Category Archives: Chandigarh

SPEAKER SANDHWAN CONGRATULATES WEIGHTLIFTER MIRABAI CHANU ON WINNING GOLD MEDAL AT COMMONWEALTH GAMES 2022 IN BIRMINGHAM

IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 31, 2022

Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan on Sunday has congratulated weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu, on winning India’s first Gold medal at Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham.

            Olympics silver medalist Chanu has won the gold medal with a Commonwealth Games record by lifting a total of 201 kg in the 49 kg weight category.

            Issuing a statement here, Speaker said that it is a matter of great pride for the country and the medal win by Chanu proves that girls are now playing a leading role in every field.

            Speaker Sandhwan has also congratulated Chanu’s assistant coach Sandeep Kumar who is serving in the Punjab Police and currently posted at the Centre Sports at PAP in Jalandhar. He himself has participated in the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games as a weightlifter and won a bronze medal in the 69 kg weight category at the 1998 Kuala Lampur Commonwealth Games.

            Earlier, Speaker also congratulated Punjab wrestler Jaspuran Singh, who won a bronze medal in the Under-17 World Wrestling Championship in Rome (Italy).

While congratulating the young player, Speaker said that not only Singh but his parents and Indian team coach Inderjit Singh also deserve appreciation for this big achievement at a young age.

 6 arrested in Haryana in threat & extortion call to MLAs

IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 31, 2022

Four MLAs of the state had received death threat and extortion calls from multiple phone numbers tracing to the countries in the middle east between 24-06-22 and 28-06-22. FIRs were lodged against these threats and had been assigned to STF(H) by DGP Haryana Sh. PK Agrawal, IPS to investigate. Technical analysis of these mobiles has confirmed that these numbers are registered in the Middle Eastern countries and were being operated from Pakistan. Some ex-MLAs of Punjab had also received similar threats from these numbers. Different tones and conversational styles, like Mumbaikar tone and Punjabi language, were used during these conversations with these MLAs. IGP STF(H) Sh. Satish Balan IPS had formed an SIT under the leadership of Sh Sumit Kumar IPS SP STF(H) to investigate these cases.The SIT included STF Units which were led by Sh Sandeep Dhankhar, DSP STF(H) and Sh Surendra Kinha, DSP STF(H). The two week long operation was personally monitored and supervised by Sh. PK Agrawal IPS, DGP Haryana In this context the Director General of Police (H) has been aided by the central agencies. STF conducted a technical analysis of these mobile numbers and IP addresses. This involved five separate teams working on this technical analysis.

          While working on this link, the STF(H) prepared a strategic plan through which STF(H) team  started receiving these threat and extortion calls. The STF(H) strategically crafted a plan and accordingly asked the account number and mobile numbers to complete the transaction with the extortionists. To track these account numbers, two parallel teams conducted raids across Mumbai and Mujjafarpur, Bihar

Two members of this gang namely,

1.  DuleshAlam S/O Bablu Alam resident of village Damavara PS: Sathi, Dist: Betia, Bihar

2. BadreAlam S/O Shahe Alam resident of village Bigra PS: DudharaDist: Basti, Uttar Pradesh,

were arrested from Mumbai.They were found in the possession of approximately 20 Passbook/Cheque Books, 18 ATMs, 14 fake sim cards, 1 diary and 5 mobile phones.

Similarly, from Mujjafarpur, Bihar, STF(H) arrested 4 culprits,

3.  Amit Yadav aka Radheshyam Yadav S/O Jairam Yadav resident of Hajiapur, PO Manikpur, PS: Gopalgunj, Distt. Gopalgunj, Bihar,

4. Saddiq Anwar S/o Md Safiullah resident of village Turkoliya Fatehtola PO: Banjariya Distt. Motihari, Bihar,

5. Sanoj Kumar S/o Mahesh Pandit resident of Porkharera PS: Kanti, Distt: Mujjafarpur, Bihar,

6. Kash Alam S/o Bablu Alam resident of village Damavara PS: Sathi, Distt: Betia, Bihar,

were arrested. These culprits were found to be in possession of 2 Passbook/Cheque book, 2 diaries, 1 register, 42 sim cards, 19 mobile phones, 37 ATMs. Till date, a total of 55 ATMs, 24 mobile phones, 56 sim cards, 22 Passbook/Cheque books, Rs. 3,97,000/-, one car TATA Punch, 3 diaries and 1 register have been found in the possession of the culprits. It was found that these culprits often enticed poor or common people by offering them 15-20 thousand rupees and convinced them to open bank accounts and would then keep all the documents (Passbook/Cheque book/ATM Card/ATM Pin) with themselves and would buy fake sim cards to operate these accounts. During these raids, the Mumbai Police Crime Branch, STF Bihar and Bihar Police offered complete support to STF (H). While interrogation, the STF(H) found approximately 10 Pakistani residents through whom the threats and extortion were routed.

          It is important to clarify that these accused do not belong to any criminal gang or terrorist organisation. This in fact is a gang of very sharp criminals who are involved in professional fraud, money laundering and have their members across Pakistan, Middle East and India. People sitting across these other countries would entice victims by naming “Kaun Banega Crorepati” or lotteries or by extortion calls and would make them transfer money to the account numbers given by Dulesh or Amit. Dulesh and Amit then either withdraw this money via ATMs or would transfer this amount to the Indian accounts of their Pakistan based gang members.

Jaiveer Kundu appointed as District Head, Krishan Lal Hooda as Trustee of Jat Seva Sangh Jasian

IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 31, 2022

The District level Conference of All India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti was held at Chaudhary Chhoturam Dharamshala here today under the chairmanship of Om Prakash Hooda (Head, Hooda Khap), in which Jaiveer Kundu (Titoli) was unanimously elected as the District President, and Krishna Lal Hooda was appointed as the trustee of Jat Seva Sangh, Jasian.

All India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti’s national convener, Ashok Balhara placed three resolutions in the conference which were passed unanimously. The resolutions included the demand for immediate withdrawal of cases registered during the Jat reservation movement, why was the sedition case against Yashpal Malik withdrawn, the demand for scrapping the Agneepath scheme and implementing the old recruitment system, and the introduction of the Minimum Support Price Guarantee Bill in the current Parliament session.

Ramphal Rathi (Pradhan, Chaubisi Khap), Omprakash Nandal (Pradhan, Nandal Khap), Ad-hoc committee members Dharampal Badala, Ved Prakash and Rajkumar Dadri expressed their views in the district level conference. The Khaps of district Rohtak jointly expressed that Yashpal Malik has lost the trust of the Jat community, so he should not hatch a conspiracy to break the Jat society siting in closed rooms, which the society has understood well.

In the conference, hundreds of people including Umed Hansraj, Dhir Kalu, Shamsher, Rajkali, Mukesh, Rajkumar, Vallu, Om Indra Vikram, Devendra, Ashok, Dr. Jaipal Dayanand, Vedpal, Satish, Vedpal, Wazir, Satveer, Raj Singh Hargyan participated.

MANN GOVERNMENT WILL INSTALL SOLAR POWER PLANTS IN ALL MANDIS ACROSS THE STATE, SAYS KULDEEP DHALIWAL

IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 27, 2022

Following the directions of the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Punjab Mandi Board will install solar power plants in all the mandis to provide affordable electricity across the state.

This has been disclosed by the Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, while chairing a meeting with the senior officials of the department at the head office here.

Dhaliwal ordered the concerned officials to start the work of installing solar power plants in all grain and vegetable markets at once in the state.

The officials present on this occasion said that the under a pilot project, net metering roof top solar power plant in four mandis are being installed and such solar power plants will be installed in 23 mandis.

The Minister of Agriculture said that a project report should be prepared for all grain and vegetable markets for setting up net monitoring solar power plants so that the people can be provided with affordable electricity. He directed to install sheds on which solar panels could be installed easily.

On this occasion, considering issue of lack of cleanliness in the vegetable markets, which led to obnoxious smell, the Minister directed officials to ensure the cleanliness of the vegetable markets on daily basis.

            The Agriculture Minister also issued instructions to take action to strengthen the link roads and make them 18 feet wide under the Mandi Board. Along with this, he said that the damaged link roads should be repaired immediately.

Taking an important decision, Kuldeep Dhaliwal asked the officials of the Mandi Board to submit a report as soon as possible to bring the vacant land of the focal point into use.

On this occasion, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister of Punjab and Secretary of Mandi Board Ravi Bhagat among other senior officials were present.

NO COMPROMISE ON DAMAGING ENVIRONMENT, VIOLATORS WILL BE DEALT WITH STERN ACTION: MEET HAYER

IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 27, 2022

Environment Minister Gurmeet Singh Hayer on Wednesday warned people to face the music for damaging the environment and said that it is the high time to take concrete steps to preserve the natural resources for the future generations.

          “Environment maintenance is a mutual responsibility of all of us. It is also our duty to preserve natural resources and a clean environment for future generations,” said Hayer while chairing a meeting regarding the Punjab Plastic Waste Management Society at the Punjab Pollution Control Board here.

          Meet Hayer said that the state government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is committed to industrial development for the progress of Punjab but at the same time there will be no compromise in the matter of damaging the environment. He said that the state government has adopted a zero tolerance against drugs and pollution.

          The Minister advised the society to rope in more and more companies in their society and to make it a financially sound model. Massive awareness is required among the public so as to make it a public movement, only then the mission of the Chief Minister Mann, Punjab to make the state “Green Punjab” will be achieved.

          Meet Hayer assured industrialists of fulsome support and cooperation from the state government so that this quintessential threat to human existence can be checked. Leading from the front to tackle this serious issue, the Minister offered the board members that he will take part in their cleanliness drives if they take initiative anywhere in the state.

          He said that they have got a clean environment from our forefathers but in the last 20-25 years the problem of pollution has exacerbated, therefore, it is high time that people must take responsibility to preserve the environment for the coming generations.

          Earlier, the Minister was briefed about the working of the society conceptualized by the Board about 5 years back and that it is one of its kind initiatives in entire country for collection and disposal of multi-layered plastic The society presented the Minister with products such as pen-holder, bird nest, board and others made out of plastic waste as well as other alternatives to the plastic like jute and cloth bags.

          The Minister lauded the efforts made by the Board for control of plastic pollution in the State. He exhorted the Board as well as society to enhance their activities regarding MLP throughout Punjab as well as include other plastic waste collection in their scope.

          He emphasised that it is one of the main promises of the State government to provide a clean environment to the public as well as our future generations.

          The officers of the Board as well as office bearers of the society assured the Minister that all out efforts shall be made to fulfil the expectations of the Government.

          Chairman of Punjab Pollution Control Board Dr Adarsh Pal Vig, while appreciating the personal involvement of the Environment Minister, said that environmental protection is a significant aspect.

          Board Member Secretary Engineer Karunesh Garg welcomed everyone and shared the agenda of the meeting. Representatives of industries and members of the society were also present in the meeting.

Efforts are being made to give the same facilities to the volunteers of the Home Guards as the police employees: Anil Vij

IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 25, 2022

Haryana Home Minister, Sh. Anil Vij said that talks are being held at various levels to provide various facilities to the Home Guard volunteers so that the Home Guard volunteers can also get the same facilities as the police personnel.

Sh. Vij gave this information at the launch of Online Duty Roster System (ORS) of Home Guards and Civil Defense Department here today.  With the launch of this portal, Home Guard volunteers will be put on duty through the online system.

The Home Minister directed the officials of the Home Guard to digitize the service record, duty record, attendance record, allowance etc. of the volunteers of the Home Guard and should also be integrated with the departments taking up the duty.

On the occasion of the launch of the online duty roster system of the Home Guard, the officials of the Home Guard apprised the Home Minister that at present there are about 12,000 volunteers of the Home Guard and with the introduction of the online system in the duty, favoritism and corruption can be curbed.  This system will bring transparency in duty allocation and rotation. 

The minister was apprised that due to the ORS system, 7 days before the date of duty and the date of rotation, it will alert that the duty of such a volunteer is going to end.  Apart from this, information regarding duty will also be provided to the volunteers through SMS and email and this information will also be given to the district commandate.  Volunteers will have to report about their duty at the district headquarters or training centres.  This system will give the volunteers equal opportunities as well as practice to perform all kinds of duties.  Delay in allotment of duty will be eliminated with the introduction of online system.

During this, the Home Minister was apprised that for the first time, the Home Guard volunteers were given winter and summer uniforms, including shoes and jackets.  On the death of volunteers, a provision of Rs. 2 lakh assistance has been made to the family members, a provision has also been made to give daily allowance of Rs. 788 per day to the volunteers of the Home Guard.  Apart from this, an amount of Rs. 35 crore has been sanctioned for setting up of Combined Training Institute in about 40 acres of land for Home Guard volunteers.  The records of all Home Guard volunteers in the state have been digitized and are now part of the Parivar Pehchan Patra scheme.

On this occasion, Additional Chief Secretary, Haryana Home Department, Sh. Rajeev Arora, Director General of Police, Sh. P.K.  Agrawal, Commandant General of Home Guard, Sh. Deshraj Singh and other senior officers were present.

State Government all set to provide single window approvals for setting up industry in Punjab: Anmol Gagan Mann

IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 25, 2022

The Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has issued directions to formulate transparent and hassle free investment policy to attract investors in order to make ‘Rangla Punjab’. This was stated by the Punjab Cabinet Minister Anmol Gagan Mann who today held a meeting in this regard with the officials of Invest Punjab Department. She gave clear cut instructions to implement the directions issued by the Chief Minister without any delay so that maximum investment can come in the state to ensure prosperity and overall development.

Anmol Gagan Mann asked the officials to ensure all approvals to the investors without any delay hassle. She said that the State Government is committed to make Punjab a leading state in the industrial sector and as part of the process, has created a mechanism where all approvals would be given through a single window for setting up industries in the state. The Minister also said that investors willing to invest in Punjab could apply online for approvals which would be given at the earliest.

The cabinet minister said that this is a common people’s government in which there is zero tolerance to corruption and if any officer or employee is found indulging in such malpractices, stringent action would be taken against them.

Prominent amongst others present in the meeting included senior officers of the Invest Punjab Department.

Chief Minister congratulates Neeraj Chopra for winning silver medal in World Athletics Championships

IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 24, 2022

Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal has congratulated golden boy Neeraj Chopra for creating history by winning a silver medal at the World Athletics Championships. He said that Neeraj Chopra of Haryana is the pride of the country. He has become the first male player from India to win a medal at the World Athletics Championships. Sh. Manohar Lal said that Neeraj Chopra has once again brought laurels to the country and Haryana.  The Chief Minister spoke to Neeraj’s uncle Bhim Chopra and congratulated him.

Goal to make Haryana a sports hub

        The Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal said that our aim is to make Haryana a sports hub.  For this, promising players like Neeraj Chopra will work to inspire the younger generation. The Chief Minister said that it is because of youth like Neeraj Chopra that Haryana’s flag is waving high in sports at the world level.  The Chief Minister said that today we have taken a step forward in the world of sports.  The policies of the state government and the performance of the players of Haryana are being discussed all over the world.  Haryana gives its sportspersons the highest number of awards and facilities in the country for winning medals in Commonwealth, Asiad and Olympics.

        He said that the Haryana Government has formulated ‘Haryana Outstanding Sportspersons Rules-2018’ to ensure secure employment for the outstanding sportspersons.  For them 550 new posts have been created in the sports department.  Apart from this, 156 sportspersons have been given government jobs till May 7, 2022.

        Provision for reservation has been made for sportspersons in direct recruitment to posts from class one to class four. The honorarium of sportspersons who won Arjuna, Dronacharya and Dhyan Chand awards has been increased from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 20,000 per month.  Amounts of Rs. 20,000  per month are being given to Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award winners and Rs. 5,000 per month to Bhim Award winners.

10 day boarding and 8 residential academies started to train players

The Chief Minister said that Haryana Government is working continuously for promotion of sports in Haryana and for all round development of sportspersons.  As a result, the sons and daughters of the state making the nation and state proud.  In this series, now the Sports and Youth Affairs Department has started 10 day-boarding and 8 residential academies to train the players.  All the trainees of these academies will be given diet at the rate of Rs. 400 per day per player.

Haryana is the power house of sports in the country

        At present Haryana is the sports powerhouse of the country.  The performance of our sportspersons in the Olympics and Paralympics – 2021 is a living example of how Haryana is emerging as a pioneer for other states in the field of sports.  In addition, Haryana recently hosted the Khelo India Youth Games – 2021 in which players from Haryana won the maximum number of medals.  Players and coaches from all over the country experienced the sports culture of Haryana closely and learned how the soil of Haryana is spewing gold not only in agriculture but also in sports.

Haryana Mahila Vikas Nigam will give driver and self defense training to BPL women

IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 24, 2022

Haryana Government has launched an important programme to make women and girls living below poverty line self-reliant with the spirit of Antyodaya during Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.  Through Haryana Mahila Vikas Nigam, women of eligible families will be given training as drivers and in self-defense.

        Giving this information today, an official spokesperson said that women willing to take driver and self-defense training can apply online till August 22, 2022.  The proforma of the application is available in the office of Haryana Women Development Corporation.  Attested copies of desired certificates are to be sent along with the application through email 1982whdc@gmail.com.  Applications received after the due date will not be accepted.  It will be mandatory for the interested eligible applicant to attach the telephone number, email address and attested copies of certificates issued by the competent authority.

        He said that these driving and self defense training programmes have been started by Haryana Mahila Vikas Nigam, Panchkula only for girls and women of below poverty line (BPL) families.

        The spokesperson said that the women applying for the training programme should be a native of Haryana state and her age should be between 18 to 45 years and the educational qualification should be 12th pass.  Preference will be given to educational qualification.  In addition, the applicant should have good eyesight and should not be blind.  At the same time, they should also have a valid Learner’s License.

He said that each trainee will also be given a stipend of Rs. 1000 during the training.

Mohali Industrial Economic Zone on BTR a boon for pharma industry

IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 24, 2022

Mohali Industrial Economic Zone (MIEZ) coming up on the Banur-Tepla Road (BTR) spread over 250 acres of land, will be the first of its kind planned industrial park of the region. Its best-in-class infrastructure, connectivity to the international airport, National Highways, skilled workforce, easy access to vendors and storage facilities make MIEZ BTR an ideal destination for pharmaceutical players.

“MIEZ-BTR has the connectivity advantage. Its proximity to Mohali and Chandigarh also addresses the concern of skilled workforce while semiskilled workers will have the advantage of affordable and quality life in and around Banur. Tax exemptions and other benefits from the Government of Punjab will be another boon for MIEZ BTR,” said Neenu Mittal,  Forgo Pharmaceuticals, Baddi.

While Baddi in Himachal Pradesh located near Chandigarh is known for being a hub for pharma big wigs, the upcoming option in the form of MIEZ -BTR could become a centre of attraction for those interested in putting up their pharma units in the economic zone.

“The major issues which pharma players face, in particular those falling in MSME category, are the problems related to receiving and storing raw materials, shrinking manufacturing process areas, locational constraints of quality control section, problems of storing finished and rejected drugs etc. Most of them do not have enough space for offices.  Pharma MSMEs’ need a one point solution to every issue related to the pharma industry,” said Vaneet Jain of Ultratech Pharmaceuticals, Baddi.

Piyush Kansal, a Director with Royale Estate Group(REG), promoter of MIEZ BTR, while talking about the benefits of establishing an enterprise in the planned Industrial zone said, “Pharmaceutical industries will get  a resolution to all issues they face. We will have smooth systems of receiving raw materials and adequate storage for these, elaborate manufacturing process areas, quality control mechanisms etc. MIEZ will provide all these aspects.”

Neeraj Kansal, MD, REG SAID , “MIEZ BTR is going to be a state-of-the-art industrial park. It is much suitable for the pharmaceutical cluster. The site of the park is just 21 kms away from the International Airport Mohali and in the vicinity of Amritsar-Kolkata Industrial Corridor (AKIC). The Industrial Park is powered by wide roads, efficient power supply, common effluent treatment, solid waste management, business and exhibition centre, R&D centre etc.”

“It is true that Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh (BBN) enjoys the sobriquet of being Asia’s biggest pharmaceutical hub, however Punjab government is making concerted efforts to promote Mohali as a pharma destination. To attract key players, the state government is coming up with a new industrial policy, looking forward to continuing a lot of incentives and exemptions. Infrastructure facilities like MIEZ BTR will certainly attract pharma investors,” added Ashwani Mehta of Asterisk Health Care, Una.

 Ashish Mittal, also a Director with REG said, “With the growth potential and in a competitive ecosystem, around 115 pharmaceutical companies are already in Mohali and its periphery. An investor under the Invest Punjab will have the advantage of 100 per cent exemption of stamp duty, 100 per cent exemption of electricity duty for seven years, and 100 per cent exemption from property tax. There will be an investment subsidy too.”

 Punjab has several bulk drug manufacturers of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and Key Starting Materials (KSMs). Several pharma players such as Sun Pharmaceuticals Industries, DSM, Ind-Swift, Nectar Lifesciences and some other formulation units have established their base in Mohali. Affordable facility and regulatory ease will make an infra hub like MIEZ BTR a bright spot for pharma players.