IEP Chandigarh, September 26

In a significant decision, the Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday gave nod to amend section 2(g) of Punjab Village Common Lands (Regulation) Act 1961 thereby giving the exclusive ownership of Jumla Mustarka Malkan Land (common village land) to gram panchayat. A decision to this was taken by the council of Ministers in its meeting chaired by the Chief Minister here at his official residence. Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s office said that with this amendment the Gram Panchayat will be the exclusive owner of the Jumla Mustarka Malkan Land (common village land). As per this amendement insertion in Section 2(g) has been made according to which land reserved for the common purposes of a village, under section 18 of the East Punjab Holdings (Consolidation and Prevention of Fragmentation) Act, 1948 (East Punjab Act 50 of 1948), the management and control whereof vests in the Gram Panchayat under section 23-A of the aforesaid Act. Lands entered in the column of ownership Ofrecord of rights as Jumla Malkan Wa Digar Haqdaran Arazi Hassab Rasad”, “Jumla Malkan” or “Mushtarka Malkan” shall be shamilat deh within the meaning of this section.  ROLLS OUT INCENTIVES PADDY STRAW BASED STANDALONE BIO-FUEL UNITS BY AMENDING INDUSTRIAL AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT POLICY, 2017 & DETAILED SCHEMES AND OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES 2018 FOR BIO- FUEL  PROJECTS In order to check the menace of paddy straw burning by its effective management, the Cabinet also approved the amendment in the Industrial and Business Development Policy, 2017 and Detailed Schemes and Operational Guidelines 2018 for Bio- Fuel projects by extending the incentives to the standalone Bio-Fuel units provided, they install Boilers based on Paddy Straw as fuel. In order to promote the production and supply of Ethanol for Ethanol Blended Petrol Program and to attract investments in the state for manufacturing of Bio-fuel, the Cabinet approved this amendment for the standalone Bio-Fuel units provided they install Boilers based on Paddy Straw as fuel. Since, the technology for use of Boilers based on Paddy Straw is still evolving, so in such cases where the units are not able to install Boilers based on Paddy Straw as Fuel, the quantum of incentive shall be reduced by 50%. GIVES GREEN SIGNAL TO AMENDMENTS IN TELECOM INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDELINES 2020 FOR PAVING WAY TO 5G NETWORK IN STATE The Cabinet also approved amendments in Telecom Infrastructure Guidelines 2020 in line with the Amendment in Rules 2021 of Indian Telegraph Right of Way Rules 2016, for setting up of Over Ground Telecommunication Infrastructure including setting up of Small Cells on Street Furniture in the State of Punjab, and Guidelines Regularization Towers 2022. This will allow provision for usage of Street furniture for installation of new generation Small Cells to enable deployment of 5G/4G (Digital Infrastructure) roll out and for setting up Over the Ground Telecommunication thereby improving the means of communications and immensely benefitting the people of state. GIVES GO AHEAD FOR AMENDING PUNJAB GOODS AND SERVICES TAX ACT, 2017 The Cabinet also gave a go ahead to amend the Punjab Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 for enabling ease of doing business in the state and facilitating the taxpayers. This amendment will also help in streamlining provisions relating to refund and rationalizing those related to furnishing of return. This will also ensure levying of interest only on input tax credit wrongly availed and utilized.  NOD TO WITHDRAW PROPOSAL FOR SETTING UP BULK DRUG PARK AT BATHINDA The Cabinet also gave green signal to withdraw the proposal for setting up of Bulk Drug Park at Bathinda over the site of Thermal Plant, as this land can be judiciously utilized for citizen Centric Projects like Housing/ Modern Residential Complex/ Hotel/ Commercial projects and other projects like Plastic Park, Solar Power and others. Pertinently, the Punjab Government had submitted a proposal for setting up of Bulk Drug Park at Bathinda (at the site of Thermal Plant, Bathinda) in the month of October 2020 under the scheme of setting up of Bulk Drug Park in the Country. However, even after more than one and a half year the project is still hanging in the fire and waiting for the approval by Government of India (GoI). APPROVAL TO AMEND APPENDIX-D OF PUNJAB EXCISE AND TAXATION COMMISSIONER DEPARTMENT (GROUP-A) SERVICES, RULES, 2014 The Cabinet also gave nod to amend Appendix-D of Punjab Excise and Taxation Commissioner Department (Group-A) Services, Rules, 2014 by reducing the existing departmental exams from existing seven to five. GREEN SIGNAL TO ANNUAL ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT OF HOSPITALITY DEPARTMENT The Cabinet also gave its approval to the Annual Administrative Report of the Department of Hospitality, Punjab, Chandigarh for the year 2021-22.

IEP Chandigarh, September 26

Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal today extended warm greetings and best wishes to the people of the state on Shardiya Navratri. He continued by saying that over these nine days, Goddess Durga is worshipped and revered across the whole nation.

        In a message issued here today, the Chief Minister said that may this holy festival bring happiness, prosperity and new enthusiasm in everyone’s life. He said that it is only with the blessings of ‘Mata’ that we get the strength and ability to move forward in life. He continued by stating that Navratri has long been revered as holy days in Indian tradition.

IEP Chandigarh, September 26

On the occasion of National Service Scheme Day, Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu awarded NSS National Award at New Delhi.  Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University student, Akshay Mehta, B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture 2017-21, NSS Volunteer achieved the NSS National Award for the year 2020-21. He has been awarded with a Medal, Certificate and a Cash Prize of Rs. 1 Lakh by Hon’ble President Smt. Droupadi Murmu.

        The University Vice-Chancellor, Prof. B.R. Kamboj congratulated him on his achievement. Further, he told that Akshay has rendered commendable services in organizing Blood Donation Camps, Plantation & Cleanliness Drives, Awareness Rallies and made the farmers aware about different agriculture related schemes of the Government.

        Prof. B.R. Kamboj appealed the students to come forward & show their potential to achieve such type of awards of national pride. For this award, only 30 volunteers were selected from all over india and our student is one of them, he added.

        On the occasion, Dean College of Agriculture, Dr. S.K. Pahuja, Directorate of Students’ Welfare  Dr. Atul Dhingra, NSS Programme Officer Dr. C.S. Dagar and Media Advisor Dr. Sandeep Arya congratulated the awardee Akshay Mehta.

IEP CHANDIGARH

“This is the first program of its kind to be offered in India, where participants can learn about a variety of cultures, nations, and experiences in addition to public health policy and management.” stated- Prof. Vivek Lal, Director, PGIMER, Chandigarh during the closing ceremony of 3 Public Health Policy and Management Program being hosted by Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, PGMER, Chandigarh. While thanking ITEC, the Ministry of External Affairs, the Government of India for starting such a wonderful programme at PGIMER, Dr Lal distributed the certificates and honoured few participants for various contests held during the programDr. Sonu Goel, the program’s director and professor in Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, PGIMER said that senior policymakers from 13 countries Algeria, Iraq, Maldives, Mauritius, Morocco, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Togo, Bangladesh, and Tajikistan-met at PGIMER to share specific public health challenges in their respective countries and discussed on solutions. Over 900 people from 80 countries have built their capacity through similar programmes in last 6 years, he said. He continued by saying that such initiatives strengthen international collaborations and mutually beneficial to countries which share similar public health problems.The program’s Guest of Honour, Mr. Kumar Dhawan, Deputy Director of Administration at PGIMER, revealed that he had previously participated in prior ITEC programs and believed it would assist foster international and inter-institutional partnerships. The participants are learning how to develop and implement effective public health policies through the lens of management and leadership, and Dr. Rakesh Kapoor, Professor and Head Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, said during the event.The entire course was a special synthesis of approaches, including formal lectures, group discussions, the stimulation of fresh ideas, critical analysis, exercises for problem-solving. case studies, and management games that encouraged learning while having fun. Through ROTTO (Regional Organ & Tissue Transplant Organization), the delegates were shown PGIMER’s best practices as well as Chandigarh’s smart city concept through the Municipal Corporation’s Integrated Command Center. Additionally, a networking event featuring a cultural night, unique laughter yoga, and bhangra was organized. On the basis of the program’s lessons, participants also created an Action Plan for their nation or institution, which will be monitored by the program’s administrators for the next three months. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs will honour the finest nation reportImportant dignitaries who took part during the program included Prof. Sanjiv Kumar, Former Executive Director, National Health System Resource Centre (NHSRC) New Delhi, Prof. Rakesh Sehgal, Dean Academics, PGIMER, Dr. A K Aggarwal, Head, Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, Prof. Mona Gupta, Advisor, Health policy, NHSRC, Prof. Pankaj Bhardwaj, Academic Head and Vice Dean, AIIMS) and Program Director also participated during the program.

IEP CHANDIGARH

The Department of Cardiology, PGIMER, Chandigarh celebrated the anniversary of the first coronary angioplasty performed by Dr Andreas Gruntzig on September 16, 1977 on a 38 years old patient who continues to do well. Now a days coronary angioplasty is being performed all over the globe. With the improvement in technology the outcomes of this procedure have improved remarkable and its indications have increased manifold. It has helped in increasing the longevity and quality of life of many patients. The Advanced Cardiac Centre at PGIMER, Chandigarh is also providing state of coronary angioplasty services and has achieved the lowest mortality in acute cardiogenic shock and acute coronary syndrome. 

IEP CHANDIGARH

  Prof. Vivek Lal, Director, PGIMER, dedicated two vital upgraded services for welfare of residents and staff of PGIMER, Chandigarh in the presence of Sh. Kumar Gaurav Dhawan, DDA, Sh. Kumar Abhay, FA, Dr. Ashok Kumar, AMS, Er. P.S. Saini, SHE, Er. Sanjeev Sharma, HE (Bio), Er. Narinder Malik, HE (Const.), Er. Sundeep Yakhmi, HE (Elect.), Er. Rajan Aggarwal, HE (C-I), Er. Sanjeev Sharma, HE (RAC), Er. Sushil Kumar, HE (Plg.), Ar. Trisha (Hospital Architect) and others. 

These include up-gradation of Community Centre at Sector 12 to be used for marriages and family functions of PGI Staff.  While upgrading the Centre emphasis has been given to improve both functionality and aesthetics with a view that the users cherish their long term memories with pleasure.  A 25 TR AC system has been installed to provide comfort conditions during various events.  A solar system of 5 KW has also been installed to make the building self sufficient on energy aspects.  The total cost of upgradation is Rs. 60.16 lacs and it has been completed within the specified time of five months. 

         Prof. Vivek Lal also inaugurated the upgraded maintenance office at Sector 24 which has been upgraded at a cost of 28.12 lacs and would cater to the routine repair and maintenance requirements of residents of around 560 dwelling units of PGIMER situated at Sector 24. Prof. Vivek Lal informed that it gives him immense satisfaction to inaugurate these facilities as by creating these infrastructures on one hand the comfort, functionality and aesthetics of these areas have been improved and on the other hand the user and staff working in these areas would be able to operate with much more efficiency and effectiveness.

IEP Ekta Nagar (Gujarat)/Chandigarh, September 24

Punjab Environment Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer has demanded immediate compensation from the central government to manage paddy stubble to solve the problem of stubble burning. Speaking during the national conference of the ministers on  environment, forest and climate change of all the states of the country on the environment, Meet Hayer said that Punjab is ready to contribute its share and now the Government of India must do the same and announce a matching compensation amount for the farmers.

The Environment Minister said that the pollution caused by stubble burning is not only a problem for Punjab but the entire country. He said that when the need arose, the farmers of Punjab brought the country out of the food crisis by filling the grain stores of the country and now the Center should take the hand of the farmers. He said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the state government is conducting a large-scale awareness campaign to encourage farmers not to burn straws and in this regard, they are also making farmers aware through students by meeting with the Vice Chancellors of all state universities.

Meet Hayer said that the state government is making both temporary and permanent arrangements for stubble management. Along with this, it is also working on in-situ and ex-situ arrangements. The state has provided 90,422 machines for stubble management to the farmers on huge subsidies. The government aims to provide 32,100 more machines to farmers, out of which 21,000 machines have been sanctioned. 50 per cent subsidy is being given to individual farmers and 80 per cent subsidy to panchayats or societies for machines.

Meet Hayer said that by using straw as fuel, emphasis is being laid on setting up electricity, biogas etc. plants from it. This also makes the straw a source of income for the farmers. Apart from this, the government has mandated the use of straw as 20 per cent fuel for brick kilns. He said that these efforts of the state government will be successful only if the centre gives the compensation amoun

IEP Chandigarh September 24

The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB), during its anti-corruption campaign, has exposed a big scam of tax evasion worth crores of rupees pertaining to transportation of interstate commercial goods without bills and paying any taxes by the transporters and passers through the neighboring state of Haryana and Delhi in connivance with officers/officials of the Taxation and Excise Department Punjab causing a huge loss to state exchequer. 

          In this regard, a case has been registered against the owners of the Delhi Malwa Transport Company, his son, three drivers, one passer (agent), along with the officers/officials of the Punjab Taxation department. Taking swift action in this case the son of the owner of the transport company, three drivers and one agent (passer) has been arrested by the VB Bathinda unit.

          Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of Punjab Vigilance Bureau said that on the basis of reliable information, the Bureau has formed three teams that searched the suspicious vehicles carrying commercial goods at Bathinda, during which it was found that some of the goods loaded in three vehicles were being brought in the Punjab without bills and taxes. After the preliminary investigation, a case has been registered related to this scam under sections 7, 13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act and under section 420, 120-B of IPC at VB police station, at Bathinda. 

          Giving more details, he added that in this case, the son of the owner of the transport company, Mandeep Singh, resident of Jujhar Nagar, Bathinda, driver Sanjay Kumar, of village Kaveli, district Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh, driver Gurdas Singh, village Balaharvinjhu, district Bathinda, driver Jagsir Singh, village Sikanderpur Ther, district Sirsa have been arrested while the owner of the said company, Jagsir Singh, of Jujhar Nagar, Bathinda, absconding and would be arrested soon and more revelations would come out about this scam.

          The spokesperson further informed that during the investigation of this case, the the role of concerned officers/employees of the State Taxation department regarding misuse of their official positions and to facilitate in evasion of government taxes by obtaining bribes from transporters and passers, would also be probed.

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.