Category Archives: Chandigarh

Chandigarh, Punjab

CM ANNOUNCES TO CONSTRUCT A HERITAGE STREET AT THE NATIVE VILLAGE OF SHAHEED-E-AAZAM BHAGAT SINGH

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IEP Chandigarh, March 22

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday announced the construction of a heritage street at the native village of Shaheed-e-Aazam Bhagat Singh to showcase the glorious contribution of Punjab and Punjabis in national freedom struggle.

Leading the Punjab Vidhan Sabha in passing resolution for carving out Punjab of dreams Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Shaheed Rajguru and Shaheed Sukhdev, the Chief Minister said that this 850 metre long heritage street will be constructed from existing from Museum to the ancestral house at Shaheed Bhagat Singh at Khatkar Kalan. He said that this street will showcase the glorious contribution of the state national freedom struggle thereby inspiring the youth to work zealously for the country. Bhagwant Mann said that he had already asked the Tourism and Culture department to set the wheels in motion for this project.

The Chief Minister said that they are even conceiving an idea to create a video depicting the scene in which Shaheed Bhagat Singh was sentenced to death. He categorically said that March 23rd is not merely a day but it is as a fact of matter a symbol of battle against any type of injustice, tyranny and oppression. Bhagwant Mann said that the state government is duty bound to realize the dreams of the great martyrs who had sacrificed their lives for the country.

The Chief Minister said that all of us have to make strenuous efforts to realize the dreams of martyrs. He said that it is the need of hour to restore the pristine glory of the state for which every individual should support the state government. Bhagwant Mann said that Shaheed Bhagat Singh was not only an individual but an institution adding that we must follow his footsteps for the progress of the country.

The Chief Minister said that the supreme sacrifice of Shaheed Bhagat Singh will inspire youth to serve the country. He said that apart from emancipating the country from foreign clutches Shaheed Bhagat Singh had also envisioned a corruption and poverty free India. However, Bhagwant Mann said that the country is still facing these problems adding that his government is committed to resolve all these issues.

The Chief Minister urged the people to exercise their right to franchise in a proper manner for electing the government that works for the people. He said that the great national leaders had sacrificed their lives for ensuring that every citizen of the country gets the right to vote. Bhagwant Mann said that the participation in democracy without any fear is the real tribute to these great leaders of the country.

Chandigarh, Punjab

URBAN LOCAL BODIES PROVIDED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE OF RS.85.92 CRORES TO PRIVATE AND GOVERNMENT GAUSALAS FOR TAKING CARE OF STRAY CATTLE: DR. INDERBIR SINGH NIJJAR

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IEP Chandigarh, March 22     

      Local Government Minister, Dr.Inderbir Singh Nijjar said that Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) has provided financial assistance of about Rs 85.92 crore for taking care of stray cattle. It was stated by Local Government Minister Dr. Inderbir Singh Nijjar today during the on going budget session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha while replying to the call attention notice brought by MLAs S. Daljit Singh Grewal (Bhola) and S. Gurpreet Singh Banawali.          Giving more information in this regard, Local Government Minister, Dr.  Inderbir Singh Nijjar said that there are 1.70 lakh stray cattle in about 417 private registered gaushalas in the state.  Apart from this, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department Punjab has constructed 77 cattle sheds in 20 government cattle ponds in the state, which have around 10,024 stray cattle.          Dr. Nijjar added that 10 gaushalas are being run by Urban Local Bodies at their level, in which about 3385 stray cattle are kept.  He said that Urban Local Bodies capture stray cattle roaming within their jurisdiction and release them in government/private gaushalas.  About 33575 stray cattle have been caught by them during the last five years and released in gaushalas.          Dr Nijjar said that around 185 government/private gaushalas are being given financial assistance of Rs 10 to 30 per cattle per day or monthly basis as per financial status and available cow cess funds by the Urban Local Bodies. He also added that upto now Rs 183.44 crore has been collected as cow cess is with the Urban Local Bodies

Chandigarh

PRESIDENT CONFERS PADAM SHRI AWARD UPON NOTED SIKH SCHOLAR DR. RATTAN SINGH JAGGI

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IEP Chandigarh/New Delhi, March 22  

        President of India Mrs. Droupadi Murmu today conferred the coveted Padam Shri Award to Noted  academician and Sikh scholar Dr. Rattan Singh Jaggi at a Civil Investiture Ceremony held in Rashtrapati Bhavan this evening.          An eminent Sikh scholar Dr Rattan Singh Jaggi was given the award by the President in the presence of Vice President of India Mr. Jagdeep Dhankar and Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi besides several Union Ministers. The prestigious award has been conferred upon to Dr. Rattan Singh Jaggi in recognition of his enormous contribution in the field of education and literature. Dr Jaggi, a nonagenarian is an eminent scholar of Hindi and Punjabi with Gurmat and Bhakti Movement Literature being his forte. 

Chandigarh

CM GIVES NOD FOR IMPLEMENTING THE UGC SCALES FOR THE TEACHING FACULTY OF THE PAU AND GADVASU

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IEP Chandigarh, March 22     

      In a landmark decision, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday accorded approval for implementing the UGC scales for the teaching faculty of the Punjab Agriculture University (PAU) and Guru Angad Dev Veterinary Sciences University (GADVASU).           A decision to this effect was taken by the Chief Minister in a high level meeting held here today.           Takin g part in deliberations, the Chief Minister said that implementation of UGC pay scales for the teaching faculty will incur an annual expenditure of Rs 66 crore whereas the same facility for teaching staff in GADVASU will bear expenses worth Rs 20 crore annually. However, he said that this amount is nothing before the immense contribution of the faculty of both the Universities in giving fillip to crop production and allied farming activities. Therefore, Bhagwant Mann said that the UGC scales will be provided to teaching staff of both these premier universities.           The Chief Minister also gave approval for implementing the revised pay scales for the non teaching staff of both the universities. He said that the implementation of revised pay scales for non-teaching staff of PAU will bear expenditure worth Rs 53 crore whereas the implementation of revised pay scales for non-teaching staff  for GADVASU will be done at a cost of Rs 10 crore annually. Bhagwant Mann said that the state government is committed to comprehensive reforms in both these universities to propel the research work for the well being of the farming community.           The Chief Minister said that due to the lackluster attitude of previous governments, the farmers of the state are on cross roads. He said that in such scenario these universities can play a pivotal role in mitigating the woes of farmers through extensive research. Bhagwant Mann expressed hope that the teaching and non-teaching staff of both these universities will further make concerted efforts to transform the destiny of farmers on one hand and make Punjab a frontrunner state on the other.

Chandigarh, Punjab

PUNJAB VIDHAN SABHA UNANIMOUSLY PASSES RESOLUTION TO NAME HALWARA AIRPORT AS SHAHEED KARTAR SINGH SARABHA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

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IEP Chandigarh, March 22

 The Punjab Vidhan Sabha, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, on Wednesday unanimously passed a resolution to request the Government of India (GOI) to name the upcoming International Airport at Indian Air force Station Halwara, Ludhiana as Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha International Airport. The resolution was moved by the Chief Minister today during the session of the Punjab Assembly. The Chief Minister said that this will be a humble tribute to the iconic martyr who laid down his life at the altar of the motherland. He said that this young martyr had been an inspiration for the young generations since ages to work for their country selflessly. Bhagwant Mann said that the great martyr played a pivotal role in emancipating the country from the clutches of foreign imperialism adding that as an active leader of Ghadar party he worked untiringly for attaining freedom first abroad and then within the country.  The Chief Minister said that due to strenuous efforts of the state government, the Mohali International Airport has already been named after Shaheed Bhagat Singh adding that naming of Halwara airport after Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha will be a humble tribute to the martyr. Bhagwant Mann further said that naming the airports, universities and other institutions in the name of these iconic martyrs is important to perpetuate their glorious legacy.  He said that naming these institutions after great national leaders can inspire our youth for selfless service towards the country. Batting for conferring Bharat Ratna award to Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha and other legendary martyrs who had sacrificed their lives during the national freedom struggle, the Chief Minister said that bestowing the Bharat Ratna award to these legendary martyrs will enhance the prestige of this award. He said that these great martyrs really deserve this award because they had made supreme sacrifices for emancipating the country from foreign clutches. Bhagwant Mann bemoaned that unfortunately this award has not been bestowed to these leaders even after the passing of more than 75 years of independence. Training his guns against the Congress leaders for boycotting the session when this important resolution is being passed, the Chief Minister said that this is grave disrespect towards these iconic leaders. He said that the awardees for this coveted award are selected by a high level committee led by the Prime Minister of the country. However, Bhagwant Mann quipped that ironically two past Prime Ministers from the Congress party had recommended their own names for this prestigious award.  The Chief Minister also announced a holiday to mark the death anniversary of the legendary martyr. He said that the necessary formalities regarding this will be completed by the state government in the coming days. Bhagwant Mann also profusely thanked the MLAs of opposition including Manpreet Singh Ayaali, Ashwani Sharma and Nachattar Pal for taking part in healthy debate on the issue and supporting the state government on bill.

Chandigarh

Punjab assembly passes three bills on the concluding day of the budget session

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IEP Chandigarh, March 22       

   The Punjab Legislative Assembly on Wednesday unanimously passed three bills. On the concluding day of the budget session, the House passed the ‘The salaries and allowances of Chief Whip in Punjab Legislative Assembly Bill, 2023‘ which was moved by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Inderbir Singh Nijjar.          The assembly also passed another Bill ‘The Punjab state commission for Scheduled Castes (Amendment) Bill, 2023’. The bill was piloted by Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur.          The third bill which was entitled ‘The Punjab Agricultural Produce Markets (Amendment) Bill, 2023’ was also passed by the assembly. The bill was tabled by Agriculture Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal.

Chandigarh, Haryana

Now MLAs can spend grant allocated under the Vidhayak Adarsh Gram Yojana in cities also, says CM

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IEP Chandigarh, March 21

 Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal  while delivering  his reply on the budget speech during the ongoing budget session of the state Vidhan Sabha announced that now MLAs can spend an amount of Rs. 2 crore being given under the Vidhayak Adarsh Gram Yojana for the development works in the urban areas as well.Earlier the MLA used to spend the said grant in rural areas only but now this amount can be used for the development works in the urban areas as well. He also announced to rename this scheme as Adarsh Nagar Evam Gram Yojana. The Director, Panchayat will be the nodal officer for this, announced Sh. Manohar Lal.The Chief Minister further announced that the Girl’s college to be constructed at Balsamand, Hisar will be named after Late Chaudhary Bhajan Lal. Sh. Manohar Lal said that apart from already announced 4000 playway schools in the year 2022-23, now additional 4000 play way schools would be further opened in the State.Sharing five contradictory figures about State Debt questions the credibility of ‘Hooda Sahab ‘only, CMResponding to the contradictory figures shared by the Opposition leader Sh. Bhupinder Singh Hooda on State Debt publically from November 22 to till date, Sh. Manohar Lal said that sharing 5 different figures is going to question the credibility of Hooda only, every time the Opposition leader shares different figures it certainly denting his image only. “We are not afraid of criticism, will keep introducing good governance reforms, said the Chief Minister.Opposition always fumble with the debt figures, at present, State’s debt graph has declined, CMClarifying the definition of Debt, the Chief Minister said that in the Public debt three different heads are included.  The opposition should not confuse one with the other while calculating the final debt figures.The State Public Enterprises loan figure was in 2014-15 was 69,922 crore, while in the year 2021-22, the figure was 47,211 crore. The debt graph of the state at present has declined, shared Sh. Manohar Lal.Our GSDP is constantly increasing, at present it is increased up to Rs. 10 lakh crore. The debt limit was increased from Rs. 25 percent to Rs. 33 percent during the COVID-19 period. We are within the prescribed limit of around 26-27 percent while the neighbouring state Punjab is at 48 percent, shared Sh. Manohar Lal.The Chief Minister further shared that the HSVP had a pending debt of Rs. 14334. Out of this, about Rs.6000 crore has been settled and now Rs. 8334 crore has been left.Likewise, the HSIIDC had a pending debt of Rs. 13881 crore. Out of this, around Rs.7000 crore has been settled and now Rs. 6944 crore has been left.  The power utilities had a pending debt of more than Rs. 37000 crore, which has been reduced to   Rs. 14800 crore, shared Sh. Manohar Lal.The Chief Minister said that the State Government has included an amount of Rs. 25,850 crore of the UDAY scheme in its debt account and this is the reason that the profit graph of the power department is constantly rising, said Sh. Manohar Lal.Haryana is in the third position in the country in terms of InvestmentThe Chief Minister informed that with an investment of 90 rupee per person, Haryana is in the third position in the country in terms of investment after Karnataka and Maharashtra that have per person investment of Rs. 303 and Rs. 108 respectively. State’s investment graph is constantly increasing, said Sh. Manohar Lal.For 2023-24 Rs. 7314 crore allocated for Agriculture and allied sectors, CMThe Chief Minister said that for 2023-24 Rs. 7314 crore allocated for Agriculture and allied sectors, which is 3.9 percent of the total budget. In the revised budget estimates of 2022-23 it was Rs. 5758 crores and in the year 2021-22 it was Rs. 4100 crores.The Chief Minister shared that in the year 2014-15, the total allocated  budget for this sector was Rs. 2156 crore which was only 3.4 percent. The present government has allocated 3.9 percent to this sector.Responding to  an issue regarding why Haryana gets less financial help from Centre as compared to neighbouring states, the Chief Minister said that Centre follows the formula of the more progressive the state is, lesser the financial grant will be. The financial management of Haryana is well managed and this is the reason that we get less help as compared to its neighbouring states.The Chief Minister said that after GST, the Centre had announced to give 14 percent compensation to the States. As per the decision of the GST Council, loan has been taken for the amount which is to be given to the states. This debt is reflected in the State debt account, though this debt would be repaid by the Centre only.Government focused on making Panchayat and civic bodies financially independentThe Chief Minister said that the Government is focused on making Panchayat and civic bodies financially independent. They have been directed to prepare their budgetary allocation and ensure the same is spent on carrying out various development works. Those Panchayat and civic bodies that face storage of funds would be helped. They will continue to get the funds from the Central and State Finance Commission.He said that the local audit system would be meticulously implemented. Whatever public money will be spent on development works, local audit would be conducted for the same, said the Chief Minister.

Chandigarh, Haryana

Government to form a committee for constitution of new tehsil, district

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IEP Chandigarh, March 21

Haryana Deputy Chief Minister, Sh. Dushyant Chautala, in response to a question raised by a member of house during Haryana Vidhan Sabha, said that the Haryana government will form a committee under the Chairmanship of the Financial Commissioner, which will prepare new sub-tehsils, tehsils, sub-divisions, districts and decide the rules etc. for the constitution of the district.The Deputy Chief Minister further informed that at present a committee of three ministers has been constituted which takes decisions for the formation of new sub-tehsils, tehsils, sub-divisions etc. and inclusion of villages. This committee takes its decision and takes further action on the recommendation of the Deputy Commissioner.He informed that the government currently has the population figures according to the 2011 census. He said that now reliable data of PPP is being prepared with the state government. On the basis of that, the committee under the Chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner will take its next decision and send the report to the committee of ministers, this committee will present its report on the basis of population, villages etc. Only after that action will be taken for the formation of new sub-tehsil, tehsil, sub-division and district. Dahina may be taken into consideration for subdivision if it meets the criteria set out in the committee’s observation and report.Haryana Deputy Chief Minister, Sh. Dushyant Chautala, in response to a question raised by a member of house during Haryana Vidhan Sabha, said that in view of the possibility of increase in traffic  at Kanina, Mahendragarh district, a bypass can be constructed. If the report of the Public Works Department ensure feasibility, then the land requirement will be uploaded on e-Bhoomi, once the entire procedure has been completed, work can be started in this direction.The Deputy Chief Minister further informed that the Haryana government has given approval for the construction of 14 new bypasses in the budget, if found appropriate, the Dahina bypass can also be constructed.Haryana Public Health and Engineering Minister, Dr. Banwari Lal said that a plan of more than Rs. 425 lakh is proposed for drainage of water in Kharkhoda City of Sonipat. He added that an action will be taken on this.The Public Health Minister said this in response to a question raised by a member of the house during the budget session of Haryana Vidhan Sabha today.The Public Health Minister said that a permanent plan is being chalked out to drain the water from Kharkhoda City. Under this, areas like Sonipat, Delhi, Sampla Road will get relief from water logging and the issue will also be resolved permanently.He stated that the estimate created for this system is now being re-evaluated due to several shortcomings. Work on this will be started soon after administrative approval. He assured that a permanent solution to this problem will be found by making permanent arrangements for drainage of water in Kharkhoda city.Haryana Public Health Minister, Dr. Banwari Lal said that tender has been allotted for upgrading better water supply under Mahagram Yojana in village Bhagal of Gulha Assembly ConstituencyThe Public Health Minister gave this information in response to a question raised by a member of house during Haryana Vidhan Sabha today.The Public Health Minister said that tenders for providing good sewerage system and construction of Sewage Treatment Plant have been opened for evaluation and are likely to be allotted by April 30, 2023.The Public Health Minister said that the work of providing water supply and sewerage scheme is likely to be commissioned by August 31, 2024. He said that the engineering works are being carried out while ensuring highest quality and in a time bound manner.

Chandigarh, Haryana

Haryana’s unemployment graph is continuously declining, CM

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IEP Chandigarh, March 21

Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal said that the rate of unemployment in the state has decreased in comparison to what it was during the tenure of previous government.At present, the number of applicants registered with various employment exchanges in February 2023 is 6.46 lakh, while in December 2014 the number was 7.86 lakh. The government has made tireless efforts to provide employment opportunities to the State Youth. Along with government jobs, employment opportunities have been made available to the youth in the private sector as well, said Sh. Manohar Lal while replying to a question regarding unemployment in the state during the question hour in the budget session of State Vidhan Sabha today.He said that the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) is conducted by the Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation from time to time. According to the PLFS report, the unemployment rate in Haryana was 8.6 percent in 2017-18, 9.2 percent in 2018-19, 6.5 percent in 2019-20, and 6.3 percent in 2020-21.The Chief Minister said that the Reserve Bank of India also releases such data every year. According to RBI the unemployment rate is 8.1 percent. However, there is no fixed formula for these figures, so the figures of different agencies also differ, shared Sh. Manohar Lal.In 8 years we gave more than 1 lakh government jobs in comparison to 86,000 during Congress 10 years regimeSh. Manohar Lal informed that 86,000 government jobs were given in 10 years from 2005-2014, while during our tenure more than 1 lakh jobs have been given in 8 years. Besides this, under the Saksham Yuva Yojana also, post graduate, graduate and 12th pass students are given Rs.3000, Rs.1500 and Rs.900 per month respectively for 100 hours of work. So far 1.75 lakh youth have taken advantage of this scheme.Not only this, under the Haryana Skill Development Mission, employment opportunities have also been made available to more than 1 lakh youth by skill development. After 2015, employment has been provided to 12.64 lakh youth in the private sector as well, the Chief Minister further informed the House.CMIE figures are beyond facts, they consider small sample sizeResponding to the unemployment figures released by CMIE agency from time to time, the Chief Minister informed the House that CMIE issues unemployment rate after conducting the sample survey of only 5000 population out of the total of 1.80 crore population.CMIE is a private organization and there is no reliability and credibility for such data released by any private organization. The CEO of this institution is also a member of the election manifesto of the Congress party. In the year 2017, this agency had shown the unemployment rate of Haryana at 2 percent. Sometimes it claims it to be 34 percent and sometimes 26 percent, which has no credibility, said Sh. Manohar Lal.The Chief Minister said that the data of every person is linked with the Parivar Pehchan Patra and on the basis of self-verified data, the number of unemployed in the state is 10.46 lakh. However, there is a section of the society which is not unemployed but actually underemployed, said Sh. Manohar Lal.

Chandigarh, Haryana

Farmers should ensure timely uploading of the crop damage data on the e-fasal kshatipoorti portal, says CM 

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IEP Chandigarh, March 21

Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Manohar Lal announced to conduct special Girdawari of the crops damaged due to recent untimely rain and hailstorms. He also urged the farmers to ensure the timely uploading of their damaged crop data on the e-fasal kshatipoorti portal so that timely compensation for the damaged crops should be given to them.The Chief Minister was speaking during the ongoing session of the Budget Session of Haryana Vidhan Sabha. “We are standing shoulder to shoulder with our farmer brothers. I urge them to ensure the updation of their crop damage on the portal so that after proper verification, the compensation can be paid to them, said Sh. Manohar Lal.