IEP Chandigarh, October 15

Haryana bagging the top position in the category of big states in the Public Affairs Index, 2022 has yet again proved how the State under the guidance of Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi and the dynamic leadership of Sh. Manohar Lal is constantly achieving new heights.

        In this report, Haryana has been at the forefront in social justice, economic justice and political justice themes. Haryana has topped among the major states with a score of 0.6948, followed by Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Punjab and Karnataka among many other states.

        The Chief Minister has expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for this achievement and said that it is only because of his guidance that the state has been able to achieve this feat.

Under the leadership of the Prime Minister, a comprehensive and positive change has taken place in every field in the country and the state, added Sh. Manohar Lal.

        In PAI-2022, Sikkim has retained its position as the best-governed small state in India. The 7th edition of Public Affairs Index, 2022, prepared by Bengaluru-based not-for-profit think tank Public Affairs Center (PAC), was released on Friday. In this report, Economic justice was measured on indicators such as Labour Productivity Assurance of standard of living to wage workers, Public expenditure on development, Coverage of social safety Net, and Employment Opportunities.

        Political Justice was measured on indicators such as Functional devolution to rural and urban local bodies, Commitment to independent financial devolution to local bodies, Incidence of crime Efficiency of police in mobilising case related evidence, Redress for undertrial population.

        Similarly, Social Justice was measured on indicators such as Learning outcomes for school-goers, Safe drinking water and sanitation coverage, Early Childhood Development outcomes, Ease of logistics and trade, Regularity and reliability of power supply.

        Director, Public Affairs Center (PAC), G. Gurucharan said the report has been prepared transparently and fairly. He said that in the report, the states have been divided into two categories – large and small, and the assessment was done based on central government data.  Union Territories are not part of the report. 

        Haryana has emerged as the best-governed state among the 18 big states, while Sikkim has topped in the category of the 10 smaller states.  He said that in PAI 2022 the analysis of governance experiences a shift from the framework of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to a Constitutionally enshrined principle of justice.

        Notably, under the able leadership of Sh. Manohar Lal, the State Government is constantly making plans for the upliftment of the last mile citizen while upholding the spirit of  Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya’s Aantyodaya philosophy and following the basic mantra of Haryana Ek – Haryanvi Ek.

        The Chief Minister firmly believes the government is making dedicated efforts to bring those at the bottom of the pyramid into the mainstream. Through Mukhyamantri Antyodaya Utthan Yojana, benefits are being ensured to every Antyodaya family.

        In  Haryana, now people do not have to make rounds of the government offices to take benefits of the schemes, people are getting the benefits of most of the schemes at their doorsteps.

        Haryana Chief Minister has congratulated everyone for achieving this feat. He also congratulated the officers and employees for ensuring the proper implementation of the welfare schemes of the government. He said that under the leadership and guidance of Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi, the double-engine government at the Center and in the State is vigorously moving and fulfilling the dreams of the common man with the spirit of Antyodaya. Today, every section of society is getting the benefit of the government’s welfare schemes without any discrimination.

IEP Chandigarh October 15 

Governor of Punjab & Administrator, Chandigarh Shri Banwarilal Purohit released the book ‘Breast Cancer – Comprehensive Management to mark the observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, at an impressive function here in PGIMER today. This book is edited by the renowned surgeon Prof.S.M.Bose along with co-editors Dr.Suresh Sharma, Dr.Alok Majumdar and Dr.Robin Kaushik. Shri Banwarilal Purohitji, while releasing this book emphasized on creating awareness about Breast Cancer to aid early detection. The rising incidence of breast cancer could be related to our lifestyle and deterioration in environment. He said that doctors should become healers and that their mere smile can bring solace to the patients. A brief synopsis of the book was given by Prof. Seenu from AIIMS, New Delhi. This was the first of its kind written by Indian authors who deal with breast cancer. It is multidisciplinary and covers all aspects of breast cancer starting from diagnosis to management including surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, endocrine therapy as well as psychosocial aspects. It is well illustrated and brings out the unique aspects of breast Cancer in India where patients present late in the course of the disease at an advanced stage with its own challenges. Prof. Bose is an eminent Surgeon, former Head, Dept of Surgery at PGIMER who has put together the entire team of experts to bring out this book useful to anyone who deals with breast cancer patients including undergraduates and postgraduate students.This was followed by the release of a second book by Prof.N.K.Ganguly, an eminent Scientist and former Director General of ICMR, titled ‘ Memoirs of a Surgeon ‘ , an autobiography of Prof.Bose. A brief synopsis was given by Mr.Mac Sarin, an eminent High Court lawyer. Prof. Vivek Lal, Director of PGI graced the occasion.

IEP Chandigarh, October 15 

In order to promote affordable housing for lower-middle & lower-income families and resuscitate the real estate sector in the state, Punjab Housing and Urban Development (H&UD) department will soon come up with a new Affordable Housing Policy. The draft of the new affordable housing policy has been uploaded on the official website for seeking suggestions from public.

Revealing this, Punjab Housing and Urban Development Minister Mr. Aman Arora said that Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Mann led Punjab Government will not leave any stone left unturned to fulfill the common man’s aspirations to own a dream house. 

The H&UD department has formulated “Punjab Affordable Housing Policy-2022”, of which, draft has already been uploaded on the official website www.puda.gov.in for seeking suggestions from the general public. Those desirous may submit their suggestions till October 29, 2022, he added. 

In the new policy, Mr. Aman Arora informed, the minimum area for a plotted colony has been fixed five acres and the minimum area required for group housing is 2 acres only. The saleable area has been increased to 65 per cent as compared to 55 per cent in normal colonies to provide plots at affordable rates to common man and saleable area is being given on the total plot area of the project irrespective of any master plan road passing through the plot area. 

To reduce the burden on individual plot holders, Mr. Aman Arora said, the mandatory provisions for providing schools, dispensaries and other common facilities have also been precluded. CLU, EDC and other charges have also been reduced to 50 per cent, or half, of the as applicable for a normal colony but the reduction in charges will not be applicable in GMADA area.

Maximum plot size has been fixed is upto 150 sq.yd. and maximum flat size is fixed upto 90 sq.mt. Relaxation is being provided for parking norms to reduce the cost of construction. 

He also made it clear that this policy will not be applicable in New Chandigarh and the area required for a new colony in SAS Nagar (Mohali) is 25 acres as per the master plan. 

To enable speedy clearances of CLU and other approvals, H&UD Minister said, the single competent authority has been designated at local level irrespective of the size of a colony. All powers for approvals have been delegated to Chief Administrators of the concerned Urban Development Authority.

Now, all mandatory NOCs from the other departments will be taken by the H&UD and regular monitoring will be ensured at the higher level for quick disposal of cases regarding approvals, Mr. Aman Arora added.

The Minister affirmed that this policy will encourage the promoters to get their colonies approved in hassle-free manner and will definitely curb the mushrooming of unauthorized colonies, which will give a further boost to the real estate development in the state. 

IEP Chandigarh, October 14

An important meeting to amicably resolve the Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal issue was held today between Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal and his Punjab counterpart Sh. Bhagwant Mann. 

Later addressing the media, Sh. Manohar Lal said that as directed by the Supreme Court the meeting was held with the Punjab Chief Minister but both States reached no consensus on the construction of the SYL canal.

The Supreme Court has asked for the construction of SYL, with which Punjab has disagreed.  The construction of SYL is the lifeline for Haryana, said the chief minister adding that now he will be holding a meeting with the Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Sh.  Gajendra Singh Shekhawat to brief him about this meeting.

The Chief Minister said that earlier also a tribunal was formed to resolve the water issue, after that a new tribunal of three judges was again formed and as per the tribunal’s decision, the construction of SYL is necessary. 

He said that apart from SYL, some other key issues were discussed with the Punjab Chief Minister. A committee of officials of the Irrigation Department of both states has been formed to clean the Ghaggar River.

Along with the Chief Ministers, the top administrative wing of both States remained present during the meeting.

IEP Chandigarh, 14 October

 Markfed Chairman Amandeep Mohi visited Sahnewal Dana Mandi to start procurement of paddy and review the arrangements of the market.          On this occasion, Amandeep Mohi said that farmers are our breadwinners and he himself comes from a farming family. He said that all know that earlier farmers had to face a lot of hardships for selling their grain. However he said that  now under the guidelines of Chief Minister Mr Bhagwant Mann, we will not let any farmer brother face any kind of hardships.          Amandeep Mohi said, “I have talked to all the officials of the market, they have been given all the guidelines that there should be no negligence in ensuring right price for produce of farmers. He assured the farmers that all their harvest will be purchased by the government. Along with this, he assured them that several other facilities have also been arranged in the market for the farmers.          Amandeep Mohi said that today there is an honest government in Punjab and its head is the most staunchly honest person. Therefore, any kind of corruption and negligence will not be tolerated. Every farmer will get their due right.

IEP Chandigarh, October 14

 In a meeting of Punjab and Haryana on the issue of the SYL Canal, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has fulfilled the duty of being the son of soil by standing firmly to protect Punjab’s water. The interests of Punjab are completely protected under the leadership of Bhagwant Mann.It was stated by Punjab Agriculture and Panchayats Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal in a press statement issued here today.          Mr. Dhaliwal emphasized that the CM Bhagwant Mann’s firm stand in protecting Punjab’s waters with facts had left the opposition speechless. He told that today those parties are advising our government, had clandestinely laid the foundation of this canal for their vested political interests.          “Our government is committed to protecting the rights of Punjab,” He said adding that the Chief Minister today made the state government’s stand clear and would fight every battle to protect Punjab’s waters.

IEP Chandigarh, October 14

The state government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Maan is continuously striving to consolidate the fiscal condition of the state, provide employment to the people here and bring maximum investment. The state government has received investments worth Rs.23,448 crore in various sectors during the first six months due to the tireless efforts.          Divulging this Punjab Minister for Investment Promotion, Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Grievance Redressal and Labour Ms. Anmol Gagan said that according to SBI research team, Punjab exports are increased US $7096 Million in 2022 from US $1830 Million in 2018-19. She said that the industrial sector will further grow in manifold and it is expected to create more than 1,06,000 jobs in the state.          Ms. Mann informed that the Government accorded top priority to ease of doing business in the state and to improve the business environment. She emphasized that Punjab Government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann have secured investments from German, Canadian, Australian and American companies. She also informed that companies like Tata Steel Limited, Sanatan Polycot Private Limited, Nabha Power Limited, Max Specialty Films Limited, Badal Chemical Limited Unit XII, Freudenberg Group, Nestle India Limited and Cargill India Private Limited eagerly wanted to expand their base in the state.