.

The minister said that chief aim of this project is socio-economic betterment of Scheduled Castes.

Chandigarh, Haryana

Haryana to organize special Aadhaar updating counters at PPP camps-CS

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IEP Chandigarh, January 17

Haryana Government will also set up special Aadhaar updating counters at Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP) camps.

It was disclosed by Haryana Chief Secretary, Sh, Sanjeev Kaushal during a virtual meeting with Deputy Commissioners, Superintendents, Commissioners of Police and other senior officers of district headquarters here today.

Sh. Kaushal directed the officers to make availability of an Iris scanner at E-Disha Kendras at the earliest so that the Aadhaar authentication can be performed effectively. He further directed the officers to organize online and offline training camps at headquarter level to impart training regarding Aadhaar authentication to the officials which would help them to expedite the works of various Departments.

After getting apprised about the development of new ‘mAadhaar’ Aadhaar verification QR code scanner application to facilitate the administration, Sh. Kaushal directed the officers and police personnel at district headquarters to apprise other officials about the use of QR code scanner so as to check duplicacy and prevent redundancy of services offered to the public. A newly developed ‘mAadhaar’, Aadhaar QR Scanner application will also facilitate the officials to authenticate the suspected persons as it will reveal some digits or alphabets of Name, Date of Birth, Address, Gender, Photo, Mobile and Signatures etc of the person.

The Chief Secretary directed the officers to expedite the process of Aadhaar revalidation, Citizens having an Aadhaar generated more than 10 years ago need to revalidate details in their Aadhaar by updating the Proof of Identity (POI) and Proof of Address (POA) documents to steadily avail the benefits of government services.

In the meeting, Additional Chief Secretary, Finance, Sh. Anurag Rastogi, Additional Chief Secretary, Information Technology, Sh. Anand Mohan Sharan, Deputy Director General, UIDAI, Regional Office, Chandigarh, Bhavna Garg and other officers were present.

Chandigarh, Punjab

FOOD, CIVIL SUPPLIES AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT UNDERTAKING WHEAT DISTRIBUTION WITH FULL TRANSPARENCY UNDER PRADHAN MANTRI GARIB KALYAN ANN YOJANA: LAL CHAND KATARUCHAK

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IEP Chandigarh, January 16     

     The Punjab Government led by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is leaving no stone unturned to provide every facility to the common people with full emphasis on transparency factor.           As part of this, the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department is undertaking distribution of wheat in the State under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana with full adherence to the norms of transparency. The Electronic Point of Sale Machines are being used for the purpose under which the wheat is distributed to the beneficiaries only after getting their thumb impression with the quantity distributed entered in the receipt. Apart from this, the District Offices have been directed to make clear the benefits entailed under the National Food Security Act 2013, Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana and One Nation One Ration Card, at the every ration depot.          The Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak said that the Union Government is sending the wheat to Punjab in respect of only 1.41 crore beneficiaries whereas the State has 1.57 crore beneficiaries at present. A verification drive under the National Food Security Act, 2013 has also been started to remove in-eligible beneficiaries from amongst the additional 16 crore beneficiaries.          Further, the wheat distributed under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana is provided to the State Government by the FCI out of the Central pool stock. This Central pool wheat is packed in the bardana and is distributed by the depot holders in loose form by opening the sacks.           Also, the Department has adopted zero tolerance approach towards any malpractice and in case any complaint is received during the distribution of the stock of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana then the complaint is minutely probed followed by strict action against erring officials, employees and depot holders           It is noteworthy that the Union Government began the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana in April 2020 during corona pandemic for meeting the shortage of foodgrains. Under the scheme, the beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act 2013 i.e. those of Antyodaya Ann Yojana or the Priority Households are being provided with the 5 Kg wheat per beneficiary per month.  

Chandigarh

DECISIVE WAR AGAINST DRUGS: 258 DRUG SMUGGLERS HELD WITH 41KG HEROIN, 13.55-KG OPIUM, 53-KG GANJA, Rs 20.48 LAKH DRUG MONEY IN A WEEK

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IEP CHANDIGARH, January 16

Amid the ongoing decisive war against drugs launched on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Punjab Police have arrested 258 drug smugglers/suppliers after registering 194 first information reports (FIRs), including 31 commercial, under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) act across the state in the last week.          Inspector General of Police (IGP) Headquarters Sukhchain Singh Gill, while addressing his weekly Press Conference here on Monday, said that the Police have also recovered 41.26-Kg Heroin, 13.55-Kg opium, 53.25-Kg Ganja, 4.81 quintals of poppy husk, and 5.28 Lakh tablets/capsules/injections/vials of Pharma opioids besides recovering Rs 20.48 Lakh drug money from their possession.          He said that with 15 more Proclaimed Offenders (POs)/Absconders in NDPS cases arrested in the last week, the total number of arrests reached 623 since the special drive to arrest POs/absconders was started on July 5, 2022.          The IGP said that Punjab Police have taken strict action taken against sellers trading in Chinese Kite string and recovered as many as 10269 Chinese dor bundles after registering 176 First Information Reports (FIRs) and arresting 188 people indulged in selling this fatal kite flying string. As per the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Punjab Police will take strict action against those buying/selling Chinese kite flying string, he added.          Pertinently, Director General of Police (DGP), Punjab Gaurav Yadav had given strict instructions to all the CPs/SSPs to investigate backward and forward linkages minutely in each and every case, especially related to drug recoveries, even if they recover a meager amount of drugs.          Meanwhile, on the direction of Chief Minister Punjab Bhagwant Mann to make Punjab a drug-free state, extensive anti-drug drives have been launched by the Punjab Police to combat the menace of drugs from the border State. The DGP has also strictly ordered all the CPs/SSPs to identify all hotspots where drugs are prevalent and all top drug smugglers in their jurisdictions. He also directed the Police chiefs to effectively forfeit the property of all the arrested drug smugglers so that their ill-gotten money could be recovered.