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Chandigarh, Haryana, Punjab

SYL Issue: Punjab refusing to accept Supreme Court’s decision, says Haryana CM

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IEP Chandigarh, January 4

The Union Water Resources Minister, Sh. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat today held an important meeting on the issue of the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal with the Chief Ministers of Haryana and Punjab in New Delhi.

        Divulging the details about the meeting, Sh. Manohar Lal said that no consensus has been reached in this meeting as well. He said that the Supreme Court in its decision had announced that SYL should be constructed but the Punjab Chief Minister, Sh. Bhagwant Maan and his administrative wing are not ready to find any solution to this issue.

        “Instead of discussing this pivotal issue, the Punjab Chief Minister and his administrative wing are repeatedly saying that there is no water in the state. Rather they are asking to discuss sharing of water whereas a separate tribunal has been set up for discussing issues related to water sharing. Distribution of water will be done according to the recommendation of the tribunal,” said Sh. Manohar Lal.

        The Chief Minister said that the Punjab government is not even accepting the Supreme Court’s decision wherein the Act brought by the Punjab government in the year 2004 has been repealed. “Punjab  Chief Minister says that the 2004 Act still exists which is completely unconstitutional,” added Sh. Manohar Lal.

        The Chief Minister said that the SYL Canal should be built and the Haryana Government would apprise the Supreme Court about Punjab’s reluctant attitude over this issue. “We will accept the decision of the Supreme Court in this regard”, added Sh. Manohar Lal.

        The Chief Minister clarified that SYL is the right of Haryana residents and he is hopeful that the state will get this right. He said that SYL water is very important for Haryana.  Now it is necessary to fix a timeline in this matter so that the availability of water to the farmers of the state can be ensured, added Sh. Manohar Lal.

        The Chief Minister said that it is a well-known fact that despite two Supreme Court judgments, Punjab has not completed the construction of SYL. Instead of implementing the decisions of the Supreme Court, Punjab tried to obstruct their implementation by enacting the Cancellation of Agreements Act in 2004. It is worth mentioning that under the provision of Punjab Reorganization Act, 1966, according to the order of the Government of India dated March 24, 1976, 3.5 MAF of water was allocated to Haryana out of the surplus water of Ravi-Beas. Due to non-completion of SYL canal, Haryana is using only 1.62 MAF of water. Punjab is illegally using about 1.9 MAF of water from Haryana’s share by not completing the SYL canal in its region, he added.

        “Due to this attitude of Punjab, Haryana is not able to take its 1.88 MAF share of water. Punjab and Rajasthan are using about 2600 cusecs of water from Haryana every year. If this water had reached Haryana, it would have been used to irrigate 10.08 lakh acres of land, quench the state’s thirst, and help thousands of farmers”, added Sh. Manohar Lal. He said that due to non-availability of this water, the groundwater level in South-Haryana is also going down considerably. Due to non-construction of SYL, farmers of Haryana irrigate by using expensive diesel and running tubewells with electricity, which incurs an additional burden of Rs. 100 crore to Rs. 150 crore every year. Due to non-formation of SYL in Punjab region, the irrigation potential created to irrigate 10 lakh acres in Haryana is lying idle, he added.

        “Additionally, the state also bears the loss of 42 lakh tonnes of food grains every year. Haryana would have generated an additional 130 lakh tonnes of food grains and other crops had SYL been established in 1983 in accordance with the 1981 agreement. The total value of this agricultural produce at the rate of 15,000 per tonne is Rs. 19,500 crore”, asserted the Chief Minister.

Chandigarh

Mayor handed over new uniform to sanitation workers

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IEP Chandigarh, January 4

Taking the invaluable services of sanitation workers into account, the Municipal Corporation Chandigarh has taken initiative to instill enthusiasm and confidence among them with a new uniform. Chandigarh Mayor, Smt. Sarbjit Kaur handed over the new uniforms to sanitation workers here today.

The Mayor said that with a thought of providing a special look keeping in view seasons to sanitation workers who are striving hard to keep the city clean, the MCC has taken the decision of giving new uniforms for them and implemented it successfully.

Chandigarh, Punjab

NO SYL, TALK ABOUT YSL: ASSERTS Punjab CM

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IEP New Delhi, January 4

Strongly presenting the case of Punjab before the Government of India on the Satluj Yamuna Link (SYL) canal, the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann today categorically said that the state does not have even a single drop of water to share with Haryana.

“More than 78% of our 150 blocks are in extreme dark zone due to depletion of ground water table, so Punjab can’t afford to share its water with any other state”, said the Chief Minister after a meeting with his Haryana counterpart Manohar Lal Khatar in the presence of Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.

The Chief Minister said that at time when this anti-Punjab agreement for the canal was inked, the state was getting 18.56 MAF of water which has now been reduced to 12.63 MAF. He said that now we don’t have any surplus water to share with any state. Bhagwant Mann said that Haryana is currently getting 14.10 MAF of water from Satluj, Yamuna and other rivulets whereas Punjab is getting only 12.63 MAF.

Batting for changing the nomenclature and proposal of the project, the Chief Minister said that instead of Satluj Yamuna Link (SYL) canal, the project should be now conceived as Yamuna Satluj Link (YSL). He said that Satluj river has already dried up and there is no question of sharing even a single drop of water from it. Rather, Bhagwant Mann said that water from Ganga and Yamuna should be supplied to Punjab through Satluj river.

The Chief Minister said that this is the only viable alternative which can be considered in wake of the alarming situation of water scarcity in the state. He said that despite being smaller in area, Haryana is getting more water than Punjab and ironically it is demanding more water at the cost of Punjab. In wake of this fact, Bhagwant Mann said that how can we give water to Haryana if our own fields are starving for it.

The Chief Minister said that the state has a centuries old canal system due to which the district even at the centre of the state falls on the tail end of canal water. He bemoaned that the Union government has not issued even a single penny for the rejuvenation of the canal system due to which farmers are suffering. Bhagwant Mann said that there are 14 lakh tube wells in the state which are pumping water regularly to fulfill the irrigation needs of the state and make the country self-sufficient in food production. 

The Chief Minister said that it is ironic that due to availability of surplus water, Haryana is today encouraging the sowing of paddy in its districts. However, he said that on the other hand Punjab, which is battling for saving water, is appealing to the farmers to adopt less water guzzling crops.  Bhagwant Mann said that though farmers of the state have made the country self-reliant by producing record paddy but they have over exploited the only available natural resource of state in terms of water.

The Chief Minister bemoaned that in all the water agreements across the globe a clause is mentioned that the agreement will be reviewed after 25 years in wake of climate changes. However, he said that SYL agreement is the only exception in which no such clause has been mentioned. Bhagwant Mann said that this is the gross injustice which had taken place with Punjab adding that the then government at the centre and leadership of Punjab was responsible for this sin.

Training his guns against the Congress and Akalis, the Chief Minister said that both these parties were partners in crime against Punjab. He said that these parties have connived with each other to hatch conspiracy against Punjab and Punjabis. Bhagwant Mann said that as Chief Minister Akali leader Parkash Singh Badal had allowed survey of the canal to appease his friend and Haryana leader Devi Lal.

Similarly, the Chief Minister said that scion of Patiala royal family and former Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, who was Member of Parliament at that time, had welcomed the then Prime Minister for ground breaking of this sinister move. He said that since the survey till now, every step of these leaders speaks volumes of their treachery against Punjab and its people. Bhagwant Mann said that it is ironic that those people who had hailed this decision are now offering unsolicited advice to him. 

The Chief Minister said that these leaders have sown thorns before the Punjab and its younger generations by indulging in this unpardonable crime. He said that for the sake of their vested interests these selfish political leaders have prepared distress for the state. Bhagwant Mann said that the hands of these leaders are drenched with this crime against state and history will never forgive them for backstabbing Punjab.

The Chief Minister said that the state government will defend the interests of the state well before the Apex court too. He said that no stone will be left unturned for safeguarding the rights of the state. Bhagwant Mann said that the Haryana was the younger brother of state but Punjab has no excess water to share with it.

Chandigarh, Punjab

Punjab Tourism Minister Anmol Gagan Mann issued tourist guide license to 30 candidates

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IEP Chandigarh, January 4

The state government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is continuously striving to promote tourism in Punjab and provide maximum facilities to the tourists coming to Punjab. To fulfill the same purpose, Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Investment Promotion, Labor and Grievance Redressal Minister Ms Anmol Gagan Mann today issued tourist guide license to 30 candidates at the office in Chandigarh. Secretary of Tourism and Culture Affairs Department, Gurkirat Kirpal Singh was present on this occasion.

Giving more information in this regard, Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Anmol Gagan Mann said that tour guides play an important role in assisting tourists visiting any country or state. She explained that the duty and responsibility of a tour guide includes the tour activities from the arrival of the tourists to the departure from the state. She said that only good tour guides give real insight to the people about the history, heritage, culture, language and specialties of their country or state.

The Cabinet Minister said that these tour guides will share information about the rich heritage of the state to the tourists coming to Punjab, which will give a big boost to tourism in Punjab and will strengthen the state economically. She said that tourists coming to Punjab from all over the world can access the website of Punjab Tourism and Cultural Affairs Department: punjabtourism.punjab.gov.in to get the services of tour guides. The minister also wished the tour guides for their bright future.

On this occasion Superintendent, Tourism Rajesh Verma, Manager Marketing, Tourism Haras Mittal and other officials were present.

Chandigarh, Punjab

LOCAL BODIES MINISTER KICK STARTS CLEANING OF SIDHWAN CANAL, INSTALLATION OF CHAIN LINKED FENCING AROUND THE WATER BODY

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IEP Chandigarh, January 4

Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann committed to clean the water bodies across the state, Local government Minister Dr.Inderbir Singh Nijjar kick started the work to clean the Sidhwan canal from Bhai Randhir Singh (BRS) Nagar canal bridge today.Cabinet Minister Dr.Nijjar also kick started the project to install chain linked iron fencing (2 meter height) along the 13 kms long stretch of canal within the city limits. Aiming to stop the residents from dumping waste into the canal, the project is being taken up at a cost of Rs 6.64 crore. The work to install the fencing will be completed in next six months time.He was also accompanied by MLAs including Gurpreet Bassi Gogi, Madan Lal Bagga, Ashok Prashar Pappi, Daljit Singh Bhola Grewal, Kulwant Singh Sidhu, Mayor Balkar Singh Sandhu, Officiating MC Commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal, Chairman of Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT) Tarsem Singh Bhinder, senior AAP leader Ahbaab Singh Grewal, amongst several others.The civic body officials stated that the canal falls under the jurisdiction of the irrigation department. Amid rising concern over garbage and filth dumped in the water body, which moves through the city, MC has stepped up to clean the canal in coordination with the irrigation department. Temporary ramps have been established at different points of the canal and the water body is being cleaned with the help of JCB machines and tippers.The officials stated that the irrigation department has prepared a schedule to stop the flow of water in the canal for 21 days. The process to clean the stretch of canal from Lohara bridge to Barewal canal bridge will be taken up during this period. If required, the irrigation department will also be asked to stop the flow of water in the canal for a few more days.Cabinet Minister Dr.Nijjar stated that the initiatives taken by the civic body to clean the canal and install iron linked around the same is appreciable, but the public should also support the authorities in keeping the canal clean and stop dumping waste in the water bodies. Further the Minister stated that the civic body will also be forced to take strict action against the violators if the concerned residents did not restrict themselves from dumping waste in the water bodies. Minister appeal residents to support authorities in keeping environment safePaying obeisance to Guru Granth Sahib at Sukhmani Sahib path organised by Municipal Employees Sangharsh Committee to mark New year celebrations at MC Zone D office in Sarabha Nagar, Minister Dr Nijjar appealed the residents to step forward to save the environment and groundwater. Minister also assured to fulfill the genuine demand of the employees raised by Chairman of employees union Ashwani Sahota and President Jasdev Sekhon.The minister also honoured different NGOs/social activists which have been working in association with the civic body. These include Shahi Imaam Punjab Maulana Muhammad Usmaan Rehmani Ludhianvi, Gursahib Singh and Davinder Nagi from Team 1699, Maneet Dewan from City Needs and members of other NGOs including Lets Clean Ludhiana Foundation, Neki Di Rasoi, Ashke group etc.Women empowerment sculptures unveiledMinister Dr Nijjar also unveiled women empowerment sculptures installed at the road islands outside MC Zone D office. The sculptures have been installed by FICCI FLO group, which has been working in association with the MC. Appreciating the effort by the group members led by head of National Governing body Monika Choudhary and Ludhiana Chairperson Neha Gupta, the minister urged NGOs to work in association with the civic body to spread greenery across the city

Chandigarh, Punjab

PUNJAB POLICE ARREST AC MECHANIC, AIDE FOR MAKING EXTORTION CALLS BY POSING AS INFAMOUS GANGSTER

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IEP CHANDIGARH, January 4

          As part of the ongoing drive to make Punjab a crime-free state as per the vision of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Punjab Police has arrested a 20-years-old AC mechanic for making extortion calls to a Mohali-based Pharmaceutical Company owner by posing as foreign-based infamous gangster, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Wednesday.

          The accused identified as Suraj (20), a resident of Maloya colony in Chandigarh, was arrested from Verka Chowk here, when he along with his aide identified as Mandeep Singh (32) of village Mangewal in Sri Anandpur Sahib, was going to collect extortion money on a motorcycle. The Police have also recovered two mobile phones and a Black Colour CT 100 motorcycle (without registration number plate) from their possession.

          The complainant, who is an owner of a Pharmaceutical company located in SAS Nagar, lodged a complaint with police that he has received phone calls from a man claiming to be infamous gangster on December 30, 2022. The caller demanded ₹30 lakh as extortion money and threatened to kill him in case the complainant failed to give the protection money on time.

          DGP Gaurav Yadav said that following the complaint, the State Special Operation Cell of SAS Nagar immediately started investigations into this case and arrested the accused caller Suraj, who was using the WhatsApp number of his aide Mandeep Singh to make extortion calls to the target. While accused Suraj works as an AC mechanic, his aide Mandeep is a taxi driver, he said.

          The DGP once again cautioned people to be wary of fake extortion calls and urged them to immediately inform the police whenever they receive a such call. Recent investigations in such extortion cases by Punjab Police have revealed that a very large number of such extortion calls in the name of known gangsters were made by unknown criminals, who don’t have any association with these gangs or gangsters.

          Divulging more details about the modus operandi, AIG SSOC SAS Nagar Ashwani Kapur said that preliminary investigations have revealed that the accused Suraj, when going to repair ACs at homes, shops or companies, would identify affluent people as possible targets and would note down their details to give them the impression that their activities are being watched, which enable him to make the victim a soft target to extort money. “We have sent both the mobile phones for forensic examination to find out if accused persons have made extortion calls to any other person,” he said.

          Meanwhile, a case FIR no 1 has been registered under sections 384 and 120B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) at Police Station SSOC SAS Nagar.

Chandigarh, Punjab

Jimpa to participate in two-day national conference on “Water Vision@ 2047”

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IEP Chandigarh, January 4

          Punjab Water Supply and Sanitation Minister Bram Shanker Jimpa will participate in national conference on “Water Vision@ 2047” on January 5 and 6 at Bhopal. This is a first of its kind conference in which ministers of many states will participate and discuss the efficient use of water and various other aspects connected with it.      

          Divulging the details, a spokesperson said that the theme of two-day conference of 1st All India Annual State Ministers Conference is “Water Vision@ 2047”.  This important conference has been organized by the National Water Mission of the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti. During two days, various topics related to water mainly “Water Vision@ 2047”, water security in water deficit,  water surplus and hilly regions, water use efficiency including reuse of waste water/grey water, water governance and climate change resilient water infrastructure, would be discussed.

          A sub-portal called ‘JalItisha’ will also be inaugrated on this occasion. The spokesperson said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the Punjab Government will showcase its achievement pertaining to the efficient use of water and supply of water to every rural household at the National level. Apart from this, the ideas presented by the experts in conference will play an important role in taking decisions regarding the use of water in future.

Chandigarh, Punjab

Neglected for years, Punjab government formulates policies for the revival of printing and stationery department: Hayer

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IEP Chandigarh, January 4

Aiming to strengthen the government departments, the Punjab government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has taken various initiatives to revamp the long-neglected printing and stationery department.Due to the ever-changing technology and neglect by the previous governments, the printing and stationery department lagged behind a lot, but now the state government has planned to bring it back on track and ensure that the printing work of all government departments and institutions is done from the government press.Printing and Stationery Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer said that with the advent of new technologies of printing in the era of modernity, new machinery is needed, for which the department is going to purchase new technology machines.The Cabinet Minister said that the government press at Patiala and SAS Nagar should be renovated. To raise the standard of printing, multi-color digital machines and offset machines are being purchased with an amount of Rs.1.40 Crore. More new modern machines will be purchased in the next budget session. Giving a green signal to the plan of restructuring the department, it was decided to recruit technology experts as per the need of the hour.Under the OUVGL scheme, Land of Government Press Patiala was transferred to PUDA. A proposal is being made to provide funds for the renovation of the S.A.S. Nagar Press building and for installing some new machines in both the presses.After studying the system in other states of the country in which the printing and stationery department is working better, the better model will be implemented in Punjab. All the work of the department is done as per the provisions of the Printing and Stationery Manual-1975 but in the present era the modernization of the press and the technology has advanced enough for which it has been decided to update the manual.Apart from this, the old traditional file covers have been replaced by new file covers which have the facility of writing the details of the file on the cover. This will save a lot of time. Along with this, logos were also placed on the file covers with messages against various social issues, including the anti-corruption campaign, environment conservation, boosting the literacy movement, water conservation and campaign against female feticide.

Chandigarh, Punjab

Punjab renamed 12 government schools after famous personalities: Harjot Singh Bains

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IEP Chandigarh, January 4

In order to give due honour to freedom fighters, martyred soldiers and eminent writers and make next generations aware about these personalities, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led government has renamed 12 government schools after famous personalities.

Disclosing this here today, School Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said, as per the instructions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the department has decided to change the name of the government schools after the prominent personalities of the area so that these famous personalities remain a source of inspiration for our next generations, and names of 12 schools has been changed in first phase.

          He informed that name of Government Primary Smart School Dhaula has been changed to Ram Saroop Ankhi Government Primary Smart School Dhaula, district Barnala.

Similarly, the name of the Government Primary Harijan Basti Kot Fatta, district Bathinda has been changed to Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha Government Primary School, Government Primary School, district Jail, Udham Singh Nagar Bathinda renamed as Shaheed Udham Singh Government Primary School Udham Singh Nagar, Bathinda, Government Middle School Pohlomajra, district Fatehgarh Sahib renamed as Shaheed Malkeet Singh Government Middle School, Government High School Pabarali Kalan, district Gurdaspur renamed as Shaheed Lance Naik Rajinder Singh Government High School, Government Senior Secondary Smart School Hajipur, district Hoshiarpur renamed as Shaheed Bakhtabar Singh Government girls  Senior Secondary Smart School, Government Elementary School Kalichpur Kalotan, district Hoshiarpur renamed as Shaheed Subedar Rajesh Kumar Government Elementary School, Government Elementary Smart School Rurkee, district Patiala changed as Freedom fighter Bhai Naanu Singh Government Elementary Smart School, Government High Smart School Gangrola, district Patiala renamed as Shaheed Udham Singh Government High Smart School, Government Middle School Hardosharan, district Pathankot renamed as Shaheed Ram Singh Pathania Memorial Government Middle School, Government Primary School Badeshe, district Malerkotla renamed as Shaheed Gurpreet Singh Bajwa Government Primary School and Government Primary School Dera Bazigar, district Amritsar has been renamed as Shaheed Resham Singh Government Primary School Guru Nankapura, district Amritsar.

 Bains said, on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the caste-based names of various government schools have also been changed recently, adding that renaming of government schools after famous personalities belonged to different villages/cities/towns will continue in future. The people of the state desirous to rename the school of their area can coordinate with the department, he urged.

Chandigarh, Punjab

CM greets people on New Year 2023

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IEP Chandigarh, January 1

          Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on the first day of New year paid obeisance at Gurdwara Singh Shaheedan Sohana and prayed for peace, harmony and progress in the state and prosperity of its people.

          Greeting the people on the New Year, the Chief Minister wished a happy, peaceful and prosperous New Year-2023 to Punjabis living within the state and across the globe. He felicitated the people of the state on the dawn of New Year and called upon them to work zealously for ensuring overall development of the state and prosperity of its people. Expressing hope that coming year will bring joy, peace and success for all the Punjabis, Bhagwant Mann exhorted them to make a firm pledge for emerging Punjab as a frontrunner state in the country.

          The Chief Minister reiterated the firm commitment of his government to realise the dreams of our great freedom fighters so that the fruits of development must percolate at the grass root level especially to ameliorate the lot of poorest of poor. He said that the state was on threshold to further usher in an era of overall progress and growth besides cementing the bonds of communal harmony, peace, amity and brotherhood, for which all the Punjabis must work zealously in the coming year.  Bhagwant Mann said that the time has come for us to take a decisive leap further for providing consistency to an era of all round progress and growth of the state.

          The Chief Minister called upon the people to welcome the year 2023 with the commitment to work collectively and zealously to preserve the ethos of secularism, sovereignty, communal harmony and national integration. Bhagwant Mann wished one and all a happy and prosperous 2023 and expressed the confidence that the coming year would usher in a new era of overall development and growth for Punjab. He exhorted the people to follow the path shown by the great Gurus, saints and seers to further cement the bonds of national unity, peace, love and religious tolerance.