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Chandigarh, Haryana

Haryana approves revised State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC-2), says Sanjeev Kaushal

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IEP Chandigarh December 9

The Haryana State Level Steering Committee on climate change met under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary, Sh. Sanjeev Kaushal today approved the Revised State action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC-2).

        According to the approved revised plan of SAPCC Phase-2 (2021-30), 73 actions have been proposed out of which 37 are strongly linked to adaptation. 28 are linked to mitigation and 8 strategies have linkages to both adaptation and mitigation. The total proposed budget for these activities in 10 years (2021-30) amounts to Rs 39,371.80 crore. For the final approval, the plan would be further submitted to the National Level Steering Committee, The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).

        Sh. Kaushal said that the revised plan aims at aligning and redefining the goals and targets considering eight NDC (Nationally Determined Contributions) goals. The Eight NDC includes Sustainable lifestyle, Cleaner Economic Development, Reducing Emission intensity of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Increasing the share of Non-Fossil Fuel Based Electricity, Enhancing Carbon Sink (Forests) Adaptation, Mobilising Finance and Technology Transfer and Capacity Building.

        Sh. Kaushal directed all the aligned Departments to update the plans, strategies and actions for the workable mitigation and adaptation action and strategy till 2030. He further directed that all the line Departments will appoint a Nodal Officer for the implementation and coordination of SAPCC-2. Bi-monthly meeting of the State Advisory Group for the monitoring and evaluation of SAPCC will also be organised, he directed.

        It was apprised in the meeting that in the revised SAPCC Phase-2, the eight sectors are combined into different working groups under both adaptation and Mitigation category. These five Working Groups under Adaptation Category include Sustainable Agriculture, Water Resources, Forest and Environment including Biodiversity, Strategic Knowledge and Skill Development and Mountain Ecology. The three Working Groups for Mitigation Category include Enhanced Energy Efficiency and Solar Mission, Sustainable Habitat and Industry.

         Additional Chief Secretary, Science and Technology, Sh. Ashok Khemka, Additional Chief Secretary, Environment and Climate Change, Sh. Vineet Garg, Additional Chief Secretary, Finance and Planning, Sh. Anurag Rastogi, Additional Chief Secretary, Public Health Engineering, Sh. A. K Singh and other senior officers were present in the meeting.

Chandigarh

So far 1888 beneficiaries have availed of the benefits of CHIRAYU Haryana

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IEP Chandigarh, December 9

With the vision of ‘Swasth Haryana’,  it was on November 21 last that Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal  launched the ‘CHIRAYU Haryana’ (Comprehensive Health insurance of Antyodaya Units) scheme aimed at extending the Ayushman Bharat benefits to around 29 lakh beneficiaries having an annual income limit of Rs.1.80 lakh. Notably, within less than a month,  as many as 1888 people have already availed the scheme benefit. 

        CHIRAYU Haryana is expected to give new lease of life to about 28 lakh Antyodaya families, meaning that 1.25 crore Haryanvis will be availing of the scheme benefit. Sh. Manohar Lal firmly believes every needy and unprivileged should get those basic facilities along with health facilities and this welfare scheme is proving to be a ‘game changer’.

        Meanwhile, the Chief Minister will virtually distribute new CHIRAYU cards to 10 lakh beneficiaries on December 10. These cards will be distributed through  camps organized in 1600 villages and all urban areas of the state. During this, he will also interact with the beneficiaries.

        Sh. Manohar Lal said that under this scheme health benefit of Rs 5 lakh would be provided to each family having an annual income of less than Rs 1.80 lakh who will get good treatment facilities. 

        Our government is committed to provide the best health benefits to these beneficiaries at the earliest, he added.

        Directing the officers, the Chief Minister said that the work of making CHIRAYU Haryana cards should be expedited so that people start getting the benefits of the scheme at the earliest. 

        He said that CHIRAYU health cards are being made free of cost by Ayushman Mitra working in empanelled private or government civil hospital and the nearest CSC centre.

        Sh. Manohar Lal said that after making the card, free of cost cashless treatment of up to Rs. 5 lakh will be given for more than 1500 listed diseases in 729 empanelled hospitals. Immediately after registering the card, the beneficiary will be given a free (black and white) card and a PVC card within 15 days. 

        The Chief Minister hoped that by December 31 everyone would get these cards.

Chandigarh

Patient with double whammy of angina, obstructed inguinal hernia treated successfully

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IEP Chandigarh, December 9

An aged patient suffering from double whammy of an unstable angina and obstructed inguinal hernia was treated successfully at Ivy Hospital, Nawanshahr recently.

If left untreated, unstable angina can lead to myocardial infarction and can lead to life threatening complications. Similarly, inguinal hernia is a common and not so high risk disease, but if it gets obstructed, it can lead to gangrene of intestines which can lead to catastrophic outcomes.

Chandigarh

Kirron Kher opens 3 days mega bonanza of Chrysanthemums at Terraced Garden Chandigarh

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IEP Chandigarh, December 9

The City Beautiful known as “City of Flowers” is witnessing the beautiful Chrysanthemum Show at Terraced Garden, Sector 33, Chandigarh. The flower show was today inaugurated by Smt. Kirron Kher, Member Parliament, Chandigarh in the presence of Smt. Sarbjit Kaur, Mayor, Chandigarh, Ms. Anindita Mitra, IAS, Commissioner, MCC.

Sh. Anup Gupta, Deputy Mayor, Smt. Anju Katyal, area councilor, Sh. Kanhaiya Mittal, prominent singer and brand ambassador of SBM, Chandigarh, other councilors and senior officers of MCC and prominent persons of area were also present on the occasion.

          First time in the history of the annual event of Chrysanthemums, the Municipal Corporation made it a ‘Zero Waste’ event besides showcasing various stalls of different initiatives and projects of Municipal Corporation Chandigarh.

          The Member Parliament, Chandigarh took a round of all the stalls including Swachh Bharat Mission where awareness is being created towards segregation of waste in four types of waste separately from the source, compost of Horticulture waste, Home Composting, Safai Mitra, construction and demolition waste material, jute bags, candle making, painting by Self Help Groups, ‘Naya Sa’, initiative of MCC to reuse the old cloths by selling them to the people on nominal charges after proper cleaning and ironing etc., Citizen Perception Survey under ‘Ease of Living’ in the city besides many selfie points.

          In addition to that the MCC also showcased its unique initiative of making sticks and other items from floral waste under the banner of ‘Arpan’ run by a self help group aided by Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh.

On the occasion, Chief Guest released a brochure dedicated to the show, which was artistically designed this time. He then went around the Garden alongwith other officers to see various flowers exhibited there with different permutations and combinations.

The Member Parliament said that this time the Municipal Corporation has organized this festival very enjoyfull not only for the flower lovers but also for the kids by setting up ‘Kids Zone’ and found out a different way to organize this festival as “Zero Waste Festival” by using all the things either reusable or recyclable not a single waste generated from the festival this time. She appreciated the team of MCC officers for organizing this festival as Zero Waste event and promoting Swachhata during not only their own events but promoting it in people’s weddings also.

          The Chief Guest applauded the efforts of the officials of Municipal Corporation for organizing such a beautiful show. She also distributed sweets to the labourers and gardeners of Corporation on the occasion.

After taking round of the park, the chief guest and others laid flower petals at the Martyr’s Pillar in Terraced Garden sector 33 Chandigarh and paid their tribute to the Martyrs.

          While addressing the gathering, Smt. Sarbjit Kaur, Mayor, Chandigarh said that over 270 varieties of Chrysanthemum are being displayed this year. All these varieties are grown and well groomed at MCC nursery. Gardeners of Horticulture Department, MCC in the show have made boat, camel, peacock, cow, giraffe, lion and many other animals and birds using flowers. The beautiful displays of the Chrysanthemum in the Show have helped Chandigarh in acquiring international fame.

          She said that this time beautiful platform has been provided for children namely ‘Kids Zone’, in which children can play their favorite games including Hoopla, Feed the Clown, Dart game, Gun shooting, bowling pin besides learning paper art, painting in fabric and clay pot making etc.

She said that special game this time has been introduced by MCC is ‘Swachhta Ki Saanp Sidhi’ (Snake & Ladder) specially designed ‘ladders’ to the numbers following segregation of waste at source level, no littering at public places, not using single use plastic products and adopting 3R principles while ‘snake bites’ for the numbers mixing garbage, littering on public places, urination at open places and using single use plastic products.

She said that cultural evenings will also be organized on 3 days festival from 5 pm to 7 pm daily on the main stage. Food court has also been provided for the visitors in the 3 days show, where proper arrangements have been made for no littering following Zero Waste principles.

The students of Delhi Public School, Sector 40, Chandigarh presented various cultural items with their melodious fusion on flutes. The show would be open till December 11 from 11.00 a.m. to 7.00 pm daily.

Chandigarh, Haryana

Chief Minister greets Indian Army, countrymen on ‘Armed Forces Flag Day’

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IEP Chandigarh, December 7

Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal today extended greetings to the Indian forces and countrymen on the occasion of ‘Armed Forces Flag Day’ and commemorated their indomitable courage and contribution to the nation building. 

He said that a soldier is always ready to safeguard the nation’s borders with his invincible courage and bravery in adverse circumstances.

Saluting the indomitable courage and valour of the soldiers, Sh. Manohar Lal said, “Haryana has a long tradition of soldiers’ valour and sacrifice. Before and after independence, the battle-warriors of Haryana have contributed significantly for the defence of the country.” He said the way that the country’s brave soldiers showed their valour in adverse circumstances in the Kargil war; the whole world recognised the Indian Army’s prowess.

The Chief Minister said that the state government is committed to the welfare of the dependents of ex-servicemen and martyrs and is constantly striving for their upliftment. Referring to the visionary ‘Agnipath scheme’ of the central government, he said, “The scheme would provide a golden opportunity to the youth to serve the country and contribute to nation building. There is special enthusiasm among the youth of the state regarding the scheme.”

Contributing to the ‘Armed Forces Flag Day Fund’ through the officers of the District Sainik and Ardh Sainik Welfare Board in Gurugram, the Chief Minister urged the countrymen to contribute generously to the fund; which is used for the rehabilitation and welfare of the dependents of the brave soldiers, who get martyred or become physically disabled while serving the country

Chandigarh, Haryana

Individuals interested in social work should register on Samarpan Portal: Khattar

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IEP Chandigarh, December 7

Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal called upon the retired professors who are members of the Haryana State Higher Education Council to work for the betterment of society with the spirit of social service.

The government has created a dedicated Samarpan portal for those who are willing to do social service. On this portal, people can register and cooperate with the government in social work, said Sh. Manohar Lal while participating in the ‘Discussion’ programme organized by Haryana State Higher Education Council in Gurugram today. During this, he also interacted with retired professors who are members of the council.

Sh. Manohar Lal said that there is a huge staff at the government level for ensuring infrastructural development and providing public facilities to the common man. There is a need to change the thinking of the people to raise the social level. Work should be done to end corruption and uplift society, he added.

Individuals interested in social work should register on Samarpan Portal

The Chief Minister said that there are many sections of society and citizens who want to do a lot for society, but they do not get a platform. For such people only, the state government has created the Samarpan.haryana.gov.in portal. Individuals interested in social work can register on this portal and work for the welfare of the people with a sense of social service. About 3000 volunteers have registered on this portal.

He said that with this spirit of social service, retired professors have also been approached through the Higher Education Council. So far 150 professors have registered on the Samarpan portal.

The Chief Minister urged that after retirement many people want to do something for society to spend their time after fulfilling their family responsibilities, all those people should register on this portal and cooperate with the government in public welfare works.

State government working on Antyodaya Darshan

The Chief Minister said that following Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya’s Antyodaya philosophy, the state government has set a target of economic upliftment of very poor families with the aim of bringing the deprived sections of the state into the mainstream. For this, Mukhyamantri Antyodaya Parivar Utthan Yojana has been started. Under this, efforts are being made to raise the standard of living of 7.5 lakh families having annual income up to Rs 1 lakh.

The Chief Minister said that in today’s time drug addiction is also becoming a big problem. This social evil has to be stopped from spreading in society. The Professors (Retd.) of the Higher Education should also contribute to the state government to keep the youth away from drug addiction.

On this occasion, Chairman, Haryana State Higher Education Council, Professor B.K. Kuthiala said that the society has a lot of faith in the people who have retired from higher education. Such members will certainly work for social service as urged by the Chief Minister.

Chandigarh, Haryana

Haryana is above country’s national standards in progress: NITI Aayog

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IEP Chandigarh, December 7

Appreciating the policies and programs of the Haryana government, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog, Sh. Suman Bery said that in terms of progress, Haryana is above the country’s national level standards. Sh. Suman Bery on Wednesday held a meeting with Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal at Haryana Bhawan in Delhi.

        The high-level meeting was attended by Principal Secretary to Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. V. Umashankar and Additional Chief Secretary, Finance Department, Sh. Anurag Rastogi; besides a team of senior officials of NITI Aayog. Sh. Suman Bery said that Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi while addressing the countrymen on August 15 this year; has given a target of making India a developed nation by the year 2047.

        He said that if India has to develop then every state will have to prepare a plan to move forward. “In this regard today after analysing the policies and programs of Haryana, it has been found that the state is far ahead in this direction,” added Sh. Bery. He said that Haryana has made a lot of progress and is above the country’s national level standards. Sh. Suman Bery further said that if India becomes a developed country, then Haryana will also go higher in terms of development, adding that Haryana can take inspiration from developed countries and NITI Aayog will fully assist the state in this journey.

        He said that like other states of India, Haryana will also face the challenges of climate change, availability of water etc and a discussion was held in today’s meeting regarding Haryana’s action plan on all these subjects. Sh. Bery said that being an expert in economics, he has been analysing the states falling in NCR and Delhi and found that there has been a lot of progress in Haryana. “Haryana is economically balanced, which means it has agriculture, industry and IT. There is not much employment related problem in the state,” he added.

        Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal said that NITI Aayog guides the country and all the states to move forward. “Apart from assigning responsibility to the states by the commission, the policies and programs being implemented in the state are analysed,” he said. In this series, today the Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog, Sh. Suman Bery took stock of Haryana’s progress.

Chandigarh, Haryana

GST tribunal will be established in the state, expected to start by next March: Haryana CM

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IEP Chandigarh December 7

Haryana Chief Minister said that for the convenience of tax payers and lawyers, a GST tribunal will be set up in the state, which is expected to start by next March.  For this a recommendation has been made to the GST Council.  He further announced that two Joint ETC Range Appeal Offices would be opened at Hisar and Gurugram to resolve GST related problems.

Sh. Manohar Lal was addressing as chief guest in the one-day ‘Kar Samvad’ programme organized for the first time in the state by the Excise and Taxation Department, Haryana in collaboration with Haryana Tax Bar Associations at Gurugram today.

Deputy Chief Minister, Sh. Dushyant Chautala also participated in this programme as a special guest. During this, tax-related topics were discussed in detail with the representatives of the Haryana Tax Bar Associations.

The Presidents of the Haryana State Tax Bar Association and Karnal Tax Bar Association along with lawyers also attended the programme.  During this, they shared the tax related problems with the Chief Minister.  In this programme which lasted for about two hours, apart from the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, officials cleared their doubts regarding the GST and VAT dispute.

Sharing his views, Chief Minister said that ‘GST Aamne Samne’ forum will be started at the divisional level, providing a common platform to taxpayers, lawyers and officers of the Excise and Taxation Department to solve GST related problems in the state.

At the initial level, it will be started in all the 6 division of the state including Ambala, Karnal, Rohtak, Hisar, Gurugram, and Faridabad, in which taxpayers, tax lawyers and officers will solve tax related problems once in every month.

Besides this, Sh. Manohar Lal also called for promoting voluntary registration for GST and said that three lawyers who get the maximum number of registrations in a year would be felicitated. Through Haryana Tax Bar Association and Haryana State Tax Bar Association, the Chief Minister called upon all the tax lawyers of the state to cooperate in getting the maximum number of voluntary registrations done.

Libraries will be set up in each district for tax lawyers

The Chief Minister also announced to open a library of books related to tax-related subjects in every district of the state keeping in view the demand put forth by the tax lawyers. He said that this library would be opened on the DITC office premises.  Along with this, a waiting hall with a canteen facility will also be made for the Tax Bar Association where the tax lawyers coming to the office for tax-related hearings can sit and discuss with their taxpayers.

Comparing Haryana with other states in terms of tax collection, the Chief Minister said that Haryana has only two percent of the country’s population, whereas if we look at the area, the total area of Haryana in the country is 1.6 percent, but the State’s share is 6 percent of the total tax collection of the country. 

Giving credit for this to tax lawyers and taxpayers, Sh. Manohar Lal said that winning the trust of taxpayers in any state is the main objective of the government, in which tax lawyers play an important role.

Describing tax lawyers as a bridge, the Chief Minister said that in the tax collection process of the government, tax lawyers are like a bridge, who play an important role in increasing the treasury of the government along with redressing the difficulties of the taxpayers.

Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister, Sh.  Dushyant Chautala said that after the introduction of GST, it took a long time for people to understand it.  In such a situation, VAT collection was also a serious issue. 

He said that the government has made efforts to clear the year-wise pendency of VAT-related subjects. He said moving towards digitization, soon arrangements will be made for this, in which the pendency of the oldest date will be cleared first and after that, the pendency will be cleared according to the date and year in the same order. 

On this occasion, Additional Chief Secretary, Excise and Taxation Department, Sh. Anurag Rastogi said that countries like Australia, Canada, Malaysia etc., in these countries there was also dissatisfaction among the general public regarding GST, but India is the only country where this law has been successfully implemented without any hindrance and public dissatisfaction. 

Sh. Rastogi said that it is the responsibility of the tax lawyers and their departments to increase the revenue of the government to prevent tax evasion and ensure that people file their correct returns on time. He hoped that both would be able to live up to this criterion.

President, Haryana Tax Bar Association, Advocate Ramnarayan Yadav, and President, Haryana State Tax Bar Association (Karnal), Sh. Sanjay Madan also shared their views during the programme. Excise and Taxation Commissioner, Sh. Ashok Kumar Meena, Deputy Commissioner, Gurugram, Sh. Nishant Kumar Yadav, Commissioner of Police, Kala Ramachandran and many dignitaries were present in the programme.

Chandigarh

Vigilance arrests Markfed Senior Branch Officer for causing losses of Rs 1.24 crore

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IEP Chandigarh December 7

Aiming to curb the menace of corruption in the state, the Vigilance Bureau (VB) Punjab on Wednesday arrested a Senior Branch Officer of Markfed Punjab, Rajbir Singh Bains in a misappropriation case for committing embezzlement of 12,194 wheat bags weighing 6,097 quintals in the stock of stored wheat at MRM complex Rajpura, district Patiala. In this case four accused officials including Rajbir Singh Bains have caused huge losses to state exchequer amounting to Rs.1,24,61,658.

Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the state VB said in this regard a case FIR No.7 dated 13-05-2016 under section 409, 120-B of IPC and 13(1) D, 13(2) of Prevention of Corruption Act had already been registered at VB police station Patiala in which Rajbir Singh Bains, senior branch officer, Markfed, Rajpura, Farid Khan, custodian, MRM complex and Daler Singh, salesman were found responsible for causing this embezzlement. In this case Ashwani Kumar, field officer, open plinth, village Dhindsa, Rajpura has also been nominated during the investigation.

He further added that this case has been registered after surprise checking of Markfed storage godowns along with food and civil supplies department officials at MRM complex, Rajpura and open plinth at Dhindsa. During this checking, the VB team has found that the above mentioned Markfed officials were responsible for misappropriation of 12194 wheat bags weighing 6097 quintals during the check year 2013-2014, 2014-2015 and 2015-2016. In this way the above mentioned accused have caused loss of Rs.1,24,61,658 to the state exchequer by misappropriating this wheat stock. Further investigation in this regard was under progress, he added.

Chandigarh, Punjab

Winter advisory issued to fish farmers to protect aquaculture

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IEP Chandigarh, December 7

The Punjab government has issued an advisory to the fish farmers in view of the winter season.

Punjab Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar informed that in view of the growing winter, the fish farmers of the state have been asked to keep the water level in the ponds at 6-7 feet to protect aquaculture from any disease.

Apart from this, the farmers were also advised to reduce fish feed according to the temperature; reduce/discontinue use of organic feed, use of fresh water/aerator in pond to compensate oxygen deficiency in the morning.

As per the advisory, oxygen tablets or powder must be kept by the fish farmers at their farms. Similarly, 400 ml per acre of CIFAX is also suggested to be used in the pond to protect the fish exposed to high risk of disease in the winter season.