IEP CHANDIGARH, September 24

In yet another significant development amid the ongoing decisive war against anti-social elements launched on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Punjab Police arrested the person who arranged a motorcycle used by accused persons in planting an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) beneath the Sub-Inspector’s car in Amritsar on the directions of Canada-based gangster Lakhbir Singh alias Landa, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Saturday.

The arrested accused has been identified as Satnam Singh alias Honey of Patti in Tarn Taran. This is the ninth arrest in this case. He was in direct contact with Landa and executing the tasks on ground assigned by him.

          The development came a day after the arrest of main perpetrator, identified as Yuvraj Sabharwal alias Yash, who along with Deepak (arrested) of village Patti in Tarn Taran, had retrieved and planted the IED under the SUV Bolero (PB02-CK-0800) of SI Dilbag Singh parked outside his residence in the area of C-Block Ranjit Avenue, Amritsar on August 16, 2022.

DGP Gaurav Yadav said that following a specific intelligence that Satnam Honey is trying to flee to Dubai on a visa arranged by Lakhbir Landa, a team from State Special Operation Cell (SSOC), SAS Nagar arrested him. Satnam Honey was arrested in a case FIR No 6 23/08/2022 registered under sections 153, 153-A and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), sections 21-61-85 of the NDPS Act and sections 25-54-59 of the Arms Act at Police Station SSOC Mohali, he added.

The DGP said that according to preliminary investigations, Satnam Honey came in contact with Lakhbir Landa at a marriage of their mutual friend Malkeet Singh alias Laddu of Patti in Tarn Taran in 2015. Later in 2021 while Satnam Honey, while working as a conductor for transporting of grains in a local grain market, got closely associated with Malkeet Laddu, who was then President of Truck Union Patti.

He said that Satnam Honey’s name was also figured in a murder case, wherein, Amandeep Singh alias Fauji and Parabhdeep Singh alias Pooran were murdered by Gangster Preet Sekhon at behest of Lakhbir Landa at Dargah of Baba Baluh Shah, Patti in May 2021. In this case Malkeet Laddu, Sumer Singh alias Billa got arrested, while Satnam Honey and Gauravdeep Singh alias Gauri were nominated due to their close association with Malkeet Laddu, he added.

The DGP said that Satnam Honey was working as an associate of Lakhbir Landa and on his directions Honey handled many consignments of militant hardware of Landa’s and for which Honey was  paid with handsome amount of money on at least six occasions and he was promised by Landa that he will immigrated to Canada via Dubai,” he said.

Investigations revealed that till date Satnam Honey had received/handled an amount of approximately Rs 4 Lakhs, an IED, 02 Pistols and 20 live rounds at the behest of Lakhbir Landa on different occasions and for separate operations.

“With Chief Minister Punjab Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab Government having adopted zero-tolerance anti-social elements, the Punjab Police is committed to wipe out Gangsters and Drugs from the state,” the DGP reiterated.

Meanwhile, Six more persons, who were arrested for providing logistic, technical and financial support in this case have been identified as dismissed constable Harpal Singh, and Fatehdeep Singh, both residents of village Sabra in Tarn Taran; Rajinder Kumar alias Bau of Harike in Tarn Taran; Khushalbir Singh alias Chittu, Varinder Singh alias Abu and Gurpreet Singh alias Gopi, trio residents of Bhikhiwind. The mobile phone-triggering IED weighing about 2.79 Kg and carrying about 2.17 Kg high explosive was also recovered from the spot by the local police.

IEP CHANDIGARH/SAS Nagar, September 24

Making fourth arrest in the Chandigarh University case, Punjab Police on Saturday arrested an Army Personnel  posted in Arunachal Pradesh, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here.The arrested accused has been identified as Sanjeev Singh, who is suspected of blackmailing the accused girl student.The development came days after Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann ordered a high-level probe into the matter for which a three-member all-woman Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the overall supervision of ADGP Community Affairs Division and Women Affairs Gurpreet Kaur Deo was constituted.DGP Gaurav Yadav apprised that based on forensic and digital evidence, the Police team from SAS Nagar was dispatched to Arunachal Pradesh to arrest the accused.He said that the accused Army Personnel was arrested from Sela Pass in Arunachal Pradesh with the support of Arunachal Pradesh Police, Assam Police and Army authorities in Arunachal Pradesh. The SAS Nagar Police have also obtained a two-days transit remand of the accused from the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Bomdila to produce him before the Magistrate in SAS Nagar, he added.The SAS Nagar Police has already arrested three people including the girl student and two others from Himachal Pradesh and some electronic devices were seized from their possession.Pertinently, the SIT headed by SP Counter Intelligence Ludhiana Rupinder Kaur Bhatti along with two members including DSP Kharar-1 Rupinder Kaur and DSP AGTF Deepika Singh has been conducting speedy investigations in the case. “The guilty in this case will not be spared and justice will prevail,” said DGP Punjab.Meanwhile, the FIR no 194 dated 18.09.2022 had been registered under sections 354C of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and section 66E of the IT act at Sadar Kharar Police Station, SAS Nagar.

IEP Chandigarh, September 24

Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal extended heartfelt congratulations to the people of the Sikh community of Haryana on the decision of the Supreme Court to constitute a separate Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee for Haryana. He said that now all 52 Gurdwara Sahib will work under the supervision of Haryana Gurdwara Management Committee in the spirit of harmony and continue to serve society.
Sh. Manohar Lal was interacting with the mediapersons today after taking blessings of pious Guru Granth Sahib Ji at the historic Nada Sahib Gurudwara in Panchkula.
The Chief Minister said that the issue of separate Gurdwara Management Committee for Haryana was pending in the Supreme Court for a long time. After almost 8 years, the Supreme Court has given a verdict in favor of the Haryana Gurdwara Management Committee. Now, all 52 Gurdwara Sahib in the state will work under the supervision of this committee and will continue to serve the society through their selfless service. Appealing to the Sikh community of Haryana, he said that they should cease all contradictions and continue service work together under one umbrella. He said that soon a team of all the Gurdwaras will be constituted in the state.
Responding to a question regarding the damage caused to crops due to incessant rain in the state, Sh. Manohar Lal said that it is continuously raining in the whole North India including Haryana from the last two days, due to which the paddy crop in the state is affected. He said that special girdawari of the crops will be done as soon as the rains stopped and after assessing the damages, compensation will be given to the farmers as per the policy.
Sh. Manohar Lal said that due to increase in moisture content in paddy, the Central Government has decided to purchase paddy from October 1. He said that some farmer leaders are asking for early procurement. He said that there is no possibility of early procurement as the moisture content in the crop has increased due to rains and it is not possible to procure paddy by millers and procurement agencies before the moisture recedes. He said that due to moisture, the problem of rice turning black and broken rice arises. Apart from this, not more than 20 percent of broken rice can be exported.
In response to another question, Sh. Manohar Lal said that the Haryana government is firmly standing with farmers. Every grain of crops will be procured in the state and no laxity will be taken in this regard. He said that for the paddy which has reached the mandis, the officers of Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board have been directed to keep the paddy in the mandis under the shed or cover it with tarpaulin at a safe place till the rain stops.
On this occasion, Deputy Commissioner, Sh. Mahavir Kaushik, DCP, Sh. Surender Pal Singh along with other dignitaries and Sikh Sangat were present.

IEP Chandigarh, September 24

In view of the incessant rains in the state, the Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal has directed the Deputy Commissioners of all districts to ensure the drainage of water from the waterlogged areas at the earliest. Officers should stay vigilant in order to drain water from the waterlogged areas and special arrangements should be made in this regard, added the Chief Minister.

He said that the water logging problem should be resolved with immediate effect so that the common people and farmers do not face any inconvenience. For this, necessary machinery like pumps, motors, HDPE pipes, etc. should be arranged in the districts.

It is noteworthy that it has been raining continuously from the last two days in the state and the Meteorological Department has expressed the possibility of rain to continue for the next one or two days. This can lead to waterlogging in the fields and populated areas. As a result, the general public and farmers’ crops might get affected. Understanding the situation, the Chief Minister has issued directions to the officers concerned to keep strict vigil on the waterlogged areas.

IEP Chandigarh, September 24

In order to strengthen the educational foundation of the youth of the state, special emphasis is being laid on school education by the state government. Under the able leadership of the Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal, the state government has made dedicated efforts for improving the quality of education in the state. The government has made efforts to ensure adequate availability of teachers to every student in government schools through rationalization. The history books curriculum has been revised and updated. These books have also been translated into English language for wider reach.

          The Central Government has stressed on implementing the new education policy across the country. In order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals- 2030, the Education Development Agenda has been prioritized by the Central Government, which emphasizes on providing inclusive and equitable quality education and increasing opportunities for education. To achieve these goals, the central government implemented the New Education Policy – 2020.

          In order to achieve the goals of the New Education Policy, as per the direction of the Chief Minister, the State Government has also decided to completely implement the New Education Policy – 2020 across the state by the year 2025. While the government has strengthened the basic facilities and infrastructure required for education, it has also worked to make the teacher-student ratio effective. Rationalization has not only improved the teacher-student ratio, but has also brought transparency in the entire process.

Today the number of senior secondary schools in the state is 2,304, high schools 1,027, middle schools 2,122 and primary schools 4,184. Haryana is the state that spends the highest amount on the education of children in the entire country and has a teacher-student ratio of 1:30.

 Cheerag scheme became a boon for poor children

          The state government has fulfilled the dream of poor children to study in private schools. By implementing the Cheerag scheme, poor children are also being provided quality education. Under this scheme, the government is giving Rs. 700 to private schools for children studying in classes II to V, Rs. 900 for students studying in classes VI to VIII and Rs. 1,100 for classes 9 to 12. This amount is being given on a per student-per month basis. So far, more than 2,500 children have been enrolled under this scheme.

          The state government has also made radical changes in the curriculum of schools as per the demand of the time. To inculcate the feeling of patriotism, independence and human values in children, new content has been included in the books. History books have been rewritten. Haryana Board of School Education has also translated many new history books in English language. History books for classes 9th and 10th have also been published.

          Special attention is being laid of the subjects for providing the reading material to the students. The history has been written in a comprehensive manner in the new books. In the earlier books, where Indian history has been taught since the Indus Valley Civilization, now the information of the river Saraswati has been included. Along with the major events of the ancient world, events such as medieval Europe, foreign invasions, colonialism, imperialism and the British anti-colonial movement and freedom struggle in India also have been included.

Along with this, the role of Haryana in the Indian independence movement has also been described in detail in the new books. Special emphasis has been given on contribution of Haryana in the Great Revolution of 1857, so that the younger generation gets to know the sacrifices and contribution made by the people of Haryana in the freedom struggle.

          There is also a description of Raja Nahar Singh, who was hanged in Chandni Chowk, Delhi for participating in the 1857 Revolution. During the same time, the Britishers hanged Lala Hukumchand Jain in Hansi. Rao Tularam of Rewari has also made significant contributions in the freedom movement which is duly mentioned in the updated books.

          The role of women of Haryana in the freedom movement has also been described in the history books. Similarly, Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram devoted his life to the service of the poor farmers and labourers, hence he was called the messiah of the farmers, the description has also been mentioned in the books of history.

IEP Chandigarh, September 24:

The Punjab government led by Chief Minister Punjab, Mr. Bhagwant Mann is making every possible effort for the welfare of the people and providing them with basic facilities.  In this direction, sewerage, main pumping station and sewage treatment plant project is being established at Nabha with a cost of Rs 21.88 crore. After reviewing the progress of project, Local Government Minister, Dr.  Inderbir Singh Nijjar has directed the officials of the department to speed up the work of this project.

Giving information in this regard, Dr. Nijjar said that the sewage work at Nabha has almost been completed.  Main pumping station and Sewerage treatment plant 12 MLD work is under progress.  He said that 82 percent of the Main Pumping Station (MSP) work under this project has been completed.  Similarly, 55 percent of the work of the Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) has been completed.

The Cabinet Minister further said that Rs 14.02 Crores will be spent for completion of Main Pumping Station (MPS)and  Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) work. 

Dr. Nijjar said that 7.92 km area of Nabha will be covered under this sewerage project, which will benefit a large number of people of Nabha.  He said that the purpose of the main pumping station is to treat the town’s sewerage by pumping it into the sewerage treatment plant.  He also directed the officials of the department to ensure the completion of this project by the end of December.

Varinder Sharma, Chief Executive Officer Water Supply and Sewerage Board said that the sewage treatment plant with latest technology to be installed at Nabha, which will be based on sequential batch reactor.  He said that this sewage treatment plant of 12 MLD will treat the Sewerage of the town.  He also said that this treated water will be used for irrigation by the Soil and Water Conservation Department.

IEP Chandigarh, September 24

Haryana will start the procurement of Paddy from October 1 and will continue till November 15, 2022. All necessary arrangements for the same have been completed. This time the government has set a target to procure around 55 lakh metric tonnes of paddy.

          The State Government has decided that Rs. 100 per quintal will be charged instead of 4 percent market fee on paddy which is not purchased at MSP i.e Basmati and duplicate Basmati. Out of which, Rs. 50 will go to Mandi Board and Rs. 50 will be deposited in Haryana Rural Development Fund as cess.

          It was also decided that the average yield of 30 quintal per acre will be considered in the main paddy yielding districts of the state for procurement at MSP and 28 quintal per acre in other paddy districts will be considered for procurement at MSP.

          Besides this, the Government has already announced the procurement of the Kharif crops will also start from the same data. Procurement of Paddy and Kharif crops will be done in more than 400 Mandis across the State.

          During the marketing season 2022-23, crops like paddy, bajra, maize, moong, sunflower, groundnut, til, arhar and urad, etc. will be procured. Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department will procure 50 percent of paddy. Apart from this, 30 percent will be procured by HAFED, 15 percent by Haryana State Warehousing Corporation and 5 percent by Food Corporation of India.

          The procurement of Kharif crops will be done at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) as announced by the Government of India.  The MSP  of Rs 2040 per quintal  has been fixed for Paddy (Common), Rs 2060 per quintal for Paddy (Grade-A), Rs 2350 per quintal for Bajra, Rs 1962 per quintal for Maize, Rs 7755 per quintal for Moong, Rs 6400 per quintal for  Sunflower, Rs 5850 per quintal for groundnut, Rs 7830 per quintal for sesame, Rs 6600 per quintal for arhar and urad.
Procurement of Paddy and Kharif crops  to be done in more than 400 Mandis
          Hassle-free procurement of Paddy and Kharif crops to be done in more than 400 Mandis. 201 Mandis have been set up for the purchase of paddy, 86 for the purchase of bajra, 19 for the purchase of maize, 38 for the purchase of moong, 9 for the purchase of sunflower, 7 for the purchase of groundnut, 27 for purchase of Til, 22 for the purchase of Arhar and 10 for the purchase of urad.

Help desks  will be set up in the Mandis

          The help desks will be set up at every Mandi To ensure that farmers do not face any problems. Officers of the Marketing Board, Agriculture and concerned departments will be deployed at this help desk to redress the grievances of farmers.

IEP CHANDIGARH, September 24

Deepali Gupta, founder of Deepakriti Institute of Creative Arts, Chandigarh has won ‘Art icon of the year 2022’ award during ALS Women’s Alliance Conclave at Gurgaon recently.

Graduated from Chandigarh College of Arts,  Deepali coaches various kinds of art forms. She is a contemporary artist, who loves to create various styles of work with different mediums and forms.

IEP Chandigarh/Amritsar, 23 September

Minister for Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities, Social Security, Women and Child Development, Dr. Baljit Kaur said that disability should not influence ones mental ability and time and again specially abled people have proven that nothing could hold them back.

Dr Baljit Kaur was chief guest at one-day seminar organized by the Department of Social Sciences of Guru Nanak Dev University on Equal Rights for Specially Abled Women.

Speaking at the occasion she added that disabled women do not need sympathy but empathy and strong helping hand in the need of hour. She said that education is the biggest weapon that can take such people forward.

”Disabled people and their kin are not well aware of their rights and government facilities that they deserve. It is our duty to ensure that they get the best they deserve. We should ensure that such people do not end up getting mentally weak and that they remain strong, ” she said.

Dr. Baljit Kaur said that various initiatives are being taken by the Punjab government in this regard with which they can make their lives easier. She said that disability should not be considered as a hindrance in development of one’s life but should be taken as a challenge and to reach one’s desired goal.

 She gave example of successful women who despite being handicapped have played an important role in development of not only themselves but also of their families, society and country.

 Earlier the Vice Chancellor of Guru Nanak Dev University Prof. Jaspal Singh Sandhu gave a warm welcome. Convenor of the seminar Dr. Rachna Sharma informed about the purpose of conducting seminar on subject of equal rights of disabled women.

Dr. Baljit Kaur visited various departments of the university and got information about the academic infrastructure of the university.

Other illustrious participants of function included Center for Study of Social System of Jawaharlal Nehru University Prof. Neelika Mehrotra, Prof. Sujata Bhan, Mrs. Shampa Sengupta, Mr. Amarjit Singh Anand, Dr. Satnam Singh, Prof. Bhup Singh Gaur, Dr. Sunil Kumar and eminent scholars were present.