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Chandigarh, Punjab

PUNJAB GOVERNMENT DISBURSES RS 45 CR  UNDER CONSTRUCTION WORKERS WELFARE SCHEMES

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IEP CHANDIGARH AUGUST 29, 2022

The Punjab government led by Chief Minister Punjab S.Bhagwant Mann and under the direction of Labor Minister Anmol Gagan Mann are making continuous efforts for the welfare of construction workers. In order to further implement the schemes being run for the welfare of construction workers and to help them, an amount of 45 crores was distributed by the Punjab Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board under various schemes related to construction workers after the formation of the present government.

Giving more information, the spokesperson of the labor department said that many schemes are being run by the Punjab Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board for the welfare of the construction workers. He said that a person who is between 18-60 years of age and has worked as a construction worker for 90 days or more during the last 12 months can become a beneficiary. He said that masons, brick cement workers, painters, electricians, welders, carpenters, plumbers, stone cleaners, glass installers, POPs etc. construction workers can become beneficiaries of the labor board.

He said that 65 thousand rupees are given under Shagun scheme for the marriage of two girls of beneficiary construction workers. Similarly, 800 rupees is given for eye glasses, 5 thousand rupees for teeth treatment and up to 6 thousand rupees for hearing aids. Apart from this, financial assistance of 20 thousand rupees is given for cremation for registered construction workers and their family members. He said that up to 1 lakh rupees can be reimbursed for the indoor treatment expenses of the workers and their dependents for the treatment of dangerous diseases. A female worker can be given a benefit of Rs 21,000 and a male worker Rs 5,000 per child for a maximum of two children. He said that the registered beneficiaries of the board can get treatment of Rs. 5 lakh per family after registering under the Ayushman Yojana. An online application for this purpose can be registered at the nearest service center at a one-time registration fee of Rs.25 and Rs.10 per month for a period of one year to three years.

He said that for more information, one can contact the nearest service center, assistant labor commissioner or inspector, labor enforcement officer of the constituency.

Chandigarh, Punjab

VIGILANCE UNEARTHS RS 7 CRORE SCAM IN KARNANA MULTI-PURPOSE AGRICULTURE SERVICE SOCIETY

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IEP CHANDIGARH AUGUST 29, 2022

Punjab Vigilance Bureau has unearthed a Rs seven crore scam in the Karnana multipurpose agricultural service society limited village Karnana, District SBS Nagar and registered a case against 7 officers/employees at VB police station at Jalandhar. In this case the Bureau has arrested 5 accused of the case.

          Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of the Vigilance Bureau said that during the investigation into the accounts of the society, it has came to light that a scam to the tune of Rs 7,14,07,596.23  (Seven crores, fourteen lakhs seven thousand five hundred and ninety six rupees and three paise) has been committed in connivance with officers/employees of the said cooperative society.

          He said that there are about 1000 account holders/members in the said society. This society has been running an Indian Oil petrol pump, tractor and agricultural implements to plough a large amount of agricultural land. Apart from this, the said society also sells fertilizers and pesticides to the farmers and a total of 6 employees are working in different places in the said society.

          He said after investigating the matter, it came to light that NRIs of village Karnana and the people of this village got the FDRs worth crores of rupees in the name of above society. Secretary of the said Sabha Inderjit Dhir, who has also been the cashier earlier, embezzled crores of rupees by setting limits etc. on the said FDRs in collusion with the president Randhir Singh and the present cashier Harpreet Singh.

          The spokesperson said that during the checking of the records by the technical team from 01.4.18 to 31.03.20, the loans taken by the members of the sabha and deposits of the members amounted to Rs. 7,14,07,596.23 were found to be embezzled

          Giving the details of this scam, he informed that during the investigation, it was also found that two computers were installed in the society by the secretary Inderjit Dhir, out of which one system was to show the records to the members so as to satisfy them about the entries of their deposits. On the second computer, it was found that the secretary used to feed the data according to the amount of fraud committed to get verification of from the audit team and other officials.

          On the basis of investigation of this scam, it has been established that former secretary of the society Inderjit Dhir, Harpreet cashier, Randhir Singh former president, Sukhwinder Singh vice president, Ravinder Singh committee member, Mahinder Lal committee member and Kamaljit Singh committee member (all residents of village Karnana) have in connivance with each other committed a fraud to the tune of Rs 7,14,07,596.23 in the above said society.

          The spokesperson said that in this regard, a case no 15 dated 29.08.2022 against the above-mentioned accused under sections 406, 409, 420, 465, 468, 471, 477-A, 120-B of I.P.C. and  u/s 13(1), 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, has been registered at Vigilance Bureau, Police Station Jalandhar.

          The accused in this case, Randhir Singh, Sukhwinder Singh, Ravinder Singh, Mahinder Lal and Kamaljit Singh (all residents of Karnana village) have been arrested. Further investigation in this case is under progress.

Chandigarh, Punjab

Dazzling start for ‘Khedan Watan Punjab Dian’ at Jalandhar

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IEP CHANDIGARH AUGUST 29, 2022

One of the biggest sporting extravaganzas of the country, ‘Khedan Watan Punjab Dian’ today began with a great pomp and show as the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, inaugurated this mega sporting event here at Guru Gobind Singh

Stadium. 

The Chief Minister took salute from the impressive march past of the participating contingents of various districts. Announcing the opening of this around two months long much awaited gala sporting event, Bhagwant Mann said that in this mega event more than 4 lakh players in different six age groups are expected to participate in the competitions from block to the state level in 28 sports categories. He said that that the state-level winners will be given cash prizes worth Rs 6 crore adding that these games will be annual feature from the coming years.

“I am elated to see Punjab happy and the youth in field of sports”, said the Chief Minister.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that the state government has been making all out efforts for promoting sports across the state to channelize the unbounded energy of youth in a positive manner. He said that these games were a right step towards this direction as it will provide platform to the players for showcasing their latent. Bhagwant Mann asserted that likewise it will also help the state government to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the players which will be beneficial for grooming them for the national and international events in future.

Congratulating the Sports Minister for organizing these games, the Chief Minister said that Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer deserves kudos for making all these arrangments. He said that it is a matter of great pride for the entire state that these games are being held in every nook and corner of Punjab. Bhagwant Mann said that these games will be made a regular feature in the coming years too.

The Chief Minister said that the state government is leaving no stone unturned to popularize sports in the state as it can be play a key role in progress of the state. Bhagwant Mann said that Punjab has became the first state in the country to felicitate its players who had brought laurels for the country in the commonwealth games. He asserted that it is the need of hour to encourage more budding players to excel in field of sports.

The Chief Minister said that Aam Aadmi government is working on an aggressive campaign to produce maximum number of trained sportspersons and to have more Punjabi players in the Indian contingent for international events. He stressed that Punjab has abundant sports talent and Punjab government would not left any stone unturned to enable the players to participate and win Olympic medals for India.

The Chief Minister also remembered the hockey wizard Major Dhyan Chand on his birth anniversary. He said that this is observed as national sports day. Bhagwant Mann said that the youth must take inspiration from the hockey legend on this day.

The Chief Minister said that the games will provide an opportunity to the youth to excel in field of sports. He said that Punjab and sports have a strong bond. Bhagwant Mann said that the youth of the state have an inherit talent but the successive governments have failed to provide requisite infrastructure.

The Chief Minister asserted that the players will be provided the state of art infrastructure and world class facilities. He said that apart from inspiring us to fight against tyranny, injustice and oppression the great Guru sahiban have showed us way to stay healthy by taking part in sports. Bhagwant Mann said that we must follow footsteps of great gurus and participate in the games.

The Chief Minister said that the state government is committed for restoring pristine glory of state in field of sports. He said that new Sports policy will focus on promotion of sports and players. Bhagwant Mann said that special budgetary allocation will be for the sports.

Meanwhile, cultural performances by the school kids mesmerized the audience with their dazzling performance. Leading Punjabi singers Nooran sisters, Amrit Mann and Ranjit Bawa entertained the audience. On the occasion wonders kids stunned the audiences with their skating and gymnastic performances.

Earlier, Olympian Baljit Dhillon and Manjit Kaur brought the baton of games and Olympian Gurjit Kaur triggered of games flame from the stage. 

On the occasion the impressive video depicting the overall scenario of the games accompanied by the traditional dance ‘Giddha’ and ‘Bhangra’ enthralled the audience and forced them to tap their feet. Likewise the gathering also cheered the medley performance of students during the inaugural function in the stadium. The gathering also gave standing ovation to the dazzling firework show on the occasion.

On the occasion Cabinet Ministers Aman Arora, Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer, Dr Inderbir Singh Nijjer, Harbhajan Singh ETO, Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, Laljit Singh Bhullar, Lal Chand Kataruchak and Brahm Shankar Jimpa, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Ravi Bhagat, Principal Secretary Sports Rajkamal Chaudhary, Director Sports and others.

On the occasion several MLAs and other officers were also present.

Chandigarh, Punjab

Perfect start for ‘Kheda  Watan Punjab Dian’ as CM tests his hand in volleyball court

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IEP CHANDIGARH AUGUST 29, 2022

Local Guru Gobind Singh Stadium witnessed perfect start for the Khedaan Watan Punjab Dian as the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann himself participate in a volleyball match to kickstart the games.

As soon as the Chief Minister finished his address in jam packed stadium and announcement was made for the commencement of volleyball match, the stage master, well realising  the keen interest of Bhagwant Mann in volleyball, urged him to play a match in the stadium. The young CM took no time to respond positively and went into the field to participate in the match. Massive applaud by the crowd cheered the Chief Minister for the match and he exhibited remarkable sportsmanship in the ground.

During the match, the ace services made by the Chief Minister gave tough times to the opponent team. Exhibiting remarkable sportsman spirit Bhagwant Mann ensured the victory of his team. His presence infused a new spirit amongst the players and the crowd that enthusiastically cheered up the teams.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister said that it is a remarkable day of his life as his youthful memories have been relived. He said that sports is the only means through which the unbounded energy of the youth can be channelised in a positive manner. Bhagwant Mann said that his government is committed for promoting sporting activities in the state adding that no stone will be left unturned to ensure that players from Punjab excel in national and international sports arena.

Dehradun

UKSSSC paper leak cases is a very serious issue related to employment of youth of State

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IEP DEHRADUN AUGUST 29, 2022

Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that the UKSSSC paper leak cases is a very serious issue related to the employment of the youth of the State. Regarding allegations of irregularities in appointments in the Vidhan Sabha, he said that the Assembly speaker will be requested to order an impartial inquiry into the allegations. In an informal interaction with media persons here on Sunday, Dhami said that he had directed investigation wherever there were complaints in UKSSSC recruitments.

Some cases have been handed over to the STF while some have been given to Vigilance. He stressed that nobody will be spared in the recruitment scam irrespective of connections, adding that the State government wants to set an example for the future so that such incidents are not repeated. He said, “We will have to make such a recruitment system in the State which prevents anyone from even thinking of orchestrating such scams in the future.

The investigation is being undertaken continuously and the results are coming out gradually with 27 accused persons having been arrested so far.” Regarding the allegations of anomalies in appointments to various posts in the Vidhan Sabha, Dhami said that the Assembly is a constitutional institution. “We will request the speaker for an impartial inquiry into all the appointments being questioned irrespective of whose tenure they were made in. If the speaker seeks cooperation from the State government in the probe, it will be provided,” said the CM.

Dehradun

Uttarakhand CM appreciates PM Modi talking about Bedu (Himalayan fig) in his Mann Ki Baat programme

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IEP DEHRADUN AUGUST 29, 2022

Uttarakhand Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has appreciated Prime Minister Narendra Modi talking about Bedu (Himalayan fig) in his Mann Ki Baat programme on Sunday.

The PM also appreciated efforts being undertaken to encourage production of Bedu in Pithoragarh district.

Thanking the PM for this, the chief minister said that the Himalayan fig is indeed very beneficial for health and is used by the local people to resolve various ailments. Dhami also had a telephonic conversation with Pithoragarh district magistrate Ashish Chauhan and congratulated him and the residents of the district for their initiative.

With the help of the district administration, Bedu juice, jam, chutney, pickle and other items are being made in Pithoragarh. Dhami further said that in his Mann Ki Baat programme, the PM had also talked about water conservation, efforts for a nation free of malnutrition and the need for awareness and encouraging people to use coarse grains for this purpose. The State government is working in a planned manner towards achieving this, said Dhami.

Dehradun

Bharatiya Janata Party reached its present status on the strength of its work: CM

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IEP DEHRADUN

Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that the Bharatiya Janata Party had reached its present status on the strength of its work. All work plans in BJP governments are focused on the society.

All decisions of the government are reaching the lower levels through the party workers which ensured reelection of the BJP government in Uttarakhand in 2022, he said. Dhami was speaking at the meeting of the newly appointed State office bearers of the party at the BJP State office here on Sunday.

Speaking on the occasion, the BJP State president Mahendra Bhatt said that the party works on the path of service, determination and dedication. Stating that Uttarakhand is prone to disasters, he exhorted the party workers to work with the society in order to tackle such situations. “It is only our government which puts its decisions and works in front of the society every year which makes the people aware of our style of functioning and transparency from time to time.

The BJP governments at both the Centre and State have made major efforts to bring about a positive change in the living standards of the common person,” he said. The party’s State in-charge Rekha Verma exhorted all the office bearers to fulfill their duties efficiently and start preparing for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Dehradun

Govt to launch online portal of Nanda Gaura Yojana to make application process easy, transparent for potential beneficiaries

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IEP DEHRADUN AUGUST 29

Uttarakhand Women Empowerment and Child Development Minister Rekha Arya said that the government will soon launch an online portal of Nanda Gaura Yojana to make the application process easy and transparent for the potential beneficiaries. She said that the department is also planning to provide milk, bananas and eggs to children aged six months to three years through Anganwadi centres which are currently being provided to three to six years old children.

Arya said that she has directed the officials concerned to make a proposal to make the application system for Nanda Gaura Yojana online through a portal to make it accessible for all beneficiaries to bring it to the cabinet meeting. She also said that the department will also bring Anganwadi workers under this scheme too. She said that the portal is expected to be inaugurated by the end of September.

She also said that WECD will issue a new mandate to determine the selection process of Anganwadi workers’ honorarium which will be brought to the cabinet too. She said that the department is also planning to bring Anganwadi workers under the Mahalakshmi Kit scheme too. She said that Anganwadi workers have made the department aware of several issues and officials concerned have been directed to take proper action to address them.

Dehradun

Road Transport and Highways Ministry launched Good Samaritans scheme to mitigate the loss caused by road traffic accidents

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IEP DEHRADUN AUGUST 28, 2022

The Uttarakhand police will provide cash reward and a citation to citizens who provide certain assistance to victims of road traffic accidents. The State’s director general of police Ashok Kumar informed that The Road Transport and Highways ministry has launched the Good Samaritans scheme in order to mitigate the loss caused by road traffic accidents. Good Samaritans who provide assistance to persons injured in traffic accidents are rewarded under the scheme.

In the State, the departmental Good Samaritans reward scheme has been launched. As part of this scheme, any person who undertakes particular actions to provide assistance to road traffic accident victims, the police will present cash reward and citation to the good Samaritan.

Those eligible for rewards under this scheme include those who provide primary treatment to a person injured in a road traffic accident, those who undertake rescue and relief effort to transport accident victims to the hospital on time, those who transport in private vehicle a person injured in road accident in case of unavailability of ambulance and those who donate blood when required for a road accident victim or publicise the need for the same to secure a donor of the required blood group. Further, those who provide financial assistance to a person injured in a road accident, assist or contribute effectively towards prevention of road accidents and raise awareness regarding good Samaritans through advertisements, social media and print media will also be eligible for the reward.

The rewards in the last two categories will be 10 per cent maximum. According to the police headquarters, the good Samaritans reward scheme will be executed at three levels in the State. At the police headquarters level the Uttarakhand police will present first position reward amounting to Rs 25,000 followed by Rs 10,000 and Rs 5,000 for the second and third positions respectively. At the traffic directorate level, the traffic director will present Rs 5,000, Rs 3,000 and Rs 2,000 for the first, second and third positions respectively. At the district level, the senior/ superintendent of police will present Rs 3,000, Rs 2,000 and Rs 1,000 for the first, second and third positions respectively.

The DGP said, “The purpose of this scheme is to motivate citizens to take seriously injured accident victims from the road to the nearest hospital instead of ignoring them. This scheme will prove to be a milestone for saving the lives of those who are injured in road traffic accidents. People will be motivated, as a result of which more and more people will become involved in this task,” said Kumar. Good Samaritans can submit their application in the fixed format via WhatsApp, email, social media, post or personally at the police headquarters, district traffic office/ traffic CO office, SP traffic office, traffic directorate or senior/superintendent of police office. Facts related to assisting the accident victim, paper cutting, social media screenshots and photographs/videos (if available) can also be presented.

Dehradun

Minister Premchand Agarwal defends appointments made in Uttarakhand Vidhan Sabha during his tenure as Speaker

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IEP DEHRADUN

Uttarakhand Finance and Urban development Minister Premchand Agarwal defended the appointments made in Uttarakhand Vidhan Sabha during his tenure as the Speaker. Responding to the questions of the media persons at the Bharatiya Janata Party State office here on Saturday, Agarwal claimed that all the appointments made in the Vidhan Sabha were as per the rules and no irregularity occurred in the appointments. He said that all the appointments are temporary and were done as the Vidhan Sabha secretariat was suffering from shortage of staff.

When pointed out by the media persons that the list of 72 persons appointed during his tenure include the names of the Public Relations Officers (PROs) of the ministers, relatives of the Officers on Special Duty (OSDs) of the chief minister and other prominent personalities, Agarwal accepted that they were appointed and that it was done on the basis of their ability. He said that for the first time in the history of Uttarakhand Vidhan Sabha, a recruitment examination was held but its result was not declared as some aspirants had gone to the High Court. Agarwal said that the employees were recruited on an ad hoc basis because they were needed for the Vidhan Sabha building at Bharadisain in Gairsain, the summer capital of Uttarakhand. The statement of the minister assumes significance amid allegations of favouritism and corruption in the recruitments in the fourth Vidhan Sabha of Uttarakhand. It is pertinent to mention here that the Vidhan Sabha secretariat released an advertisement for recruitment of 35 personnel in the year 2020. An agency was selected for selecting the candidates from among more than 8,000 applicants. This agency conducted the examination but its result was not declared.

Meanwhile the Vidhan Sabha recruited 72 ad hoc employees on different posts in December 2021. After their appointment the model code of conduct was imposed in the State on account of the Assembly elections. The list is said to contain the names of the PROs of ministers, wives of two OSDs of the CM and relatives of prominent personalities.

The opposition parties are now demanding an indepth inquiry in the appointments of favour made in the Uttarakhand Vidhan Sabha. The Uttarakhand Assembly which has a strength of only 70 MLAs employs more than 550 employees which is said to be the highest among the State assemblies of the country. The State Assembly reportedly has more employees than the Vidhan Sabha secretariat staff of neighbouring Uttar Pradesh that has 405 MLAs. Interestingly the Uttarakhand Assembly has only 15 -16 sittings in a year as compared to 60 or more of the other States.