IEP Thikriwala (Barnala), January 19

          Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday announced to convert existing girls school at the native village of Parja Mandal movement leader Baba Sewa Singh Thikriwala, into a nursing college.

          The Chief Minister, who was here to participate in 89th death anniversary of Baba Sewa Singh Thikriwal, said that it will be a befitting tribute to the great martyr who sacrificed his life at the altar of the motherland. He said that this will enable the girls of the region to excel in the medical field. Bhagwant Mann said that this nursing college will open new vistas of employment for the girls of the region thereby ushering a new era of unprecedented development.

          The Chief Minister exhorted the people to follow the high ideals of public service set by Baba Sewa Singh Thikriwal in his life. He said that Baba Sewa Singh Thikriwal waged a relentless battle against the aristocracy and steered the country towards freedom. Bhagwant Mann urged the people to follow the footsteps of the great martyr in the fight against modern day imperialism in the form of dynastic rule.

          The Chief Minister said that the state government is making strenuous efforts for saving the precious water of the state. He said that as the water table of the state is depleting fastly so the state government is consulting world renowned experts regarding ways and means to recharge the water table. Bhagwant Mann said that soon a pilot project will be launched in Barnala district for recharging the water table in the state.

          The Chief Minister said that the state government is making concerted efforts for promotion of alternate crops in the state. He said that all out efforts will be made to assure that farmers get remunerative prices for their produce. Bhagwant Mann said that like for procurement of Paddy, Minimum Support Price will also be ensured in procurement of the alternate crops. 

          Slamming the successive previous governments for plundering the money of the state, the Chief Minister said that though nothing took place in the state but then also the leaders claimed that the state exchequer was empty. He said that ironically these governments didn’t take a single step for the welfare of the public but looted the taxpayers money. Bhagwant Mann said that due to the greed of these leaders Punjab suffered serious setbacks.

          Quipping on former Finance Minister Manpreet Badal, the Chief Minister said that this leader had always claimed that the finances of the state are empty. He said that now this former Congress leader has turned into a turncoat by joining the saffron party. However, Bhagwant Mann said that like Congress, he will empty the coffers of BJP too.

          The Chief Minister also announced that the native village of Baba Sewa Singh Thikriwal will be transformed into a Model village equipped with ultra modern facilities. He said that as a mark of respect to the great freedom fighters, the state government has already named the Mohali airport after the legendary martyr Shaheed Bhagat Singh adding that a 35 feet high statue of the great martyr will be installed at the airport. Bhagwant Mann also said that the state government will also pass a resolution in Punjab Vidhan Sabha for naming the upcoming Halwara airport in the name of Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha.  

          The Chief Minister said that the state government is laying major thrust on imparting quality education to the students. He said that the state government will set up a school of eminence in the state to enable the students in government schools to compete with their convent educated peers. Bhagwant Mann said that the state will soon be leading the country in the field of education, health and employment.

          The Chief Minister further said that in a major push to Medical education in Punjab, the state government has decided to construct 16 new Medical colleges in the coming five years that will enhance the total tally of medical colleges in the state to 25 thereby ensuring that every district of the state touches a medical college. He said that the foundation stone of Sant Attar Singh State Institute of Medical Sciences at Mastuana Sahib in Sangrur had already been laid by him and work on its construction will start soon. Bhagwant Mann further said that work on two other medical colleges at Kapurthala and Hoshiapur has also started.

IEP Chandigarh/Ludhiana, January 19

Punjab Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar on Thursday carried out a surprise check at Amar Shaheed Sukhdev Interstate Bus Terminus, Ludhiana and ordered the officials to challan and impound all buses plying without paying tax.

The Minister accompanied by senior officials of the Transport department checked the documents of the tourist buses parked near the bus stand complex and found most of these buses were without proper valid documents including tax invoice, permit, tour programs, passengers’ list and others.

He asked the officials of transport and police to challan and impound all defaulting buses.

Reiterating commitment to ensure a transparent and efficacious system in the department, Bhullar said those not paying taxes would not be spared and strict action would be taken against all defaulters.

The Minister said that the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is committed to ensure smooth and hassle-free services to the people. He said that the government is all set to add new normal and Volvo buses in its fleet to ensure the people do not face any difficulty in getting the buses.

Earlier, the Minister also interacted with passengers in the buses and sought their feedback to improve the services. He instructed the officials to ensure that every bus must be stopped at the respective bus stand. No laxity will be tolerated and strict action will be taken against those who cause harassment to the people.

Later, Bhullar also checked records in offices of  roadways and PRTC workshops.

IEP Chandigarh, January 19

          Under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the Punjab government has intensified efforts for the overall development of cities of the state. The State Government has sanctioned Rs. 5.97 crore for the permanent solution to the sewage problem of the religious city of Sri Muktsar Sahib. After the start of the new sewerage system, the pilgrims coming from all over the world and the residents of the city will not see the overflow of sewage near Sri Darbar Sahib. Apart from this, the problem in other areas of the city where the filthy water overflows from the chambers will also get solved.        

          Divulging the details, Water Supply and Sanitation Minister Bram Shanker Jimpa said that the water supply and sanitation department will install new pressure sewerage from Dussehra Ground to Ballamgarh Road Disposal. He also said that after the new sewerage system, there will not be overflow of sewage in main bazaar area, hakeman wali gali, khadian wali gali, mithan lal street, bharat nagar, city hotel wali gali, Sri Darbar Sahib Gate No. 1 & 2 and other areas.

          Apart from this, there will be no sewage overflow in Jodhu Colony, thandevala road, Bawa colony, New Bawa Colony, Sri Guru Angad Dev Nagar, Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar, Gurudwara Sri Tarn Taran Sahib etc. Jimpa further said that due to the continuous discharge of sewage around Sri Darbar Sahib, the devotees often registered their protest but with the new sewerage system this problem would be solved permanently. 

Jimpa further said that MLA of Sri Muktsar Sahib Jagdeep Singh Kaka Brar had raised sewerage problem with him and he visited the city few months back. The demand for new sewerage has been solved now. The State Government is also paying full attention to the holistic development of other cities of Punjab and the problems of all the cities will be solved soon, added Jimpa.

          Water Supply and Sanitation Department Principal Secretary D.K. Tiwari and HoD Muhammad Ishfaq said that for the proper management of the sewage problem in Sri Muktsar Sahib, the Punjab government is installing a 3450 meter long DIK-7 dia 600 mm pressure sewerage from Dussehra Ground to Ballamgarh Road Disposal.

          It is pertinent to mention that the sewerage which was laid in Sri Anandpur Sahib in 1972 has been upgraded last year at a cost of Rs 8.73 crore. With this facility, the long pending demand of the residents and pilgrims of this internationally famous religious city has been fulfilled. The dirty water of the city which was contaminating the river water has been stopped now and soon the same facility will be available to the residents of Sri Muktsar Sahib.

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.

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.

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.