IEP Chandigarh/Patiala, January 18

Punjab Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar, on Wednesday conducted a surprise check at the office of the Secretary, Regional Transport Authority Patiala in District Administrative Complex besides inspecting the Automated Driving Test Track and Head Office of PRTC on Nabha Road.Cabinet Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar interacted with the visiting people and obtained feedback from them for further improvement. He inquired about the official work of the staff and instructed to provide services to people on a priority basis so that the people do not face any hardship.The Transport Minister said that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann firm resolve is to provide transparent and corruption-free services to the people. He instructed that no laxity will be tolerated and strict action will be taken against those who cause trouble to the people.Laljit Singh Bhullar took stock of the work such as issuing new RCs, truck permits, renewal and driving license etc. from the staff of the RTA and driving track offices, and instructed Assistant RTA Sham Lal and other employees to keep themselves updated as per the prevailing scenario.After inspecting the Head Office of PRTC, Driver-Conductor Training School, Tire Plant and Bus Body Fabrication Cell, the Transport Minister directed the General Managers Parveen Kumar and Maninderpal Singh Sidhu and Executive Engineer Jatinderpal Singh Grewal that no stone should be left unturned to take the public bus services to new heights as the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led government was taking every initiative to strengthened the PRTC and Panbus by filling the loopholes.

IEP Chandigarh, January 17

Punjab government has adopted multi-pronged approach for the overall development of Schedule Caste Category people in Punjab for which various welfare schemes by the state and centrally sponsored schemes are introduced.

Stating this in a press release today Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities of Punjab Minister, Dr. Baljit Kaur said that projects are sought in this connection from every district under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati  Abhyuday Yojana—PM-AJAY. Last date for submitting the project is January 20. 

She said that the Department of Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities provide grants-in-aid to district/state level projects for the socio-economic betterment of Scheduled Castes under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati  Abhyuday Yojana for the year 2023-24. Under this project, proposals from all the districts of Punjab State are invited till 20th January 2023.

She said that this initiative is aimed at social empowerment through educational development; economic empowerment through income and employment enhancing avenues and integrated development of SC majority. Comprehensive livelihood projects related to income enhancement and skill development related to social and economic development of Scheduled Caste families/individuals will be covered under this scheme.  These projects are planned and structured at state level and district level keeping in mind the needs of Scheduled Castes in urban and rural areas.

The minister said that chief aim of this project is socio-economic betterment of Scheduled Castes.

IEP Chandigarh, January 16     

     The Punjab Government led by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is leaving no stone unturned to provide every facility to the common people with full emphasis on transparency factor.           As part of this, the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department is undertaking distribution of wheat in the State under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana with full adherence to the norms of transparency. The Electronic Point of Sale Machines are being used for the purpose under which the wheat is distributed to the beneficiaries only after getting their thumb impression with the quantity distributed entered in the receipt. Apart from this, the District Offices have been directed to make clear the benefits entailed under the National Food Security Act 2013, Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana and One Nation One Ration Card, at the every ration depot.          The Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak said that the Union Government is sending the wheat to Punjab in respect of only 1.41 crore beneficiaries whereas the State has 1.57 crore beneficiaries at present. A verification drive under the National Food Security Act, 2013 has also been started to remove in-eligible beneficiaries from amongst the additional 16 crore beneficiaries.          Further, the wheat distributed under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana is provided to the State Government by the FCI out of the Central pool stock. This Central pool wheat is packed in the bardana and is distributed by the depot holders in loose form by opening the sacks.           Also, the Department has adopted zero tolerance approach towards any malpractice and in case any complaint is received during the distribution of the stock of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana then the complaint is minutely probed followed by strict action against erring officials, employees and depot holders           It is noteworthy that the Union Government began the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana in April 2020 during corona pandemic for meeting the shortage of foodgrains. Under the scheme, the beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act 2013 i.e. those of Antyodaya Ann Yojana or the Priority Households are being provided with the 5 Kg wheat per beneficiary per month.  

IEP Chandigarh, January 16

          Under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Punjab government has started surface water projects worth Rs 1963 crore to ensure potable water supply to 1700 villages in the state. Out of this amount, Rs. 578 crore has been set aside for the border district Fazilka. This amount would be spent in Abohar, Balluana and Khuia Sarwar areas of District.

          Disclosing this, Punjab Water Supply and Sanitation Minister Bram Shanker Jimpa said that concerted efforts are being made by the Punjab government to improve the quality of drinking water in the border areas. Many projects have been initiated to raise the standard of living and provide basic amenities to the people.

          Mr. Jimpa said that he participated in the national conference ‘Water Vision@ 2047’ at Bhopal last week and raised the issue of poor water quality in the border districts of Punjab, besides seeking funds from the union government for the improvement of water quality in the border districts and a large part of the central funds should be allocated to these areas.

          He participated in a function of water supply and sanitation department held at Balluana constituency, where he laid the foundation stone of Rs. 40 crore work of laying pipes for the supply of drinking water supply. Apart from this, Minister dedicated a rural water supply scheme worth Rs. 4 crore to the people. Similarly, he also dedicated the water works projects in villages Dharam Pura and Mehrajpura worth Rs. 9 crores to the citizens of the constituency. Jimpa also informed that in the areas where the quality of drinking water is poor, possibilities of setting up the R.O. plants are also being explored.

          Mr. Jimpa further said that the ground water of Ferozepur, Fazilka, Gurdaspur and many other districts like Bathinda along the international border is not fit for human consumption. Elements like heavy metal and uranium are being found in the water due to which many people are suffering from cancer and other serious ailments. He said that hair of children is turning grey and people are also suffering various other diseases. He said that the government is doing a lot of work in these areas and efforts are being made at large scale. The projects launched today are the part of the works started by Mann Govt. He said that the Punjab government is committed to take care of every section of the state.

          Giving information about the work being done for the welfare of farmers, Revenue Minister Jimpa further informed that during the ongoing year 2022-23, the state government has distributed Rs. 125 crore to farmers as compensation for crop damage and for farmers’ welfare so far.

          On the occasion, Balluana MLA Amandeep Singh Goldy Musafir and senior officials of the district were also present.

IEP Chandigarh, January 16

During the first 10 months of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led government, Punjab Roadways/Punbus and PRTC has witnessed approx. 42 per cent surge in revenue in 2022.          While divulging further, Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar said that Punjab Roadways/Punbus and PRTC has registered Rs.1247.22 crore income from March to December 2022 with a 41.80 per cent increase, resulting in Rs.367.67 crore increase in revenue than the previous year. Notably, the income from government buses was Rs.879.55 crore in 2021.          Divulging details, the Cabinet Minister said that the Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) collected Rs.665.30 crore during the last ten months of 2022, while the earning during 2021 was mere Rs.446.83 crore, adding that revenue of PRTC increased by Rs.218.47 crore, which is 48.89 per cent.          Similarly, the income of Punjab Roadways/Punbus was registered Rs.581.92 crore with an increase of Rs.149.20 crore during the last ten months of 2022, said Laljit Singh Bhullar, adding that it was Rs.432.72 crore during corresponding period of the previous year. Punjab Roadways/Punbus has registered a growth of 34.47 per cent during this period, he added.          The Transport Minister said that the Mann Government has spent total of Rs.558.85 crore for a free travel facility to women in buses of Punjab Roadways/Punbus and PRTC from April to December 2022, while Rs.313.46 crore was spent during the corresponding period of the previous year.          He said that PRTC spent Rs.299.66 crore under the free travel facility to women in 2022 as compared to Rs.166.87 crore in 2021. Likewise, Rs.259.19 crore was spent for a free travel facility to women in Punjab Roadways/Punbus buses during the year 2022 as compared to Rs.146.59 crore in the year 2021.

IEP Chandigarh, January 16

During the discussion brain storm on the GM mustard in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Vidhan Sabha speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhawan said that the purpose of this discussion is to strengthen democracy at the grassroots level and sensitize legislators about issues of public importance.

S. Sandhwan said that before a law is made on any subject, there is a need for a thorough debate on it at every level so that there should be no flaw in it. He said that Punjab is an agriculture-based state, due to this there should be a serious debate on the GM (Genetically Modified) mustard. S. Sandhwan said that agriculture is a state subject and it should be left for the discretion of the states. If the central government forcefully implement it, it would inevitably be an attack on federalism system.

During the discussion on G. M. mustard, scholars gave their opinions on many aspects like its yield, quality, environment, impact on health etc. and two types of ideas emerged in support and resistance to it. The discussion was started by Kapil Bhai Shah, an agriculturist expert from Baroda, followed by a professor from Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana. Dr. Jagdeep Singh Sandhu, former pathologist from P.A. U. Ludhiana Dr. Satwinder Kaur, Dr. OP Chaudhary, Dr. Pratap Kumar, Head of Biotechnology department G.N.D.U., Vice Chancellor of Punjab Agricultural University Dr. Satvir Singh Gosal, VC of Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana. Dr. Inderjit Sigh, eminent agriculture expert Dr. Devinder Sharma, Executive Director of Agricultural Heritage Mission Mr. Ominder Dutt, agricultural expert Kavita, eminent farmer’s leaders Mr. Balbir Singh Rajewal, Mr. Jagjit Singh Dallewal, Mr. Jagmohan Singh and Rajinder Singh Deep Singh Wala presented their views.

Agricultural experts were of the opinion that Genetically Modified (GM) mustard has been created by tampering with the Indian mustard gene and will not be affected by any pesticides. When the mustard crop is ready, its oil will be extracted but its seed cannot be sown again. So every year its seeds have to be bought by the farmers from the company. With the arrival of this crop, farmers will become dependent on companies.

While many experts were of the opinion that the area under mustard cultivation has decreased due to low production of seeds, some said that this has happened due to non-availability of proper price of mustard crop and lack of guarantee of purchase. They also said that we already have five varieties of mustard seeds with higher yields and higher oil content than what is being claimed for breeding with GM mustard seeds. In resistance to GM mustard, experts have expressed concern that this mustard will have a negative effect on health and will not be good for health. Honey bees and pollinating insects are also thought to be most harmed by GM mustard. Many said that allowing G.M. mustard seeds is part of the Indian government’s policy to push farmers out of agriculture and hand over food to corporate houses. It was also said that the patent of the seed technology was held by multinational corporations. Opponents of GM mustard believe that the Indian government wants to establish a monopoly of multinational companies by eliminating the traditional and indigenous seeds of crops, vegetables, pulses and oilseeds, thereby making farmers their patrons.

Meanwhile, Punjab Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh said that bookish  knowledge as well as practical knowledge should be kept in mind while implementing such crops. In this regard, there we should not depended on only scientists, but the opinion of the farmers involved in this process should be taken into consideration. During this discussion, Agriculture Minister Mr. Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, about two dozen MLAs, agricultural experts, farmer’s leaders and officers of various departments were also present.