IEP CHANDIGARH, March 12

With investigations of the Kotkapura Firing incident reaches at the final stage, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by ADGP LK Yadav on Sunday said that if anyone having any additional, relevant information, which may have a bearing upon the case could share by personally meeting him at his office at Floor 6, Punjab Police Headquarters, Sector 9-C here from 10.30am to 1.30pm on coming three Thursdays i.e. March 16, March 23 and March 30, 2023. Notably, the Kotkapura Firing incident took place on October 14, 2015.He said that people can also share information in this regard by sending a message on WhatsApp no 9875983237, or by emailing at ID newsit2021kotkapuracase@gmail.com. Even at this stage any input/information provided by any responsible individual might prove to be very helpful for the SIT in completing this legal process of investigation at the earliest, he added.The ADGP also expressed gratitude to the people of Punjab for their kind cooperation with the SIT in the discharge of the sacred responsibility entrusted to SIT. He said that the strength of consciousness of every single individual of Punjab has been a prime mover in the completion of the legal process of investigation connected with the Kotkapura Firing Case.Pertinently, on the directions of Punjab and Haryana High Court Chandigarh, the State Government had constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) consisting of three Senior officers including ADGP LK Yadav, IG Rakesh Agrawal, and SSP Moga Gulneet Singh Khurana to investigate the Kotkapura firing incident. The SIT has submitted its first Challan in the Court on February 24, 2023.

IEP CHANDIGARH, March 12

          As part of ongoing drive to make Punjab a safe and secure state as per the vision of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Punjab Police on Saturday carried out a special operation under which persons booked under Arms act were checked by the Police teams across the state. The operation was carried out in wake of the G-20 Summit on the directions of Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav.

          The operation was conducted in a synchronised manner from 11am to 5pm and all the CPs/SSPs were asked to depute one team per police station to check the wherebouts and antecedents of all the persons booked under Arms act in last five years, who are on bail, parole or acquitted.

          Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Law and Order Arpit Shukla said that the 400 Police teams, involving 2000 police personnel, have checked as many as 1343 such persons, who were booked under the Arms Act in the last five years, of which, 1194 persons were on parole or bail. One person has been arrested during the operation, he said.

          He said that the intent to carry out this operation was to keep check on the influx of illegal arms and ammunition from across the international border and the inter-state borders from states including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, besides, keeping vigil on gangsters and anti-social elements.

          Meanwhile, such operations also help in infusing fear among anti-social elements and instilling a sense of security among common people.

IEP SAS Nagar, March 12

Punjab Sports Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer on Sunday inaugurated the All India Civil Services Cricket Tournament by taking to the field himself.

As many as 39 teams from different States, UTs and Regional Sports Boards across the country are participating in this tournament being conducted by the Sports Department, Punjab from March 12 to 19. These players are employees of their respective state and central government departments.

During the opening ceremony at the Sports Stadium in Sector 78, Meet Hayer formally inaugurated the tournament by hitting a shot with the bat. He was also introduced to the captains of all the teams. Speaking earlier, he welcomed the players of all the teams and wished them for better performance. He shared his memories of playing cricket from his childhood and said that he still plays cricket when he gets time.

Describing the sports sector as the top priority of the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led State Government, Meet Hayer said that this time the budget of the sports department has been kept at Rs. 258 Cr which is more than 55 percent as compared to last year. This will give a big boost to the sports sector.

Earlier, Director Sports Amit Talwar welcomed the Chief Guest and all the teams and briefed about the tournament.

On this occasion, players from other states were very impressed by the martial art Gatka and Jugni Bhangra Academy’s folk dance Bhangra performances.

Prominent among others who were present at the occasion included Punjab Youth Development Board Chairman Parminder Singh Goldy, District Planning Board Chairperson Prabhjot Kaur, ADC (General) Amaninder Kaur Brar and District Sports Officer Gurdeep Kaur.

IEP Chandigarh, March 9       

    Minister of Social Security, Women and Child Development Dr. Baljit Kaur said that increase in pension for senior citizens, widows and destitute women, dependent children and disabled persons will be done soon in future.  She said this in response to a question raised by Shiromani Akali Dal MLA Ganieve Kaur Majithia.          Dr.  Baljit Kaur said that first the Government is streamlining it by removing the previous irregularities.          Dr.  Baljit Kaur further said that the state Government led by Bhagwant Mann found out the real beneficiaries and found that 90248 deceased were getting benefits.  Of which 95 percent i.e. 23.94 crore rupees has been recovered.  She said that the previous Government had also conducted a survey and 70137 were found to be ineligible, for which a recovery of Rs 162.35 crore was made.  But only one crore rupees was recovered.          Cabinet Minister said that the Government will benefit the real beneficiaries by correcting the irregularities.  Our Government is committed to fulfilling every guarantee.

IEP Amritsar/Chandigarh, March 9

President Droupadi Murmu, during her day-long visit to the holy city of Amritsar on Thursday, paid obeisance at the Golden Temple, Durgiana Temple and Bhagwan Valmiki Ram Tirath Sthal, besides paying tributes to the martyrs at Jallianwala Bagh memorial.

Tight security arrangements were made in the city for the President’s day-long visit, while Amritsar was also declared a no-fly zone for over four hours.

On reaching Amritsar’s Sri Guru Ramdass ji International Airport in the afternoon, President Murmu received a warm welcome from the Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Union Minister Som Prakash, Congress MP from Amritsar Gurjeet Singh Aujla, among other dignitaries.

Welcoming the President during her visit to Punjab, Chief Minister Mann apprised her that this is the land of great Gurus, saints, seers and prophets; and “Punjab is the cradle of civilization and inherits a rich culture which can be observed only by visiting this pious land”.

The Chief Minister expressed hope that during her visit, the President will have a feel of the state’s glorious cultural heritage besides enjoying the warm hospitality of the Punjabis. “It is a momentous occasion for all of us and entire Punjab is giving a red carpet welcome to the country’s President during her visit to the state. The State Government is honored to welcome the country’s President on this blessed land,” he said.

The Chief Minister accompanied the President to pay obeisance at Sri Harmandir Sahib, Jallianwala Bagh, Durgiana Mandir, and Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath.

On her first visit to the city after becoming the President, Murmu was accompanied by Chief Minister Mann and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami at the Golden Temple — taking rounds of the ‘parikrama’ under the tight security cover before offering prayers at the sanctum sanctorum. She also offered ‘karah parshad’ and sat for a few minutes for the gurbani-kirtan.

After paying obeisance, she went to the “langar hall” (community kitchen), and partook langar while sitting on the floor. She also visited the area where utensils are washed.

Afterward, she went to the Information Centre of the Golden Temple where she was presented a robe of honour, a set of Sikh religious books, a replica of the Golden Temple, and a set of woolen shawls.

In the visitor’s book at the Golden Temple, the President wrote, “I am happy to visit Sri Harmandar Sahib and pay obeisance at the holy temple. This holy place with beautiful architecture and divine serenity around it evokes feelings of calmness and harmony. I prayed for peace, progress and prosperity of the country. It was great to see the volunteers working tirelessly in the spirit of service and devotion specially during Langar. May the teachings of Sikh Gurus continue to inspire us to practice brotherhood and unity”.

IEP Amritsar, March 9

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday extended a heartiest welcome to the President of India Mrs Draupadi Murmu during her visit to the holy city.

The Chief Minister received the President here at Sri Guru Ramdass ji International Airport during her one day visit to the city and offered her a bouquet of flowers. Welcoming the President during her visit to Punjab, Bhagwant Mann apprised her that this is the land of great Gurus, saints, seers and prophets. He informed Mrs Murmu that Punjab is the cradle of civilization and inherits a rich culture which can be observed only by visiting this pious land.

 The Chief Minister expressed hope that during her visit, the President of India will have a feel of the glorious cultural heritage of the state besides enjoying the warm hospitality of the Punjabis. Bhagwant Mann said that it is a momentous occasion for all of us and the entire Punjab is giving a red carpet welcome to the country’s President during her visit to the state. He said that the state government is honored to welcome the country’s President on this blessed land.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister accompanied the President to pay obeisance at Sri Harmandir Sahib, Jallianwala Bagh, Durgiana Mandir and Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath.

IEP CHANDIGARH, March 9     

     The Punjab Assembly on Thursday unanimously passed a non-official resolution to take up the matter of fleecing common man by fixing Maximum Retail Price (MRP) of medicines at exorbitant prices, with the central government. The non-official resolution was moved by MLA Dr Charanjit Singh during the ongoing budget session of 16th Vidhan Sabha here.          After the reply presented by the Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh, all the members present in the house passed the non-official resolution to recommend this matter to the Central Government.          During his reply, Dr Balbir Singh appreciated the resolution moved by MLA Dr Charanjit Singh and said that the issue was already in his mind. He said that, even, he had recently brought this matter into the notice of Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, who visited Patiala a few days back. He said that cancer drugs have already been regulated by the government, but non-scheduled drugs and e-pharmacy are yet to be regulated.            He said that till these drugs get regulated, the easiest way to provide affordable medicines to common people is by opening maximum ‘Jan Aushadhi Kendras’ in the state. He said that there is 25 Jan Aushadhi Kendras in the state and 16 more have been approved, which will be opened soon. He also urged all the MLAs to maximum exhort people to open these Kendras in their constituencies, which will not only provide affordable medicines to the common people, but will also help in generating employment.          “Health is fundamental right of every person and it is the duty of the state and the central government to provide world-class quality healthcare managed and funded by the government,” said Dr Balbir Singh, while adding that the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led Punjab Government is committed to provide the holistic healthcare facilities in the state.          He also pledged in the Assembly to present his ‘Annual Report’ on what he has done— whether its recruitment of doctors and staff or new medical projects— during every Budget Session. He informed the assembly that there are 504 Aam Aadmi Clinics (AACs) made functional in the state, of which, 353 clinics, which is over 70%, are established in villages.          Terming the drug menace as the most crucial issue of the state, the Health Minister called upon all the house members to show concern on this and join hands with the Government to root out this menace, which is not only the reason for many fatal diseases including Cancer, HIV-AIDS, Hepatitis, impotency, etc, but also a reason for crimes happening in the state.          Meanwhile, the Health Minister said that the Punjab Government has been working on bringing reforms in the healthcare, wherein, instead of prescribing medicines, patients would be asked to join Yogshalas and exercise in the Government Hospitals to treat them naturally.

IEP Chandigarh, March 1    

      Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is continuously striving to provide basic facilities, clean and pollution free environment to the people of the state.          Reiterating this commitment, Local Government Minister Dr. Inderbir Singh Nijjar said that taking another step in this direction the Punjab government has decided to spend about Rs 7.45 crore to improve the water supply system besides providing clean environment in Jalandhar.          Disclosing further,  Dr. Nijjar said that approximately Rs 2.12 cr. would be spent on operation, maintenance and electrical repair of 74 tubewells in zone-2 and 103 tubewells in Zone-3 of Jalandhar.          Apart from this, approximately Rs.1.69 and Rs 1.80 crore would be spent on operation, maintenance and electrical repair of 118 tubewells in Zone-4 and 104 tubewells in Zone-6.          Minister further said that about Rs 1.84 Cr will be spent for the annual maintenance of water supply & sewer lines in various wards and hiring services on out sources basis to smoothly run the work of Municipal Corporation Jalandhar.          The Minister said that the office process for these works has already been started by the local government department. He said that the Local Government Department has uploaded the e-tenders for these works on the Punjab Government website www.eproc.punjab.gov.in. If any kind of amendment would be required in these tenders the same information would be made available on this website.          He said that the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is committed to provide corruption free administration to the people of the state. Therefore, any official or employee caught committing corruption would not be spared.          The Minister directed the officials to ensure quality and transparency in the work of the department.

IEP Chandigarh, March 1

          Punjab Government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is making continuous efforts to provide employment opportunities in Punjab. Under this series, applications have been called for filling up the post of Chairman of Punjab Public Service Commission.

          Spokesperson of the Punjab Government Personnel Department said that eminent persons having impeccable integrity, high calibre and administrative experience can apply for the post of Punjab Public Service Commission Chairman. The last date to apply for this post is March 22, 2023.

          Divulging in this regard, he said that a search committee headed by the Chief Secretary has been formed which will be considered by the High Empowered Committee chaired by the Chief Minister of Punjab after shortlisting the names from the applications received.

IEP Chandigarh, 1 March

          Punjab Public Works and Power Minister Mr. Harbhajan Singh ETO has termed the decision taken by the Hon’ble Supreme Court to convene the Punjab budget session from March 3 as a victory for democracy.

          Through a press statement issued from here today, the Cabinet Minister said that the Hon’ble Supreme Court has approved the decision of the Punjab Cabinet regarding convening of the Punjab Budget Session from March 3. He said that this decision is in favor of 3 crore Punjabis.

          Mr. Harbhajan Singh said that India is the largest democracy in the world. He said that this democracy can survive only by working according to the constitution made by Babasaheb Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar. He said that the governors appointed by the central government in the states should not act as spokespersons of the central government but should discharge their responsibilities as per the will and advice of the government elected by the people and in the interest of the people of the state.

          The cabinet minister said that the decision given by the Supreme Court in favor of the Punjab government confirmed that the governor cannot, under any circumstances, reject the proposal sent by the government to convene the session. He said that ignoring constitutional values by the Governor of Punjab and not allowing the government to convene a budget session is a violation of democratic traditions.

          He further said that the state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is continuously working for the progress of Punjab and Punjabis.