IEP Chandigarh, March 29    

      Punjab Agriculture Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal has ordered all the field officers of the Agriculture Department to send the actual data of crops damaged due to rain in the past at the earliest. During a meeting with top officials of the Agriculture Department and Chief Agriculture Officers at Punjab Bhawan, Dhaliwal said that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has already announced that compensation for crop damage will be started around Baisakhi, so Chief Agriculture officers should present the real picture of the problem before the state government. He said that it should be ensured that the actual data is sent quickly without any recommendation and without causing trouble to the farmers.          On this occasion, Dhaliwal, taking serious notice of fake fertilizers and fake pesticides, announced that soon a separate complaint number will be issued for the convenience of farmers, where they can file a complaint in this regard. He issued special instructions to the officials to resolve such complaints in a timely manner. He said that there will be no compromise on the quality of fertilizers and pesticides and the culprits will not be spared at any cost. He ordered the officials to sensitize the farmers to buy quality seeds recommended by Punjab Agricultural University which have the capacity to withstand natural calamities.          Dhaliwal also gave special instructions to the officials for the upcoming wheat procurement season. He said that farmers should be encouraged not to burn stubble and also ensure that straw is used only for fodder. He also asked to organize awareness camps for farmers.          He said that the Punjab government is making serious efforts to increase the area of cotton and the farmers of cotton belt will be given seeds at 33 percent subsidy. He asked the officials that maximum number of farmers should be encouraged to buy seeds on subsidy and cultivate cotton. He said that according to the announcement made by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, irrigation water will be given to the farmers of cotton on time.          Apart from this, the Minister of Agriculture instructed that maximum number of farmers should be encouraged to plant seeds of PR 126 variety of paddy which requires less time and less water. He said that the field officials should intensify their efforts from now to bring maximum area under PR 126 variety of paddy this year. He said that the authorities should select the areas which are more suitable for direct sowing of paddy and encourage the farmers there for direct sowing.          Dhaliwal said that the agricultural policy of the state is being prepared under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to strengthen the welfare of farmers and the economy. For this purpose suggestions have been sought from the general public. He told the field officers that if there is a successful or progressive farmer in their area, suggestions should be sought from him.          On this occasion, he categorically asserted that the state government has adopted a zero tolerance policy against the corrupts said no corrupt or bribe-taking official will be spared at any cost. He said that the welfare of farmers should be the priority of all officials.          Principal Secretary of Agriculture Department Sumer Singh Gurjar, Director Gurvinder Singh, Chief Agriculture Officers of all districts and other senior officials of the Head Office were present on this occasion.

IEP Chandigarh/Malout, March, 29   

       The Punjab Government is striving to end unemployment and is giving all possible assistance to the unemployed to stand on their own feet. It was said by   Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities, Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Punjab Dr. Baljit Kaur, while inaugurating the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Punjabi Shoe Making Course at Valmiki Bhavan, Guru Ravidas Nagar, Malout.          On this occasion while addressing the audience SDM Malout S. Kanwarjit Singh said that it is a very good initiative of the Punjab government, therefore the unemployed should take maximum advantage of this training course.          Sarabjit Singh Gulati, Block President Karamjit Sharma, Satgurdev Singh Pappi from Doric Multimedia Pvt Ltd were present on this opening ceremony.          On this occasion, Cabined Minister said that this course has been implemented by Punjab Skill Development Mission and Doric Multimedia Pvt. Ltd. Ludhiana and under this course free training will be given to the unemployed to promote the profession of shoes so that after receiving the training one can start his own business.          The Cabinet Minister said that under this course, the person who will get training in making shoes will be given a certificate by the Punjab Skill Development Mission and on the basis of this certificate, the unemployed person will be able to get a loan from any bank or organization and start their own business.          After this Dr. Baljit Kaur visited the unseasonal rain and hailstorm affected villages Danewala, Rathadi, Kingra and Malwala, Eena Khera and village Thehri and took stock of the damage.           Talking to the farmers, she said that the Punjab Government is helping the needy to compensate for the damage caused by rain and storm and they will be compensated by the Government as soon as possible.          On this occasion, she issued instructions to the top officials that without any delay, the crops damaged by rain and hail should be checked so that the farmers can be compensated immediately. 

IEP Chandigarh

World TB Day was celebrated in Chandigarh on Wednesday. The theme for World TB Day 2023 is “Yes-We Can End TB”. It was celebrated today at Health and Wellness Centre, Mauli Jagran. Dr. Suman Singh, Director Health & Family Welfare, Chandigarh Administration inaugurated the function. She laid stress on the UT’s continuous efforts and targets of achieving TB elimination by 2025. She also facilitated Ni-kshay Mitras who had adopted TB patients in the city by supporting them and providing nutritional supplement to them. She lauded the efforts and contribution of these Mitras. She also spoke about the world class diagnostics and treatment facilities that were available in the UT and being provided to all the patients free of cost. State TB Officer Dr. Rajesh Kumar also mentioned that in order to strengthen TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, NTEP had started a 25 days Active Case Finding Survey which will cover around 1/3 rd of the population of Chandigarh. A door to door survey would be conducted in order to find presumptive TB patients so as to facilitate their early detection and early treatment so that we can break the chain of infection and make Chandigarh TB Free. A clarion call has been made to all affected communities, civil society organizations, media, health-care providers and State partners to unite forces under the banner “TB Harega Desh Jeetega” and let’s make 2022 truly the year for TB and move forward to end TB.

IEP CHANDIGARH, MARCH 28         

In view of upcoming General Elections to Lok Sabha-2024, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Punjab Sibin C today exhorted various departments dealing with students and welfare scheme beneficiaries to support them in registering new voters. He also briefed about the Election Commission of India’s landmark step of enabling advance application of 17 plus youngsters with pursuance of four subsequent qualifying dates i.e. 1st April, 1st July, 1st October and 1st January.          CEO Punjab accompanied by Additional CEO Vipul Ujjwal was chairing a meeting of various departments including Technical Education, Sports, Medical Education, School Education, and Social Justice and Empowerment etc at his office here. Sibin C requested various departments present to provide a database of students/beneficiaries turning 17 years old so that advance application may be ensured.          He said that these departments have all the data of young voters and if these departments join hands with the CEO office they could help in registering maximum eligible voters. He directed the representatives of these departments to do maximum efforts to enroll maximum new voters. He also directed them to appoint a Nodal Officer in each Educational Institute.          While assuring all kinds of support from the CEO office, Sibin C said that they will depute Booth Level Officers (BLOs) for each educational institute so that new voters won’t face any hassle while registering their vote.          He also directed these departments to share SVEEP creatives on official social media platforms of the departments/organizations and placement of a banner on the official website with clickable link to www.nsvp.in for online registration in the official websites.          Meanwhile, voters can also register themselves online using the Voter Helpline Application available on Android and IOS or through web portal www.nvsp.in.

IEP Chandigarh March 28       

   The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its ongoing campaign against corruption, has registered a criminal case against Amarjit Singh, Naib Tehsildar, Sub Tehsil Attari, Balwinderjit Singh, Patwari and a woman for misusing their official positions and tempering with revenue record to give undue benefit to the woman during transfer of land in her name. In this case Balwinderjit Singh Patwari, now Kanugo, revenue halqua Neshta, Amritsar district has been arrested and teams have been formed to arrest the remaining accused.Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of the VB said this case has been registered against the above said accused officials and the lady after investigation of a vigilance enquiry.Giving details he added that during the probe it has came to light that the above said revenue officials in connivance with Harjeet Kaur of village Muhava, Amritsar district had transferred land measuring 79 Marlas in her name. He further added that while transferring the land in the name of above said woman, the accused officials had tempered with the revenue records as the owner of said land had died in the year 1959 and executed the transfer of land on the basis of photocopies of forged deeds and without ensuring physical presence of land owners.The spokesperson added that in this regard a case under section 420, 467, 468, 471, 120-B of IPC and section 7 of prevention of corruption act has been registered against all the above mentioned accused at VB police station, Amritsar range. Further investigation in this case was under progress, he informed.

IEP Chandigarh, March 28

          Taking the CM Bhagwant Mann’s mission to make farming a profitable venture,the Department of Horticulture is making a significant contribution to crop diversification in Punjab. Chetan Singh Jouramajra, Horticulture, Defence Services Welfare, Freedom Fighters, Information and Public Relations Minister, Punjab launched the ‘Kisan-e-Bagbani’ app during a review meeting with officials of Horticulture Department at Punjab Bhawan, Chandigarh.

          Stressing on the department’s aim Jouramajra said he will strive to make horticulture crops internationally competitive by bringing the latest horticultural techniques to farmers’ fields, with which farmers will not only be able to get information about the schemes of the department, but can also apply and track their application online.

          Giving details of the newly launched app Jouramajra informed that the main purpose of this app is to disseminate the knowledge, the schemes of the department to the farmers quickly, to bring transparency in the department by applying online to get financial assistance under the schemes and tracking the application. He further said that through this app, farmers will be given information about the daily rates of fruits, vegetables and weather in different markets.

          While reviewing the progress of different districts, Jouramajra instructed the officials to provide technical information about horticulture schemes by visiting as many farmers’ fields as possible and through camps etc so that they can earn more income than conventional crops.

          Principal Secretary, Horticulture Shri Sumer Singh Gurjar, IAS said that various measures will be taken to promote agricultural diversification and it will be assured that farmers do not face any kind of difficulties. The development of this app was helped by AGNEXT Technologies Pvt. Ltd, Mohali as a startup, Punjab.

          Shailender Kaur, IFS Director Horticulture,Taranjit Singh Bhamra, CEO, AGNEXT Technologies Pvt. Ltd. Mohali and their technical team members Dr. Subrata Kumar, Sonali Bhika, Ranjit Singh, Raj Barino, and Sahil Fateh Singh Sandhu were also present during this launch.