IEP Chandigarh, February 23

          Aiming to curb the menace of corruption in the state, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) on Thursday nabbed a Kanugo Vijay Pal, posted in revenue block Jamalpura, Malerkotla district red handed for demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs. 50,000.

          Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of VB said the above said Kanugo, a resident of village Bharthala Mander, in Malerkotla was arrested on the complaint of Karamjit Singh, of village Bhaini Kalan, tehsil Amargarh, Malerkotla.

          Giving more details he informed that the complainant has approached the VB and alleged that the above said Kanugo has been demanding a bribe of Rs. 2 lakh for clearing a file pertaining to award of compensation of his land acquired for construction of National Expressway.

          After verifying this complaint, a VB team from economic offences wing of Ludhiana range laid a trap and the accused Kanugo has been arrested on the spot accepting a bribe of Rs. 50,000 as first instalment and tainted money was recovered from him in the presence of two official witnesses.

          He informed that a case under prevention of corruption act has been registered against the accused revenue official at VB police Ludhiana and further investigation was under progress.

IEP SAS Nagar (Mohali), February 23

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday kicked off the Fifth edition of progressive Punjab summit by inaugurating a hi-tech exhibition here at the Indian school of Business.

In the exhibition a number of leading companies from across the globe had showcased their products. The Chief Minister went to each stall and had detailed information about the products of the various companies. Bhagwant Mann said that this a historic moment as the leading companies of the world is presenting their achievements.

The Chief Minister said that these companies have already proved their mettle across the globe in this field. He said that Punjab welcomes these entrepreneurs on the occasion and hope that with their cooperation state will soon give major push to industrial growth. Bhagwant Mann assured fulsome support and cooperation to all the industrialists for their every venture.

The Chief Minister expressed hope that the day is not far when state will soon emerge as industrial hub of the country.  Meanwhile, he also thanked leading companies including HMEL Bathinda, ITC, Palaksha University, ESR Lopistics Pvt. Ltd., Hindustan Unilever Limited, International Tractors limited, Tynor Orthotics Pvt. Ltd, Savi Exports, Sanathan Polyoot Private Limited, Trident Group, UK High Commissioner Office, Hartek Power, Masters Creation, Gilard Electronics Pvt. Ltd, Avon Cycles Ltd, M/s Raja Fat & Feeds Pvt. Ltd, IIT Ropar,, Technology Business Incubation Foundation, Nanokriti Pvt. Ltd, Edith Healthcare, Dakters Software Startup Punjab, M/s Black Eye Technologies Pvt. Ltd, Agnext

B.G. INnovatech, Holokitab Technologies, Vishwaaz AI Pvt. LTD, Breww Therapeutics Private Limited, Kielde Private Limited, Cyberhawks Intelligence Services, LLP Lowcal Ventures Pvt. Ltd, NIRVIGHNA SERVICES PVT LTD, KCSAD LIGHTS (INDIA) PVT. LTD, JK Papers, Nestle India Ltd and others who have took part in the exhibition.

On the occasion various Cabinet Ministers, MLAs and senior officers of Punjab government were also present.

IEP Chandigarh, February 24

          Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains on Thursday took note against not allowing students to sit in ensuing exams of classes 5th, 8th, 10th and 12th by Punjab School Education Board due to some fee issues. These exams to be conducted for the said classss in February/March-2023.

The Education Minister has also written to the Punjab School Education Board’s Chairman to take immediate action to save the precious time of students in view of their future.

Pointing out further, the Minister said some of the students brought to his notice that they had already deposited their fee with the schools, which further not credited the same in the account of Board or deposited lesser than the actual fee. He said these students had expressed that there was not their fault anyway in this discrepancy.

The Education Minister said that it was a big lapse for which students should not to be suffered.

IEP CHANDIGARH, February 23

          To further strengthen the ongoing drive to make Punjab a drug-free and crime-free state as per the vision of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav on Thursday, assured total support to DGP Himachal Pradesh Sanjay Kundu to combat organised inter-state crime including smuggling of drugs and illicit liquor via Punjab-Himachal Pradesh Border.

          Police Chiefs of both the states were holding a coordination meeting at Punjab Police Headquarters to ensure better synergy and coordination between the two Police Forces.

          Giving a call for total synergy and teamwork between Punjab Police and Himachal Pradesh Police, DGP Gaurav Yadav said that both the Police forces should work as one team and activate the basic Policing and sharing real time information by the use of latest technology to keep the region safe and secure.

          DGP Gaurav Yadav said that Himachal Pradesh Police and Punjab Police will work together on joint operations at Punjab and Himachal Pradesh Border to keep vigil on gangsters and criminals, who have been operating in these states. It has also been decided to strengthen Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras at the entry/exit points at Border to prevent smuggling of drugs and illicit liquor, he added.

          He also proposed to organise frequent meetings between District Police Chiefs and SSPs of both the neighbouring states to discuss activities of the gangsters and criminal gangs operating in the region as so many of the issues and crime patterns are similar and inter-related.

          DGP Gaurav Yadav said that Punjab Police is committed to ensure better synergy between both the Police forces to make Punjab a crime-free state as per the vision of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

          Meanwhile, DGP Himachal Pradesh Sanjay Kundu has assured fulsome support to the Punjab Police and said that it was decided to work in close coordination to give a “knock-out-punch” to the organised inter-State crime.

IEP CHANDIGARH/FATEHGARH SAHIB, February 22       

   As part of ongoing drive to eliminate gangster culture in the state as per the vision of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Punjab Police’s Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) on Wednesday neutralised the mastermind of Phillaur Shoot-out, identified as Tajinder Singh alias Teja, along with his two associates, while returning fire in self-defence in a live encounter at New Fatehgarh Sahib Market in Bassi Pathana, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here.          “During this course of action, our one Police officer has sustained a bullet injury, while another got his leg fractured,” he said.          Punjab Police Constable Kuldeep Singh Bajwa had attained martyrdom in line of duty at Phillaur, while combating the anti-social elements on January 8, 2023. Pertinently, the Punjab Police on January 14, 2023, had already arrested key accused of Phillaur shoot-out identified as Yuvraj Singh alias Jora.          DGP Gaurav Yadav said that in an intelligence led Police operation at around 5:10 PM on Wednesday, AGTF team headed by ADGP Promod Ban and assisted by AIG Sandeep Goel, DSP Bikram Brar, DSP Rajan Parminder and Insp. Phushpinder Singh had traced the location of accused Teja and were chasing the vehicle, in which he along with his associates was travelling.                   In an attempt to escape, Tajinder Teja and his associates had opened fire at the Police Party, he said, adding that Police teams had fired in return in self-defence and during exchange of fire Tajinder Teja and his one associate were neutralized on the spot, while, one had sustained injuries and was taken to hospital for medical treatment, where he too succumbed to his injuries. Police teams have also recovered six pistols from their vehicle, the DGP said.          Divulging more details, ADGP Promod Ban said that Tajinder Teja is a history sheeter and facing more than 38 criminal cases across the state. Accused Teja was also handling an independent gang associated with Gurpreet Sekhon gang, he said.          He said that the identity of other two deceased persons are yet to be ascertained. Further investigations are on, he added.          Notably, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had visited the house of the martyr at his native village and handed over a cheque worth Rs 2 crore to the distressed family as a mark of respect for his supreme sacrifice for the country. He had also announced to construct a stadium and name a road after martyr constable Kuldeep Singh Bajwa.

IEP Chandigarh February 22    

       The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its ongoing campaign against corruption in the state on Wednesday arrested an ex-chairman of market committee Khemkaran Amritbir Singh, resident of village Aasal Utaar, Tarntaran district for committing embezzlement of Rs 55,54,118 during acquisition of land in connivance with revenue halqua Palla Megha Patwari Balkar Singh and a private person Billu Singh of village Palla Megha.          Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the VB said during the investigation of a vigilance enquiry, it was found that the Punjab government had acquired a land measuring 46 Kanals for the BSF to set up a new border out post at New Mohammadi Wala near village Palla Megha in the year 2002 to 2012.          He further added that the  the above said accused Patwari, who have been dismissed as Kanugo, in connivance with other two private persons Billu Singh of Palla Megha, and Amritbir Singh of village Aasal Utaar, had misappropriated Rs 1,11,08,236 in the said land acquisition case. The accused Patwari in connivance with other accused had distorted the revenue record and entered names of the above mentioned co-accused as owners of the said land. Subsequently, the Patwari managed to release two bank cheques of compensation amounting to Rs 55,54,118 each on the  basis of forged revenue record to both the above said co-accused on 07-11-2012. In addition to this, the accused Patwari had acquired a private land measuring 16 Kanals and 16 Marlas instead of acquisition of adjoining government land in order to provide financial benefit to the other accused and himself.          The spokesperson further added that on the basis of this vigilance enquiry, a case FIR No 05, dated 21-02-2023, under sections 218, 409, 420, 465, 467, 468, 471, 120-B of IPC and 13(1)(a), 13(2) of prevention of corruption act has been registered at VB police station Ferozepur. Further investigation in this regard was under progress. The roles of other officers/officials related with the land acquisition process would also be examined and the remaining accused would be arrested soon as the teams has already been formed, he added.

IEP Chandigarh, Fabruary 22

          Punjab Water Resource Department has issued notification for the closer of Rajasthan feedar from March 20, 2023 to May 23, 2023.

          Disclosing this here, an official spokesperson said that under Rule 63 of Rules framed under the Northern India Canal and Drainage Act, 1873 (Act No.VIll of 1873) having due to weather condition and status of crops, the Rajasthan Feeder will remain closed from 20.3.2023 to 23.5.2023 (both days Inclusive) for 65 days to complete the remaining works of relining of Rajasthan Feeder.

IEP Chandigarh February 22      

    The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) on Wednesday arrested a builder Parveen Kumar son of Amar Singh for establishing an unauthorized colony named Ambika Greens in connivance with the officials/employees of the Municipal Council (MC) Kharar thereby causing a huge financial loss to the government for non-payment of Rs.2,22,51,105 and tampering with the records related to the passed maps/plans of the plots in the colony from the office of the council. The local court has granted 5 days police remand to the VB to enquire into all the allegations properly.          Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of the VB said in this regard, a case FIR 10 dated 21-02-2023 under sections 420, 409, 120-B of the IPC and sections 13(1)(a), 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered against the accused at VB Flying Squad, Punjab, Mohali police station. Further investigation in this case was under progress.          Giving details he further said this case has been registered after the investigation of a vigilance enquiry in which it was found that about 20 acres of land was donated to Shaheed Kansi Ram Memorial College Bhagumajra, Kharar by the residents of village Bhagumajra in the year 1972-73 to establish a college. At that time under the chairmanship of the then MLA Kharar Shamsher Singh Josh, an 11-member society was formed on 14.08.1978 and the National Education Trust was formed who had purchased about 17 acres of land in nearby village Khanpur.          The spokesperson further informed that after this, on 07-02-2018, Shaheed Kansi Ram College Education Trust Kharar further sold 6 acres 1 bigha land in village Khanpur to the above mentioned Praveen Kumar for a total of Rs 6,52,81,771. After that, Praveen Kumar established a colony named Ambika Greens on this land through his realtor firm, and for getting the maps/plans passed of the said colony by MC Kharar, he deposited only Rs. 6,58,213 out of actual amount of Rs. 2,02,51,105. The accused coloniser started selling plots to different people without getting the map/plan passed from the said council thus violated the rules.          He further added that out of the plots sold by the accused Praveen Kumar in this colony, the maps of about 30 plots were passed by the officials/employees of MC Kharar and issued NOCs to various allottees in the said colony in colluding with the above said accused. Subsequently, the PSPCL Sub Division City-2 Kharar installed domestic electricity meters on the basis of such NOCs issued while the said Ambika Greens colony has not been passed yet.          The spokesperson further added that during the investigation, it was found that a notice was also issued to Praveen Kumar on 22-11-2021 by the then MC executive officer, Kharar, Rajesh Kumar Sharma to pay the government arrears, but still the above said accused has not deposited any amount to the MC. Due to this inaction, the officers/officials of MC Kharar had to stop the allottees from making any construction on the purchased plots until the colony was passed, which caused huge financial loss to the government but the MC officers/employees didn’t performed their duties properly in this case.          He further informed that the said accused Praveen Kumar has not yet submitted the complete file regarding his colony named Ambika Greens to the concerned state department to get it regularised. From this vigilance investigation, it was concluded that the accused Praveen Kumar had cut the unauthorized colony and sold various plots thereby caused loss to the state exchequer due to non-payment of the said amount including interest of Rs.2,22,51,105. He added that it has also been found that the officials/employees of MC Kharar in connivance with Praveen Kumar had passed the maps/plans of the unauthorized colony located at a short distance from the council office from the year 2020 till now by misusing their powers and did not stopped the owners of plots from construction in this unauthorized colony.          The spokesperson said that apart from this, the officers/officials of the MC Kharar in collusion with Praveen Kumar, has also destroyed the office record pertaining to the maps and plans passed in the said colony. He further informed that during further investigation the roles of other concerned officials would also be examined. 

IEP Chandigarh, February 22

          The Punjab Affordable Housing Policy-2023 approved by Chief Minister S Bhagwant Mann led Punjab Cabinet, will fulfil the common man’s aspirations to own a dream house and will further give a push to revival of the real estate sector in the state, said Punjab Housing and Urban Development (H&UD) Minister Mr. Aman Arora, here.

          This policy has been introduced to provide affordable houses to the lower-middle and lower-income strata of the society and also after taking note of the demands of the developers.

          Divulging details about the policy, Mr. Aman Arora said that the minimum area for a plotted colony has been fixed at five acres, while, the minimum area required for group housing is now 2.5 acres only, except for GMADA area where minimum area required for a new colony will remain 25 acres. Maximum plot size has been fixed upto 150 sq.yd. and maximum flat size has been fixed upto 90 sq.mt. under the policy.

          The saleable area has also been increased from 62 to 65 per cent of the total project site area to provide plots at affordable rates to the needy and the saleable area is being given on the total plot area of the project irrespective of any master plan road passing through the plot area.

          He further said that the minimum area under greens has been fixed at 7.5 per cent from 10% of the site area and the minimum width of internal roads will be 30’ ft in such projects.    

          To reduce the burden on individual plot holders, the H&UD Minister said that the CLU, EDC and License fee have also been reduced to 50 per cent, or half, of those applicable in case of a normal colony, however,  the reduction in charges will not be applicable in GMADA area.

          To enable speedy clearances of all approvals for all categories of the Affordable Colonies, Mr. Aman Arora said that all the powers for granting approvals have been delegated to the Chief Administrator of the concerned Urban Development Authority at local level designating him/her as the single competent authority.

          Mr Aman Arora said that H&UD department will facilitate promoters in obtaining NOCs in time bound manner by conducting frequent meetings with various regulatory authorities like PSPCL, PPCB etc and regular monitoring will be ensured at the higher level for quick disposal of cases regarding approvals, he added.

          The Minister affirmed that this policy will also encourage the promoters to get their colonies approved in hassle-free manner and will definitely curb the mushrooming of unauthorised colonies,

IEP Chandigarh, February 22

          On the directives of Rural Development and Panchayat Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, the department has ordered to suspend the services of Senior Assistant (Accounts) who have officiating charge of Block Development and Panchayat Officer (BDPO) Gurmeet Singh posted at Guru Harsahai, District Ferozepur and Panchayat Secretary Pritpal Singh with immediate effect on charges of corruption.

          It is pertinent to mention that the suspended employees will be given subsistence allowance on the terms and conditions specified under Rule 7.2 of Punjab Civil Services Rules. During the suspension period, the headquarters of the these employees will be the Office of District Development and Panchayat Officer, Faridkot and Office of District Development and Panchayat Officer Ferozpur respectively.

          Reiterating his commitment to provide corruption free governance to the people, Cabinet Minister Dhaliwal said that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led Punjab Government will not tolerate dereliction, indiscipline and corruption at any cost. He said that immediate action will be taken when such cases come to fore.