Category Archives: Chandigarh

Chandigarh, Punjab

Punjab govt appoints Gaurav Yadav as Acting DGP

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INDIA E POST CHANDIGARH JULY 04, 2022

 Director General of Police (DGP). He was currently serving as the Special Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

Yadav’s appointment comes as the incumbent VK Bhawra has proceeded on a two-month leave, seeking the central deputation. It has been learnt that the Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab Government, facing severe criticism over deteriorating law and order situation, is not happy with Bhawra’s functioning.

As Bhawra’s appointment has been made by the union public service commission for a tenure of two years, the government cannot replace him, but only make a temporary appointment.

Notably, Bhawra has been in line of fire over the killing of renowned Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, whose security was withdrawn a day before the incident. Besides, the police faced several embarrassing moments in the investigation of the case and prevention of crimes. He had to clarify his statement on Moosewala’s killing, linking it to a gang war.

Interestingly, Yadav had cleared his Civil Services Examination in 1992, along with Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party’s national convener Arvind Kejriwal. While Yadav got selected in the Indian Police Service (IPS), Kejriwal went for the Indian Revenue Service (IRS).

Yadav had led the Punjab Police’’s 2014 international operation to apprehend one of the most wanted terrorists, Jagtar Singh Tara. Son-in-law of Punjab’s former DGP PC Dogra, Yadav has held a number of key positions, including acting as head of the Intelligence wing under the SAD-BJP government in 2016.

He was also SSP in Punjab for 10 years and Commissioner of Police for four years. He served as the Chandigarh SSP from 2002 to 2004.

Chandigarh, Punjab

GOVERNOR ADMINISTERS OATH TO FIVE NEW MINISTERS IN BHAGWANT MANN LED CABINET

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INDIA E POST CHANDIGARH JULY 04, 2022

The Punjab Governor and Administrator, UT, Chandigarh, Banwari Lal Purohit on Monday administered the oath of office and secrecy to five new Cabinet Ministers of the state in a brief but impressive ceremony here at Punjab Raj Bhawan in the presence of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

          Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that Chief Secretary Anirudh Tewari conducted the proceedings of the ceremony with the permission of the Governor.

          The Cabinet Ministers, who were sworn in the Guru Nanak Dev auditorium within the complex of Punjab Raj Bhawan, included Aman Arora (MLA Sunam), Inderbir Singh Nijjar (MLA Amritsar South), Fauja Singh (MLA Guru Har Sahai), Chetan Singh Joramajra (MLA Samana) and Anmol Gagan Mann (MLA Kharar) were administered the oath by the Governor during the ceremony. After being sworn in the new Ministers signed the oath, which was counter signed by the Governor.

          The prominent dignitaries who attended swearing in ceremony included Speaker Punjab Vidhan Sabha Kultar Singh Sandhwan, Deputy Speaker Punjab Vidhan Sabha Jai Kishan Rauri, Cabinet Ministers Harpal Singh Cheema, Dr. Baljit Kaur, Harbhajan Singh ETO, Lal Chand, Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer, Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, Laljit Singh Bhullar, Bram Shanker Jimpa and Harjot Singh Bains.

          Apart from these, AAP MLAs, senior party leaders, workers and volunteers from Punjab and dignitaries from different walks of life also graced the occasion. The function was attended by the senior officers of State Civil and Police Administration besides family members, relatives and friends of the newly sworn in Cabinet Ministers.

Chandigarh, Punjab

SIDHU MOOSEWALA MURDER CASE: PUNJAB POLICE GETS TRANSIT REMAND OF FOUR ACCUSED INCLUDING TWO SHOOTERS FROM DELHI’S PATIALA HOUSE COURT

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IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 04, 2022

Following the strenuous efforts made by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led Punjab Government, Punjab Police on Monday got transit remand of four persons including two shooters in Sidhu Moosewala murder case from Patiala House Court in Delhi. Sidhu Moosewala was shot dead  by some unidentified persons on May 29, 2022.

          The Police have got transit remand of accused persons identified as Priyabarat alias Fauzi (Main Shooter), Kashish alias Kuldeep (Shooter), Deepak alias Tinu (Close aide of Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and was brought by Delhi Police on Production Warrant) and Keshav Kumar (Provided vehicle and helped in escaping shooters). 

          Pertinently, an application has been filed by the Special Prosecutor to grant the transit remand to the accused persons, formally arrested by the IO in FIR no. 103/2022 PS City One Mansa, Punjab.

          The Hon’ble Court observed that as persons arrested have been accused of committing cognizable offence, thus, the transit remand of accused persons for one day is granted to produce them before the concerned court as early as possible.

          The order further stated that the Medical examination of the accused persons be conducted as per rules and guidelines laid down by Hon’ble Apex Court. If accused persons need any medical facility, IO is directed to ensure that the accused persons get the same within time, it further reads.

          Meanwhile, original order along with record is handed over to the Police. Jail Superintendents of Tihar and Rohini are also directed to hand over the custody of the above said accused to IO SP Dharamvir Singh/DSP Gobinder Singh.

Chandigarh, Chandigarh, Punjab

CM HAILS HIGH COURT VERDICT TO DISMISS APPEAL BY ACCUSED IN BEHBAL KALAN FIRING

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IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 04, 2022

The Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann today hailed the verdict of Punjab and Haryana High Court dismissing a bunch of petitions seeking the quashing of FIR and Investigation conducted into the Behbal Kalan firing.

The Chief Minister said that the verdict has paved way for the Government to seek strict punishment against the policeman accused of firing on innocent protestors at Behbal Kalan. Lashing out at his opponents, Bhagwant Mann said both Akalis and Congress have connived with each other to save the guilty of this case. He that while desecration of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji and firing on innocent protestors took place during the Akali regime, the Congress actively shielded the perpetrators of the crime by ineffectively defending the investigation conducted into the incidents of sacrilege in Kotkapura.

The Chief Minister said that as a result of this the challan presented in the case against political leaders and senior officials was quashed by the High Court. Bhagwant Mann further said that the Akali-Congress, nexus that was shielding the accused hitherto, has been broken with the AAP Government coming into power. He said that the verdict was a result of the firm commitment of the AAP Government to bring the guilty to book as the State Government effectively defended the investigation conducted into the Behbal Kalan firing case, whereas the Congress had failed to defend the  investigation into the Kotkapura desecration incidents.

Pertinently, in a significant judgement the Punjab and Haryana High Court today dismissed a bunch of petitions filed by the accused policemen in the Behbal Kalan firing case seeking quashing of the challan presented against them in the trial court. Accepting the contention of the Advocate General (AG), the court held that the charges could be framed even on strong suspicion. The court further directed a Special Investigation Team headed by Inspector General of Police Naunihal Singh, to conduct further investigation and submit their report under Section 173 Cr.P.C before the trial Court.

Chandigarh, Chandigarh, Haryana, Haryana

13 killed, 2 injured as bus falls into gorge in Kullu; Haryana CM expresses grief over road accident

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IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 04, 2022

Thirteen passengers were killed and two others injured after a bus fell into a gorge in Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu district on Monday, officials said. Initial reports had put the death toll at 16.

The bus was on its way to Kullu from Shainsher when it fell into the gorge at a hairpin bend near Jangla village around 8.30 am, the officials said. Dead Jhablu Devi’s brother-in-law Tej Prakash alleged callous attitude on the part of the authorities in rescuing the victims.

“It took almost three hours to take Jhablu Devi from the accident site to the hospital. Had the administration acted swiftly, some lives could have been saved,” he said. Twelve of the 13 dead have been identified as Tanu, Prem Chand, Fateh Chand, Anita Devi, Susheel Kumar, Khim Dasi, Roshi Devi, Parvati Devi, Jhablu Devi, Amit Kumar Rajak,  Aaksh and Rakhi Maya.

The injured were admitted to the Kullu regional hospital for treatment. The president and the prime minister have condoled the loss of lives in the accident. President Ram Nath Kovind said he was distressed to learn about the death of students and other people in the accident. Condoling the loss of lives, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Rs 2 lakh each for the next of kin of those who died. The injured will be given Rs 50,000 each, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a tweet. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur also expressed grief over the tragic bus accident.

Thakur said a magisterial inquiry has been ordered and the Kullu ADM will probe the whole incident. The CM said Rs 5 lakh will be provided to the next of the kin of the each dead whereas Rs 15,000 will be provided as immediate relief to the each injured. He said free treatment will also be given to the injured persons. Thakur thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for approving an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the kin of the each dead and Rs 50,000 for the each injured.  

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Monday expressed shock at the road accident that took place in the Sainj Valley of Kullu, Himachal Pradesh. The Chief Minister stated in a tweet that the news of this tragic incident is disturbing and the entire nation is with the bereaved families in their hour of grief. He prayed that God may grant peace to the departed souls and wished speedy recovery to the injured.

        This incident happened on Monday morning when a private bus met with an accident in Sainj Valley of Kullu district. There were many people travelling on this bus, out of which some died while some were badly injured.

Chandigarh, Chandigarh, Haryana, Punjab

‘Sex Laws in India’ Book released in Chandigarh

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INDIA E POST CHANDIGARH JULY 04, 2022

Justice M.M. Kumar, former Chief Justice of J&K High Court and former President of National Company Law Tribunal and presently a Member of National Human Rights Commission released ‘Sex Laws in India’ Book at Press Club here on Sunday. Mr. Justice JC Verma (Retd.) former Judge Rajasthan HC , Mr. Justice Viney Mittal ( Retd.) former Judge Madhya Pradesh HC, Advocate Santokhwinder Singh Grewal (Nabha) the President of Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association were also present during occasion.

The book which is a critical assessment of sex laws for common man is co-authored by father-son duo of Sanjeev Jindal, Additional District & Sessions Judge (Retd.) and President of Distt. Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission and Abhishek Jindal an Advocate in Punjab & Haryana High Court, Chandigarh. It is published by Unistar Books Pvt Ltd.

This Book is primarily meant for the welfare of the common citizens of country and enlightens them with respect to their constitutional, fundamental and human rights so as to save them from the perversities and unnecessary harassment at the hands of the statutory law enforcement authorities especially certain unscrupulous police authorities.

Talking about book Sanjeev Jindal said that the critical assessment of the sex laws also enables the common people to shape their views and to smoothen their behavior vis-à-vis other members of the society. The beauty of this book is that it does not discuss the sex laws statute-wise and section-wise in a typical legal /academic manner but that it discusses them topic-wise in an interesting story-telling manner and in the process very smoothly encompasses all the laws on that topic and subject as embodied in different provisions of different statutes.

Abhishek Jindal said: “These topics are such with respect to whom common man come across in his routine life and which affects common man in his daily life. For example couples living in live-in relationship and adultery, run-away couples, rape, prostitution, members of third gender community i.e. gays, lesbians, bi-sexuals and transgender vis-à-vis Section 377 I.P.C., molestation and sexual harassment of women and Public obscenity etc.”

“It is also pertinent to mention here that this book has not been written to get any critical acclaims from legal luminaries or legal technical experts or legal scholars in the field of law but for the benefit of the common man in the street who does not know much about the laws especially about the sex laws, “ Abhishek maintained.

Sanjeev Jindal said that since this book meant for the benefit and understanding of the common man of ordinary prudence in the street so the language of this book has been kept very simple in English so that even a student of 10th standard or a person having a very simple knowledge of English, is able to understand the language of this book in its right perspective and the sex laws in India in its true spirit.

Not only that, this book while discussing socio-economic problems in implementing the sex laws also makes some concrete suggestions regarding future legislation thereby giving logic reasons as to on which lines the future legislation relating to sex laws should take place so that the sex laws should help and aid the common citizens to lead their lives peacefully and with dignity, he asserted.

Meanwhile JS Bedi former Additional Advocate General Haryana, Karan Nehra Vice President of Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association, Senior Advocate Sumeet Mahajan and Advocate Chander Mohan a leading publisher of Law Books were also present during the occasion.

Photos Caption: Mr. Justice MM Kumar ( in blue coat) former Chief Justice of J&K High Court presently a Member of National Human Rights Commission , Mr. Justice JC Verma ( in white shirt) former Judge Rajasthan HC , Mr. Justice Viney Mittal ( in grey coat) former Judge Madhya Pradesh HC, Advocate Santokhwinder Singh Grewal Nabha (2nd from left ) President of Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association  and book co-authors Sanjeev Jindal (in black coat and white shirt ), Additional District & Sessions Judge (Retd.) and Abhishek Jindal ( in black coat) Advocate in Punjab & Haryana High Court, Chandigarh during the release of ‘Sex Laws in India’ Book at Press Club in Chandigarh on Sunday.

About Authors:

Sanjeev Jindal a LL.B. (Professional) M.A.(Public Admn.)(Gold Medalist), PG Diploma in (Indus.Relations & Personnel Mgt.), Jyotish Vishard (1.C.A.S) Chennai, is an Ex-member HCS (JB) and Ex-member HSJS.  After passing LL.B (Professional) from Punjabi University Patiala in 1983, Sanjeev Jindal got enrolled as an Advocate in Punjab and Haryana High Court at Chandigarh. He became Assistant Administrative Officer Legal-Personnel in National Ins. Co. Ltd. in Western Regional Office at Bombay (now Mumbai) in 1986. In 1987 he joined as Sub- judge-cum- Judicial Magistrate 1st Class in Haryana Civil Services (Judicial Branch).Thereafter, he served as Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate and Chief Judicial Magistrate. In 2002 he was promoted to Haryana Superior Judicial Service as Addl. Distt. & Sessions Judge. During this tenure, he also served as Presiding Officer Labour Court and Industrial Tribunal and retired as Principal Judge Family Court Sonipat Haryana on superannuation after putting in 34 years of service as Judicial Officer. He has a flair for writing and has a knack for putting across the dense and abstract law very succinctly to the common man. His Court had remained as a learning school for the litigants as well as the advocates who appeared on behalf of their clients. This book is the result of his long judicial experience and his empathy towards the systemic unjustness faced by the victims of sexual laws.

Abhishek Jindal is a practicing advocate at the Punjab and Haryana High Court. He is an alumnus of Army Institute of Law Mohali. He attended a certificate course at King’s College London, Waterloo campuses in Criminology and Criminal Justice. He brings in his experience as a practicing advocate on the subject and puts across many new insights.

Chandigarh, Chandigarh

GST Day celebrated to mark implementation of GST.

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IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 03, 2022

India celebrates July 1 as the GST Day to mark the implementation of GST. This year India also completed 5 years of the major tax reform in the country that has furthered ‘Ease of Doing Business’ and fulfilled the vision of ‘One Nation, One Tax’.

Sh. Vijay Namdeorao Zade, IAS, Finance Secretary UT Chandigarh confirmed that as per the GST figures recently released by the Ministry of Finance, Government of India, UT Chandigarh has in the FY 2022-23 achieved a consistent monthly increase of over 20% and in June 2022 achieved a phenomenal 41% increase as: 

Month2021-222022-23Increase %
April203249.623.0
May13016728.5
June12017041.7

The, Finance Secretary UT Chandigarh attribute this increased collections to the economic recovery in the country, the collection and scrutiny of the tax information and the drive of anti-evasion activities, especially action against fake billers taken up by the Department of Excise and Taxation, UT Chandigarh.

It may be noted that if the tax authorities have reasons to believe that the taxpayer has evaded tax, wrongly claimed inputs, suppressed his income or violated any of the provisions of the GST Act to evade tax, then the Department starts enforcement proceedings such as calling for information, issue of notice, issue of summons, recording statements, search and seizure of goods, etc. The enforcement activities can be broadly classified as inspection, search, seizure, and arrest.

Sh. Zade, confirmed that the Department has over the months convened various meeting with the business associations to educate them on the GST compliance issues (like issuance of invoices etc). The Department has been regularly holdingtaxpayer sensitizations events wherein they brief the taxpayers on the GST regime including the penal provisions for evasions which can be invoked by the department. A GST complaint WhatsApp number (7973855325) has been launched by the department where the customers can lodge complaints regarding non issuance of invoice. This GST complaint number has been widely publicized by WhatsApp, meetings and newspapers. The Campaign “Apna Bill Lena Na Bhule” has been restarted and widely publicized by radio jingles, display boards at public places and commercial ads in Cinema halls

He informed that the department officials have been regularly visiting the markets in Chandigarh to check evasion and ensure that every tax payer display the GST registration certificate prominently at their place of business and the Goods and Services Tax Identification Number on the name board exhibited at the entry of his principal place of business and at every additional place or places of business. The department has adopted a zero tolerance policy whereby any non-display of statutory information invites fines of upto RS 25000. 

The Finance Secretary called upon the business community to adopt GST compliance procedures and invited the public to play they part in the development of the nation by insisting on the invoice for every purchase. 

Chandigarh, Chandigarh, Haryana

A five-member team led by Cooperation Minister Visits Germany and Italy

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IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 03, 2022

A five-member delegation from Haryana Government led by Cooperation Minister, Dr. Banwari Lal, including MLA, Sh. Deepak Mangla, Chairman, HAFED, Sh. Kailash Bhagat, Managing Director, HAFED, Sh. A. Sreenivas, Deputy Secretary, Cooperation Department, Smt. Shivjeet Bharti, General Manager, HAFED looking after the Procurement and Warehousing operations, Sh. Arun Kumar Ahuja is on its visit to Italy and Germany.

          During the visit, the delegation will study the procurement system of food grains and exploring emerging technologies related to agri-warehousing and Silos for storage of food grains and have business meetings with the intended importers of food grains.

          Divulging more details in this regard Cooperation Minister, Dr. Banwari Lal informed that the Government of India has emphasized to store wheat in scientifically covered storage space only. Due to the paucity of covered traditional storage space, Silo is a safe, economical and profitable way. The Silos are designed to achieve the optimal utilization of land and better preservation of food grains for a longer period of time without affecting its quality.

          The delegation along with Ms. T. Ajungla Jamir, Consulate General of India at Milan, Italy visited silo technology manufacturing centres in Northern Italy today to explore areas of cooperation in setting up similar structures in Haryana, informed the Cooperation Minister.

          The Haryana State Cooperative Supply and Marketing Federation Limited (HAFED) under the leadership of Dr. Banwari Lal Cooperation Minister is committed to serve the farmers of the State by doing value addition in its services. In its attempt to move ahead in this direction the high-level delegation on its visit to Italy and Germany is committed to serve the farmers of the state by sharing with them the latest techniques being used by the developed countries for their farming communities.

Chandigarh, Chandigarh, Haryana

Private schools to get relief by increasing the duration of fire certificate to 3 years: Kulbhushan Sharma

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IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 03, 2022

NISA President Kulbhushan Sharma has thanked the then Local Bodies Minister Anil Vij, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Local Bodies Minister Kamal Gupta for extending the period of fire safety certificate of private schools to three years. In a press conference held at Chandigarh Press Club here today, Sharma said that private schools had to face financial and mental problems every year for fire certificate renewal. Private schools are now feeling relieved due to the extension of these certificates. He had raised this demand before the then Local Bodies Minister Anil Vij a few months ago and requested to extend the period of the certification.

He said that the government should now fulfill other pending demands of private schools as well. He said that private school buses remained parked in schools for two years during Corona pandemic, but their life remains the same as 10 years in NCR and 15 years in other districts which is not logical, hence the government should increase the life of the buses for two years. It will help the schools which suffered during the Corona.

He also demanded that the government should immediately clear the dues of the children taught under 134-A by the private schools, which is close to Rs 1000 Crore, so that the private schools could cooperate in the success of the new education policy. He also demanded that the Chief Minister direct the education officers to hold meetings with private schools so that all pending matters of private schools can be resolved and all-round development of education can take place in the state.

Questioning the government’s system of accreditation to private schools, he termed it as anomaly and said that the school which wants recognition of high school or senior secondary class, is required to get dual recognition first for class VIII, then for high school or senior secondary, which is absolutely wrong. This encourages red tapism. It should be simplified and the dual accreditation system should be abolished and high schools, senior secondary schools should be given direct recognition up to their level.

Chandigarh, Chandigarh, Punjab

Study Examined the Heavy Metal Pollution in Groundwater around a Coal Thermal Power Plant in Punjab

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IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 03, 2022

Coal thermal power plants are the leading cause of environmental pollution. The fly and bottom ash from thermal power plants contain various toxic heavy metals and contaminate the environment if not appropriately managed. It affects the groundwater quality by improper disposal of coal combustion products, mainly ash which is composed of numerous heavy metals. Considering this, a team comprising experts from Panjab University and the PGIMER assessed the impact of unscientific ash disposal on groundwater quality near a thermal power plant in Ropar, Punjab, India.

Dr. Suman Mor, Chairperson, Environment Studies Department, Panjab University Chandigarh, led the research team, along with Ph.D. research scholar Nitasha Vig and Dr. Ravindra Khaiwal from the Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, PGIMER, Chandigarh. The study  ‘Heavy metal pollution assessment of groundwater and associated health risks around coal thermal power plant, Punjab, India; recently published in the International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology being published by Springer Nature.

A total of fifty groundwater samples were collected from various depths ranging from 5 to 30 meters below ground level and varying distances from the thermal power plants during the pre and post-monsoon seasons. These samples were examined for specific heavy metals using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy. Various multivariate statistical models were computed to understed the geochemistry of groundwater, including the health risk assessment of metal pollution due to the consumption of contaminated groundwater.

The results show a relatively higher concentration of arsenic and lead in the groundwater around the thermal power plants. The increased levels of a few metals above the threshold limits during the post-monsoon season indicate the possible contamination of lower groundwater aquifers due to the leaching from ash ponds. The heavy metal pollution index of groundwater was also examined and found to be exceeding the critical levels. This indicates that groundwater consumption from the upper aquifer may pose health risks to the local inhabitant.

Dr. Suman Mor, Chairperson, Department of Environment Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh, mentioned that the power plant should adopt appropriate eco-friendly technologies to avoid unscientific disposal of fly ash. She added that the coal power industry should adopt innovations to minimize the leaching of toxins from ash ponds into groundwater.

Dr. Ravindra Khaiwal, Professor of Environmental Health, Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, PGIMER Chandigarh, highlighted that deepwater aquifer is currently being used for drinking and irrigation, which is safe for human and other ecological purposes. However, he stressed that we need to establish a system for routine groundwater monitoring for various toxic metals to avoid public health risks in the near future.