IEP Chandigarh, December 31

While greeting the Punjabis on the occasion of New Year, Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Mr. Kultar Singh Sandhwan, wished them a happy New Year 2023.

In a message, Mr. Sandhwan said that under the leadership of Bhagwant Mann, the state is now developing rapidly. He has urged the Punjabis to play a more active role in the development of the state so that living standard can be better.

The Vidhan Sabha Speaker also prayed happiness and delight for the people of the state in the New Year.

IEP Chandigarh, December 31

In a bid to ensure optimum utilisation of natural resources to save the environment of the state, the Chief Minister S Bhagwant Mann led Punjab Government has left no stone unturned to revolutionize the clean and green energy sector in the year of 2022.

          Beginning the state’s master plan for a CBG-based rural economy, Asia’s largest Compressed Bio Gas (CBG) plant was inaugurated in October, 2022 by Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri and Punjab Chief Minister S Bhagwant Mann at Bhuttal Kalan village in Sangrur.

          The plant has been commissioned with a foreign direct investment of approximately Rs. 220 crores by Germany’s leading bio-energy company Verbio AG. With a total capacity of 33.23 ton CBG per day, the plant is spread across an area of 20 acres, and will consume 100,000 tonnes of paddy straw. There shall be daily production of around 600-650 Tons of Fermented Organic Manure (FOM), which can be used for organic farming. The State Government has also constituted a task force to discuss and create an enabling mechanism for off-taking of FOM generated from Compressed Biogas (CBG) projects based on agro-residue in the State.                                                                                                                                          

Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) has also allocated 42 additional CBG projects of total capacity 492.58 tons per day (TPD) based on paddy straw and other agro-residue to develop a lasting and sustainable solution to prevent stubble burning while also strengthening the rural economy. These projects are expected to fetch private investment of around Rs. 1200 crore, besides generating employment opportunities for over 8000 skilled/unskilled persons.                                                                                           

ONE LAKH EXISTING ELECTRIC AGRICULTURE TUBE-WELLS TO BE SOLARISED

Punjab government has also decided to solarise one lakh existing electric agriculture tube-wells. This ambitious project will save around Rs.200 crore per annum on account of power subsidy, besides going a long way to save the natural resources.

          PEDA has already invited e-bids for selection of Solar Power Generators (SPGs) for feeder level solarisation of 25000 grid connected agriculture pumps. Notably, Government of Punjab provides free power to 13.88 lakh farmers of the State for their grid connected tube-wells for irrigation and bears the expenditure of approx. Rs.7000 crores as subsidy being paid to PSPCL.

FIRST IN NORTH INDIA, SUPER ECBC COMPLIANT BUILDING TO COME UP IN SAS NAGAR

In a bid to promote energy conservation and showcase the energy efficiency in the buildings, Punjab Government has decided to construct a super Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) compliant building in SAS Nagar (Mohali). The Housing and Urban Development (H&UD) department has allocated a dedicated land of 1500 sq.m. to PEDA for construction of the building at Sector-65, SAS Nagar to showcase the energy efficiency in the buildings. This building will be constructed within the next 2 years for operation and it will contain all state-of-the-art technologies and this building will serve as Model Building for all the stakeholders, students & general public for awareness in the State.

300 MW CANAL TOP & FLOATING SOLAR POWER PROJECTS TO BE SET UP IN PUNJAB

          With an aim at further ramping up renewable energy while utilising natural sources optimally, Punjab government has decided to install Solar Power Photovoltaic (PV) projects with a total capacity of 300 MW in Punjab. These projects include 200 MW Canal Top Solar PV Power Projects and 100 MW Floating Solar PV Power Project on the Reservoirs and Lakes.

          The proposed 200 MW Canal Top Solar Project would be installed in a phased manner, under which 50 MW would be installed in the first phase, while projects of remaining capacity would be installed in subsequent phases. These projects will be executed in Build, Operate and Own (BOO) mode by PEDA.

          The cost of the Canal Top Solar PV Projects is expected to be around Rs 5 crore per MW after taking in consideration of 20 per cent VGF. The 200 MW Canal Top Solar PV Projects will save at least 1000 acres of precious agricultural land, besides, generating local employment and preventing water evaporation from canals. The cost of Floating Solar PV Projects would be around Rs 4.80 crore per MW after considering 20 per cent VGF.

PLAN TO SOLARISE ALL GOVT BUILDINGS

In order to further strengthen the clean energy infrastructure in the state, the New and Renewable Energy Sources department is mulling to equip all the state government buildings with solar power.

          Punjab New and Renewable Energy Sources Minister Mr. Aman Arora has written a letter to Heads of all the departments to seek their consent for installing Solar Photovoltaic (PV) panels on the rooftops of the office buildings under Renewable Energy Services Company (RESCO) Mode. All the Heads have also been directed to appoint a senior officer of their departments as a Nodal Officer to coordinate with Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) to smoothen the process of solarising the building of the departments concerned.

          PEDA has already installed solar PV of a total capacity of 88MW on the rooftops of various government buildings and these have been successfully generating clean and green energy.

IEP Chandigarh, December 31

Ms Anmol Gagan Maan, Minister for Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Labour, Investment Promotion, and Grievance Redressal extended greetings to people on the special occasion of New Year 2023 and expressed hope that the New Year will bring an abundance of joy and good health to everyone’s life.

In her New Year greeting message, the Minister expressed the hope that this year will be herald of peace, development and progress for the State and the country.

She said, let’s welcome the New Year 2023 with the spirit to scale new heights of progress and prosperity, and work even harder to fulfill the dreams of our great freedom fighters.

IEP Chandigarh, December 31

The  Manohar Lal-led Haryana government has decided to give a new look to Lohgarh, so that the stories of valour and sacrifice of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur’, reach across the globe during the ongoing celebrations of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. 

As desired by the Chief Minister the State Government is making dedicated efforts to revive this historical heritage so that the coming generations can get inspiration from the supreme sacrifice made by their great martyrs. 

In this series, Chief Minister will lay the foundation stone of various development works at Lohgarh, the historical place of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur on January 1, 2023. He will also lay the foundation stone of a state-of-the-art museum. 

In the first phase of the project, the work of the fort, main gate, and boundary wall will be completed. This memorial site located in Lohgarh will be expanded to an area of 20 acres. The visitors will get a glimpse of the great fort architecture of Punjab in the memorial complex. Installation of a Nanakshahi coin made by Baba Banda Singh Bahadur in Lohgarh will enhance the beauty of the entrance.

In the museum, the essence of the entire life of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur from his birth till his last days will be shown. 

This museum would be a blend of the life history of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur with the latest technologies, which will give visitors a feel of a new world. 

The museum will have a multimedia show to showcase the life of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur. Gallery-1 of the museum will depict the life story of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur, starting from his youth time spend in Jammu to his last days spent in Nanded, where he earned the title of ‘Banda’ of Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

While Gallery 2 will depict the reign of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur, a multi-layered screen will show how Baba Banda Singh Bahadur inspired the Guru’s followers to join hands and take up arms against the wrongdoings of the Mughals.

The story then takes the visitor through the impressive campaign of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur in the Punjab and his final victory at Sidaura. The story ends with the establishment of the Sikh Raj with the glorious Lohgarh as its capital. The last events of the life of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur have been included in gallery 3.

Meanwhile, Phase II of the project will have a global design competition for the installation of a giant statue of him, which will be a center of attraction. In the second phase, a martial arts school will also be set up in Lohgarh.

IEP Chandigarh, December 30

The officers and staff of the Information and Public Relations Department, Punjab today gave a warm farewell to the Additional Director Dr. Opinder Singh Lamba on his superannuation. Dr. Lamba has retired after putting in 36 years of distinguished services.

In an impressive function held here at Punjab Bhawan, the Principal Secretary, Information and Public Relations Mr. Rahul Bhandari and  Additional Director (Admn) Mr. Sandeep Singh Garha and other officers lauded the flawless services rendered by Dr. Lamba and said that the exemplary hard work, dedication and perseverance exhibited by Dr. Lamba will ever inspire his colleagues and other staff members to discharge their responsibility with full zeal and dedication. The officers also said that Dr. Lamba had been an asset to the department and his retirement has created a void that will be difficult to fill.

Wishing Dr. Opinder Singh Lamba a healthy and prosperous post-retirement life, the officers wished him a bright future ahead with constructive engagement in his favourite field of Law. The officers expressed hope that he will continue his literary pursuit in future too and come out with continuous publications. They also said that after the successful completion of his long professional career, Dr. Lamba will be able to spare more time for his family besides discharging his social responsibilities more efficaciously.

While appreciating Dr. Lamba for his passion for further higher studies despite hectic schedule of PR job and done Ph.D on “Changing Strategies and Technologies of Public Relations in Government, Public and Private Sector: A Comparative Analysis”, the Senior officers also urged the headquarters and districts officers to hone their skills by upgrading their education as was done by Dr. Lamba.

In his address, Dr. Lamba shared his experiences in the department and thanked the seniors for supporting him during his entire career.

On the occasion, Dr. Lamba was given a token of love by the officers of the department.

Prominent amongst others present included Mr. Randeep Singh Ahluwalia and Mr. Harjit Singh Grewal (both Joint Directors), Mr. Ishwinder Singh Grewal, Ms. Shikha Nehra and Mr. Manwinder Singh (all Deputy Directors), IPROs, DPROs, APROs, and other officers of the department, besides family members of Dr. Lamba.