IEP Chandigarh, September 21

Haryana State Vigilance Bureau has arrested a Junior Engineer of Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN) and an Accountant of Haryana Police Housing Corporation, red-handed while accepting bribes worth Rs 1500 and Rs 500 respectively. Both officials have been booked under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

  Sharing the information here today, the spokesperson of the Bureau said that in the first case the UHBVN Junior Engineer Dinesh posted in Pundari, district Kaithal was arrested red-handed with Rs 1500 bribe. The accused was demanding illegal gratification in lieu of installing the transform on the complainant’s agricultural land.

In another case, Accountant Krishan Kumar of Haryana Police Housing Corporation has been caught red-handed taking Rs 500 bribe from complainant, a resident of Ambala City. The accused was demanding illegal gratification in lieu of passing bills of the complainant’s firm.       

  Cases under the Prevention of Corruption Act had been registered against them in Bureau’s Ambala police station and further investigation is underway.

IEP Chandigarh, September 21

          In order to maintain the polio-free status of Punjab, the Punjab Health Department under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, in its three-day Pulse Polio drive has immunised 14,24,142 children under the Sub National Immunisation Day (SNID) drive, revealed Health and Family Welfare Minister Chetan Singh Jauramajra.

          This door to door drive was carried out in 12 districts of Punjab to ensure that every child less than five years of age was administered polio drops, said Chetan Singh Jauramajra while adding that Health department teams paid special attention to vulnerable areas such as brick kilns, railway stations, bus terminals, construction sites and slums.

          Appreciating the tireless efforts of the volunteers, the Health and Family Welfare Minister stated that the state health department had deployed 11,865 polio vaccination teams and they all made commendable efforts for the success of this drive. The teams during the door-to-door activity ensured that every child is administered polio drops. The Health department Punjab and World Health Organisation had deployed internal supervisors and external monitors for multi-level monitoring at various levels.

          Health department had a target of 14,83,072 and this drive has been able to achieve 96.03 per cent of its set target and health officials have been instructed to immunise the remaining children by visiting the houses. The house-to-house mop-up rounds will continue for up to five days to identify and vaccinate children who missed getting vaccinated during the drive. This drive was supported by technical partners and volunteers from WHO, Rotary and other civil society organizations.

          It is worth mentioning that the district wise performance with regard to coverage of children is as follows, SBS Nagar 100 %, Fazilka 99.58 %, Tarn Taran 99.40 %, Shri Muktsar Sahib 98.74 %, Bathinda 97.53 %, Pathankot 96.82 %, Moga 95.47 %, Amritsar 94.41 %, Faridkot 94.14 %, Shri Fatehgarh sahib 94.06, Patiala 92.66%, and Mansa 92.63 %.

IEP CHANDIGARH Dhudike (Moga)/Chandigarh, September 21

Sports and Higher Education Minister Punjab Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer today said that in order to make Punjab a leading state in the field of sports, the state government will soon start process to fill 220 coaches in state besides strengthening the sports infrastructure.

The Minister, while interacting with the media after inaugurating a hockey astroturf laid at the cost of five crore rupees, said that the previous governments did not make any effort for the promotion of sports and sportspersons in the state. However, he said that after assuming Punjab government led by Mr Bhagwant Singh Mann is making all-out efforts to promote sports culture in the state. He said that besides filling up existing 220 vacancies, new posts for coaches will also be created.

The Minister said that under the Hockey Olympian Balbir Singh Senior Scholarship Scheme, a stipend of Rs 8000 and Rs 6000 per month will be given to the senior and junior players respectively who will secure the first three positions at the national level. He said that this scheme will encourage the players to participate in sports.  He said that ironically earlier governments never released funds to buy sports equipment for the players on time. 

The Minister said that for the first time in history of state, the AAP government has kept a special budget to buy sports equipment. He promised that the sports budget would be increased every year.  He also said that under the new sports policy, the state government will prepare a separate cadre for sports so that as many sportsmen can be given government jobs.

While paying obeisance at the birth place of Lala Lajpat Rai, he said that we can breathe in free air today only because of the freedom fighters. He said that the Punjab government is trying to create the dream state of martyrs.

He also inaugurated Moga Rowing and Water Sports Club Daudhar here.

On this occasion, Mr Manjit Singh Bilaspur MLA of Nihal Singh Wala Constituency thanked Mr Meet Hayer for inaugurating the hockey astroturf prepared with five crore rupees in the government college at village Dhudike.

On this occasion, Baghapurana MLA Mr Amritpal Singh Sukhanand, Dharamkot MLA Mr Davinderjit Singh Laddi Dhons, Deputy Commissioner Mr Kulwant Singh, Senior Superintendent of Police Mr Gulneet Singh Khurana, SDM Mr Ram Singh, AAP District President Harmanjit Singh among others were also present.

IEP Chandigarh, September 20

 On the occasion of the ”Manav Seva Divis” dedicated to Bhai Ghanaiya, the speaker of Punjab Vidhan Sabha Mr. Kultar Singh Sandhwan has appealed to the people across the state to follow the teachings of Bhai Ghanaiya ji.  

While paying his respects to Bhai Ghanaiya, Mr. Sandhwan said that he has shown us the way to serve the society without any favoritism. He also had the privilege of serving the people by joining the Bhai Ghanaiya Cancer Roko Society, which makes them feel blessed. Bhai Ghanaiya ‘s father was a rich businessman but he himself was a religious personality. He adopted a spiritualist and humanist view and continued on this path throughout his life. In 1704, Bhai Ghanaiya had performed his services at Anandpur Sahib without any discrimination. He served  water to the Sikh and the Mughal soldiers without any prejudice.

 Mr. Sandhwan said that to create a good society we should adopt the teachings of Bhai Ghanaiya ji. He appealed to the people to live with mutual love, cooperation and brotherhood and called the people to play role in the society without any discrimination.

IEP Chandigarh, September 20

In a major relief to farmers desirous of enhancing the electricity load of their tube-wells, the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has extended the date of the Voluntary Disclosure Scheme (VDS) for enhancing load till October 23.

This is for the second time, that the Punjab Government has extended the deadline, in view of the keen interest shown by the farmers. 

An official spokesperson of the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) said that the VDS scheme was launched on June 10 for 45 days (till July 24) by slashing fees for load enhancement on tube wells from existing Rs 4750 to Rs 2500 per BHP.

          On July 23, the Chief Minister had extended the scheme till September 15.

The Spokesperson said that as of now 1.70 lakh farmers have saved  Rs 160 crore by availing the benefit of this scheme. While exhorting the farmers to take maximum benefit of the scheme, he said that those farmers who are interested in enhancing the load of their tube wells can apply for it till October 23.

Meanwhile, as Punjab is predominately an agrarian economy with a large section of its population dependent on farming, CM Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab Government has been leaving no stone unturned to maximize the profit of farmers by reducing their input costs.

IEP Chandigarh, September 20

Punjab Health Minister S. Chetan Singh Jauramajra, on Tuesday, paid tributes to Bhai Ghanaiya Ji, a devout disciple of the Tenth Guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji and an embodiment of selfless service towards humanity at Dr. BR Ambedkar State Institute of Medical Sciences, SAS Nagar.

Commemorating “Manav Sewa Sankalp Diwas” dedicated to Bhai Ghanaiya Ji, the Cabinet Minister put the light on the life of Bhai Ghanaiya Ji that how he dedicated his whole life for the humanity and even served enemies with water and medication at the time of war. The Health minister said that Bhai Ghanaiya Ji served humanity irrespective of the caste and religion. The Minister while exhorting doctors, medical students and para-medics of AIIMS Mohali to work selflessly in the service of humanity, said that we should also follow the footsteps of Bhai Ghanaiya Ji.

The Minister was accompanied by MD PHSC Ms. Neelima, Additional Secretary Medical Education & Research Mr. Rahul Gupta, SDM Mohali Ms. Sarabjit Kaur, Civil Surgeon SAS Nagar Dr. Adarshpal Kaur and Secretary Red Cross Mr. Kamlesh Kumar Kaushal.

Addressing the gathering Additional Secretary Mr. Rahul Gupta emphasized that along with professional expertise, the moral values are very important for all the professionals. Director Principal Dr. Bhavneet Bharti said that the Red Cross service was established following the path shown by Bhai Ghanaiya Ji, who walked on the path of serving humanity way hundreds years back. Dr. Vaneet, Associate Professor Biochemistry also talked about the different aspects of the life of Bhai Ghanaiya Ji.

Students and staff of AIIMS Mohali presented a play depicting the life of doctors in emergency and life of Bhai Nanua Ji and Bhai Ghanaiya Ji, conveying the message that how medical fraternity can get inspired from the life of Bhai Ghanaiya Ji.

IEP Chandigarh, September 20

In view of the impending paddy procurement season commencing from October 1, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday reviewed the arrangements aimed at hassle free and seamless procurement of paddy.

“Every grain produced with the sweat and toil of the Punjabi farmer shall be purchased”, he said while chairing a meeting.

Emphasizing speedy purchase, the Chief Minister directed that purchase, lifting and payment should commence from the first day of procurement itself and warned of strict action if the farmer is put to any inconvenience.

Presiding over a meeting of the officials of the Procurement Agencies,  the Chief Minister directed the State Procurement Agencies and the FCI to be fully geared up for procurement of Paddy in the ensuing season.  He expressed satisfaction that the State had already arranged sufficient Bardana for the season well in advance and directed it’s optimal placement across the State in all Mandis.

Herein it may be noted that the Mandi Board has already notified 1804 purchase centers across the State. Further, in order to avoid glut like situation in the mandis,  temporary purchase centers are being identified for procurement of paddy.  It was also decided in the meeting today that unlike previous years no temporary Mandi shall be established in any rice sheller in the State.

The Chief Minister congratulated the Department for its transparent purchase policy that has ended the cartelisation in tenders for procurement of tarpaulins by facilitating new players resulting in a reduction in cost by more than 15%.

The Chief Minister also directed the officials to develop a standard operation procedure for tackling situation in Mandis arising out of untimely rains and strictly mandated resumption of paddy operations within 24 hours of stoppage of rain.

The Department apprised the CM that the land records in the State have been integrated with the  Anaaj Kharid Portal and checks have been imposed on the purchase of paddy against each Khasra number based on the estimated productivity of the land. The data of e-Girdawri is also being integrated and shall be completed well before September 30, 2022 by the Punjab Mandi Board.

In line with the Punjab Custom Milling Policy 2022-23 approved by Council of Ministers, the e-Verifications of Rice Mills are been carried out in all rice mills to ensure strict compliance of the policy guidelines. Consequently, a total of 3854 mills have been verified online till date. All the procedures regarding registrations, physical verification, delivery of rice to FCI and payments etc. have been switched to online mode and most of the procedures have been made faceless.

It was further explained that for the first time the linking of Rice Mills with the Mandies is being done through an automated software based on Least Distance Principle, which will result in substantial savings for the State Government .

The Chief Minister directed strict monitoring of the power consumption in each rice mill pursuant to the integration of Anaaj-Kharid portal with PSPCL portal. He further directed that the delivery of rice should be in accordance with the recorded electricity consumption so as to curb bogus purchases and recycling of PDS rice.

Expressing satisfaction at the arrangements, the Chief Minister ordered generation of digital gate passes by Transporter, Arhtiya, Market Committee and Miller with matching GPS coordinates. He also asked the DGP to set up police nakas across the State with special emphasis on border districts. Strict action was ordered against any truck carrying paddy which is not registered on the Mandi Board portal.

IEP Chandigarh/Sri Chamkaur Sahib, September 20

Punjab Social Justice and Empowerment, Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur today presided the Maulana Azad National Conference as a chief guest. The cabinet minister was also given formal salute by a troop of Punjab Police.

The National Conference was organized by the National Alapsankhayak Morcha Punjab where Cabinet Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur lend a sensitive ear to the problems related to the minority class and discussed various topics. On this occasion, MLA Chamkaur Sahib Dr. Charanjit Singh was also present.

During the event, Cabinet Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur and MLA Dr. Charanjit Singh assured the representatives that the issues highlighted by them will be resolved. They said that all the matters will be brought to the attention of Chief Minister Punjab Bhagwant Mann.

Dr. Baljit Kaur, while addressing the participants, said that the Punjab government, under the leadership of CM Bhagwant Mann, has been making efforts to provide benefits of the welfare schemes to the people. She added that special emphasis was being given to provide employment to the unemployed in the health and education sectors.

She said that the Punjab government was taking decisions to empower every section of Punjab socially and economically so that the living standards of the needy people can be raised.