Category Archives: Chandigarh

CABINET SUB-COMMITTEE BRAINSTORMS TO RESOLVE LEGITIMATE ISSUES OF LANDLESS LABOURERS & CONTRACTUAL EMPLOYEES

IEP Chandigarh, December 21

The Cabinet Sub-Committee comprising Finance & Planning Minister Adv. Harpal Singh Cheema, Housing and Urban Development Minister Mr. Aman Arora and Rural Development & Panchayats Minister Mr. Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal on Wednesday held a meeting to listen and resolve all the legitimate issues of various Unions and Associations regarding landless labourers and employees hired through contractors and reservation for Schedule Tribes (ST).It was the maiden meeting of the Cabinet Sub-Committee constituted on the directions of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Mann to find the best possible resolution of the demands of Theka Mulazim Sangharsh Morcha, Zameen Prapati Sangharsh Committee and Gazetted & Non-Gazetted SC BC Employees Welfare Federation Punjab.The Sub-Committee gave a patient hearing to the issues raised by the representatives of various unions and associations during a series of meetings that lasted for more than three hours at Punjab Bhawan here.Heading in the direction of resolving the majority of the issues positively, the Sub-Committee directed the officials of the concerned departments to hold meetings with the representatives of the respective unions and associations to come up with an early resolution to their issues.The Sub-Committee also assured the unions that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has directed them to find the acceptable solutions in the interests of concerned sections of the society. The meetings were attended by senior officials of the concerned departments and LR branch to ensure that all the legal barriers in resolution of the issues may be tackled accordingly.The Sub-Committee decided to convene the next meeting with these unions in the month of January next year. These meetings were held up in a congenial atmosphere and ended on a positive note.Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur and MLA Kulwant Singh Bazigar were also present in one of the meetings.

DR NIJJAR REVIEWED THE PREPARATIONS FOR THE BEAUTIFICATION OF AMRITSAR IN CONNECTION WITH THE G-20 SUMMIT

G-20 SUMMITIEP Chandigarh, December 21

To review the preparations being made for the G-20 Summit, a meeting of the Sub-Cabinet Committee was held at Municipal Bhawan Chandigarh under the leadership of Local Government Minister Dr.Inderbir Singh Nijjar. Cabinet Sub Committee members Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, Harjot Singh Bains and Harbhajan Singh were also present in the meeting.Giving more information in this regard, Local Government Minister, Dr.Nijjar said that the G-20 summit is going to be held in the holy city of Amritsar in March 2023 possibly on 15 to 17 March 2023. Presidents and Prime Ministers of major countries and other international delegates will also attend this G-20 summit. He said that it is a matter of great pride for the state that this international level event is going to be held in Punjab.The Cabinet Sub-Committee headed by Cabinet Minister Dr.Nijjar reviewed the development works related to the beautification of Amritsar and has given instructions to the officials related to this work that no deficiency should be left in the development works for the beautification of Amritsar in connection with the G-20 Summit. The minister also told the officials that Amritsar city of the state has to be presented on the world map on behalf of India, so any official who neglects the beautification of Amritsar will not be spared.The Cabinet Sub-Committee headed by Cabinet Minister Dr.Nijjar has instructed the Deputy Commissioner Amritsar to form a local committee under the leadership of the Mayor of Amritsar so that in connection with the G-20 the development works to be conducted in Amritsar and other Preparations can be reviewed from time to time.He said that the major works to be done include repairing roads, street lights, making green belts, painting the Golden Gate, improving solid waste management, installing signage boards, electricity and traffic lights etc.Dr.Nijjar further informed that about Rs100 crore will be spent on development works for the beautification of the city of Amritsar for the G-20 summit. He said that extensive arrangements will be made for the success of this global event. The Minister of Local Government revealed that with this international event, the state will emerge on the world tourism map, while investment is also likely to get a boost.On this occasion, he gave details of the works to be done to strengthen the beauty and basic structure of the city and said that whatever work will be done will be not only for the program, but will be strong and good quality works as per the needs of the city residents.The Cabinet Sub-Committee has directed the concerned officers present in the meeting to ensure that every development work to be done at Amritsar is completed within the stipulated time.on this occasion, Mr.Vivek Pratap Singh, Principal Secretary, Local Government, Mr. Uma Shankar Gupta, Director, Local Government, Deputy Commissioner, Amritsar, Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Amritsar and other officials were present.

Mann government’s honest policies bear fruits; Rs.3.22 crore to be earned from Ludhiana bus stand in six months: Laljit Singh Bhullar

IEP Chandigarh, December 21

Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Mann’s honest and transparent governance model is steering the Punjab Transport Department on the path of progress. Ludhiana bus stand, has fetched an amount of Rs.3.22 crore for the next six months in a auction conducted recently.Giving more information, Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar said, new vistas of income are opening for the transport department with the honest policies of Mann government, adding that  parking, an auction has been conducted of bathrooms, advertisement sites and bus stand fee collection at Ludhiana bus stand.  Now, the Punjab Roadways/Punbus will earn over Rs.2.31 crore from bus stand fee collection at the rate of Rs.38.51 lakh per month. Similarly, the bid for parking increased by Rs.70,000 and it will fetch Rs.7.20 lakh per month, from which the department will get Rs.43.20 lakh during next six months.Mr. Bhullar said that the department will get double revenue from the bathrooms in the bus stand as these public utilities were taken by the bidder at the double price of Rs.3.95 lakh per month as compared to the previous year price of Rs.2.01 lakh per month. The department will get revenue of Rs.23.70 lakh.The Transport Minister said that the contract for advertising inside the bus stand premises has increased to Rs.3.05 lakh per month. As many as 43 sites of 13,327 square feet for advertisement inside the bus stand will attract Rs.18.30 lakh during next six months.The Minister informed that the shops and SCF of the bus stand were closed for the past several years. This time, two shops at the bus stand have been given on the rent at the rate of Rs.42,750 each per month, from where the department will receive Rs.5.13 lakh in next six months. Similarly, three SCF will attract Rs.5,000 each per month rent and state exchequer will receive Rs.90,000 from these SCFs.Meanwhile, the Transport Minister directed the officials of the department to take immediate action for the re-bidding of the remaining shops so that the people can get the benefit of it and the revenue of the department could be increased accordingly.

Haryana organizes state-level function in Hisar on the occasion of Maharaja Shoor Saini Jayanti

IEP Chandigarh, December 20

Reiterating his commitment to provide houses to the deprived and needy in Haryana, Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal announced to launch  a separate Mukhya Mantri Awas Yojana on  the lines of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.          He said a survey is being done in Haryana and houses will be provided to the eligible beneficiaries who do not have houses.        The chief minister made this announcement  while virtualy addressing  the gathering during a state-level programme held on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Maharaja Shoor Saini in Hisar.         On this occasion, Sh. Manohar Lal further announced to give Rs 31 lakh from his discretionary fund for the renovation and construction of Saini Senior Secondary School where the functionwas held.  Apart from this, he also announced Rs 11 lakh each on behalf of Urban Local Bodies Minister, Dr. Kamal Gupta and Deputy Speaker, Vidhan Sabha, Sh. Ranbir Gangwa.         Besides this, considering the demand of the representatives of the Saini community, the Chief Minister said that the educational institution will be named after the first female teacher, Savitribai Phule. For this, the people and representatives of the community will share which government college or school in which city or area, should be named after Savitribai Phule.         Sh. Manohar Lal, while announcing the demand raised by the community people for the land required for the construction of dharamshala, said that the community people will have to apply and according to the rules, the plot will be allotted for dharamshala. Apart from this, other demands will also be considered and fulfilled.The Chief Minister said that this is the second state-level function to celebrate Maharaja Shoorsaini Jayanti. Earlier in the year 2020, the first state-level function was organized in Kurukshetra. He said that the life of Maharaja Shoorsaini was very glorious and inspiring as he was a great knower of Vedas,  a justice-lover, and a protector of society.         The area near Mathura was named after Maharaja Shoorsaini and were known as the Shoorasaini region. The Saur Saini language was also named after him and after Maharaja Shoorsaini, the Shoorsaini dynasty started and the Saini caste originated. The valour of the Shoorsaini caste is praised not only in history but in the Mahabharata also the story of the brave soldiers has been highlighted, said Sh. Manohar Lal. He appealed to the organizers to organize such state-level functions every year.Glorious history of Saini societyThe Chief Minister said that the history of Saini community is glorious and great. In the Rigveda, there is a description of a heroic caste named shreni, in the same lineage Maharaja ‘Shoorsaini’ had established the Shursainigan. Saini community has given social revolution pioneer Mahatma Jyoti Ba Phule, India’s first female teacher, Savitribai Phule, social reformer and saint-like Sh. Likhmidas, brave warrior like Gulab Chand Saini, commander of Ballabhgarh princely state, Babu Jagdev Prasad Kushwaha, architect of social revolution in Bihar. Apart from great social workers, veteran hockey players like Major Dhyan Chand Kushwaha, Param Vir Chakra awardee Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria, brave soldiers like Param Vir Chakra awardee Subedar Joginder Singh Saini, artists like Padmashree Nek Chand Saini, creator of Rock Garden in Chandigarh,  and many great men, including wild animal protectors like Padma Shri Kailash Chand Sankhala, worked to save the existence of a population of tigers in India also belonged to Saini community, said Sh. Manohar Lal.         There is a big contribution of the Saini community in the freedom movement as well and the contribution of the Saini community in the rehabilitation of the country post independence is commendable, he added.The 30 percent strength of students belonging to Saini community has a significant role in the progress of society        Sh. Manohar Lal said that the according to official data, the number of families of the Saini community is 1.96 lakhs, which is more than 8 lakhs according to the population. The 30 percent strength of students belonging to Saini community has a significant role in the progress of the society, he added.          He appealed to the people present that the children who still do not attend the school should be enrolled at the earliest as every child should complete his or her studies at least till 12th standard. The Chief Minister informed that according to PPP data,  in the Saini community, 24 percent of the population is women. He urged the community women to join Self-Help Groups(SHGs). The government is giving various types of financial benefits to the SHGs. Market access has also been ensured for the products made by the SHGs, said Sh. Manohar Lal. Play a role in nation-building by emphasizing skill trainingThe Chief Minister said that according to the data, only 4 percent youth of the Saini community are unemployed. Such youth should lay emphasis on skilling and should work in association with private companies or self-employment and should play an important role in building a strong Nation. He said that according to this data, there are 1200 families whose income is less than Rs. 25000.         The Chief Minister called upon the people and representatives of the Saini community to come forward for the economic upliftment of these families.With system change, many radical changes brought in 8 yearsSh. Manohar Lal said that in the last 8 years, the state government has brought several radical changes while changing the system. The government has given great relief to the people by taking initiatives like an online transfer policy,  starting the CM window, and e-governance. The life of the people has become easier, as a result of which Haryana is also moving forward in the Happiness Index, said Sh. Manohar Lal. Great men from every community have contributed to the country’s freedom movement        The Chief Minister said that great men from every section of society have contributed to the country’s freedom movement. However, the Opposition claims that it is only because of them that the country has got freedom. They can’t stop themselves to limit this movement to a single family. The opposition should not tamper with the historical facts by making such regrettable statements, rather there should be a sense of respect for all communities.Started many schemes for poor families        The Chief Minister said that the Haryana government has also launched CHIRAYU Haryana Yojana on the lines of the Ayushman Bharat for poor families. Under this, 28.89 lakh Antyodaya families will get a free treatment facility of Rs 5 lakh annually. Not only this, the government by launching Nirogi Haryana Yojana has tried to ensure early diagnosis of every health problem by doing timely health checkups.         Under this scheme, the health checkups of 1.25 crore people will be done in the first phase. So far health check-up for 60,000 to 70,000 people has been done and health check-up for all will be done next year, added Sh. Manohar Lal. Teachings of great men are being remembered  through Sant-Mahapurusha Vichar Samman Evam Prasar YojanaThe Chief Minister said that in India many saints-mahatmas, rishi-munis, and gurus have shown humanity the right path in life. The teachings of such great personalities are the heritage for the entire society.         It is our utmost responsibility to preserve and protect their legacy. In this direction, we are working to spread the message of saints and great men to the masses under the ‘Sant-Mahapurusha Vichar Samman Evam Prasar Yojana’. The organization of Maharaja Shoorsaini Jayanti celebrations is also a part of this plan, said Sh. Manohar Lal.         In this scheme, birth anniversaries of saints and great men like Sant Kabir Das Ji, Maharishi Valmiki Ji, Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, Maharishi Kashyap Ji, Guru Ravidas Ji, and Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar have been celebrated at the state level.The Chief Minister. said that under the able leadership of Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi, the country is moving ahead on the policy of Sabka Saath-Sabka Vikas-Sabka Vishwas-Sabka Prayas.        In the last 8 years, our double-engine government has taken the pace of development to its peak. Today’s Haryana is not the state anymore where auctioning of jobs used to be done. Today people do not have to visit government offices to get their work done. We have given a big blow to nepotism, casteism, regionalism, corruption, etc, asserted Sh. Manohar Lal. He said that by implementing e-governance and an online system, the state government has worked to close the way of corruption. Earlier recruitment in government jobs was done only through Parchi Kharchi.  Now we have created a new competitive environment by making recruitments only based on merit. Earlier there was discrimination in some areas of the state even in terms of development. We have ensured holistic development while upholding the spirit of Haryana Ek-Haryanvi Ek, said the Chief Minister.         Sh. Manohar Lal said that the Saini community is working for the welfare of society. If any kind of difficulty or obstacle comes in front of them, they face it firmly. People of all communities should work jointly with the government for the interest of the general public, said Sh. Manohar Lal. Urban Local Bodies Minister, Dr. Kamal Gupta, Deputy Speaker, Vidhan Sabha, Sh. Ranbir Gangwa, Minister of State for Uttar Pradesh Jaswant Saini, Kurukshetra MP Nayab Singh Saini, MLA Vinod Bhayana, Bhavya Bishnoi, former Finance Minister Captain Abhimanyu and other dignitaries also remained present on this occasion.  

Haryana bags SKOCH GOLD Award

IEP Chandigarh, December 19

The incredible achievements made by Haryana in the Agriculture and Horticulture sector have yet again been recognized at the national level as both the departments have bagged SKOCH GOLD Award for their respective remarkable achievements in Soil Health Card and Crop Cluster Development Programme.

        Giving information in this regard, an official spokesperson said that the award was received on behalf of Haryana by Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department, Dr Sumita Misra, and Director General, Horticulture Department, Sh. Arjun Saini in New Delhi.

He said that under the leadership of Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal and guidance of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister, Sh. JP Dalal, Haryana is continuously setting new dimensions in the agriculture and horticulture sector. The state government is making efforts towards increasing the profit and income of the farmers through diversification.

Haryana, the second largest contributor of food grains to the national pool, has taken many policy initiatives for diversification towards horticulture and promotion of agri-business. Haryana has mapped around 400 horticulture crop clusters and formed 700 Farmer Producer Organizations.

To strengthen the backward and forward linkages in the clusters, the State has launched an ambitious Scheme – “Crop Cluster Development Program (CCDP)” with an outlay of Rs. 510.35 crore for establishing on-farm Integrated Pack-Houses through FPOs.

So far, 33 integrated pack-houses have been established and 35 are under progress. By the end of the current financial year, a total of 100 such integrated pack-houses are targeted to be established.

Further, to ensure end to the end value chain for farmers and farm produce, a total of 37 Agri Sector Companies have executed 54 MoU with 34 FPOs for trading and marketing of FPOs produce with a buy-back mechanism to boost agri-business activities. In a short span of 10 months trading of 13400 MT horticulture commodities valuing more than Rs. 14 crores have been materialized and are expected to rise to over Rs. 200 crores.

The CCDP was launched to resolve several issues including aggregation of produce: Cluster formation, Farmers groups and market linkages like Pack-houses, Collection centres, Grading – packing and standards. Besides this, it also aims to resolve sanitary and phytosanitary measures including issues of pesticide residues, and microbiological contamination including pests, diseases, aflatoxins, and heavy metals.

Market access issues like legitimate barriers to trade: Domestic and export including national and international standards like IPPC and Codex and GAP protocols, Organic farming, and quality test labs.

Haryana intends to achieve complete modernization of the horticulture supply chain in the State from end-to-end approach connecting Farmers with the market & consumers. There is a huge impact of this project. Under HarKhet-SwasthKhet Abhiyan, about 75 lakh soil samples will be collected and tested in 3-4 years and Soil Health Cards (SHC) for every acre will be distributed to farmers.

To increase the people participation and awareness about soil testing, the work for collection of soil samples and distribution of Soil Health Cards is being performed through engagement of ‘Kisan Sahayaks’ (local villagers) and ‘Science Students’ of Government Colleges, Government Senior Secondary Schools under ‘Earn While-You Learn’ programme. An incentive of Rs. 40 per soil sample is also being provided to Kisan Sahayaks and Science Students. They were trained by the Department for soil sample collection. With this strategy, the state has collected 30 lakh soil samples in the year 2022-23 which is eight times faster as compared to previous years (2015-2020).

Network of Soil Testing Laboratories in Haryana

Haryana state has a wide network of Soil Testing Laboratories where farmers have easy access for soil testing. In the periphery of 20-25 Kms, there is availability of soil testing laboratory. Before 2020-21, Department 35 Static Soil Testing Laboratories which could test 7.4 lakh soil samples annually. During the year 2021-22 and 2022-23, the Department made 60 new STLs (13 static+47 mini), now, the Department has a total 95 (48 static + 47 Mini) Soil Testing Laboratories which can test 30 lakh soil samples annually

An era of peace in North East since 2014, 80% decline in civilian deaths, 6000 militants surrendered: Thakur

IEP New Delhi

The policy focus of Government of India is ‘Zero Tolerance Against Terrorism’, Union Minister  Anurag Thakur said today. In a detailed statement to the media at his residence, on the efforts of the Government to counter terrorism, Shri Thakur said that while Government has worked on the legal front by strengthening UAPA, at the same time it has also taken steps at the enforcement level by giving National Investigation Agency a truly federal structure by introducing National Investigation Agency (Amendment) Act and the collective effect of these measures has been a weakening of the ecosystem of terrorism.

Highlighting that India has raised its concerns at the highest global levels, he said that in international conferences and meetings, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has always pressed the world to unite against terror. The 90th Interpol General Assembly witnessed a participation of over 2000 foreign delegates and culminated in the announcement of ‘Global Action Against Act of Terrorism’, he added.

“The Governments resolve against terror has been displayed time and again from Surgical Strike to Balakot Strike. The action by our armed forces has caused a significant  drop in terrorist incidents in Jammu and Kashmir. Similarly, we have achieved a 94% conviction rate in terror financing cases” Shri Thakur said.

The Minister spoke at length about the efforts of the Government towards creating an atmosphere of peace in North East and said that an era of peace has dawned in North Eastern region of India since 2014 when insurgency violence has seen a sharp decline of 80 percent and civilian deaths have seen an 89 percent drop. Added to this is the achievement of surrender by six thousand militants since 2014, he underlined.

The Government is committed to go beyond armed action to counter terrorism and has worked to create an atmosphere of lasting peace across the region. These peace treatises are a legacy of the achievements of the Government. Underlining this aspect, Shri Thakur listed the peace agreements signed by the Government

Bodo Accord in January 2020,

Bru-Reang Agreement in January 2020,

NLFT-Tripura Agreement in August 2019,

Karbi Anglong Agreement Sept 2021,

Assam-Meghalaya Inter State Boundary Agreement in March 2022.

Speaking on the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, the Minister said that AFSPA roll back has been only a matter of discussion all this while but the Government rolled it back from a large part of North East including the whole of Tripura and Meghalaya. It remains in force in only 3 districts of Arunachal Pradesh, 60 percent of Assam is free of AFSPA, 15 police stations under 6 districts have been taken out of the category of Disturbed Area, Disturbed Area notification has been removed from 15 police stations in 7 districts, the Minister informed the media.

The Minister also delved into the rescue operations run by the Government over the years. Highlighting that rescuing Indian lives in distress are of a paramount concern for the Government and the country has been on the fore front of running rescue operations across the world, Shri Thakur listed the achievements.

22,500 citizens were rescued under Operation Ganga in February-March 2022,

670 Indian citizens were rescued from Afghanistan in Operation Devi Shakti.

In one of the biggest successes of rescue operations, 1.83 crore citizens were brought back home during COVID19 crisis, under Vande Bharat Mission in the year 2021-22.

India rescued 654 people from Wuhan in China.

Not just Indians, India has also offered a helping hand to foreign citizens under distress. In 2016, under Operation Sankat Mochan, 155 people including 2 Nepalese citizens were brought back from South Sudan. 5000 Indians were rescued from Nepal during Operation Maitree while 170 foreign nationals were also rescued from Nepal. Operation Rahat 6,710 people were rescued from Yemen including 1,962 foreigners.

Speaking on the status these efforts have created for India in the world, he said that India is increasingly being seen as a country that readily offers all assistance to other countries in their times of crisis and also as one that acts strongly against terrorism, while a neighboring country is only seen as one sheltering terrorism and propounding values of violence.

Central Government praises Punjab’s health infrastructure: Becomes Leading state in implementation of Surakshit Matritav Ashwasan program

IEP Chandigarh: December 18

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s efforts to improve the health infrastructure of Punjab seem to be fructifying, in the national workshop on Maternal Health held in Delhi,the Minister of State for Health of the Government of India Dr. Bharti Praveen Pawar awarded first prize to Punjab for successful implementation of Surakshit Matritav Ashwasan  (SUMAN) program in the state.Giving more information about this, Health and Family Welfare Minister Punjab Chetan Singh Jauramajra said that the Bhagwant Maan government of the state is making tireless efforts to keep its promise of providing better health facilities to the people. Thanks to those efforts, the health infrastructure in Punjab, which was in a very bad condition earlier, is now seeing a lot of improvement. The national ‘Suman’ programme, which was started with the aim of reducing the maternal-child mortality rate, has been implemented in in Punjab in a very successful manner, under which better maternity facilities are guaranteed to pregnant women.The Health Minister said that in the latest data released by the Central government, a great improvement has been seen on the front of maternal mortality rate in Punjab, which is an indicator of the positive changes taking place in the health scenario of the state. He also praised and congratulated all the doctors of the health department, especially the Director Health Services (FW) Dr. Ravinderpal Kaur, Assistant Director Dr. Vaneet Nagpal, Program Officer Dr. Inderdeep Kaur and other paramedical staff who have worked diligently to provide health facilities under the ‘Suman’ program in the state. Talking about the importance of health, Jauramajra said that the progress of any state or country is possible only if its residents are healthy, therefore the Punjab government has given the highest priority to the health of the people so that Punjab can become a developed and prosperous state.He expressed the hope that due to the efforts being made by the government in health, a lot of development is being seen in the health framework of Punjab in a short time and the dreams of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will soon come true in providing quality health facilities in Punjab and will be number one state in the field of health. AN EXCLUSIVE INITIATIVE OF MANN GOVERNMENT, FEROZEPUR BECAME THE FIRST DISTRICT OF PUNJAB TO CLEAR ALL ITS LEGACY WASTE: DR.INDERBIR SINGH NIJJAR  Chandigarh, December 18          Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is continuously working to provide basic facilities, clean and pollution free environment to the people of the state.Working in this direction, Local Government Minister Dr.Inderbir Singh Nijjar said that Ferozepur has become the first district of Punjab to clean all it’s legacy waste,  which has cleaned 7911 MTs of its legacy waste.Giving more information in this regard, Local Government Minister Dr. Inderbir Singh Nijjar said that District Ferozepur consisting 8 Urban Local Bodies (ULB’s) including Ferozepur, Zira, Guruharsai, Talwandi Bhai, Mallanwala, Mudki, Makhu and Mamdot has cleared all its legacy waste. Local Government Minister Dr.Nijjar said that now daily waste is being sent to MRF and  compost pits so that it can be recycled.  He also informed that Door to Door segregation is around 85 percent, remaining mixed waste is segregated daily and disposed of on the same day.Cabinet Minister Dr.  Nijjar said that now efforts are being made to get 100 percent Door to Door waste segregation.Local Government Minister Dr. Inderbir Singh Nijjar said that the dream of Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is to provide a clean and pollution-free environment to the people of Punjab.  Taking a step forward in this direction, the Punjab government has started it from Ferozepur district, now this campaign will be taken forward in other districts so that the state can be made clean and pollution free.Minister said that this work has been possible only with the hard work of the management, officials and employees of the local government department.  For this, he congratulated the management, officers and employees of the department. 

Punjab to hold Mega Parents-Teacher meeting on December 24 : Harjot Singh Bains

IEP Chandigarh, December 21

Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the School Education Department will hold Parents-Teachers meeting named Inspire 2.0 at government schools across Punjab on 24th December The department had expected to involve more than 10 lakh parents in this meet.Divulging this, Punjab School Education Minister Harjot Bains said that during this program, which will organised from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, teachers, students and their parents, school management committees and other renowned persons will sit together and discuss ways to improve the education system. He said that exhibitions showcasing the works done in schools, library Langars and academic achievements to be the center of attraction of this program.Mr. Bains urged the people to ensure their participation in this historic event. He asked the officials to reserve the entire day of December 24 to encourage teachers and students so that the dream of making Punjab’s school education system world-class could be realized.

Two-day NAAC Awareness Programme organized

IEP Chandigarh

Two-day NAAC Awareness Programme was organized by the Department of Higher Education, Chandigarh Administration on 20th-21th December 2022. The 1st day programme was held in Sabras Auditorium of Post Graduate Government College for Girls, Sector-42, Chandigarh. Ms. Purva Garg, Secretary Education, UT Chandigarh Administration was the Chief Guest on the occasion. Shri Rajiv Kumar Gupta IAS, DPI (Colleges) Punjab and Secretary, State Board of Technical Education and Shri Amandeep Singh Bhatti, PCS, Director Higher Education, Chandigarh Administration also graced the occasion.

 The Programme was attended by about 500 dignitaries from Higher Education, Departments Principals NAAC Coordinators of almost 250 colleges from Chandigarh and Punjab and NAAC Coordinators from Punjabi University, Patiala, Punjab University, Chandigarh and Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar. The august gathering was formally welcomed by the Principal Prof. (Dr.) Nisha Aggarwal. Ms. Purva Garg, IAS, Education Secretary, Chandigarh Administration addressed the audience and spoke on the importance of NAAC and encouraged the organizations to make the best of available resources, capabilities, and opportunities for continuous improvement.

 The Programme had three technical sessions. In session one, Dr. Jagannath Patil, Adviser, NAAC, Bengaluru gave an overview of RAF (Revised Accreditation Framework). In session two Dr. Shyam Singh Inda, Assistant Adviser, NAAC, Bengaluru, spoke on Data Validation & Verification (DVV), Student Satisfaction Survey (SSS) and Peer Team Visit (PTV). In session three, Dr. Dalip Kumar, Registrar, Amity University, Punjab explained in detail the Quality Indicator Framework and how it becomes the cornerstone of the assessment and accreditation process of NAAC. The technical sessions were followed by informal interaction wherein the participants clarified their doubts. A formal Vote of Thanks was delivered by Prof. Lakhvir Singh, NAAC Coordinator and Additional State Project Director, RUSA. It was a great initiative on the part of the Chandigarh Administration to encourage more HEIs from Chandigarh and Punjab to evaluate their quality of education, infrastructure, teaching, research and learning and qualify to apply for NAAC accreditation.

The 2nd day programme was organized at State Project Directorate, RUSA, Sector-42, Chandigarh, where officers from Punjab and Chandigarh Higher Education Departments and members of Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) interacted with the officials of NAAC Bengaluru. Dr. Jagannath Patil and Dr. Shyam Singh Inda the Session was chaired by Sh. Amandeep Singh Bhatti, Director Higher Education, Chandigarh Administration. The Programme started with welcome address from Prof. Anita kaushal, Principal PGGCG-11, Chandigarh, Dr. Ashwini Bhalla, Deputy Director (Colleges) gave presentation on Higher Education Status of Punjab and Presentation on Status of Higher Education of UT. Chandigarh was given by Prof. Lakhvir Singh ASPD, RUSA. The Programme ended with the vote of thanks from Prof. Punam Aggarwal, IQAC member and Principal GCC&BA, Sector-50 Chandigarh.

Vigilance registers case against lady Sarpanch, two MGNREGA officials and a private person for embezzlement in funds

IEP Chandigarh, December 21

 The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB), during its ongoing campaign against corruption in the state, on Wednesday registered an embezzlement case against against lady Sarpanch, two MGNREGA officials and a private person for committing embezzlement in MGNREGA funds to the tune of Rs 2,16,510. In this case Amandeep Kaur, Sarpanch, gram panchayat Kot Jaspat, district Tarntaran has been arrested. Teams have been formed to arrest the other accused.

Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the state VB said this misappropriation case has been registered after investigation of a complaint against Amandeep Kaur Sarpanch, Jodhveer Singh, Gram Employment Assistant MGNERGA, Tarunpreet Singh, technical assistant, MGNERGA of gram panchayat Kot Jaspat, district Tarntaran and Prem Singh, a private person who have colluded to usurp the government funds.

Giving details he further informed that during the probe it has came to light that the above mentioned accused in conniving with each other prepared forged muster rolls of labour under MGNERGA scheme in the village and encashed fake salary bills from bank which were in the names of their known persons shown as labourers. It was proved in the investigation that the above said accused have misused their official positions to misappropriate the government funds for their own purposes.

The spokesperson further added that in this regard a case under section 409, 420, 467, 468, 471, 120-B of IPC and under section 13(1) A, 13(2) of prevention of corruption act has been registered at VB police station Amritsar. Further investigation in this case was under progress.