IEP Chandigarh, July 13

Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Thursday said that the Finance Department has decided to double the limit for the post facto approval and verification of medical bills through civil surgeon to ensure quick settlement of medical bills of the employees of the Punjab Government. He said that this decision would empower all civil surgeons of the state to verify and give post facto approval to the medical bills up to Rs 1 lakh raised by the Punjab Government employees regarding their treatment at the private hospitals of Punjab and Chandigarh.Disclosing this in a statement issued here, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the Finance Department has given approval to the proposal sent by the Health and Family Welfare Department in this regard keeping in view the problems being faced by the officials and employees of the state government during the settlement of their medical bills. He said that this would decision would further strengthen the decentralization by shortening the process of medical bills settlement, reimbursement and settlement of medical claims.Divulging further, Harpal Singh Cheema said the Finance Department had authorized civil surgeons for approval and verification of medical bills of private hospitals up to Rs. 25000 in the year 2010, but since then no one bother to safeguard the employees interest by increasing this limit to meet the increase in the cost of the treatment. He said that after the formation of the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government this limit was doubled to Rs. 50000 in May 2022 after a gap of 12 years, and the processing of medical bills above this limit was being done by the Director, Health and Family Welfare.The Finance Minister said that despite doubling the extent of post facto approval and verification of medical bills through the Civil Surgeon last year, the state government employees were facing difficulties due to delay in settlement of medical bills of more than Rs. 50000 amid increasing pendency at the office of the Director, Health and Family Welfare.  He said that now by doubling this limit from Rs. 50000 rupees to Rs. 1 lakh rupees, the entire process will be accelerated.Reiterating the commitment of the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led Punjab Government to ensuring the welfare of its employees, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the state government is making every possible effort to raise the standard of living of its employees besides providing every necessary facility at their work place. He appealed to the employees of the state to render their services with honesty, diligence and kindness and contribute their due in making this state a ‘Rangla Punjab’ again.

IEP Chandigarh, July 13

Dr. Baljit Kaur, the Minister of Social Security, Women, and Child Development, has instructed the Social Security Department to implement measures aimed at assisting elderly and disabled individuals in light of the flood situation in Punjab.The Cabinet Minister emphasized that the Department of Social Security, Women, and Child Development is dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of senior citizens. She further stressed the importance of providing assistance to elderly and disabled individuals affected by the current flooding in Punjab.She stated that to facilitate support, helpline numbers and control rooms have been established by the Punjab Government at the district level, with the appointment of nodal officers within the district administration. She said that according to the instructions of the Chief Minister of Punjab Bhagwant Mann All kinds of assistance are being provided to the people.  District Social Security Officers, in coordination with the Nodal Officers of the District Administration, are actively working to provide aid to the elderly and disabled affected by the floods.The Minister urged elderly and disabled individuals facing difficulties due to the floods to report their complaints to the helpline number 14567. This will ensure prompt action by the department to provide relief. She also instructed all departmental officers to prioritize the safety of elderly and disabled persons in future planning, considering the critical flood situation. 

IEP Chandigarh, SAS Nagar, July 13

 The Punjab Government led by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann stands fully committed to extend help in every possible to the people who have been ravaged by natural calamity in the form of floods in the State. As part of this, the Government is in the process of disbursing food packets to the tune of 40,000 out of which 23600 have already been distributed.  Disclosing this at Verka Milk Plant on the occasion of flagging off 3 vehicles of food packets for flood victims, the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak said that the packaging and preparation of the food packets is being undertaken at the milk plants located at Mohali, Ludhiana, Patiala, Jalandhar and Amritsar. Divulging more, he said that the Punjab Government is helping the beleaguered people in different ways. Some Department is undertaking the rescue efforts while the other is lending helping hand in some other manner. Similarly, the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department has been assigned the duty of preparing the food packets as part of providing immediate relief. Every packet contains Bread, Kaju Pinni, Biscuit Packets, Milk Packs, Water Bottles, Candles, Matchbox, Disposable Cups and Spoon. The Chief Minister has given clear directions to each Cabinet Minister, Chairmen of the Government Undertakings and Party MLAs to go in the field and assist the affected people in whatever way they can and everybody is discharging the duty in a dedicated manner, said the Minister adding that two things viz. Rescue and Relief are of paramount importance in the time of natural disaster. He further added that the entire Government machinery has gone all out to help the people. The loss of every penny suffered by the populace would be made good by the Government in the form of compensation, said the Minister adding that the State Government would stand by the people in this hour of need. Among others present on the occasion included the Director, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Ghanshyam Thori, GM Verka Milk Plant Raj Kumar.

IEP Chandigarh, July 13

In view of the situation caused by rains and floods in the state, the Punjab government has decided to extend holidays in all government, aided, recognized and private schools in the state till July 16, 2023.Giving information in this regard, Punjab School Education Minister Mr. Harjot Singh Bains said that on the directions of Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Bhagwant Mann, the School Education Department has decided to extend holiday till July 16 to avoid any untoward situation due to rain and flood like situation in the state.He said that all the schools will be reopened on July 17, 2023 as per earlier schedule.

IEP Chandigarh, July 13 

Due to heavy rains in Punjab, the rivers are overflowing and there are incidents of breaching at some places. Seeing the accidents that happened when the local people plugged the breaches at their level, Water Resources Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer has appealed to the people living on the banks of the overflowing rivers to coordinate with the local district civil and police administration, Army, NDRF and Water Resources department officials to carry out rescue operations. Meet Hayer said that saving human lives is the top priority. While appreciating the courage of the people working at their level, he said that self-defence is the most important thing while plugging the breaches. He said that on the instructions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the entire government machinery is engaged in the service of the people day and night. The water resources department has arranged sandbags and empty bags. Army and NDRF jawans are also actively helping the local administration. The Water Resources minister said that due to heavy rains in the hills and the state, such a situation has arisen after many years and all the rivers are running beyond their capacity also overflowed in many places. Similarly, there have been incidents of breaching in some places. In such a situation, people are requested to take technical help by coordinating with the local administration instead of plugging the breaches themselves so that no one’s life is lost. It is very important to rescue the people from water logged areas. In this difficult time, the government is standing with the people and saving the human life at all costs as every life is precious. 

IEP Chandigarh, July 13

To speed up the relief operations in the state and as per the directions of CM Bhagwant Mann, the number of relief camps has been increased from 127 to 183 in flood affected areas.  Along with this, the process of delivering dry food packets and necessary medicines to the flood affected people has also been expedited. A spokesperson informed that 1159 villages in 14 districts have been affected by the flood till 8 am on July 13. Similarly, some towns have also been hit by floods. A total of 183 relief camps have been established in the state, out of which 25 camps are running in Patiala, 16 in Rupnagar and 7 in Moga. Similarly,  3 relief camps in Ludhiana, 22 in Mohali, 2 in SBS Nagar, 3 in Sangrur, 36 in Ferozepur, 3 in Hoshiarpur, 7 in Tarn Taran, 51 in Jalandhar and 8 camps have been established in Kapurthala.He said that 18802 persons have been evacuated and taken to safe places, out of this number,  13518 in Patiala, 2200 in Rupnagar, 155 in Moga, 300 in Ludhiana, 1400 in Mohali, 200 in SBS Nagar, 500 in Fatehgarh Sahib, 19 in Tarn Taran and 510 persons have been evacuated from flood-affected areas in Jalandhar district. Currently,  14 districts are affected by floods including Patiala, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Pathankot, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Fatehgarh Sahib, Faridkot, Hoshiarpur, Rupnagar, Moga, Ludhiana, Mohali and Sangrur.According to the information received from the animal husbandry department, a total of 630 animals have been treated in the state and 2896 animals have been vaccinated in the flood affected areas. Apart from this, most of the districts have completed their H.S vaccination drive. Rescue teams are working round the clock to provide treatment, feed supply and fodder to the needy animals.On the other hand, the teams of the health department are working in the flood-affected areas with full attention. According to the spokesperson, 315 Rapid Response Teams (RRT) have been working at flood affected areas. The health department has set up 186 medical camps in the affected areas and the total number of OPDs is 6235 so far. He further informed that the Food and Civil Supplies Department has also speeded up the work to deliver the food packets in flood-affected areas. Total dry food packets being prepared is 40,000, while 23,600 packets of dry food have been distributed. 

IEP Sangrur, July 13

Breaking the jinx of CM inspecting the water logged fields through aerial surveys, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann today inspected the relief operations by himself testing the waters.Clad in white Kurta Pyjama, the Chief Minister, accompanied by senior officers of the state government and district administration, rushed into the water logged fields to oversee the relief measures during his visit to flood affected areas of Ghaggar river. Bhagwant Mann remained inside the water logged fields and monitored the operations through movement of the JCB. He asked the officers to remain in the field and ensure that people don’t face any problem.The Chief Minister said that even advanced countries like USA, Spain and others are facing problem of floods adding that nature has played havoc with the state. He said that incessant rains in the hill states and Punjab has brought this situation in the state. However, Bhagwant Mann said that his government is committed to bail out the people in this hour of grave crisis and no stone will be left unturned for this noble cause. The Chief Minister said that human life is most important due to which every effort is being made to safeguard it. He asked the people residing in low lying and flood prone areas to move to safe places so that their safety can be ensured. Bhagwant Mann said that the state government is duty bound to ensure that people do not face any sort of inconvenience. The Chief Minister said that it is not the time for politicising this issue rather all Punjabis should join hand for combatting this natural disaster. Bhagwant Mann said that unlike his predecessors he is not making rounds on helicopter for cosmetic assessment of the situation but he is in the field to take stock of the real condition at the ground level. He said that the situation is alarming but still the state government is making every effort to minimise the loss of people. The Chief Minister also said that a special girdawari will be conducted to ascertain the loss of crops, houses and others due to heavy rainfall in the state. He said that detailed instructions have been issued to the Deputy Commissioners to immediately carry out girdawari in the areas lashed by rains to ascertain damage caused to crops, houses, animals and others on priority. Bhagwant Mann assured the people that the government is committed to safeguarding their interests against nature’s fury.Meanwhile, the Chief Minister said that people should not get panic as the state government is there to serve them by keeping a regular tab on the situation arising in the aftermath of the incessant rains across the state. He said that it is a natural calamity and will be combated well with the fulsome support and cooperation of one and all adding that the state government is with the people of Punjab in this hour of crisis and no stone will be left unturned for bailing out the people from this situation. Bhagwant Mann appealed to the people to not worry about anything as the state government is already making concerted efforts to normalise the situation.The Chief Minister said that he is personally reviewing the situation every minute and from every corner of the state. He said that heavy downpour of water is beyond the control of any individual but every effort is being made to ensure that people do not face any sort of inconvenience. Bhagwant Mann said that already all the Cabinet Ministers, MLAs and the officers are in their respective areas and reaching out to the needy people in this hour of grave crisis

IEP Chandigarh, July 13

On the directions of Chief Minister Punjab,S. Bhagwant Mann, Minister for Local Government, Punjab Balkar Singh today held a video conference meeting with all Municipal Corporation Commissioners and Additional Deputy Commissioners (Urban Development) of the state and asked them to improve rainwater drainage in cities during the monsoon season. Instructions were given to clean the drainage system for proper drainage and ensure supply of chlorinated water to prevent diseases spread in rain.

The Cabinet Minister directed the officials to ensure early all the necessary arrangements to deal with the problem of waterlogging keeping in mind the rainy season so that there is no problem in draining water during rains. Emphasizing on the cleanliness of the drainage system, the Local Government Minister said that the roads, streets and manholes of all cities should be properly cleaned and besides fixing the drainage system, the work of cleaning the drains that carry rain water forward should be done. It should be done on the basis of priority so that the problem of water filling does not arise during rains. After identifying of low-lying places in those cities, where there is a possibility of water accumulation, instructions were also given to arrange generator sets and pumps there so that when water accumulates during rains, it can be removed immediately.

The Cabinet Minister asked the officials to ensure continuous fogging and spraying of larvicide in cities to prevent diseases spread due to mosquitoes breeding on stagnant water during rainy season. He directed that apart from regularly spraying black oil on standing water, chlorine tablets should be distributed in rain-affected houses and chlorinated water supply should be ensured in cities. He said that drinking water pipes should be checked, wherever any leakage is found, it should be repaired immediately.

The Cabinet Minister asked the officials to identify such old and dilapidated buildings and take special precautions in order to save precious lives due to the collapse of dilapidated and old houses/buildings during the rainy season. He said that if the condition of any building is very dilapidated then it should be vacated and suitable arrangements should be made for the stay of the people living there. He said that in such areas, where there may be damage due to the collapse of such buildings, arrangements should also be made for the protection of the nearby settlements. Meanwhile, he also gave instructions for immediate repair of roads, footpaths, streets, sewage pipes and grills damaged during the rains.

On this occasion, Mr. Ajoy Sharma, Principal Secretary Local Government, Mr. Malwinder Singh Jaggi, CEO Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board, Mrs. Isha Kalia, CEO PMIDC and Mr. Uma Shankar Gupta, Director Local Government were specially present in the meeting.

IEP Chandigarh, July 13

To speed up the relief operations in the state and as per the directions of CM Bhagwant Mann, the number of relief camps has been increased from 127 to 183 in flood affected areas.  Along with this, the process of delivering dry food packets and necessary medicines to the flood affected people has also been expedited.A spokesperson informed that 1159 villages in 14 districts have been affected by the flood till 8 am on July 13. Similarly, some towns have also been hit by floods. A total of 183 relief camps have been established in the state, out of which 25 camps are running in Patiala, 16 in Rupnagar and 7 in Moga. Similarly,  3 relief camps in Ludhiana, 22 in Mohali, 2 in SBS Nagar, 3 in Sangrur, 36 in Ferozepur, 3 in Hoshiarpur, 7 in Tarn Taran, 51 in Jalandhar and 8 camps have been established in Kapurthala.He said that 18802 persons have been evacuated and taken to safe places, out of this number,  13518 in Patiala, 2200 in Rupnagar, 155 in Moga, 300 in Ludhiana, 1400 in Mohali, 200 in SBS Nagar, 500 in Fatehgarh Sahib, 19 in Tarn Taran and 510 persons have been evacuated from flood-affected areas in Jalandhar district.Currently,  14 districts are affected by floods including Patiala, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Pathankot, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Fatehgarh Sahib, Faridkot, Hoshiarpur, Rupnagar, Moga, Ludhiana, Mohali and Sangrur.According to the information received from the animal husbandry department, a total of 630 animals have been treated in the state and 2896 animals have been vaccinated in the flood affected areas. Apart from this, most of the districts have completed their H.S vaccination drive. Rescue teams are working round the clock to provide treatment, feed supply and fodder to the needy animals.On the other hand, the teams of the health department are working in the flood-affected areas with full attention. According to the spokesperson, 315 Rapid Response Teams (RRT) have been working at flood affected areas. The health department has set up 186 medical camps in the affected areas and the total number of OPDs is 6235 so far.He further informed that the Food and Civil Supplies Department has also speeded up the work to deliver the food packets in flood-affected areas.An additional demand of 3100 dry food packets has been received on Thursday, making total demand of dry food packets in the flood-affected areas to 43,100. In response to this demand, 27,860 packets of dry food have been distributed by the department, while the remaining 15,240 packets are under preparation in bulk quantity.Out of the 27,860 dry food packets distributed till July 13, 14410 distributed in Jalandhar, 500 in Mohali, 500 in Fatehgarh Sahib, 1375 in Rupnagar, 1800 in Ludhiana, 2375 in Patiala, 1000 in Sangrur, 1000 in Kapurthala, 4000 in SBS Nagar and 1000 in Tarn Taran have been distributed.

IEP Chandigarh, July 12      

    Water Supply and Sanitation Minister Bram Shanker Jimpa today presided over a meeting with the department’s senior officials and field staff and directed that there should be no shortage of clean drinking water in the flood-affected rural areas.          He said that as per the  instructions issued by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the supply of clean drinking water should be ensured to the flood-affected areas of the state and adequate quantity of water tankers should be sent to the areas where piped water cannot reach.          During a review meeting at Jal Supply Bhawan, Mohali, Jimpa said that the government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is doing everything possible to meet all the needs of the residents of the flood-hit areas. Encouraging the officers and employees of the department, he said that everyone is doing a great job in this difficult time. He also praised the officials and employees of the department for timely repair of the damage caused to Kajauli Water Works due to floods.          Jimpa further said that those water supply schemes in Punjab affected by floods should supply water to their beneficiaries through alternative methods till they are fully operational. During meeting, he sought complete information from the SEs of Chandigarh, Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib, Jalandhar and Ludhiana circles about their areas and issued necessary guidelines.          He said that adequate steps should be taken to protect the motors/tubewells of water supply schemes from flood water, where the possibility of flood is still remains. He said that it should be ensured that chlorinated water is provided to the people.          Principal Secretary of Water Supply and Sanitation Department Jaspreet Talwar and Head of Department Muhammad Ishfaq, other senior officers and field officers of the department were present in the meeting.