IEP Chandigarh, December 10

In recognition to one of the most Innovative Citizen Engagement for the benefit of farmers through Technology in form of “Digitization of J-Form via Whatsapp and Digi-Locker”, Punjab Mandi Board has bagged the 8th Digital Transformation award.  

          The award was bestowed to the officers of the Punjab Mandi Board by the IT Minister of Assam in a function held at Guwahati on Friday. The award was given through jury-led process at Assam under the supervision of senior Bureaucrats and experts from Department of IT Assam. During the event, the Jury lauded the bold and innovative communicators introduced by Punjab Mandi Board for setting new standards for digital communications.

          Divulging more details, Secretary Mandi Board Mr. Ravi Bhagat said that Punjab is known for setting up of e-Governance in almost all the departments of state government adding that Punjab Mandi Board has started this unique initiative by setting up E-Procurement (procurement by invitation) during COVID-19 in 2020. He said that since then, the IT team of board has launched several e-services like online license, online payments, digitization of J-Form, online procurement, VTS app for recording of outside state crop coming to Punjab, e-Auction portal, e-Daak portal and others to facilitate the stakeholders. Mr. Bhagat emphasized that these digital initiatives have not only saved manpower and logistics cost but has also helped in ensuring transparency and efficiency in operations, facilitation of stakeholders via e-license, e-pass, payments via dedicated gateways and others.

          Likewise, the Secretary Mandi Board said that it has also helped to reduce licensing registration timeframe from 1.5 months to 1 week. He further said that Punjab Mandi Board has focused on unique Integrated Management System (IMS) through which users access the single version of truth. Mr. Bhagat said that it is a matter of pride and satisfaction that Punjab Mandi Board, has bagged “Most Innovative Citizen Engagement through Technology” category award.

          Secretary Mandi Board further said that farmers of the state are getting immensely benefitted from the idea of digitizing the J-Form via Whatsapp, and in Digi-Locker. He said that this digital receipt gives freedom to citizens for utilizing this receipt as an income proof to avail benefits under various government schemes. Mr. Bhagat said that this digital receipt of J-Form not only serves the farmers but also the government by removing duplicate holders in various government subsidies adding that this unique farmer data has not only helped the Punjab Mandi Board but also various other government departments for delivering subsidies to citizens.

IEP New Delhi, December 9

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday urged the Union Power Minister RK Singh to review the decision of Government of India and allow 100% supply of coal to the state through Direct Rail Mode instead of existing Rail-Ship-Rail (RSR) mode.

          The Chief Minister during a meeting with RK Singh here at his office on Friday said that Ministry of Power have asked State of Punjab to start lifting 15-20% domestic coal through Rail-Ship-Rail (RSR) mode from January 2023 from Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) /Talcher Mines. Bhagwant Mann said that Talwandi Sabo Power Limited (TSPL) has coal linkage of 67.20 lakh MT with MCL/Talcher. He said that as per the advisory, about 12-13 Lakh MT is to be routed through RSR mode.

          However, the Chief Minister lamented that transportation of this coal by RSR mode will result in massive increase in landed coal cost by about Rs. 1600 per MT thereby causing an additional financial burden of about Rs. 200 Crore every year. He said that the distance through train route between MCL and Punjab is around 1900 kms adding that by the proposed RSR Mode, train distance will be around 1700-1800 kms in addition to sea travel of around 4360 kms between Paradeep and Mundhra. Bhagwant Mann asserted that Punjab is located farthest from MCL hence transportation cost is 60% of the total landed coal cost.

          The Chief Minister also rued that the relief in freight provided by the Railways to thermal power plants located beyond 1400 kms has not been extended after its expiry on December 31, 2021, which has resulted in sudden increase in railway freight. Bhagwant Mann asserted that due to multiple transportation and handling of coal through RSR mode, the Transit loss will increase from 0.8% to 1.4% besides deterioration in quality of coal adding that due to multiple transhipment, the total transportation time from loading at source (MCL) to unloading at power plant destination will be around 25 days instead of 4-5 days through rail route. He said that considering the above-mentioned concerns, transportation of domestic coal through the proposed RSR route is not fruitful for the thermal power plants of Punjab, as it will increase energy charges burden on people of Punjab adding that if there are infrastructure constraints on the part of Railways in placing adequate rakes for evacuation, then this burden should be shared equally by all States.

          Meanwhile, the Chief Minister also raised the issue of appointing Member Power in BBMB from the quota of state with RK Singh. Both the leaders arrived at consensus for appointing the member at the earliest for streamlining the affairs in BBMB. They agreed that the entire process for appointment of the member will be completed soon.

          Flagging another issue, the Chief Minister said that Coal production at Punjab state’s captive mine Pachhwara Central has commenced and this mine has sufficient surplus coal for transfer to TSPL after meeting requirement of State thermals and as such there may not be any requirement of imported coal for the power plants of Punjab in future. Bhagwant Mann asked the Union Minister to allow Punjab to use coal from its captive mine Pachhwara Central for both TSPL and Nabha Power Limited (NPL) without a 50% transfer limit and payment of royalty. He said that quality of Pachhwara coal is excellent, i.e. high GCV of 4300 Kcal/kg and low Ash Content of 29% against MCL coal which has low GCV of 3000 Kcal/kg and high Ash Content of 41%.

IEP Chandigarh, December 9

Punjab Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Dairy Development Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar has directed the officials of the department to further strengthen the mechanism for keeping a check on the inflow of wild pigs brought illegally from other states and illegal traders, which are affecting the pork market of the state. He also directed to write a letter to the DGP Punjab for the vigil on link roads of the border villages.After listening to the problems of the representatives of the Progressive Piggery Farmers Association here at his office, Cabinet Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar said that illegal entry of wild pigs in the state, causing economic loss to the pig farmers on the one hand, there is more possibility of spreading serious diseases like African Swine Fever to farm-pigs of the state from the wild pigs.Director, Animal Husbandry Dr. Subhash Chander Goyal apprised the Animal Husbandry Minister that to resolve this problem, the department has set up check posts at the entry points on major road of the state and deployed veterinary officers, who are taking necessary action in coordination with police officers.Cabinet Minister Bhullar directed the officials of the Animal Husbandry Department to further strengthen the system to stop the illegal inflow of the pigs and nab the illegal traders. He asked the officials to liaise with the DGP Punjab for setting up check posts on link roads of the border villages also for strict vigil so that the pig farmers do not face any problem.