IEP Chandigarh, October 19

Punjab Chief Secretary Vijay Kumar Janjua on Wednesday has asked the top official of the state to conduct regular inspections in all the districts to take stock of the ground situation of stubble fire incidents.

          He said that due to incidents of stubble burning, Punjab has to face embarrassment at the national level as the Supreme Court, National Air Quality Commission and National Green Tribunal have also expressed displeasure over stubble burning incidents in the state.

          He said that it is very crucial to access the ground situation of stubble burning incidents, therefore, the concerned senior IAS officers must visit the respective districts for random checking.  Pertinently, the Punjab government has appointed 23 senior IAS in the 23 districts of the state. Officers are placed in charge of districts who supervise the procurement process of crops and implementation of welfare schemes in their respective districts.

          The Chief Secretary said during the review meeting with the top officials and all the Deputy Commissioners of Punjab for reducing the rate of stubble burning and stubble management that the entire machinery of the state under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is working dedicatedly to ensure that the incidence of stubble burning should be dwindled to minimal numbers.

          He directed the Deputy Commissioners that farmers who do not burn stubble should be given special honor at the district level, aiming to encourage other farmers as well.

          During the meeting, the Chief Secretary received the progress report on stubble management of the districts from the DCs alone and issued many suggestions and instructions on the spot. He said that more farmers should be sensitised about not burning stubble by making announcements from religious places of villages and through awareness camps and using other means of mediums.

          On this occasion, the Deputy Commissioners said that till now there is a significant decline in the incidents of stubble burning and all are making efforts at their respective levels to this menace it under control this time. The Deputy Commissioners brought many such cases to the notice of the Chief Secretary where after investigation it was found that the stubble was not set on fire.

          The Chief Secretary said that so far this year, compared to the previous years, there has been a significant reduction in the cases of stubble burning and efforts should be continued to reduce it further. He said that administrations are more vigilant in the villages where the incidents of stubble were recorded in the past years.

IEP Chandigarh October 19

International Day for Disaster Reduction was celebrated at National Institute of Nursing Education (NINE), PGIMER, and Chandigarh on 18th October. The theme of the year 2022 is “Early detection, early action”. Dr. Vipin Kaushal, Medical Superintendent, & Head, Department of Hospital Administration was the Chief Guest of the Occasion. 

Dr. Sukhpal Kaur, Principal NINE introduced the Chief Guest to the audience.  The Chief Guest unfolded the theme and emphasized the importance of risk reduction strategies. He has further highlighted on prevention strategies using the advanced technologies. The event also witnessed mock drill on extinguisher and fire evacuation by the BSc Nursing 3rd year students in collaboration with the Department of fire, PGIMER, Chandigarh.

 Students also performed role play to demonstrate the importance of triage. More than 250 nursing students and faculty participated in the program and did hands on practice on the use of fire extinguisher.  The chief guest appreciated the students, faculty and the fire department for their efforts in making this a successful event. Prizes were given to the winners of various competitions. The event was carried out under the guidance of Principal NINE, Dr Sukhpal Kaur and faculty Dr Manju Dhandapani, Dr. Manisha Nagi, Mrs. Meenakshi Agnihotri, Mrs. Shabana & Dr. Maninder Kaur.

IEP Chandigarh, October 19

 Haryana Cabinet which met under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal here today accorded approval to a proposal regarding replacing Punjab Jail Manual- 1894 as applicable in the state of Haryana in the Prisons Department as The Haryana Prison Rule, 2022. These rules shall come into force on the date of their publication in the official Gazette.

These rules will apply to all prisons in the State with regard to its administration and management, staff members, convicts, under-trial prisoners, civil prisoners, female prisoners, young offenders, and detainues under preventive detention laws.

The Haryana Prison Rules, 2022 are based on the Model Prison Manual, 2016, approved by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs after making suitable amendments, additions, alterations and deletions as per the local laws and local conditions. The establishment of reception centres in every prison for newly admitted prisoners to enable their individual behavioural study, health screening and orientation have been incorporated in these newly framed Rules. 

Under these Rules, classification of Prisoners for segregation, special provisions for gangsters and hardcore prisoners have been provided. Besides this, the rights and duties of prisoners have also been included. Provisions for prison diet, its preparation and distribution management have been provided in the Haryana Prison Rules, 2022.

Special provisions have also been made for female, old age and terminally ill prisoners. As on date, the Punjab Jail Manual-1894 notified during the British Rule as applicable in the State of Haryana governs the establishment of prisons. Hence with the passage of time, more than a century-old document needs updation in conformity with the changing times.