Category Archives: Chandigarh

Chandigarh, Chandigarh, Haryana

Private schools to get relief by increasing the duration of fire certificate to 3 years: Kulbhushan Sharma

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IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 03, 2022

NISA President Kulbhushan Sharma has thanked the then Local Bodies Minister Anil Vij, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Local Bodies Minister Kamal Gupta for extending the period of fire safety certificate of private schools to three years. In a press conference held at Chandigarh Press Club here today, Sharma said that private schools had to face financial and mental problems every year for fire certificate renewal. Private schools are now feeling relieved due to the extension of these certificates. He had raised this demand before the then Local Bodies Minister Anil Vij a few months ago and requested to extend the period of the certification.

He said that the government should now fulfill other pending demands of private schools as well. He said that private school buses remained parked in schools for two years during Corona pandemic, but their life remains the same as 10 years in NCR and 15 years in other districts which is not logical, hence the government should increase the life of the buses for two years. It will help the schools which suffered during the Corona.

He also demanded that the government should immediately clear the dues of the children taught under 134-A by the private schools, which is close to Rs 1000 Crore, so that the private schools could cooperate in the success of the new education policy. He also demanded that the Chief Minister direct the education officers to hold meetings with private schools so that all pending matters of private schools can be resolved and all-round development of education can take place in the state.

Questioning the government’s system of accreditation to private schools, he termed it as anomaly and said that the school which wants recognition of high school or senior secondary class, is required to get dual recognition first for class VIII, then for high school or senior secondary, which is absolutely wrong. This encourages red tapism. It should be simplified and the dual accreditation system should be abolished and high schools, senior secondary schools should be given direct recognition up to their level.

Chandigarh, Chandigarh, Punjab

Study Examined the Heavy Metal Pollution in Groundwater around a Coal Thermal Power Plant in Punjab

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IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 03, 2022

Coal thermal power plants are the leading cause of environmental pollution. The fly and bottom ash from thermal power plants contain various toxic heavy metals and contaminate the environment if not appropriately managed. It affects the groundwater quality by improper disposal of coal combustion products, mainly ash which is composed of numerous heavy metals. Considering this, a team comprising experts from Panjab University and the PGIMER assessed the impact of unscientific ash disposal on groundwater quality near a thermal power plant in Ropar, Punjab, India.

Dr. Suman Mor, Chairperson, Environment Studies Department, Panjab University Chandigarh, led the research team, along with Ph.D. research scholar Nitasha Vig and Dr. Ravindra Khaiwal from the Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, PGIMER, Chandigarh. The study  ‘Heavy metal pollution assessment of groundwater and associated health risks around coal thermal power plant, Punjab, India; recently published in the International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology being published by Springer Nature.

A total of fifty groundwater samples were collected from various depths ranging from 5 to 30 meters below ground level and varying distances from the thermal power plants during the pre and post-monsoon seasons. These samples were examined for specific heavy metals using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy. Various multivariate statistical models were computed to understed the geochemistry of groundwater, including the health risk assessment of metal pollution due to the consumption of contaminated groundwater.

The results show a relatively higher concentration of arsenic and lead in the groundwater around the thermal power plants. The increased levels of a few metals above the threshold limits during the post-monsoon season indicate the possible contamination of lower groundwater aquifers due to the leaching from ash ponds. The heavy metal pollution index of groundwater was also examined and found to be exceeding the critical levels. This indicates that groundwater consumption from the upper aquifer may pose health risks to the local inhabitant.

Dr. Suman Mor, Chairperson, Department of Environment Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh, mentioned that the power plant should adopt appropriate eco-friendly technologies to avoid unscientific disposal of fly ash. She added that the coal power industry should adopt innovations to minimize the leaching of toxins from ash ponds into groundwater.

Dr. Ravindra Khaiwal, Professor of Environmental Health, Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, PGIMER Chandigarh, highlighted that deepwater aquifer is currently being used for drinking and irrigation, which is safe for human and other ecological purposes. However, he stressed that we need to establish a system for routine groundwater monitoring for various toxic metals to avoid public health risks in the near future.

Chandigarh, Chandigarh, Haryana

Haryana to set up new solar power plants

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IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 03, 2022

Haryana power minister Ranjit Singh on Sunday said the state government intends to set up new solar power plants in the state in a bid to make Haryana completely self-reliant on electricity. Speaking to reporters, Singh said while plans are being made to set up new solar power plants in the state, a proposal is being made by the new renewable department to set up solar power plants on the canals of the state. He said that solar panels will be installed on both sides of the major canals in the state. The design for which is under preparation.

The minister said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visionary plan is to promote solar energy across the country and Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar is strenuously working towards materialising it and exploring possibilities of alternative sources of energy in the state. Singh said following a discussion with the CM, this plan will be put into action very soon.

Singh said apart from the canals of Haryana connected with Bhakra’s main branch, solar panels will be installed on all those big canals, whose length is very long.

For power generation, stubble-based plants will be set up at four places – Jind, Kaithal, Narwana, and Fatehabad. These plants will not only generate electricity but also produce compressed biogas.

Chandigarh, Chandigarh, Haryana

Rally to be organized at Hisar Military Station from August 12 to 29, 2022 for selection of Agniveers under the Agniveer scheme

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IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 03, 2022

A Rally will be organised at Hisar Military Station from August 12 to 29, 2022 for the selection of Agniveers under the Agniveer Scheme. Youth of districts Fatehabad, Hisar, Jind and Sirsa can participate in this Rally.

Sharing information in this regard an official spokesperson of Army Recruitment Office said that the registration process has started on the website www.joinindianarmy.nic.in from July 1 for the youth of Fatehabad district who fulfill the eligibility criteria. This process of registration will be open for thirty days, he added.

He said that through the rally, selection would be made for Agniveer Sainik General Duty, Agniveer Technical, Agniveer Clerk/Store Keeper Technical and Tradesman. It is a great opportunity for ITI qualified candidates to apply under these categories.

        He said that the youth who have passed Class 10th or 12th as per the criteria and were born between the months of October 1, 1999 to April 1, 2005, are eligible to apply online for the Rally.

Chandigarh, Chandigarh, Haryana

Haryana Govt to give a grant of Rs 4,000 per acre to farmers growing pulses and oilseed crops

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IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 03, 2022

The State Government has taken another important step to increase the income of the farmers. Now farmers cultivating pulses and oilseed crops will get double benefits. The government has decided to give a grant of Rs. 4,000 per acre to the farmers growing these crops.

        A special scheme has been launched by the Haryana Government for seven districts of South Haryana including Jhajjar, Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri, Mahendragarh, Rewari, Hisar and Nuh. Farmers adopting this scheme will be provided financial assistance at the rate of Rs. 4,000 per acre.

Giving information about the scheme, an official spokesperson said that the government is making constant efforts to increase the income of the farmers by reducing their input costs. This new scheme has been started by the government to promote pulses and oilseed crops under crop diversification. The target is to promote pulses and oilseed crops on one lakh acres during Kharif 2022 in the state. Under this scheme, pulse crops (moong and tur) will be promoted on 70,000 acres and oilseeds crops (castor and groundnut) will be promoted on 30,000 acres. Financial assistance of Rs. 4,000 per acre will be provided to farmers growing pulses and oilseeds. This scheme will be implemented during Kharif 2022 in seven districts of South Haryana namely Jhajjar, Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri, Mahendragarh, Rewari, Hisar and Nuh.

Farmers taking advantage of this scheme are required to register on Meri Fasal Mera Byora Portal. The financial assistance will be transferred to the accounts of the farmers after the verification of the crop.

Chandigarh, Chandigarh, Haryana

Indian culture promotes mutual love, goodwill and national integration: Guv

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IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 03, 2022

Indian culture is considered as one of the best cultures in the world as it promotes mutual love, goodwill and national integration. Haryana Governor, Sh. Bandaru Dattatraya said this on the occasion of the inauguration of Bhagwan Shree Jagannath Rath Yatra on Sunday at Manimajra. This Rath Yatra was organised by the ISKCON.

On this occasion, Haryana Vidhan Sabha Speaker, Sh. Gian Chand Gupta, Acharya and Trustee Gopal Krishna Goswami, Area Secretary Nand Maharaj Das, ISKCON Chandigarh President, Sh. Akrur Nandan, Dr. Pawan Sharma, Sh. Nirotmanand and many devotees were present.

Governor Sh. Dattatraya said that Indian philosophy has paved the way for human welfare through spiritual contemplation along with material progress in the world. God incarnated on earth and showed humanity the true path of life. Similarly, Lord Jagannath during the Rath Yatra, steps out of his temple and moves around in a chariot and showers blessings on the public. He said that Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra is an important Indian festival.

Chandigarh, Chandigarh, Haryana

Haryana Govt to promote cultural activities in the state

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IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 03, 2022

Haryana Government has taken several steps to promote cultural activities in the state.  In this series, Art and Cultural Affairs Department of the state government is constituting a panel of experts in music, dance, theatre, painting and sculpture, so that training can be imparted to interested persons.

Giving information in this regard, an official spokesperson said that the senior artists who have been applying to participate in this panel should have at least 10 years of experience in the relevant discipline and should have minimum age of 40 years.  He said that the artists applying should have a Master degree or Diploma from a University recognized under the Government norms, having national and international level achievements in the relevant discipline in the last 5 years.

The spokesperson further informed that the tenure of the panel will be of 2 years and the last date for applying is August 9, 2022.

Chandigarh, Chandigarh, Haryana

Beware of fraudulent unauthorized travel agents, agencies for sending abroad for education, employment, other purposes

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IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 03, 2022

Haryana Government has cautioned the general public, especially the youth, to beware of fraudulent unauthorized travel agents and agencies that are luring them for sending them abroad for education, employment and other purposes. People should contact travel agents and agencies authorized by the government to go abroad and inquire thoroughly before making any payments.

Giving information about this, an official spokesperson said that people are constantly being made aware and cautioned to go abroad only through authorized travel agents and agencies by the state government. He said that it is often seen that many agents who cheat people in the name of sending money abroad are not registered, such fake or unauthorized agents publish and broadcast their advertisements in various publicity mediums, due to which the general public is fooled by them. They lose their hard earned money, property or ornaments etc.

He said that unauthorized agents and agencies send the person willing to go abroad to some other country and place instead of the chosen country. In many such cases, sometimes the life of the person going abroad is also in danger. The state government has asked people to beware of such illegal travel agents and agencies and to go abroad only through agencies authorized by the government. He said that the list of travel agents and agencies authorized by the government has been released on the website of Haryana Police https://haryanapolice.gov.in.

Chandigarh, Chandigarh, Punjab

Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan writes to Chief Minister for saving Mattewara forest

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IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 03, 2022

The Speaker, Punjab Vidhan Sabha Kultar Singh Sandhwan has written a letter to the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for saving the Mattewara forest on the banks of river Sutlej in Ludhiana District. He has favoured taking concrete steps for increasing the forest cover in Punjab from the present level of 3.67 percent to 33 percent which is at par with the other states.

In his letter the Speaker has said that Warrior Moms, Mothers for clean air and We support our farms, Bhai Ghanaiya Cancer Roko Sewa Society, Naroa Punjab Manch besides other social institutions have given very good suggestions for increasing the forest cover. These institutions are raising important issues connected with the environment and forwarding suggestions at regular intervals in order to sensitize the Government. The rationale forwarded by such institutions to save Mattewara forest were ignored by the previous Governments which is why the destruction of Mattewara forest near Ludhiana and pollution of Sutlej waters looks certain. The Speaker further said that although all the MLAs of Punjab have been raising the issues concerned with saving the environment, in the previous Vidhan Sabha but the previous Government didn’t took any constructive step on these issues.

Writing further, Sandhwan added that the Mattewara forest issue was raised in the recent session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha and the Chief Minister had assured that the chemical producing industries would not be allowed in this region. The different governments didn’t undertook any step to increase the Forest cover in the State. The degradation of the environment is having an adverse effect on people’s health too. So, it is very important to increase the security cover of trees near the industrial cities. Stemming the tide of diseases such as cancer, lung ailments, asthma etc. being caused due to the water, noise and air pollution, is the primary responsibility of the society and the Government.

Strongly recommending, the Speaker wrote that along side the raising of the issue in the Vidhan Sabha by the MLAs, in order to save the mattewara forest and save the river waters of Sutlej from being polluted apart from the new Government elected on people’s issues, strong steps are necessary to resolve the important issue at the earliest. This would lead to the common people being aware of the Government’s sensitivity towards the important issue related to the health of the masses and the Mattewara forest would be saved which is the security cover for the wild animals and the birds and keeping the environment of Ludhiana clean and green.

Chandigarh, Chandigarh, Punjab

16Kg HEROIN RECOVERED FROM GURDASPUR: J&K HAS EMERGED AS NEW ORIGIN FOR TRANSIT OF DRUGS THROUGH PUNJAB

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IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 03, 2022

A day after the big haul of 16Kg heroin recovered from Gurdaspur district, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Border Range Mohnish Chawla on Saturday said that following strict vigil at Indo-Pak Border in the state, Jammu and Kashmir has emerged as a new origin for transit of drugs through Punjab.

“The investigations into the 16kg heroin recovery from Gurdaspur revealed that arrested accused persons have used National Highway (connecting Jammu to Punjab) to bring this consignment from neighbouring state Jammu by concealing it in a specially designed compartments in two Toyota Innova Crysta cars,” he said, while addressing a virtual Press Conference.

          Notably, Gurdaspur district Police had arrested four suspects after recovering 16.80Kg heroin (packed in 16 packets) after intercepting two Innova Crysta cars coming from Jammu side. Those arrested have been identified as Manjinder singh alias Manna (28), Gurdit Singh alias Gitta (35) and Bhola Singh (32), trio residents of village Cheema Kalan in Tarn Taran, and Kuldeep Singh alias Givi alias Keepa (32) of Kazi Kot road in Tarn Taran. The police have also impounded both Innova Crysta cars bearing registration numbers PB13BF7613 and PB08CX2171. A case has been registered under sections 21C, 27-A, 25 and 29 of the NDPS Act at  Police Station Dinanagar.

          IGP Mohnish Chawla said that the Police have also booked the kingpin of this module identified as Malkit Singh of village Cheema Kalan in Tarn Taran, who had sent his four aides to Jammu to retrieve this 16Kg consignment. Malkit, who had earlier processed such consignments around five times in the past using the same kind of modus operandi, has already been facing three cases under NDPS act, he said, adding that the Police teams are on manhunt to arrest Malkit.

          The IGP said that investigation has revealed a modus operandi related to interstate smuggling prevalent in Punjab these days, where kingpin used virtual numbers to communicate with Jammu based Smugglers. “This is the third such case of drug smuggling from Jammu side to Punjab that has come to fore in less than one year wherein smugglers used the same modus operandi,” said IG Border Range.  

          Pertinently, the Pathankot Police had registered two such cases of heavy recovery of heroin in February this year, when around 12Kg of Heroin was recovered in the jurisdiction of Police Station Sujanpur. Similarly, Amritsar Rural Police had recovered Rs 1.9 crore of drug money along with 21Kg of Heroin from jurisdiction of Police Station Kathunangal in August last year.

 Meanwhile, the same kind of modus operandi was also noticed during the investigation of FIR no 76 dated August 16, 2022 registered in Police Station Sadar Gurdaspur where secret cavities were found fabricated in Creta car and Balck Mahindra Thar, allegedly to conceal drugs. The police had arrested three persons in this case and confiscated both the vehicles. However, no recovery was made.