IEP Chandigarh, September 27

Haryana State Vigilance Bureau has caught an Assistant Sub Inspector of Haryana Police and a Surveyor of Haryana Khadi and Village Industries Board red-handed while accepting bribes worth Rs 6,000 and Rs 14,000 respectively. Both officials have been booked under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

                    Sharing the information here today, the spokesperson of the Bureau said that in the first case, Police ASI Jai Bhagwan posted in City Police Station Pehowa (Kurukshetra) had been arrested red-handed accepting Rs 6,000 bribe. The accused was demanding illegal gratification to close a complaint registered against the complainant, a resident of Cheeka. Accused had already taken Rs 9,000 from the complainant.

                    In another case, Surveyor Subhash Saini of Haryana Khadi and Village Industries Board, Bhiwani has been caught red-handed taking Rs 14,000 bribe from complainant, a resident of village Simli Bass, Tosham, Bhiwani. The accused was demanding illegal gratification in lieu of releasing subsidy under a government scheme.

                    Cases under the Prevention of Corruption Act have been registered against them and further investigation is underway.

IEP Chandigarh September 27

Member of the Congress Working Committee and former Union Minister Kumari Selja said that the anti-youth BJP-JJP alliance government was following the policy of ending employment opportunities in the state. Instead of filling the vacant posts, they were being ended. HSSC should be dissolved for not rolling out any recruitment from February 2021 till now. The government should issue a white paper regarding the vacant posts in the state and tell how many jobs had been given and how many posts were lying vacant.

 In a statement issued to the media, Kumari Selja said that according to the report of CMIE, Haryana had the highest unemployment rate in the country. Despite this, the state government had directly cut 13462 posts in the new fixation of posts and froze about 25000 posts. Government data showed that there were 4.58 lakh posts of government jobs in the state, which had been reduced to 4.45 lakh, she added.

 The former Union Minister said that in 1980s the population of the state was 1.25 crore and there were 4.50 lakh posts of government employees. Now, the population had increased to around 3 crore, so the number of personnel should have been more than 10 lakhs. On the contrary, instead of increasing, the positions were being decreased due to which the work load on the employees was increasing and they were getting mentally disturbed.

Kumari Selja said that how ironic it was that 41 percent posts of personnel in government departments were lying vacant. In the year 2022, the recruitment process of only 6010 posts had so far been completed. HSSC had not rolled out a single recruitment since February 2021, while 182497 posts were lying vacant. She said that most of the posts were lying vacant in departments such as Police, Public Health, Education, Transport, Animal Husbandry, Irrigation, Health and Panchayat which were directly linked with the common people. 

Kumari Selja said that 11.36 lakh youth had applied for CET of Group C and D and the state government had not been able to conduct the examination for a long time. Apart from this, the validity of the certificate of HTET pass youth was about to expire and the alliance government had not rolled out any recruitment for them. In such a situation, the validity of their certificate should be extended, added Kumari Selja.

IEP Chandigarh September 27

“God has a purpose for your life. I think my wife Jaspal Kaur was sent into this world by the Higher Power to save the lives of others. So I wanted to make sure through organ donation that her ‘spirit of giving’ continues and becomes her lasting legacy,” stated the bereaved but brave heart husband Gurdeep Singh Deepa as he consented for Organ Donation of his brain dead wife last week here at PGIMER.  

A picture of composure and poise himself, despite being faced with the unimaginable loss, Gurdeep Singh Deepa turned his grim tragedy into a triumph for two terminally ill renal failure patients and one terminally ill liver failure patient with his generous gesture of Organ Donation.  

Expressing his gratitude to the donor family of Jaspal Kaur for their generous act, Prof. Vivek Lal, Director PGIMER stated, “There can’t be anything more heroic than saving a life and that too, when confronted with the darkest tragedy of one’s life. The family of Jaspal Kaur from Sangrur showcased this rare and exemplary heroism on her passing away here in PGIMER and turned her a saviour by kindling hope for three patients, struggling for life and desperately seeking organs.

Jaspal Kaur, 50, a resident of Village Kheri, distt. Sangrur, while going on a two wheeler was hit by another four wheeler, leaving her with severe head injury. She was immediately admitted to a nearby Civil Hospital, Sangrur on 18^th September. From there, she was first referred to Rajendra Hospital Patiala and then shifted to PGIMER.The prognosis being poor, Jaspal Kaur could not be revived despite best of the efforts and became brain dead on 21^st September.    

Following the family’s consent, Jaspal Kaur’s kidneys were retrieved and transplanted to two terminally ill patients suffering from renal ailment and the retrieved liver was transplanted to a matching recipient here at PGIMER.

Prof. Vipin Koushal, Nodal Officer, ROTTO PGIMER detailing this cadaver donation experience stated, “There are lakhs of people who wait at hospitals for life-saving transplants amid acute shortage of donors. So the selfless gestures of families like those of donor Jaspal Kaur are beyond any appreciation. There is a need to spread awareness about organ donation and bridge certain gaps. Even if a section of individuals decide to donate his or her organs, it will bring a huge change.”

IEP Chandigarh, September 26     

     As part of the initiatives being taken by the Higher Education Department to provide better sports facilities in the government colleges of the state, administrative approval has been given for Rs 137 lakh grant to 7 government colleges for the construction of sports structures.          Giving this information, Higher Education Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer said that the state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will leave no stone unturned to create a sports-friendly environment.          Meet Hayer, who also holds the sports department, said that the state government is emphasizing on the creation of sports infrastructure at the grassroots level and according to the number of students of the respective sports in the government colleges, the sports grounds are being prepared there. He said that in the coming time other government colleges will also be given funds for sports to develop new grounds and upgrade existing infrastructures.          Divulging the details of the amount sanctioned to 7 government colleges, the Minister of Higher Education said that Rs.19.41 lakh for 200 meter track and volleyball ground to Government College Danewala Malout, Rs.15.75 lakh to Government College Gurdaspur for the basketball court, Rs 33.11 lakh to Government College Ladhupur (Gurdaspur) for 200 meter track, basketball court and volleyball ground. Similarly, Rs 19.40 lakh for 200 meter track and volleyball ground to Government College Husnar Giddarbaha and funds of Rs 10.85 lakh for LED lights in the volleyball court at S.C.D Government College Ludhiana, Rs.8.48 lakhs for the basketball court of Sri Guru Arjan Dev Government College Tarn Taran and Rs.29.99 lakhs for the renovation of volleyball ground and stadium of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Government College Kotakpura.          The Minister said that instructions have also been given to cornered officials to ensure utilisation of these funds only for allocated works. The technical approval of the estimate should be taken from the competent authority before starting the work. Similarly the responsibility for quality/standard of work will be on XEN.          Before this, a meeting was held under the chairmanship of Principal Secretary Jaspreet Talwar under the direction of Higher Education Minister Meet Hayer. In the meeting, DPI (Colleges) Rajiv Gupta said that estimates have been prepared and sent by the said seven government colleges from the Public Works Department. These seven colleges have now been given administrative approval of 137 lakh rupees by the Minister of Higher Education. Principals of other government colleges have been asked to prepare and send estimates from the Public Works Department so that they can also be released money for the construction of sports grounds, the minister added

IEP Chandigarh, September 26

The Punjab Vigilance Bureau on Monday has arrested an absconding accused Satish Jha, resident of village Chak Hakeem, Phagwara on charges of defrauding the Punjab Gramin Bank, Phagwara, by taking a loan of Rs. 25 lakh on the basis of forged documents.

          Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of the Vigilance Bureau (VB) said in this regard a case on the basis of a Vigilance Enquiry, had already been registered under FIR No. 11, dated 31-08-2020 under sections 409, 420, 467, 468, 471, 120-B of IPC. and under section 13 (1) (a) (2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act at VB police station Jalandhar. He informed that the above said accused had got sanctioned this huge loan in connivance with bank manager Harbhajan Singh Kapoor and bank panel valuer Satish Kumar Sharma.

          He further informed that there are total 16 accused in the above said case, out of which six accused – Raj Kumar resident of Thatthiala Mohalla, Phagwara, Valuer Satish Kumar Sharma, Subhash Kumar resident of Mahindwani, District Hoshiarpur, Avtar Singh resident of Asha Park Colony, Phagwara, Pankaj resident of Mohalla Ratanpura , Phagwara and Rajesh Kumar resident of Mohalla Ratanpura, Phagwara had already been arrested. The Vigilance Bureau is on the lookout for the arrest of the remaining accused, who will be arrested soon, he said.

          Giving more details of this case, he said during the investigation by Vigilance, it was found that a residential colony named Bhai Ghanaiya Enclave had been built in the total area of 35 kanal 03 marlas of village Chak Hakeem in Phagwara. Sukhwinder Kaur Atwal and Maninder Kaur Atwal, who have equal ownership of 8 kanal 15 marla of the area of the said Khasra numbers of this colony, had given two separate power of attorneys to Gurcharan Singh Atwal, resident of village Anokhwaal, for the maintenance and sale of their land. He had further appointed Raj Kumar, resident of Thatthiara Mohalla, Phagwara as power of attorney.

          The spokesperson informed that according to Raj Kumar, during the year 2009-10, he was working privately with the said Avtar Singh Phagwara, then this document was registered in his name with the help of his owner, Avtar Singh. The later was also an acquaintance of Gurcharan Singh Atwal.

          In the Bhai Ghanaiya Enclave Colony about 101 marla area of land was sold as separate plots but about 74 marla area was remaining as balance for roads and streets. This area of land was still in the revenue records listed in the name of above said Raj Kumar (Mukhtiare Khas) and its owner, Avtar Singh Phagwara. The duo with the intention of committing fraud, sold this area (74 marlas) as small plots in the said Colony with on the basis of Fard Jamabandi received from revenue officials. They had wrote the sale contracts in the names of Avtar Singh, Pradeep Kumar, Pankaj Kumar and others who later gave the written contracts in their favor to the manager Harbhajan Singh Kapur at the said Punjab Grameen Bank and to the valuer Satish Kumar Sharma.

          All these accused persons in connivance with bank manager and valuer, managed to got sanctioned loans amounting to lakhs of rupees on the basis of such Fards from the said bank in the name of construction of new houses whereas no house could be constructed on the said land. All the accused without constructing any houses, got pictured clicked by standing in front of the houses of the people living in other colonies coming up in village Chak Hakeem. By doing this, they had falsely mortgaged houses belonging to other peoples, he said.

          During the investigation it has came to light that in all this fraud, bank manager Harbhajan Singh Kapoor and valuer Satish Kumar Sharma misused their official positions and provided full support to the loan borrowers. Both of them colluded with the loanees and caused huge financial loss to the bank and government amounting to Rs.3,40,71,000.

          The spokesperson further added that in the same way, the above said accused Satish Jha had also bought a plot of 5 and a half marlas on 30-06-2015 and after mutation he procured loan to the tune of Rs 25 lakh from the said Punjab Gramin Bank with the connivance of manager Harbhajan Singh Kapoor and valuer Satish Kumar Sharma for the construction of new house, while in fact he has not constructed any house on the said land.

IEP Chandigarh, September 26

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann today batted for further strengthening ties between Punjab and Canada especially with province of Saskatchewan.

The Chief Minister, during parleys with a high level delegation of Canada province  Saskatchewan which called on him at his residence today, advocated strong and cordial ties between Punjab and Canadian province. He said that Punjabis have been playing a vanguard role in the social economic progress of Canada. Likewise, Bhagwant Mann also said that it is a matter of great pride and satisfaction that a large number of Punjabis have also carved a niche for themselves in the political arena of Canada too.

The Chief Minister also showcased Punjab as the most preferred industrial destination across the country. He invited the delegation from Saskatchewan to encourage the entrepreneurs to invest in Punjab which is having favourable atmosphere for industrial growth. Bhagwant Mann said that the state government has already put the state on high growth trajectory of industrial growth which will benefit the investors.

Batting for further streamlining the mechanism to ensure that Punjabis settled in Canada are able to get the branded products of state in a smooth and hassle free manner, the Chief Minister said the renowned products of state like Sohna brand from Punjab are acclaimed world over adding that Punjabi diaspora have special liking for it. Likewise, he said that VERKA products like Ghee, Milk, Butter, Lassi, Kheer, Curd, Ice-Cream, Sweets and others have already created a niche for themselves.  Bhagwant Mann solicited support from Canadian delegation to enhance the supply of these goods to Punjabis sitting abroad.

The Chief Minister also said that cooperation between both Punjab and Canada especially province of Saskatchewan can be mutually beneficially for them. He said that this is need of the hour to give fillip to economic activity in Punjab and ensure the comprehensive development of the state. Bhagwant Mann also envisioned that mutual cooperation between both Punjab and Canada will transform the destiny of the youth of state by opening new vistas of employment for them.

Meanwhile, the Canadian delegation comprising ADM of International Engagement, Saskatchewan Ministry of Trade and Export Development Richelle Bourgoin, MD Saskatchewan India office Victor Lee, Consul General of Canada Patrick Hébert, and Vice President of Research at University of Saskatchewan Dr. Baljit Singh thanked the Chief Minister for sparing his valuable time. They also assured fulsome support and cooperation to the Chief Minister in every field.

IEP Chandigarh, September 26

In a significant decision, the Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday gave nod to amend section 2(g) of Punjab Village Common Lands (Regulation) Act 1961 thereby giving the exclusive ownership of Jumla Mustarka Malkan Land (common village land) to gram panchayat. A decision to this was taken by the council of Ministers in its meeting chaired by the Chief Minister here at his official residence. Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s office said that with this amendment the Gram Panchayat will be the exclusive owner of the Jumla Mustarka Malkan Land (common village land). As per this amendement insertion in Section 2(g) has been made according to which land reserved for the common purposes of a village, under section 18 of the East Punjab Holdings (Consolidation and Prevention of Fragmentation) Act, 1948 (East Punjab Act 50 of 1948), the management and control whereof vests in the Gram Panchayat under section 23-A of the aforesaid Act. Lands entered in the column of ownership Ofrecord of rights as Jumla Malkan Wa Digar Haqdaran Arazi Hassab Rasad”, “Jumla Malkan” or “Mushtarka Malkan” shall be shamilat deh within the meaning of this section.  ROLLS OUT INCENTIVES PADDY STRAW BASED STANDALONE BIO-FUEL UNITS BY AMENDING INDUSTRIAL AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT POLICY, 2017 & DETAILED SCHEMES AND OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES 2018 FOR BIO- FUEL  PROJECTS In order to check the menace of paddy straw burning by its effective management, the Cabinet also approved the amendment in the Industrial and Business Development Policy, 2017 and Detailed Schemes and Operational Guidelines 2018 for Bio- Fuel projects by extending the incentives to the standalone Bio-Fuel units provided, they install Boilers based on Paddy Straw as fuel. In order to promote the production and supply of Ethanol for Ethanol Blended Petrol Program and to attract investments in the state for manufacturing of Bio-fuel, the Cabinet approved this amendment for the standalone Bio-Fuel units provided they install Boilers based on Paddy Straw as fuel. Since, the technology for use of Boilers based on Paddy Straw is still evolving, so in such cases where the units are not able to install Boilers based on Paddy Straw as Fuel, the quantum of incentive shall be reduced by 50%. GIVES GREEN SIGNAL TO AMENDMENTS IN TELECOM INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES 2020 FOR PAVING WAY TO 5G NETWORK IN STATE The Cabinet also approved amendments in Telecom Infrastructure Guidelines 2020 in line with the Amendment in Rules 2021 of Indian Telegraph Right of Way Rules 2016, for setting up of Over Ground Telecommunication Infrastructure including setting up of Small Cells on Street Furniture in the State of Punjab, and Guidelines Regularization Towers 2022. This will allow provision for usage of Street furniture for installation of new generation Small Cells to enable deployment of 5G/4G (Digital Infrastructure) roll out and for setting up Over the Ground Telecommunication thereby improving the means of communications and immensely benefitting the people of state. GIVES GO AHEAD FOR AMENDING PUNJAB GOODS AND SERVICES TAX ACT, 2017 The Cabinet also gave a go ahead to amend the Punjab Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 for enabling ease of doing business in the state and facilitating the taxpayers. This amendment will also help in streamlining provisions relating to refund and rationalizing those related to furnishing of return. This will also ensure levying of interest only on input tax credit wrongly availed and utilized.  NOD TO WITHDRAW PROPOSAL FOR SETTING UP BULK DRUG PARK AT BATHINDA The Cabinet also gave green signal to withdraw the proposal for setting up of Bulk Drug Park at Bathinda over the site of Thermal Plant, as this land can be judiciously utilized for citizen Centric Projects like Housing/ Modern Residential Complex/ Hotel/ Commercial projects and other projects like Plastic Park, Solar Power and others. Pertinently, the Punjab Government had submitted a proposal for setting up of Bulk Drug Park at Bathinda (at the site of Thermal Plant, Bathinda) in the month of October 2020 under the scheme of setting up of Bulk Drug Park in the Country. However, even after more than one and a half year the project is still hanging in the fire and waiting for the approval by Government of India (GoI). APPROVAL TO AMEND APPENDIX-D OF PUNJAB EXCISE AND TAXATION COMMISSIONER DEPARTMENT (GROUP-A) SERVICES, RULES, 2014 The Cabinet also gave nod to amend Appendix-D of Punjab Excise and Taxation Commissioner Department (Group-A) Services, Rules, 2014 by reducing the existing departmental exams from existing seven to five. GREEN SIGNAL TO ANNUAL ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT OF HOSPITALITY DEPARTMENT The Cabinet also gave its approval to the Annual Administrative Report of the Department of Hospitality, Punjab, Chandigarh for the year 2021-22.