Category Archives: Chandigarh

Chandigarh

Five held for cheating by changing debit cards at ATMs in Hry

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IEP Chandigarh

The ‘ATM Fraud Investigation Cell’ of Haryana State Crime Branch on Tuesday nabbed five accused in two different untraced cases of ATM fraud in Faridabad district. Police have also recovered Rs 2.36 lakh in cash from their possession. A Haryana Police spokesperson said the accused used to station themselves outside ATM kiosks and pretended to stand in a queue to withdraw money. They used to change debit cards on the pretext of helping the victims and later withdrew money from the ATM through shopping or POS machines. The accused have been identified as Goverdhan, a resident of Palwal district and his two aides identified as Krishan and Lakshman aka Lacchi. All three accused fraudulently withdrew Rs 5,55,684 from the bank account of a woman by changing her ATM on the pretext of assistance in Faridabad, he added.After getting a complaint in this regard, a case was registered at Thana Mujesar, Faridabad but it was declared untraceable in March 2021. The untraced case was handed over to the State Crime Branch, Haryana  which arrested the accused.Police has recovered Rs 92500 from Goverdhan, while Rs 17500 and Rs 24500 were recovered from Krishan and Lakshman respectively. Apart from this, due to the objection raised by the State Crime Branch at the time of bail, Rs One lakh was also recovered from the accused on the orders of the court, the spokesperson said.In a separate case, ATM Fraud Investigation Cell has succeeded in arresting two accused identified as Sandeep and Mohammad Shazaad alias Shahid, linked to a fraud case. Both the accused fraudulently withdrew Rs 58000 from the bank account of an Uttar Pradesh native, presently residing in Faridabad in January 2022. Police have recovered Rs 1500 from them.

Chandigarh

Punjab police review security arrangements at district & sub-divisional courts across state

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IEP CHANDIGARH, May 2   

       In a bid to ensure foolproof security arrangements at all the Judicial Complexes, Punjab Police on Tuesday conducted a special checking at District and Sub-Divisional Courts across the state to make sure that Door Frame Metal Detector (DFMDs), Closed-Circuit Television (CCTVs) cameras and other security equipments installed are in working condition.          The checking was conducted from 11am to 3pm simultaneously in all the 28 Police districts of the state on the directions of Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav. The CPs/SSPs were directed to personally monitor this operation and make sufficient number of Police teams to carry out checking.          Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla said that Police teams under the supervision of SPs/DSPs carried out checking at around 68 Courts across the state.           Apart from reviewing security arrangements, he said that Police teams have also frisked 1796 suspicious people found roaming around the court complexes and also checked 1768 vehicles.          He said that the purpose to carry out this checking was to ensure foolproof security arrangements at Judicial complexes in the state to tighten noose around the anti-social elements.          “We have also directed CPs/SSPs to hold courtesy meetings with Bar associations in the next three days,” said the Special DGP, while terming this move as part of the ongoing drive to make Punjab a safe and secure.          Meanwhile, CPs/SSPs are also directed to increase Police Patrolling around such vulnerable places to intensify surveillance on anti-social elements.

Chandigarh, Punjab

Punjab registers 22 percent increase in own tax revenue this April – Harpal Singh Cheema

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IEP Chandigarh, May 2     

     Punjab Finance, Planning, Excise and Taxation Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Tuesday said that the state has recorded an increase of 22 percent in its own tax revenue during April 2023 as compared to April 2022. He said that as per the initial estimates, the state has collected Rs 3988.23 crore from its taxes during the April 2023 against Rs 3275.85 crore collected in April 2022.          Disclosing this in a press communique issued here, Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema said that there has been a significant increase in the revenue collected from Goods and Services Tax (GST), State Excise, and Stamps and Registration. He further added that the total tax collection data is being evaluated by the Finance Department through the Integrated Financial Management System (IFMS) and there may be a slight difference in the final data.  that during this month,          Divulging further, the Finance Minister said that the highest increase of 483 crore rupees was seen in GST. The total GST revenue during April 2022 was Rs 1532 crore while this year the figure stood at Rs 2015 crore. He said that the excise revenue increased by Rs 216.48 crore to Rs 781.12 crore this year compared to Rs 564.64 crore in April 2022. He said that the revenue collected from Stamps and Registration also increased by Rs 85.95 crore to Rs 441.35 crore this year as against Rs 355.4 crore in April 2022.          Finance Minister Cheema said that the Punjab Government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has been committed to increase the state revenue by bringing efficiency and transparency in the system. He said that the Punjab Government has tightened the noose around tax evaders and the current increase in revenue has been earned without putting any extra burden on any section of the society.

Chandigarh, Punjab

Vigilance Bureau unearth big scam in compensation of land in GMADA

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IEP Chandigarh May 2       

   The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its ongoing campaign against corruption in the state, on Tuesday exposed a big scam worth crores of rupees by arresting seven accused including a revenue official for receiving huge compensations during acquisition of land on forged documents in Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) in connivance with officials of state horticultural and revenue department from 2016 to 2020.          Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the state VB said in this regard, FIR no. 16 dated 02/05/23 under sections 409, 420, 465, 466, 468, 471, 120-B of IPC and section 13(1) (a), 13 (2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered at VB Police Station, Flying Squad -1, Punjab at Mohali. In this case main accused namely Bhupinder Singh resident of Bakarpur, Mohali district along with Mukesh Jindal, Shaman Jindal wife tMukesh Jindal, Praveen Lata wife of Chanchal Kumar Jindal, both residents of Model Town Bathinda, Vishal Bhandari resident of Sector 40-D, Chandigarh, Sukhdev Singh resident of Bakarpur, Binder Singh resident of Sector 79 , Mohali and Bachitar Singh Patwari, revenue Halka Bakarpur (now Kanungo) SAS Nagar have been arrested.          He informed that apart from this, officials of horticultural department namely Jaspreet Singh, Vaishali, Dinesh Kumar, Rashmi Arora, Anil Arora, Vishal Bhandari etc. are yet to be arrested soon and more revelations may be made in this case.          The spokesperson further added that during the investigation of a complaint, the VB has found that in the year 2016, the GMADA has published notices in S.A.S. Nagar for acquisition of land pertaining to various villages and issued notifications under Section 4 in 2017 and under Section 19 in 2020.          Meanwhile, Bhupinder Singh, a resident of Bakarpur, a property dealer, in connivance with officials/employees of GAMADA, Revenue and Horticulture department, along with his other colleagues namely Anil Jindal, Mukesh Jindal, Vikas Bhandari etc. started planting guava orchards on the agricultural land by getting land on general power of attorneys, he added.          He informed that the above said accused people prepared a fake Girdavari register in the year 2019 in collusion with the Halka Patwari Bachitar Singh in which they obtained compensation worth crores of rupees illegally by showing that they owned guava orchards on their land since 2016.          He further added that during the thorough probe it was found that the main accused in this case, Bhupinder Singh, has taken compensation of around Rs 24 crore for guava plantations for himself and his family members. Similarly, Mukesh Jindal, a resident of Bathinda, has defrauded the government by taking compensation of about Rs. 20 crores.          Apart from this, in this case, many other persons have also taken compensation of crores of rupees from the government illegally by showing guava orchards in their land.          In this way, the VB has exposed a big scam of crores of rupees and the remaining accused would be arrested soon. In this case further investigation was under progress, he added.

Chandigarh

Chief Secretary Vijay Kumar Janjua bats for strict implementation of provisions of Banning of Unregulated Deposit Act, 2019

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IEP Chandigarh, May 2      

    In order to protect the hard earned money of citizens of the state, Punjab Chief Secretary Vijay Kumar Janjua has reiterated Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led state government’s commitment to safeguard the people and laid emphasis on strict implementation of provisions of Banning of Unregulated Deposit Act, 2019. He was chairing the 19th State Level Co-ordination Committee (SLCC) Meeting at Chandigarh on Tuesday.          Further, in view of very low recovery in the case of Pearls Agrotech Corporation Limited (PACL), the Chief Secretary directed SEBI and RBI to provide a list of all the 2497 properties of PACL immediately. Further, he advised the Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to expedite the process of recovery. Furthermore, he also assured SEBI that State Government will give full support and cooperation to all the concerned regulators in such cases.          Mr. Janjua also directed RBI and SEBI to conduct Financial Literacy Camps at the root level i.e. for the awareness of down trodden sections of the society which easily fall prey to the false promises of fraudsters.          The meeting was attended by Secretary Finance Garima Singh, General Manager RBI Chandigarh Richa Pandey Dwivedi and Senior Officers from Economic Offence Wing, Assistant Legal Remembrance, Assistant General Manager of SEBI, officers from Registrar of Cooperative Societies and Council Member Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.

Chandigarh

State witnessing holistic development in all spheres: CM

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IEP Rajpura (Patiala), May 2 

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday said that the state has emerged as the most preferred industrial destination in the country and is witnessing comprehensive development in every sphere. Addressing the gathering after dedicating plant of JSW Steel Coating Products Ltd, the Chief Minister said that the plant has been constructed at a cost of Rs 247 crore and will provide employment to 600 youth. He said that this is zero liquid discharge plant which will neither pollute water nor air. Bhagwant Mann said that the state government welcomes the business tycoons to land of saints, seers and martyrs. The Chief Minister said that due to industrial friendly policy of the state government, Punjab has emerged as most favourable investment destination across the country. Bhagwant Mann said that a strong association between the state government and industrialists has made Punjab an industrial hub in the country. Bhagwant Mann said that merely within one year of assuming responsibility as a CM, his first and foremost task has been to get a first-hand knowledge of the problems, of the complexities faced by the people. The Chief Minister said that his government’s vision and ambition is to keep pace with changing expectations and new challenges. He asserted that they have chosen a path to make the future of the country bright by accelerating economic growth in state. Bhagwant Mann said that he has seen that aspiring young generation of Punjab wants to do something big in life. The Chief said that his government is fully convinced that God has bestowed him this opportunity to lead Punjab for bringing qualitative changes in the lives of people. He said that his government has introduced several policies and initiatives to support businesses and investors. Bhagwant Mann said that this has resulted in putting the state on high growth trajectory of economic growth. The Chief Minister said that new Industrial and Business Development Policy 2022 aims to attract huge investment and generate  maximum employment in the coming five years. He said that policy provides competitive incentives to all segments of investments including expansions and new MSMEs, Large Units, Export Promotion, Start-Up and others. Bhagwant Mann said that all these efforts are aimed at giving fillip to industrial development of the state. The Chief Minister, while congratulating the group for starting work on this ambitious project, assured fulsome support and cooperation to them in this noble cause. He said that this project is one of the major investment made by this company in the state. Bhagwant Mann expressed hope that investment by this major industrial group will further boost industrial development besides opening new vistas of employment for the youth. The Chief Minister unequivocally said that the youth of the state will be immensely benefited from this project, which will play a key role in restoring the pristine glory of the state. Bhagwant Mann envisioned that this prestigious project will prove to be a milestone in propelling industrial growth in the state. He also said that due to strenuous efforts of the state government more such projects will come up in the state in coming days. 

Chandigarh, Punjab

DAWN OF NEW ERA’ AS PUNJAB CHANGES OFFICES TIMINGS TO FACILITATE THE COMMON MAN

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IEP Chandigarh, May 2 

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday said that ‘dawn of new era’ has taken place in the state with the unprecedented pro-people initiative of changing office hours which will save 350 Megawatts (MW) of power daily and around Rs 40-45 crore from May 2-to July 15. “Apart from facilitating the people, the landmark move will also help in enhancing the efficiency of the government employees, asserted the Chief Minister while interacting with the media persons here at the committee room in the Punjab Civil Secretariat I. The Chief Minister, who set the example by arriving in his office at 7:28 am, said that this decision has been taken after taking the consent of the majority of the stakeholders in a series of deliberations. He said that this decision will act as a catalyst in saving the people from scorching heat that is expected to be witnessed in the coming months. Bhagwant Mann said that though the tradition of setting watches in accordance with change of weather has been a routine feature in many western nations but in India this historic initiative has been taken for the first time. Dwelling more details, the Chief Minister said that it will enable a common man to do his work early in the morning without  taking leave from his work. Likewise, he said that this will also facilitate the employees as they will be able to attend the social functions after the office hours. Similarly, Bhagwant Mann said that the employees will also be able to spend more time with their children who will also come home at the same time. The Chief Minister said that this decision is likely to save 350 MW of power daily in government offices thereby curtailing the power expenditure of the government offices considerably. He said that as per statistics of the POWERCOM 1:30 pm to 4 pm is the peak hour of the power usage but as now the offices will be closed at 2 pm so it will help in cutting power usage. Bhagwant Mann said that on an average Rs 16- Rs 17 crore will be saved every month adding that from May 2- July 15, the state government is expected to save Rs 40- Rs 42 crore. The Chief Minister said that the new time table will also ensure that maximum sunlight is utilized in the government offices. He said that after July 15 the decision will be reviewed after taking feedback from all the stakeholders, especially the common man. Bhagwant Mann assured the people that the state government will take more such citizen centric decisions in the coming days too for which advance planning has already been done. The Chief Minister said that not only power but it will also help in managing the traffic movement efficiently. He said that many other states have been enquiring about this step and it is likely to be replicated in other states too. Bhagwant Mann envisioned that in big cities like Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi and others such steps can help in streamlining the traffic chaos thereby giving much needed respite to common man.  The Chief Minister categorically said that there is no dearth of power in the state as abundance of electricity is being generated to cater to needs of all the sectors whether it is agriculture, domestic or industry. Citing an example, he said that the Guru Gobind Singh Super Thermal Power Plant at Ropar has coal for 35 days instead of earlier when the threat of darkness loomed large due to acute shortage of coal in the state. Quipping on statement of Haryana Power Minister for his baseless and irrational statement regarding power in state, Bhagwant Mann advised him to refrain from putting his nose in affairs of Punjab and focus on his own state. On the occasion Additional Chief Secretary to CM A Venuprasad, Special Principal Secretary to CM Ravi Bhagat and others were also present. 

Chandigarh, Haryana

GOVERNMENT JOBS GIVEN TO MORE THAN 29000 YOUTH, MORE IN PIPELINE- ASSERTS CM

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IEP Chandigarh, May 2

 Asserting that the state government has made the youth an equal partner in socio-economic growth of the state by giving them employment, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday said that the state government has so far given government jobs to more than 29,000 eligible youth. Addressing the gathering during a function to hand over job letters to 200 youth in departments of Health and Family Welfare, Medical Education and Cooperation, the Chief Minister said that they had given the guarantee of jobs to the youth which is being fulfilled now in right earnest. He said that it is a matter of great pride and satisfaction that so far more than 29,000 jobs have been given to the youth. Bhagwant Mann said that the jobs have been given completely on the basis of merit adding that during the tenure of earlier governments the youth had to yearn long for such jobs.    The Chief Minister said that the state government is accomplishing the gigantic task of giving the jobs to youth in a phased manner. He said that transparency and merit are the two key pillars of this entire recruitment drive. Bhagwant Mann said that a foolproof mechanism has been adopted for the entire recruitment process due to which not even a single appointment out of more than 29000 has been challenged so far in the court. The Chief Minister said that the youth has given affirmative responsibility to the entire process of recruitment. Citing an example, he said that a youth was recruited as clerk in the beginning after which he got elevated to Assistant Lineman with his hard work and later as Sub Divisional Officer (SDO). Bhagwant Mann hoped that this momentum will continue in the coming days too for the welfare of the youth and holistic development of the state. The Chief Minister reiterated that this venue has witnessed a number of such events in which youth have got jobs in various government departments. He said that this reflects the commitment of the state government to ensure the well being of youth by opening new vistas of employment for them. Bhagwant Mann said that it is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction for him that all the jobs have been given completely on the basis of merit. Congratulating the newly recruited employees of the state government for getting the job, the Chief Minister said that it is a momentous occasion for them as they have become an integral part of the state government family. He exhorted the youth to discharge their duty with utmost dedication, hard work and commitment thereby contributing immensely in the progress of the state and prosperity of its people. Bhagwant Mann said that these government officers must play a proactive role in mitigating the woes of the general public. Talking about the ‘Sarkar Tuhaade Dwaar’ scheme, the Chief Minister said that it is aimed at ensuring that the officers especially the Deputy Commissioners and Additional Deputy Commissioners maximize their field visits, especially in villages, and interact with the people by going to villages. He said that it is the need of the hour to facilitate the people in getting their day-to-day works done easily besides ensuring good governance to them. Bhagwant Mann said that this will help in better functioning of the offices along with better acquaintance with the ground realities. The Chief Minister said that in another path breaking initiative aimed at bridging the gap between common man and government, the state government has decided to ensure live streaming of sessions in Punjab assembly. He said that this path breaking is aimed at providing direct access to people for evaluating the performance of every political party in the august house. Bhagwant Mann said that more such initiatives will be taken to empower the common man and make them partners in development of the state. The Chief Minister also reiterated the commitment of the state government for up-scaling the infrastructure in government hospitals. He said that the state government is according top priority to this noble cause for the well being of the common man. Bhagwant Mann said that it is the need of the hour as the state government already has very capable staff but they are not able to impart quality health services due to lack of resources.   Earlier, Cabinet Minister Dr. Balbir Singh welcomed the dignitaries on the occasion

Chandigarh, Haryana

State Government is working for the welfare of every section of the society: Hry CM

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IEP Chandigarh, May 1

Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal said that during the tenure of last eight and a half years, the present state government has implemented public welfare schemes to serve maximum people of the state. These initiatives have provided direct benefits to the public besides curbing corruption across the state. The vision of the state government is to make every family prosperous and raise the living standard of economically weaker section of the society with the spirit of Antyodaya.The Chief Minister was addressing the villagers during the Jan Samwad programme organised at village Kharindwa in Kurukshetra district today.The Chief Minister said that the development works done by the present state government during the last eight and a half years are overshadowing the work done by the previous government for 10 years during their tenure. The state government has made outstanding efforts in implementing and providing good governance to the people by completing the incomplete development works and making comprehensive reforms in the system. Other development projects including new highways and small roads are being continuously promoted in the state. He said that the first duty of the state government is to serve the needy people. Today there is no such village in the country and the state, where there is no linking network of roads, electricity and other basic facilities. This has only been possibe under the leadership of Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi, he added.The Chief Minister said that an amount of Rs. 74 lakh has been spent on street drains and an amount of Rs. 48 has been spent on chaupals in Kharindwa village. There is no shortage of funds for development works. He urged the villages to send the demands regarding development works through Gramin Gram Darshan Portal.The Chief Minister said that the state government has been putting concrete efforts to increase the income of every household. He claimed that 651 farmers of the village are getting income support of Rs. 6,000 per year in three equal installments of Rs. 2,000 each under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi. Responding to the demand for the construction of a cow shed in village Kharindwa, he said that the residents of the village should form a society and construct a cow shed through the Gauseva Aayog. A grant amount will be provided as per the rules.2,685 families in Kurukshetra district gets benefit from Mukhya Mantri Antyodaya Parivar Utthan YojanaThe Chief Minister said that there are seven lakh families in the state, whose annual income is less than Rs. 1 lakh, such families have been benefited by giving loans under the Mukhyamantri Antyodaya Parivar Utthan Yojana. In Kurukshetra district, 2,685 people have got the benefit under this scheme. He further said that Haryana Pond Authority has been formed to improve the condition of ponds in villages. The Chief Minister urged the Gram Panchayat to drain out the polluted water from the pond so that clean water will be filled soon.Talking to the villagers, the Chief Minister said that the state government has made Parivar Pehchan Patra to provide benefits of public welfare schemes to poor and needy people. Data of every family is available with the government, through which special plans are being made to provide quality education, health services, security and employment opportunities to the members of every family across the state.Ensuring the health care of every citizen, every needy family has been provided free health treatment facility up to Rs.5 lakh under the Ayushman Yojana, . In village Kharindwa, 687 eligible beneficiaries have availed benefits of the Ayushman Yojana. This initiative has saved about Rs. 78.68 lakh of the villagers.He said that on merit basis about 51 youths have got jobs in village Kharindwa. He redressed most of the grievances of the villagers and gave instructions to the concerned officials to redress the pending grievances at the earliest.MLA and Chairman Sugarfed, Sh. Ramkaran Kala, Political Secretary to Chief Minister, Sh. Krishan Bedi, OSD to Chief Minister, Sh. Jawahar Yadav, Political Advisor, Sh. Bharat Bhushan Bharti and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

Chandigarh

Hry CM interacts with villagers during the Jan Samvad programme organized in the village Jhansa

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IEP Chandigarh, May 1

Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal while interacting with the villagers during the Jan Samvad programme organized today in village Jhansa, Kurukshetra district said that for the past eight and half years the present state government while following the motto of Haryana Ek-Haryanvi Ek and upholding the spirit of Antyodaya has not only launched several public welfare schemes but has also ensured its meticulous implementation at the grassroot levels. Minister of State for Printing and Stationary, S. Sandeep Singh welcomed the Chief Minister.“Haryana Ek-Haryanvi Ek is not just a slogan for me, it is my resolution. Also, compared to the previous government, our government’s tenure will always have an upper hand in terms of both development works and providing state-of-the-art health facilities to the citizens,” said Sh. Manohar Lal.He said that with the opening of medical colleges in every district, the present health system has been further strengthened.“Our government has ensured direct benefits to the actual beneficiaries, apart from ensuring infrastructural development and reach of public welfare schemes to the beneficiaries at their doorsteps,” said the Chief Minister.He said that development works worth Rs. 1 core has been done in Jhansa village recently. He directed the officers concerned to appoint a radiographer along with ensuring the availability of health equipment in the village Primary Health Centre to be procured at an amount of Rs 8 lakh.From 750 MBBS seats now the number has increased to 1850 todaySh. Manohar Lal said that in the year 2014, there were only 750 MBBS seats in Haryana, which has increased to 1850 today. He said that the members of the previous governments always make bogus claims in front of the public regarding development works done by them, while the reality is that till the year 2014, there were only 750 MBBS seats in the state, however during the present government’s tenure, this number has increased to 1850. Also, with the opening of new medical colleges in all the districts, about 3000 MBBS seats will be available for health services across the state, informed Sh. Manohar Lal.The Chief Minister said that the government is focusing on rural development and development works are being done in a transparent manner through e-tendering. He said that work has been done to complete the development works that have been left by previous governments.The Chief Minister informed that in Jhansa village with a population of about 1840 families, so far Ayushman cards have been made for 3452 people and till date 411 people have availed free treatment facilities worth Rs 71 lakh under the CHIRAYU Yojana.        He further informed that under the Parivar Pehchan Patra, new ration cards are automatically being made for those having an annual income of less than Rs 1.80 lakh.“Jobs are being provided on a merit basis and so far 62 youths have got government jobs in Jhansa in a transparent manner without paying a single penny to anyone. Pension is being made automatically. Under the Mukhyamantri Antyodaya Parivar Utthan Yojana, 2685 people in village Jhansa have been provided self-employment,” said Sh. Manohar Lal.Minister of State for Printing and Stationary, S. Sandeep Singh, MLA, Sh. Ram Karan Kala, OSD to Chief Minister, Sh. Jawahar Yadav, Political Advisor to Chief Minister, Sh. Bharat Bhushan Bharti and other dignitaries also remained present on this occasion.