IEP Chandigarh, June 26

An IAS officer of the 1993 batch, Mr. Anurag Verma has been appointed the new Chief Secretary of Punjab. He would be the 42nd incumbent to serve on the prestigious post. The orders to this effect were issued today by the Punjab Government. The orders would come into effect from July 1st, 2023 when Mr. Verma would assume charge as the new incumbent in place of Mr. Vijay Kumar Janjua who is retiring on June 30th, 2023.At present, Mr. Anurag Verma is posted as the Additional Chief Secretary Home, Industries & Commerce, Legal and Legislative Affairs, Information Technology and Investment Promotion. As per the new orders, Mr. Verma would also hold the additional charge of Principal Secretary Personnel as well as Vigilance along with the Chief Secretary.Born in a family of academicians at Patiala, Mr. Anurag Verma’s father served as the Professor of Chemistry and his mother as English teacher. His native village is Chalela in Patiala district. A Gold Medalist from the Thapar College, Patiala in Electronics and Communication Engineering, Mr. Anurag Verma bagged overall 7th rank in the UPSC Civil Services Examination in 1993.After rendering excellent and efficient services as Deputy Commissioner of Bathinda, Ludhiana and Jalandhar districts during the field posting, he also excelled while discharging his duty in various departments at the Head Office.As Special Secretary Revenue, he took the exceptional initiative of computerization of revenue land records and introduction of Fard Kendras in the state. He also played an important role in increasing the revenue due to his efficiency and hard working nature while serving as Excise and Taxation Commissioner, making tax payment easy and transparent for people being his crowning achievements.While serving as the Finance Commissioner for Rural Development and Panchayat, he implemented the MGNREGA scheme effectively at the ground level. Not stopping at this, he created a healthy sporting environment by getting constructed playgrounds and sports parks in more than 1000 villages of the state.Assuring to discharge the responsibility assigned by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann with due diligence and devotion, Mr. Anurag Verma said that implementation of people friendly initiatives commenced by the State Government at the grassroots level will be his top priority. He said that along with the outstanding work being done by the State Government in the health, education sector, and the transparent and better citizen centric services being provided to the residents of the state will be continued in a more effective manner.  Besides, all round development of the state will be ensured and people’s grievances would be resolved on priority basis.

IEP Chandigarh, June 26 

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday dated President of Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee (SGPC) to explain that except blaming him what else they had done in the specially convened session of body. In a statement issued here, the Chief Minister said that it is surprising that the specially called session was used only as a platform for criticising him. Bhagwant Mann said that he failed to understand that why the issue of free to air telecast/ broadcast of the sacred Gurbani took a backseat in the session. He said that rather the session was nothing more than an assembly of leaders to shield the family ruling the roost in SGPC. The Chief Minister said Harjinder Singh Dhami was just acting as a Chief Spokesperson of the Shiromani Akali Dal Badal by toeing the line of his masters. He said that this is unfortunate that instead of dwelling a serious issue related to spreading the message of sacred Gurbani, the SGPC session has been merely confined to his backbiting. Bhagwant Mann said that people are aware of everything and they know that how SGPC and it’s President is acting as a stooge of the family at helms of affairs in SAD (Badal). 

IEP Chandigarh, June 26

In a major step towards launching environment friendly public transport in state, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday gave nod for launching pilot project for e-Vehicle from Ludhiana and Jalandhar along with that of e-autos from Amritsar.Chairing a meeting here to review various development projects in 47 cities of the state, the Chief Minister said that apart from providing best facilities of public transport to people these facilities will also play a pivotal role in the protection of the environment. He said that the e-Vehicle service will be launched in the cities of Ludhiana and Jalandhar as pilot projects adding that e-autos will be introduced as pilot projects in Amritsar. Bhagwant Mann envisioned that these modes of public transport will also go a long way in solving the problem of traffic congestion in these cities.The Chief Minister further said that in a step aimed at solving the problem of stray cattle, the state government will soon launch a pilot project in Bathinda and Patiala districts. He said that it will be a great reprieve to the people as it will help in saving their previous lives. Bhagwant Mann said that the stray cattle menace poses a grave threat to the life of people due to fatal road accidents.The Chief Minister further said that in order to ascertain the need of carrying on any development work for the first time the state government has implemented a project to assess the need for work through ‘Artificial Intelligence’.  He said that as a pilot project this has been introduced in Amritsar for development works. Bhagwant Mann said that this model will be replicated in other districts too for ensuring need based development works in the state. The Chief Minister also reviewed the proposed projects worth more than Rs 1000 crore to be implemented in various cities adding that it will give a major facelift to these cities. He said that 100% water supply through canals will be ensured in these 47 cities through a project of Rs 762.45 crore. Bhagwant Mann said that the work on this ambitious project is likely to commence by August this year.  On the occasion Cabinet Minister Balkar Singh, ACS to CM A. Venu Prasad and others were also present.

IEP Chandigarh“

The studies clearly prove that even in lethal diseases like cancer, generic  drugs are very effective. And again, in transplant, in preventing rejection of transplant, generic drugs are equally effective, and that too, at one fifth of the  price of their counterpart in branded category.. The yardstick is to procure right generic medicines from the right chemist, ”stated Prof. Vivek Lal, Director PGIMER* at a press conference organised to deliberate on the issue of efficacy and other misconceptions regarding generic drugs, here at PGIMER today.Kumar Gaurav Dhawan, Deputy Director(Administration) & Official Spokesperson, Prof. Vipin Koushal, Medical Superintendent, PGIMER were also present on the occasion. Deliberating about the efficacy of the generic drugs, Prof. Lal cited  evidence from a published study, ‘Real world experience with “generic”pomalidomide in relapsed refractory multiple myeloma,’ as he  shared,” In India, only generic counterpart of the pomalidomide is available and not the original one as its very expensive. So FDI is using only generic counterparts. As per the study cited, there is a superior response to generic drugs as compared to the innovative drug available in the USA. The encouraging experience adds evidence to the efficacy of the generic drug even in such challenging patients such as  multiple myeloma. “Director PGIMER further quoted another published study ‘Cost and complications are limitations in resource-constrained settings for equine anti-thymocyte globulin’ when he said , “We are a leading public sector hospital in organ transplant and we celebrated 50 years of renal transplant on 21st June. The most important part of transplantation is preparing a patient for transplant, otherwise, the patient’s body rejects the kidney. In that preparation, the most important drug to prepare a patient for transplant is a drug called antithymocyte globulin, ATG. This study, again published from PGI, has proven that not only is generic effective, preparing a patient for transplant and preventing subsequent rejection, even half dose generic, is as effective as the innovative drugs available across the globe.”Dispelling the myth about quality control in Jan Aushdhi Centres, Director PGIMER stated, “Outside USA, India has the maximum number of FDA approved factories in the world. We at PGIMER take drugs from WHO approved plants and then every batch will be checked by NABL labs at regular intervals. So, quality is ensured at Jan Aushdhi Centres and its difficult to ensure the same quality when medicine is taken from any other pharmacy store as ethics of the owner of the pharmacy also impact the quality.”   Highlighting further, the Director PGIMER said, “The Institute prefers to procure generic drugs and a testimony to the same is the fact that during the year 2022-23, the total drugs purchased by PGIMER comprised 88% of generic drugs and only 12% of the branded drugs.” “The total sales from 7 Amrit Pharmacy Centres, the highest in the country in any public sector hospital, for the last three months (April1-June 23) amounted to Rs. 44 crores. The total sales from the two Jan Aushadhi Centres  of PGIMER, which stock only medicines and not surgical appliances as in Amrit Pharmacy, for the same period (April1-June 23) amounted to Rs. 72 lakhs,” the Director further elaborated. The media conference witnessed an engaging discussion and the queries pertaining to the road map for the expansion of Amrit Pharmacies and procurement of medicines were aptly responded by Mr. Kumar Gaurav Dhawan, Deputy Director (Administration) & Official Spokesperson, PGIMER.

IEP Chandigarh, June 26        

  The Minister’s Flying Squad, constituted by Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar, caught three conductors for swindling government exchequer and passengers. Among them, one conductor had cheated the passengers of about Rs.1200, while another conductor has been reported in two embezzlement cases in two days.          Divulging further details, Transport Minister S. Laljit Singh Bhullar said that during the checking at Khanna, the flying squad checked Bus No. PB-02-EG 4728 of Tarn Taran Depot, wherein conductor Jaskaran Singh was found guilty of not issuing tickets to passengers despite collecting Rs.1170 from them. This bus was bound to Tarn Taran from Delhi. Similarly, during the checking of Bus No. PB-10-HT 2834 of Ludhiana Depot at Haidon, conductor Sanjay Kumar was found to have misappropriated Rs.615, which he collected from the passengers but did not give them tickets in return. One day ago, conductor Sanjay Kumar had caused a financial loss of Rs.283 to the department by not collecting adda fee of three buses, due to which he was replaced and deputed on the bus.          As part of the series of checks in other states, the Cabinet Minister said that the Minister’s Flying Squad conducted checking at Banikhet in Himachal Pradesh, from where conductor Manjit Singh of Bus No. PB-02-EG 0964 of Amritsar-1 Depot has been reported for collecting Rs.490 from passengers and not issuing tickets for the same amount.          S. Laljit Singh Bhullar said that apart from this, two buses have also been reported for plying on unscheduled routes during the checking on Phagwara bypass. He said, Bus No. PB-08-EX 0976 of Jalandhar-1 depot and Bus No. PB-07-BQ 5442 of SBS Nagar Depot were carrying only 9 and 6 passengers, respectively due to operating on unscheduled route. The Transport Minister directed the higher authorities for disciplinary action against the reported drivers and conductors.

IEPChandigarh, June 23:       

  The Punjab government, led by Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Mann, is continuously making efforts for the welfare of the poor people. Various schemes are being implemented by the state government in this regard. Dr. Baljit Kaur  the Minister of Social Justice, Empowerment, and Minority, stated that an amount of Rs. 1 crore 47 lakh has been released for the repair and maintenance of the building of Ambedkar Institute of Careers and Courses at 3B-2 Mohali.          Giving more information Dr. Baljit Kaur the Minister of Social Justice, Empowerment, and Minority, highlighted that the Ambedkar Institute of Careers and Courses is one of the esteemed institutes in the state, offering high-quality career-oriented training and courses. Continuous efforts are being made in this institution to create an environment conducive to the optimal learning and development of the students. The institute provides excellent facilities in various fields, aiming to improve the standard of living for economically disadvantaged individuals.          Dr. Baljit Kaur emphasized the need for some repairs in the building and confirmed the immediate release of the aforementioned amount. Furthermore, she directed the officials of the department to ensure transparency and quality in the repair and maintenance works of the building of Ambedkar Institute of Careers and Courses, as well as to utilize the funds efficiently and effectively

IEP Chandigarh, June 23      

    Punjab Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains on Friday expressed satisfaction over the progress of Nangal Flyover construction works.          While presiding over the weekly review meeting at the Punjab Civil Secretariat here, the Cabinet Minister said that the speed of construction found satisfactory for the past few days. He instructed the official of the construction company that as the construction work above the railway line would be completed, the pace of work should be accelerated to complete the remaining work of flyover as soon as possible.          During the meeting, the Cabinet Minister instructed the officer of the local administration to shift residents of ‘Nangal Kusht Ashram’ to new place in next two days and to vacate this place and start the construction work related to the flyover.          Mr. Bains also resolved the various issues between the construction company and the railway on the spot. He instructed the officials of Municipal Council Nangal to speed up the repair work of city roads and also to resolve the issues of street lights and CCTV cameras in the city.          Pertinently, the next weekly meeting regarding Nangal Flyover will be held on July 3rd, 2023. 

IEP CHANDIGARH, June 23     

      In order to keep Punjab safe and secure as envisioned by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Punjab Police on Friday thoroughly checked ATMs and Petrol Pumps across the state from security point of view, especially, to ensure that Closed-Circuit Television (CCTVs) cameras are functioning and security guards were deployed.          The checking was conducted from 10am to 2pm simultaneously in all the 28 Police districts of the state on the directions of Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav. The CPs/SSPs were directed to personally monitor this operation and make sufficient number of Police teams to carry out checking.          Special DGP Arpit Shukla informed that the checking was conducted keeping in mind the vulnerability of Petrol Pumps and ATMs, which are prone and could be soft-target of anti-social elements.           He said that one team per Police Station was deployed to conduct inspection and review security arrangements at all such establishments. Police teams were also asked to ensure that all the ATMs and Petrol Pumps have CCTV cameras installed at the premises and are guarded by the watchman/security guard, he added.          At least 471 Police teams, involving over 3000 Police personnel, carried out checks at as many as 2758 ATMs and 1861 Petrol Pumps across the state.          Meanwhile, CPs/SSPs have also been directed to intensify Police Patrolling around such vulnerable places to keep vigil on anti-social elements.

IEP Chandigarh, June 22 

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday reiterated the firm commitment of his government to ensure canal water at the tail end of the last field in the state.In a statement issued here today, the Chief Minister said that the state government is duty bound for this noble cause. He said already due to strenuous efforts of the state government water has reached the far flung areas of Fazilka districts. Bhagwant Mann said that the state government had delivered a promise made to cotton cultivators of the state that canal water will reach their fields from April 1. Expressing deep concern over the gravity of the emerging situation due to the fast depleting water table, the Chief Minister said almost all the blocks in the state are in the dark zone as far as the groundwater is concerned. Bhagwant Mann said that it has happened due to reckless pumping of water in fields adding that the trend needs to be checked immediately so that our future generations do-not have to strive for water. He said that optimum utilisation of canal water can reduce the burden on ground water thereby checking its depletion. The Chief Minister said that the state government is taking massive steps for optimum utilisation of the canal water to save the groundwater. He said that at present Punjab is using only 33%-34% of its canal water adding that this will be enhanced in the coming days. Bhagwant Mann envisioned that if Punjab can enhance the canal water utilisation to 60% in first phase then nearly four lakh tubewells out of total 14 lakh can be stopped thereby helping in saving water.

IEP Jalandhar, June 20

With an aim to transform ‘CM di Yogshala’ into a mass movement, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann  on Tuesday led more than 50,000 people of the state to conduct Yoga for carving out a healthy, progressive and prosperous state.“This revolution in the health sector is aimed at making the people of the state healthy both mentally and physically” asserted the Chief Minister while addressing the gathering in a function ‘CM di Yogshala’ here today at the PAP ground in which people from all sections of society participated enthusiastically.The Chief Minister envisioned that the ‘CM di Yogshala’ will act as a stepping stone for carving out a healthy and vibrant Punjab. He said that thousands of Punjabis have joined him for this noble cause and the day is not far when Punjab will regain its pristine glory of being a healthy and vibrant state. Bhagwant Mann said that unlike previous governments this is not a political function but the sole aim of this campaign is to make Punjab a healthy state by inspiring people to make Yoga an integral part of their life.The Chief Minister said that ‘CM di Yogshala’ is a citizen centric project, which is the brainchild of the Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and had attained lot of popularity amongst people in national capital. He said that a large number of population in national capital was benefitted from this pro-people initiative. Bhagwant Mann said that due to this only Punjab has replicated this scheme in the state to ensure that Punjabis can get huge benefit from it.The Chief Minister said that people can dial toll free number 7669 400 500 or login to https://cmdiyogshala.punjab.gov.in  for free yoga training adding that trained Yoga instructors will help people in acquainting themselves about yoga. He envisioned that in consonance with the glorious ancient tradition of India, these Yogshalas will help in making the Punjabis healthy, both physically and mentally. Bhagwant Mann said that as a part of this campaign highly trained Yoga instructors will impart free Yoga training to people in open parks and other public places.The Chief Minister said that the primary motive of this campaign is to ensure that a mass campaign is started for making Punjab healthy, prosperous and progressive. He said that yoga was very essential for a fit body and sound mind adding that every individual should make yoga an integral part of their daily life to remain hale and hearty. Bhagwant Mann said that the  ‘CM di Yogshala’ campaign will act as a pivotal to create awareness amongst the people about ensuring good health and hygiene by practicing Yoga.The Chief Minister said that it is the need of the hour not only to maintain good health but also de-stress the people, who face numerous challenges every day in their lives. He said that rising stress levels amongst people is a major cause of concern for everyone and Yoga can play an important role in saving the people from it. Bhagwant Mann said that it is essential to maintain mental and physical equilibrium by living a quality life by making certain changes in lifestyle and by practicing Yoga.On the occasion Cabinet Ministers Balkar Singh, Dr Balbir Singh and Bhram Shankar Jimpa, Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha, Lok Sabha MP Sushil Kumar Rinku, Additional Chief Secretary to CM A Venuprasad and others were also present.