Chandigarh, March 24

Highlighting the remarkable achievements of the Punjab government under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, while drawing a sharp contrast with the previous administrations led by Congress and Akali-BJP, Punjab Finance, Planning, Excise and Taxation Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Monday expressed gratitude to Punjab Governor Mr. Gulab Chand Kataria for his insightful speech in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha.

Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema began his speech by recalling the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) promise during the 2022 elections to provide free electricity to the people of Punjab. He proudly announced that this promise was fulfilled within three months of the government’s formation, with 90 percent of domestic electricity consumers now receiving zero electricity bills. He also higlighted the government’s historic decision to acquire the private thermal plant at Goindwal Sahib, a project worth Rs 6000 crore, for just Rs 1080 crore, ensuring it be a public asset, a first in Punjab’s history.

Taking a dig at the previous governments led by Congress, Finance Minister Cheema criticized Congress party’s walk-out during the session, attributing it to their inability to confront the current government’s success in clearing the Rs 9000 crore subsidy arrears left by the Congress led state government.

Referring to the Aam Aadmi Party’s promise to bring a health revolution in the state, the Finance Minister highlighted the transformative impact of Aam Aadmi Clinics, which have provided free treatment, tests, and medicines to countless citizens, contrasting this with the Congress-led government’s failure to recruit adequately for healthcare positions. He said that during the Congress-led government, an advertisement for 547 posts was issued, out of which only 43 people were recruited. He said that current government not only recruited specialist doctors but the government hospitals are also being transformed.

In the education sector, Finance Minister Cheema higlighted a 57 percent increase in budget by the AAP led Punjab Government. He lauded initiatives such as the School of Eminence and international teacher training programs, while condemning the Congress government’s plans to close 1207 schools, a decision thwarted by the Aam Aadmi Party. He said that most of the leaders of the opposition parties got education in heavily charged private schools, therefore were unaware of the condition of government schools in the state.

Finance Minister Cheema also underscored the government’s success in attracting over Rs 90,000 crore in investments, attributing this to the state’s improved law and order under Chief Minister Mann’s leadership. He credited the Anti-Gangster Task Force for dismantling gangster culture, which he said had flourished under the Congress regime. “Congress party gave birth to gangster culture in the state; gangsters from other states were brought and kept in Punjab jails”, said Cheema.

On the issue of drug eradication, Finance Minister Cheema detailed the government’s “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, which has led to 2200 FIRs, 3800 arrests, and the demolition of 43 illegally constructed properties of drug dealers, so far. He said that for the first time during the Akali-BJP government, the people of the state heard the name of ‘Chitta’. “After this, Captain Amarinder Singh took an oath to end drugs by holding Gutka Sahib exactly 35 km from Talwandi Sabo, but later during the Congress regime, this drug business flourished further”, he added.

Finance Minister Cheema highlighted the government’s efforts to provide employment to over 50,000 youth and promote sports through initiatives like ‘Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan’ and the plan to establish 1000 sports nurseries. He also highlighted the appointment of accomplished sports persons to high-ranking positions to inspire the younger generation.

Stressing on the need to save groundwater to save agriculture, Finance Minister Cheema said that the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led government’s took initiatives to savr groundwater by ensuring canal water supply to the tail end after decades besides ensuring hours of uninterrupted electricity for agriculture . He also mentioned the continuation of electricity subsidies for tubewells.

Finance Minister Cheema also reaffirmed the government’s dedication to honoring the sacrifices of soldiers by providing financial assistance of Rs 1 crore to their families. He also highlighted the government’s efforts to manage the state’s debt, pay off interest, and regularize teacher services, contrasting these achievements with the failures of previous SAD-BJP and Congress led governments.

“The previous Akali-BJP and Congress governments have left Punjab with a staggering debt burden of approximately Rs 3 lakh crore. The interest on this debt alone is a whopping Rs 20,000 crore annually, which is a significant drain on the state’s finances. While efforts are being made to repay the principal amount, a substantial portion of the budget is still being allocated towards paying off the interest, putting a strain on the state’s resources”, said the Finance Minister.

Talking about employees issues, the Finance Minister highlighted AAP led state government’s efforts to pay the dues of about Rs 14,500 crore, owed to employees when the Congress government issued the 6th Pay Commission. He stated that the services of the maximum number of teachers have been regularized in Punjab, and non-permanent teachers are now receiving a salary of Rs 25000, up from Rs 6000 during the Congress party government.

Concluding his speech, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the Aam Aadmi Party has made remarkable strides in Punjab, despite being only 8 years old in the state’s legislative assembly. He said that under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab government has been consistently driving progress and development in the state.

Chandigarh, March 24:

Punjab Water Resources Minister Mr. Barindar Kumar Goyal, on Monday, informed the Punjab Vidhan Sabha that efforts are being made on a war footing to provide canal water for irrigation to 75 villages in Nurpur Bedi block of Ropar district and action will soon be taken in this regard.

In response to a question raised by MLA from Ropar Mr. Dinesh Kumar Chadha, about the status of the feasibility study for providing canal water for irrigation to 75 villages in Ropar district, the Cabinet Minister said that Expressions of Interest (EOI) proposals have been submitted by two agencies, which are under review by a committee of senior officials for final decision. Necessary action will be taken according to technical feasibility and availability of funds after which it will be sent to the Central Water Commission for further approval, he informed.

Sh. Barindar Kumar Goyal said that expression of interest notices were floated twice to examine the feasibility of the project. Two agencies participated in this earlier process. However, when the agencies were asked to provide detailed information about the project, they failed to give an appropriate response. The EOI had to be cancelled and subsequently reissued, to which again two agencies applied.

The Cabinet Minister said that this area is mountainous and surrounded by natural streams. Due to its elevated position, it is not possible to provide irrigation water through the canal system. Therefore, an EOI was floated to determine the project’s overall impact and how water could be delivered to this area. He said that there are three potential sources through which water can be reached to this region. The first is to take water from Nangal Dam through a pipe network or by lifting water from the dam. The second method is to draw water from the Swan River and store it, but the difficulty is that the Swan River flows only during the monsoon and there is no water after three to four months. The third approach is to collect water from Sri Anandpur Sahib Hydel Channel through silos or overhead service reservoirs and deliver it to the area through lifting. He said that the EOI tender was floated to select the best method from these options.

The Water Resources Minister informed that the project reports from the agencies are under review by a committee of Superintending Engineers (SEs) for final decision. The SEs will conduct a complete study and after checking its feasibility, it will be sent to the Central Water Commission for further action, he added.

Chandigarh, March 24:

Punjab’s Minister for Social Justice, Empowerment, and Minorities, Dr. Baljit Kaur, announced that the Punjab Government has released ₹12.99 crore under the Ashirwad Scheme for the financial year 2024-25. This amount will benefit 2,549 individuals from backward classes and economically weaker sections.

Providing further details, Dr. Baljit Kaur stated that applications for financial assistance under the Ashirwad Scheme were received through the Ashirwad Portal from beneficiaries belonging to backward classes and economically weaker sections in 18 districts, including Barnala, Bathinda, Faridkot, Ferozepur, Fatehgarh Sahib, Fazilka, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Mansa, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Patiala, Pathankot, Rupnagar, SAS Nagar, Sangrur, Malerkotla, and Tarn Taran. To cover these 2,549 beneficiaries, ₹12.99 crore has been allocated.

The Minister further elaborated that financial assistance has been provided to beneficiaries across the following districts: 38 in Barnala, 33 in Bathinda, 62 in Faridkot, 8 in Ferozepur, 28 in Fatehgarh Sahib, 67 in Fazilka, 195 in Hoshiarpur, 85 in Jalandhar, and 27 in Kapurthala. Additionally, 175 beneficiaries in Mansa, 89 in Sri Muktsar Sahib, 406 in Patiala, 224 in Pathankot, 384 in Rupnagar, 230 in SAS Nagar, 280 in Sangrur, 99 in Malerkotla, and 119 in Tarn Taran have received financial assistance.

Dr. Baljit Kaur reiterated that under the Ashirwad Scheme, the state government provides financial assistance of ₹51,000 to girls from low-income families for their marriages.

She emphasized that the Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is committed to the welfare of all sections of society, including Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes, and economically weaker sections.

The Minister further highlighted that to avail of the benefits of the Ashirwad Scheme, applicants must be permanent residents of Punjab, belong to families below the poverty line (BPL), and be from Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes, or other economically weaker sections. The total annual family income should be less than ₹32,790. Additionally, up to two daughters from an eligible family can benefit from this scheme.

Dr. Baljit Kaur added that the financial assistance is directly transferred to beneficiaries’ bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). She affirmed that the Punjab Government is making rapid strides in improving the standard of living for all citizens and strengthening them economically.

CHANDIGARH, March 24:

          Adopting a considerate approach towards farmers, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government has decided to immediately release 450 more farmers from the police detention.

          Sharing details, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Headquarters Dr Sukhchain Singh Gill, on Monday, informed that Punjab Government has already released approximately 800 farmers from the police custody.

          He further emphasised that the Punjab Chief Minister has directed the immediate release of farmers including women, differently-abled individuals, farmers with medical conditions, and those above the age of 60. “In line with the directives of the Punjab Government, we are prioritising the release of such farmers and about 450 farmers are being released today,” he said.

          Addressing about another grievance of the farmers related to their belongings, the IGP said that Punjab Government has issued strict directions in this regard and nobody will be permitted to misappropriate the belongings of farmers.    

          “To address the concern about belonging of farmers, the Patiala district police has also appointed SP-rank officer Jasbir Singh, as the Nodal Officer, and farmers facing issues related to their possessions can directly contact SP Jasbir Singh at the mobile number 90713-00002 for immediate assistance,” informed Dr Sukhchain Singh Gill, while adding that Patiala Police has already registered three first information reports (FIRs) in this regard.

CHANDIGARH, March 24:

Further empowering the education journey for the students of Government Schools in the state, Punjab School Education Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains dedicated a brand new bus, having 31 seating capacity, for Government Senior Secondary Smart School, Sukhsal in Ropar district.

SML Isuzu’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Mr. Rakesh Bhalla, presented the new bus to the school education department as part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.

S. Harjot Singh Bains said that this generous initiative will greatly improve the school’s transportation capabilities, ensuring safe and comfortable travel for all students.

Reaffirming the commitment of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government to elevate the standards of school education to world-class levels, S. Harjot Singh Bains stated that the school education department already possessed 230 buses and over 12,000 government school students have been availing the transportation facility. It reflects the government’s unwavering commitment to supporting education, besides ensuring that all students have access to quality learning opportunities.

He said that the bus will play a vital role in facilitating student access to school, extracurricular activities, and educational excursions. This new transportation resource will ensure that students can readily participate in the enriching experiences, fostering a more inclusive and vibrant learning environment, he added.

Expressing happiness over receiving the new bus for school, Mr. Gurdeep Kumar Sharma, Principal of Government Senior Secondary Smart School, Sukhsal, expressed gratitude towards the Education Minister for his relentless efforts to ensure the quality education in government schools. He also highlighted the importance of the new bus and its positive impact on the students.

Chairman Punjab School Education Board Dr. Amarpal Singh, senior officials of school education department, SML Isuzu’s Secretary Mr. Parvesh Madan and Chief Manager Vivek Chanana were also present on the occasion.

Chandigarh, March 24

Punjab Finance, Planning, Excise and Taxation Minister, Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema, has issued a directive to maximize taxpayer participation in the GST amnesty scheme introduced for non-fraud cases. The Minister emphasized the importance of proactive engagement through comprehensive public awareness campaigns, utilizing traditional advertising and social media platforms to inform eligible taxpayers about the scheme’s benefits.

Chairing a crucial meeting with senior officers of the Taxation Department at Punjab Bhawan, the Finance Minister stressed the need for sensitizing field staff to personally engage with taxpayers and facilitate the application process. This move aims to enable taxpayers to avail the benefits of the GST amnesty scheme and facilitate the recovery of revenue currently locked in arrears, thereby bolstering the financial health of the state.

The GST Amnesty Scheme, introduced under Section 128A of CGST Act, aims to ease the compliance burden on taxpayers by waiving interest and penalties on tax demands raised under Section 73. The GST Amnesty Scheme allows taxpayers to clear their outstanding dues pertaining to the financial year 2017-18 to 2019-20 by March 31, 2025. Additionally, the corresponding forms must be submitted by June 30, 2025.

The Finance Minister also issued a stern directive to all officers, mandating the attainment of established revenue targets without exception. During the meeting, the Finance Minister was briefed on the overall revenue growth, with a focus on Value Added Tax (VAT) and Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections.

Notably, VAT collection demonstrated a 5.74% increase, while GST revenue witnessed a more substantial growth of 13.39% up to February 2025. The divisions of Ludhiana and Amritsar were identified as key contributors to this success, exhibiting above-average performance in GST revenue collection.

The Finance Minister also reviewed outstanding Goods and Services Tax (GST) arrears, directing officers to ensure current arrears are promptly recovered and prevented from becoming part of the accumulated backlog. He emphasized the need for strict enforcement measures to avoid further delays and secure timely revenue collection.

The meeting was attended by senior officials, including Additional Chief Secretary (Taxation) Jaspreet Talwar, Taxation Commissioner Varun Roojam, Additional Commissioners, Joint Commissioners, and Deputy Commissioners of State Tax of the Divisions.

Chandigarh, March 24

The Punjab government has approved the construction of a bypass in Jalalabad city on the Ferozepur-Fazilka road to ease traffic congestion.

Responding to a query in the Legislative Assembly, Punjab PWD Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO informed that administrative approval for constructing the bypass from Ferozepur-Fazilka Road (Bagho ke Uttar) to FF Road (Amir Khas) (Shaheed Udham Singh Marg) has been issued by the Secretary, Punjab Mandi Board. The 8.75 km long and 5.5 meter wide road will be constructed along the canal and serve as a bypass for Jalalabad city, helping streamline traffic flow.

Regarding the reconstruction of the causeway on Mubarakpur to Dhakoli Road, the Cabinet Minister said the existing 330-meter-long (including approach roads) and 8-meter-wide causeway was damaged in the July 2023 floods. While temporary repairs were made as per SDRF norms, the structure now requires permanent repairs due to heavy vehicle movement. Girders installed to restrict heavy vehicles have been damaged. The estimated repair cost is ₹44.87 lakh, with work to commence after budget approval.

The Minister added that a project to construct a new 150-meter-long causeway is under consideration at an estimated cost of ₹18 crore, with completion expected in 18-24 months.

On the construction of a railway under bridge at Tanda Phatak Level Crossing on the Sahnewal-Jalandhar-Amritsar line in Jalandhar district, Mr. ETO stated the proposal is under consideration. Administrative approval for the ₹13.06 crore project has been received. The Public Works Department will construct approach roads while work within railway boundaries will be handled by the Railway Department.