IEP Chandigarh, June 28

Punjab Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries Minister Mr. Gurmeet Singh Khuddian on Tuesday directed all the officials to always refer Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana by its full in official communications or otherwise.          Taking a strict note over the usage of the abbreviated name of the university, which was established in the name of the second Sikh Guru Sri Guru Angad Dev ji, Mr. Gurmeet Singh Khuddian shot a letter to Principal Secretary Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development & Fisheries and Vice Chancellor of the University in this regard.          He asked the Principal Secretary Mr Vikas Pratap Singh and Vice Chancellor Dr Inderjeet Singh to ensure strict compliance in this regard, and make sure that from now onwards nobody should be using the abbreviation to refer Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University in written or verbal communications. The Minister also asked the Principal Secretary and VC to take strict action to ensure compliance in letter and spirit at every level.

IEP Chandigarh, June 28

Honorarium of Rs 8.2 crore of anganwadi workers and helpers will be released soon for covering the maximum beneficiaries under Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana.  This was stated by the Minister of Social Security, Women and Child Development Dr. Baljit Kaur.Divulding the details, the Minister said that the government is continuously making efforts for the welfare of women especially pregnant women and lactating mothers.The Minister said that under fresh guidelines of Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, payment of Rs.5000 in two installments (Rs.3000+2000) provided to pregnant women on the birth of their first live child.Giving more information, Dr. Baljit Kaur said that in all 27314 Anganwadi Centers of the state, an amount of Rs. 5000 is transferred to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries after filling the forms of beneficiaries by anganwadi workers and helpers.To encourage anganwadi workers and helpers and provide maximum benefit of the scheme to eligible beneficiaries, an honorarium of Rs.100 per beneficiary to anganwadi workers and Rs.50 per beneficiary to anganwadi helpers.She said that three installments have been released to about 5,48,824 beneficiaries by the Punjab government and an honorarium of about Rs.8.2 crore will be distributed soon.Cabinet Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur expressed hope that this honorarium will serve as a motivation for Anganwadi workers and helpers to assist eligible beneficiaries under this scheme. She further stated that the Punjab government was led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is committed to the welfare of women in the state.

IEP Chandigarh, June 28

      Following the success of digitisation of the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) in two districts— Hoshiarpur and SBS Nagar— of the state, Punjab Health Department is all set to roll out the U-WIN— a digital platform for UIP, in all the districts of Punjab from coming August.          The pilot programme had remained a huge success with both the districts having been able to achieve the desired targets by registering 92% session sites on board, while, 102% newborns were registered against pregnancy outcomes, and 90% of registered newborns were provided birth doses of vaccines through this digital platform.          Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh, while congratulating the health staff for achieving this another milestone, emphasised that providing world-class healthcare facilities and best possible health related services to the people of Punjab is the mandate of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.          The Health Minister, who joined via video conference, was addressing the two days state-level Workshop of Training of Trainers for U-WIN commenced here on Tuesday. All the District Immunization Officers, Vaccine Cold Chain Managers from all the districts of Punjab are participating in this workshop, which will conclude on Wednesday. After getting training, these trainers will further impart training to the concerned health staff in their respective districts for a successful roll out of the U-WIN platform.          Pertinently, Immunization has been a proven and cost effective strategy to prevent the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases and UIP in Punjab covers 11 diseases and aims to reach over 437000 newborns and 480000 pregnant women every year.          As of now, this vaccination programme is being conducted in manual form and with execution of the U-WIN platform from August, all the data pertaining to vaccination will be digitised on the lines of Co-WIN. The CO-WIN platform has been very successful in India for covid vaccination in the pandemic times. With digitalisation the benefits not only include improvement in record keeping, it also empowers the beneficiaries and with increase in vaccination coverage contributes to better public health outcomes.          Underlining the benefits of U-WIN platform, the Principal Secretary Health and Family Welfare Vivek Pratap Singh said that this digitalisation will be of tremendous help as it will help in reducing the workload of the health staff as unnecessary time in preparation of reports will be considerably saved because online record-keeping of data will help in auto generation of required reports.          The beneficiaries will also be empowered through this portal as they will be able to register and book their vaccination, while sitting at their homes at any of their nearby session sites, he said, while clarifying that on-site registration of the beneficiaries will also be available in this portal.          Secretary Health cum MD NHM Dr Abhinav Trikha stated that U-WIN platform will also enable beneficiaries to download their vaccination certificates and reminders in form of text messages will also be sent on their mobile to keep them up to date about their upcoming vaccinations, follow-up of dropouts and planning of RI sessions. “Vaccine acknowledgment and immunisation card linked to the Ayushman Bharat Health Account ID (ABHA ID) will be generated for pregnant women and children,” he added, insisting on the popularisation of ABHA ID for every citizen.          Director Health and Family Welfare Dr Adarshpal Kaur asked participants to ensure successful implementation of U-WIN.          During the training workshop, Project Officers UNDP Dr Seema Garg, Dr Meet Dipinder Singh, Upkar Singh and Amritpal Singh were felicitated for their commendable role in successful implementation of U-WIN in the two Pilot districts.          On this occasion, State Immunization Officer Dr Balwinder Kaur, SPO UNDP Dr Manisha Mandal ,Dr Sonika and other officials were also present.

IEP Chandigarh, June 27

International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking was observed across the world today. In this series, School Education Minister, Sh. Kanwar Pal motivated the youth of Haryana to stay away from drugs and flagged off an awareness rally at Mukund Lal District Civil Hospital premises in Yamunanagar today. The School Education Minister also administered drug free oath to the people present in the programme.He said that drug peddlers cannot be treated as individual criminals but as people infecting the entire society. The menace of drugs is spoiling society. Therefore, to ensure a drug-free society, social organisations should put up a collective effort and work in tandem with the government to defeat the negative forces emanating from the abuse of drugsHe said that social organisations should work dedicatedly to create awareness about the vicious cycle of drugs and the harm they are inflicting on society. He said that youth should channelise their energies through sports and physical activities.Sh. Kanwar Pal said that the movement against drugs will be strengthened only when people from society will come together and pledge to eliminate this societal ill.   Today’s youth is the leader of tomorrow. Development of the nation would be assured if youth is given the right direction, he added.

IEP Chandigarh, June 27

The Chairman of the National Green Tribunal, Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel, highlighted the significance of the District Environment Plan (DEP) as a strategic document designed to address environmental issues and promote sustainable development. While inaugurating a one-day training programme on the implementation of District Environment Plans held at the Haryana Institute of Public Administration in Gurugram, Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel emphasized the role of DEPs in integrating environmental considerations into various developmental activities at the district level.Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel emphasized that DEPs follow a participatory approach, fostering collaboration among government agencies, local authorities, civil society organizations, academic institutions, and community representatives. These plans adhere to national and state-level environmental policies and guidelines, ensuring alignment with broader environmental objectives.An essential component of the DEP, is conducting an environmental assessment, which involves analyzing existing environmental conditions, identifying key challenges specific to the district, and assessing potential impacts resulting from developmental activities. This assessment provides the foundation for setting goals and objectives that address the identified environmental issues and promote sustainable development within the district.Furthermore, Justice Goel said that DEPs outline specific action plans aimed at achieving established goals and objectives. These action plans encompass measures for pollution control, waste management, conservation of natural resources, promotion of renewable energy, and environmental education and awareness. By integrating these actions into decision-making processes, DEPs ensure that environmental considerations receive due importance and become integrated across various sectors and activities within the district.Justice Goel also stressed the importance of establishing a robust institutional framework within the District Environment Plan. This framework identifies responsible agencies, coordination mechanisms, and the roles of different stakeholders involved in the implementation and monitoring of the DEP. Clear lines of responsibility are established, ensuring effective coordination and collaboration among various entities to achieve the desired environmental outcomes.To track progress and effectiveness, Justice Goel emphasized the need for monitoring and evaluation mechanisms within the DEP. These mechanisms enable continuous improvement, ensuring that the DEP remains responsive to evolving environmental challenges and the priorities of the district.Justice Goel further highlighted the alarming state of our environment, emphasizing the need for conservation and protection. He stated that human activities have posed a significant threat to the environment, impacting not only other forms of life but also our own. Recognizing this, various environmental protection programmes are being implemented at individual, organizational, and government levels, aiming to establish a balance between humans and the environment.The District Environment Plan serves as a crucial tool in this endeavour, enabling the creation of sustainable development practices and fostering a harmonious relationship between mankind and the environment, he added.Haryana Chief Secretary, Mr. Sanjeev Kaushal, Dr. M M Kutty, Chairperson of CAQM, Mrs. Urvashi Gulati, Former Chief Secretary of Haryana, Mr. Vineet Garg, Additional Chief Secretary of Environment, Forest and Wildlife, Mr. P. Raghavendra Rao, Chairman of HSPCB, and Mrs. Chandralekha Mukherjee, Director General of HIPA were also present during the training programme. 

IEP Chandigarh, June 26     

     In compliance with the instructions of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan, a one-day training workshop was organized by the Vidhan Sabha Secretariat for nodal officers from various departments. This workshop marks another significant stride towards making the entire proceedings of the house paperless.          During the workshop, the Nodal Officers, appointed by the Administrative Secretaries of different departments, given detailed information about the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) and the website, which will facilitate the sharing of all relevant information related to the house.          Addressing the nodal officers in the Regional Hall, Vidhan Sabha Secretary Mr. Ram Lok Khatana emphasized that under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Mann and Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan, the upcoming session of the assembly would be truly unique. It would be the first of its kind in history to be conducted entirely electronically.          Mr. Khatana urged the nodal officers to extend their full support in ensuring the success of this mission, while highlighting that by making the proceedings of the house paperless, not only will it save time for all departments, but it will also contribute to the government’s environmental conservation efforts.          Furthermore, he stated that besides the house proceedings, the functioning of the legislative committees will also be made paperless, and all records of the house will be digitized.          The workshop included training sessions conducted by Mr. Vivek Verma, SIO, NIC Punjab, and other officers. They provided instruction on various modules of NeVA to the nodal officers, who were also briefed about the procedure for replying to notices sent by the Vidhan Sabha Secretariat.          Senior officials of the Vidhan Sabha and NIC Punjab were also present during the workshop.

IEP CHANDIGARH, June 26

To mark International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh on Monday joined hundreds of people in taking pledge titled “Say Yes to Life, No to Drugs” for making drug-free world during an event organised by Kalgidhar Trust, Baru Sahib (Himachal Pradesh). The event was organised at Sukhna Lake here to raise awareness about the harmful effects of drug abuse.The Health Minister, who was accompanied by International shooter Gauri Sheron, Director of Akal Drug De-Addiction Centres Dr (Col) Rajinder Singh and President of Kalgidhar Trust Dr Davinder Singh also took part in the massive ‘Hand Impression Campaign against Drug Abuse’, where approximately 300 participants, including children, staff, and the general public, left their colourful hand impressions on a 20-foot canvas. This symbolic gesture represented their united stand against drug abuse and their determination to eradicate this menace from society.Dr Balbir Singh, while terming the drug addiction as a vicious trap, said that with changing lifestyles, people— especially youth and school children— are falling into the trap of drugs as their families do not spend quality time with them leading them to depression and anxiety. “Nowadays, parents could buy their children all the luxuries including gadgets and fancy vehicles, but they don’t spend quality time with them, which is the wrong attitude,” he said, while asking parents to introspect.Human beings are social animals, who don’t need money and luxuries, but quality time with the family, he said, while urging parents to have at least one meal with their children.The Health Minister urged people to show sympathy and empathy towards drug addicts or patients of substance use disorders. “If we get to know anyone in our neighbourhood consuming drugs, we should ask them why they are doing this and should lend a helping hand by exhorting them to do meditation, exercise or yoga,” he said.Dr (Col) Rajinder Singh, who is also a renowned social activist and psychiatrist emphasised on the importance of saying no to drugs and embracing a drug-free life. Dr Davinder Singh expressed his gratitude to all the participants and attendees for their active involvement in raising awareness about drug abuse.Meanwhile, Students from Akal College of Nursing performed a mime act that vividly portrayed the detrimental effects of drug abuse.

IEP Chandigarh, June 26     

     Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Monday said that as per the directions of the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the Punjab Government has decided to double the War Jagir from the existing Rs 10,000 per annum to Rs 20,000 per annum under the Punjab War Awards Act, 1948.          Revealing this, Mr. Harpal Singh Cheema said that after June 2013, no increase was made in War Jagir during the last 10 years. He said that the amount of Rs 10,000 being awarded annually is insignificant under the current level of inflation. He said that it is the duty of the government to increase the War Jagir for the parents of the heroes of the country keeping in view the current level of inflation.          The Finance Minister further added that the proposal sent by the Defense Services Welfare Department in this regard has been approved by the Finance Department. He said that the Punjab government is indebted to those parents who had encouraged their sons to join Indian Army for safeguarding the country during national crises.          It may be mentioned here that the parents, who are residents of Punjab and whose only son or 2 to 3 sons served in the Indian Army during World War II, National Emergency 1962 and National Emergency 1971, are being awarded an annual War Jagir by the Punjab Government as an honour.

IEP Chandigarh, June 26

  In order to make the people at grass-root level an active partner in decision making of government, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday said that like ‘Kisan Sarkar Milni’, the state government will now organise ‘Village (Pind) Sarkar milni’ to give boost to development works in villages. Chairing a meeting here at his office in Punjab Civil Secretariat, the Chief Minister said that these Milnis will be organised at district headquarters in Majha, Malwa and Doaba region of the state. He said that in these milnis the panchayats will apprise the officers about the development works to be started in their villages. Bhagwant Mann asked the Rural Development and Panchayat department to make elaborate Arrangements for making this event a huge success. The Chief Minister said that these milnis will be organised twice a week in the Malwa region of the state and once in a week in Doaba and Majha regions. He said that this will help in resolution of pity issues of the villages that are pending at the  level of the officers and have been hitherto not resolved. Bhagwant Mann said that the government will also solicit views of the panchayats that had taken path breaking initiatives to develop their villages on scientific lines. The Chief Minister envisioned that like Kisan Sarkar milni this scheme will go a long way in transforming the villages of the state into development hubs. He said Kisan Sarkar milni had already proved useful for resolving the issues faced by farmers of the state. Bhagwant Mann envisioned that village sarkaar milni will go a long way in further ensuring holistic development of the villages. On the occasion Cabinet Ministers Harpal Cheem, Laljit Singh Bhullar and  Balkar Singh, ACS to CM A Venu Prasad and others were also present.