Chandigarh, January 24 

          Taking serious note of the rising incidents of stray dog attacks on children, Kanwardeep Singh, Chairman of the Punjab State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, has directed the Local Government and Rural Development Departments to conduct a census of stray dogs in all cities. He has also urged immediate sterilization to prevent further incidents.

          The Chairman has stated that reports of stray dog attacks on children have been brought to the commission’s attention through media sources. Expressing deep concern over these incidents, the commission has taken suo-motu notice of the matter. 

          The Chairman highlighted that media reports have revealed alarming incidents, including the tragic deaths of two children within a week in Hasanpur village near Ludhiana due to stray dog attacks. Similar incidents have been reported from various parts of Punjab, including Mohali, Zirakpur, Amritsar, Machhiwara Sahib, and Nabha, raising serious public concern.

          The Chairman further informed that he has written to the Administrative Secretaries of the Punjab Local Government Department and the Rural Development & Panchayat Department, urging them to implement the provisions of the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, as notified by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India, on March 10, 2023. He emphasized that timely implementation of these rules will help control the stray dog population and prevent further attacks on children.

Chandigarh, January 24:

          Following the directions of Cabinet Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains, the Punjab School Education Department, on Friday, suspended a School Principal and a Campus Manager of a Government Senior Secondary School of Ludhiana. This strict action was taken against them over corporal punishment to students for arriving late to school.

          S. Harjot Singh Bains said that Principal of Government Senior Secondary School Jawahar Nagar, School of Eminence (Boys), Ludhiana has been suspended and the Campus Manager of the same school has been dismissed for making the students to shift sand & gravel for coming late to the school.

          “This incident has come to my notice today, and strict action has been initiated immediately,” he stated. S. Harjot Singh Bains categorically asserted that such behaviour from any teacher will not be tolerated, emphasising the importance of maintaining a safe and respectful environment for students in the Government Schools. The education system must prioritise the well-being and dignity of all students, and any actions that undermine this principle will be met with appropriate consequences.

Chandigarh, January 24:

          The Chief Secretary of Punjab, Sh. K.A.P Sinha, today chaired a meeting of the Unique Identification Implementation Committee (UIDIC) cum Workshop on Aadhaar Usage at the Punjab Secretariat. The session, attended by heads and directors of various departments, underscored the importance of achieving 100% Aadhaar penetration for children in the 0-5 age group across Punjab.

          Sh. Sinha directed all departments, including banks and the Department of Post, to activate Aadhaar enrolment kits without delay and maximize the use of available resources to achieve this target.

          Smt. Bhawna Garg, DDG UIDAI RO Chandigarh, highlighted the need for special efforts to improve Aadhaar enrolment for children aged 0-5. She suggested deploying Aadhaar kits at immunization centers and facilitating collaboration between the Health Department and the Department of Women and Child Development (WCD) for better coverage.

          Additionally, Smt. Garg urged the School Education Department to create a detailed action plan to identify children who require Mandatory Biometric Updates (MBUs) at the age of 5 and 15. This will ensure smooth access to government schemes, scholarships, and educational benefits.

          The workshop also presented case studies of how Aadhaar-based face authentication can be leveraged to improve service delivery. Smt. Garg encouraged departments to integrate face authentication into their schemes for greater efficiency.

          The Chief Secretary instructed that Aadhaar service camps be organized in all government and private schools to provide easier access for students. He also emphasized the need to promote the m-Aadhaar application and My-Aadhaar Portal to ensure citizens can easily avail themselves of Aadhaar services.

          Furthermore, the Chief Secretary called for a comprehensive awareness campaign by the School Education Department to encourage parents and guardians to ensure the Mandatory Biometric Update for their children. He also directed all departments to ensure Aadhaar-based authentication of beneficiaries at e-Sampark Centers and other government offices, and to implement Aadhaar-based face authentication across all government departments.

Chandigarh, January 23

          The dedicated efforts of Punjab towards women’s empowerment and gender equality have been acknowledged at the national level. Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Annapurna Devi, has appreciated Punjab’s initiatives under the ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ scheme. This was expressed by the Minister of Social Security, Women and Child Development, Dr. Baljit Kaur. 

          Providing further details, Cabinet Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur stated that the national gender ratio at birth has improved from 918 in 2014-15 to 930 in 2023-24. She highlighted that the birth ratio of girls in Punjab has increased from 75.51% to 78%, which has been achieved due to the efforts of the state government. Additionally, institutional deliveries have risen from 61% to 97.3%. 

          Dr. Baljit Kaur emphasized that under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab government is making every possible effort to balance the gender ratio and promote the birth of girls through special initiatives. 

          The Minister further informed that the Union Minister has specifically praised the unique initiative of district Faridkot, where the ‘Dhi Anmulli Daat’ campaign has challenged patriarchal norms by organizing the traditional “Shreenh Rasam” for girls. Traditionally reserved for boys, this initiative celebrates the birth of girls by tying neem or shreenh tree leaves at the main entrance of homes and preserving the baby’s footprints as cherished memories. 

          She added that to mark the birth of newborn girls, celebrations such as distributing sweets, performing Giddha (a traditional dance), and singing songs were organized in villages. Baby blankets and grooming kits were provided to the girls, while the laminated imprints of their daughters’ footprints were given to the parents. 

          Dr. Baljit Kaur stated that the national recognition of Punjab’s efforts is a testament to the government’s commitment to empowering girls and transforming societal perceptions. The Punjab Government is dedicated to ensuring that every girl in the state is valued and provided with equal opportunities to grow and prosper. 

          The Minister further mentioned that Punjab has undertaken significant steps for the welfare of women and children. Initiatives such as free driving classes for 120 girls in Hoshiarpur aim to enhance their self-confidence and self-reliance. These efforts are breaking gender stereotypes and promoting economic independence among women. She urged society to actively participate in such initiatives to achieve gender balance. 

          The Social Security Minister reiterated that under the ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ scheme, the state government is making continuous efforts to change societal attitudes and behavior towards girls, with the goal of eliminating discrimination against them.

Chandigarh, January 23 

          The Punjab Backward Classes Land Development and Finance Corporation (BACKFINCO) is organizing awareness camps across various districts to ensure that the people belonging to backward classes, economically weaker sections and minority communities can avail maximum benefits from the welfare schemes being run for them. 

          Sandeep Saini, Chairman of Punjab Backward Classes Land Development and Finance Corporation (BACKFINCO), stated that under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann and the guidance of Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur, every possible effort is being made for the welfare of the backward classes and minority communities in Punjab. 

          Chairman Sandeep Saini further explained that BACKFINCO is providing loans at low-interest rates under self-employment schemes to uplift the economic status of  backward classes, economically weaker sections and minority communities. Financial assistance is being provided through schemes such as the Direct Loan Scheme, NBC Scheme and NMD Scheme, which are being implemented with the support of national corporations such as NBCFDC and NMDFC. Under these schemes, loans are directly transferred to the beneficiaries’ bank accounts upon approval. 

          He informed that awareness camps have already been conducted in districts Sri Muktsar Sahib, Hoshiarpur, Ropar, Amritsar and SAS Nagar. Additionally, camps will be organized in Ludhiana on January 24, Patiala on January 29, Ferozepur on January 30, Sangrur on January 31, and Bathinda on February 7.  

          Chairman Saini urged people from backward classes and minority communities to participate in these camps and take full advantage of the welfare schemes being implemented by the Punjab government.

Chandigarh, January 23

          The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its ongoing campaign against corruption, has arrested Head Constable (HC) Nachattar Singh, posted in the 5th Commando Battalion, Bathinda, while he was accepting a bribe of Rs. 50,000. The accused was taking bribe on behalf of Commando Drill Officer (CDO) HC Tarsem Singh, who managed to escape and evade arrest.

          Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson for the VB said the arrest was made following a complaint lodged by HC Parminder Singh, also from the 5th Commando Battalion. The complainant alleged in his complaint that CDO Tarsem Singh had demanded Rs. 50,000 to help him in a departmental inquiry related to a two-year permanent forfeiture of his job due to a police case against him.

          According to the complaint, Tarsem Singh instructed the complainant to hand over the bribe to HC Nachattar Singh, as he was unavailable to collect it himself.

          The spokesperson informed that acting on this information, the VB conducted a preliminary investigation and a VB team from Bathinda unit laid a trap during which HC Nachattar Singh was caught red-handed while accepting the bribe from the complainant in the presence of two official witnesses.

          In this regard a case has been registered against both accused at the VB Police Station, Bathinda Range. Efforts are underway to apprehend HC Tarsem Singh, who is currently absconding and further investigation into the case is ongoing, he added.