IEP Chandigarh, February 22    

      Newly appointed Chairman of Punjab Information Technology and Communication Technology Corporation Limited (Punjab Infotech), Dr. Guninderjit Singh Jawandha assumed charge of his office at Udyog Bhawan on Wednesday in the presence of Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema.          Congratulating Dr. Jawandha, Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema expressed hope that Punjab Infotech would achieve new heights under the guidance of the new chairman. He also assured every possible support from the Government of Punjab to Dr. Jawandha, while conveying his best wishes for the new stint.          Dr. Guninderjit Singh Jawandha, who is a multi-lingual graduate with masters in business administration and a doctorate degree, while thanking Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for the responsibility bestowed upon him, said that he would discharge his duty with utmost sincerity. It is worth mentioning here that Dr. Jawandha is Chairman of Bhai Gurdas Group of Institutions besides running an NGO Japhar Welfare Society.

IEP Chandigarh February 22

          The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its anti-corruption campaign in the state on the directions of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, nabbed a Sub Inspector (SI) Jarnail Singh, Incharge police post, Mudki, Ferozepur district red handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 10,000.

          Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of the VB said this corruption case has been registered against the above said police official on the complaint of Sewak Singh, resident of village Pakka, Faridkot district.

          Giving details he added that the complainant has approached the VB and alleged that the above said police official has demanded Rs 30,000 as a bribe to execute compromise between two parties to a police complaint in which his son was involved. The complainant further informed that the deal in this regard was struck at Rs 28,000 and the accused has taken Rs 8,000 on the spot to provide copy of compromise. While handing over the money the complainant has recoded the entire conversation on his phone as an evidence.

          The spokesperson informed that the VB has investigated the allegations levelled in the complaint and laid a trap in which the accused police official was arrested while taking a bribe of Rs 10,000 as a second instalment from the accused in the presence of two official witnesses.

          In this regard a case under prevention of corruption act has been registered against the SI Jarnail Singh at VB police station Ferozepur. Further investigation in this case was under progress.

IEP Chandigarh, February 21     

     Punjab NRI Affairs Minister Kuldeep Dhaliwal held an online meeting with all the DCs, Police Commissioners and SSPs of the state to review the complaints of NRIs and directed to resolve the pending complaints by March 15.          Mr. Dhaliwal said that the Punjab government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has been taking effective steps to address the issues of NRI Punjabis and making constant efforts to resolve their grievances in a quick and meaningful manner. He added that 60 percent complaints have resolved which were received during ‘NRI Punjabian nal milani’ programme while the remaining complaints will also be redressed soon.          Mr. Dhaliwal said that most of the complaints were related to the revenue and police departments, while 20 percent complaints were already pending in various courts. Minister said that DCs and SSPs have also been asked to resolve complaints of NRI Punjabis on a priority basis. He said that the district level committees have been constituted under the leadership of all the Deputy Commissioners, which were bound to solve the problems of the migrants by coordinating with various departments.          On the occasion, Principal Secretary NRI Affairs J.M. Balamurugan, AIG NRI Affairs Balwinder Singh, Special Secretary NRI Kamaljit Kaur Brar, Deputy Secretary Surinder Kaur Brar, besides senior officers of various departments were present.

IEP Chandigarh, February 21

          Punjab Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO has assured the office bearers of POWERCOM and TRANSCO Coordination Struggle Committee that their all legitimate demands would be accepted soon.

          During the meeting, the office bearers of Powercom and Transco Coordination Sangharsh Committee Punjab apprised the power minister about their demands. Power Minister listened  their demands of the employees’ organizations very carefully.

           The meeting was attended by Gopal Sharma, Director Commercial, Management and HR Engineer, Punjab State Power Corporation Limited, besides senior officials of POWERCOM and TRANSCO and leaders of POWERCOM and TRANSCO Coordination Struggle Committee Outsource Punjab.

IEP Chandigarh, February 21

          Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan, on Tuesday, said that a mock session of the assembly for the students will be held in near future in order to remove lack of interest towards politics among the youth.

          Meeting the students of Government High School village Dod, district Faridkot, who visited Punjab Vidhan Sabha, S. Sandhwan said that it is important to educate students about politics because they are the future of the country, some of them can be leaders of the future. He said, there is apathy towards politics in the young generation and we are duty bound to remove this tendency. Thus, a mock session will be held in the Vidhan Sabha in the coming days with the intention of motivating students towards politics and creating their interest in politics.

          The Speaker asked the students of 6th to 9th standard that on their return, they would write an essay about what they experienced in the Vidhan Sabha and the students who will clinch first three positions in each class will be bestowed with Rs.3100, Rs.2100 and Rs.1100 respectively.

          He also sensitize students about the importance of the Vidhan Sabha and the process of enacting and amending laws.

IEP CHANDIGARH/BATHINDA, February 21

          As part of the ongoing drive against anti-social elements, Punjab Police have thwarted a major attempt of contract killing with the arrest of two persons after recovering a .32 bore pistol along with one magazine and four live cartridges from their possession, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Tuesday.

          Those arrested have been identified as Tarandeep Singh alias Laddi of Jaito in Faridkot and Kuldeep Singh alias Kali of Sri Muktsar Sahib. Both the arrested accused persons are history-sheeter and wanted by the Punjab Police in extortion case and Haryana Police in car snatched on gunpoint case.

          DGP Gaurav Yadav said that in an operation led by Counter Intelligence Unit of Sri Muktsar Sahib, Police teams have arrested both the accused persons, who were hatching a conspiracy to kill Malout-based person on directions of USA based Niranjan Singh alias Nick.

          Preliminary investigations suggest that accused Nick wanted to settle scores with his relative and had paid Laddi and Kali to kill him, he added. He said that accused Laddi had bought the pistol and ammunition from Madhya Pradesh to commit the contract killing.

          Divulging more details, AIG Counter Intelligence Bathinda zone Simratpal Singh Dhindsa said that accused Nick has so far sent at least Rs 2.50 lakh in the bank of Laddi’s mother for purchasing weapon from MP and other expenses incurred to accomplish the task. Further investigations are on, he said.

          Meanwhile, a case FIR no. 7 dated 21-02-2023 has been registered under section 25 of the Arms Act at Police Station SSOC Fazilka.

IEP Chandigarh February 21

           The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its ongoing campaign against corruption in the state on Tuesday arrested a revenue Patwari Bakar Singh, of halqua Palla Megha, Ferozepur district for committing embezzlement of Rs 1,11,08,236 during acquisition of land in connivance with two private persons.

          Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the VB said during the investigation of a vigilance enquiry, the Punjab government had acquired a land measuring 46 Kanals for the BSF to set up a border out post at New Mohammadi Wala near village Palla Megha in the year 2002 to 2012.

          He further added that the accused the above said accused Patwari, now a dismissed Kanugo, in connivance with other two accused Billu Singh of Palla Megha, Ferozepur district and Amritbir Singh of village Aasal Uttar, Tarntaran district had misappropriated Rs 1,11,08,236 in the said case. The accused Patwari had distorted the revenue records and entered names of the above mentioned co-accused as owners of the said land. Subsequently, he released two cheques of compensation amounting to Rs 55,54,118 each on the  basis of forged record to both the co-accused on 07-11-2012. In addition to this, the accused Patwari had acquired private land measuring 16 Kanals and 16 Marlas instead of adjoining government land in order to provide financial benefit to the other accused. 

          The spokesperson further added that on the basis of this enquiry a case FIR No 05, dated 21-02-2023, under section 218, 409, 420, 465, 467, 468, 471, 120-B of IPC and 13(1)(a), 13(2) of prevention of corruption act at VB police station Ferozepur. Further investigation in this regard was under progress and the other accused would be arrested soon as the teams has already been formed, he added

IEP Chandigarh, February 21

          Reiterating firm commitment of state government to make Punjab a frontrunner state in field of education, the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday launched portal for admission in 117 schools of eminence.

          Launching the portal www.ePunjabschools.gov.in/school-eminence/ , the Chief Minister envisioned that these schools will enable the students of the state to excel in field of academics. He said that these schools will act as catalyst to transform the lives of students by giving a new direction to their lives. Bhagwant Mann said that the schools of eminence are equipped with the best class facilities and state of the art infrastructure to enable the students to compete across the globe.

          The Chief Minister said that exactly a month ago the schools of eminence were dedicated to the people of the state. He said that these schools will impart quality education to the students in field of medical (MBBS), IIT, MBA and Law to ensure that they become active partners of 21st century. Bhagwant Mann said that these schools will play a major role in imparting quality education to the students thereby excelling in their lives.

          The Chief Minister said that 75% seats in these schools will be reserved for the students of the government schools whereas the remaining 25% seats will be reserved for the private schools. He said that the parents can apply on this portal by March 10 and ensure that their children excel in field of education. Bhagwant Mann said that the state government is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that quality education is imparted to the students of the state for restoring the pristine glory of the state.

IEP Chandigarh, February 21      

    As part of the ongoing drive to make Punjab a crime-free and drug-free state as per the vision of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Punjab Police on Tuesday conducted a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) across the state aimed at deterring anti-social elements and instilling sense of security and safety among common public. The operation was conducted on the directions of Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav.        The operation was conducted from 11am to 4pm simultaneously in all the 28 Police districts of the state and ADGP/IGP rank officers from Punjab Police Headquarters were deputed in each Police district to personally supervise the operation. The CPs/SSPs were told to plan this operation in a meticulous manner by identifying notorious/infamous mohallas/villages where drugs are prevalent or certain areas which have become shelter/safe haven for criminals and anti-social elements, to carry out this operation amid massive deployment of the police force. DGP Gaurav Yadav reiterated that making Punjab a drug-free state besides eliminating gangster culture, maintaining law and order, and detection of crime is the topmost priority of the Punjab Police.           Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Law and Order Arpit Shukla, who joined Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ropar Range Gurpreet Singh Bhullar and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sandeep Garg in SAS Nagar, said that the Punjab Police have not been leaving any stone unturned to make Punjab free from crime and drugs. “These kinds of CASOs at mass-scale level not only help in infusing fear among anti-social elements, but also boost public confidence and increase the presence of the cops in the field,” he said. The ADGP said that during the operation, Police teams have cordoned off over 324 hotspot areas and as many as 5781 persons were frisked of which 205 persons have been arrested. The Police have also registered 187 first information reports (FIRs) and arrested nine proclaimed offenders. Apart from this, the Police teams have recovered 2.8Kg Heroin and ₹2.20 lakh drug money, besides recovering other drugs.           The operation was conducted after the identification of drug and crime hotspots through data analysis by district police forces, he said, adding that proper frisking of suspected persons and complete search of houses was done by the Police force under the supervision of senior officers. He said that sniffer dogs were also deputed in these hotspots to ensure strict vigil.

IEP Chandigarh, February 21

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led Punjab Government will present its budget for the financial year 2023-24- on March 10 as the budget session of 16th Punjab Vidhan Sabha will be held from March 3rd to March 24th.

This was decided at a Cabinet meeting chaired by the Chief Minister here at his office in Punjab Civil Secretariat I.

Disclosing the details a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that the Cabinet authorized the Governor to convene the session, as per Article 174 of the Constitution of India.

As per the schedule, the budget session will commence on March 3 at 10 am with Governor’s address followed by obituary references at 2 pm.  On March 6 the motion of thanks and discussion on Governor’s Address will take place at 10 am till the conclusion of the same. The Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India for the year 2021-22, presentation of supplementary grants for year 2022-23 and Appropriation bill on supplementary demands for grants for year 2022-23 will be held on March 7th, followed by legislative business.

Non official business will be held on March 9th and Budget estimates for the year 2023-24 will be presented before the House on March 10th followed by general discussion on the budget. General discussion on the Budget estimates for the year 2023-24 will resume at 10 AM on March 11 till its conclusion and voting. Non-official business will be conducted at 10 am on March 22, followed by legislative business on March 24th after which the house will be adjourned sine-die.

EX-POST-FACTO APPROVAL TO THE OFFICERS COMMITTEE TO FORMULATE SOP FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF OPS

The Cabinet also gave ex-post-facto approval to the officers committee constituted by the Finance Department to formulate the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the implementation of the old pension scheme in Punjab. The Government of Punjab, Department of Finance, vide its Notification No. 02/01/2022-2FPPC/153-159, dated 18.11.2022, has implemented the Old Pension Scheme for all employees of Government of Punjab who are covered under Defined Contributory Pension Scheme (NPS). In continuation of this notification, the ex-post-facto approval has been given to the officers committee constituted by the Finance Department’s Notification Number 02/01/2020-22FPPC/09 dated 27.01.2023 to formulate the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the implementation of the old pension scheme in Punjab and to consider the recommendations of officers Committee, the Cabinet Sub-Committee constituted vide Notification No. 1/196/2022-1cab/530 dated 31.01.2023 issued by the General Administration Department (Cabinet Affairs Branch) and the Hon’ble Chief Minister’s order dated 13.02.2023.

GREEN SIGNAL TO NOTIFY AFFORDABLE COLONY POLICY, 2023

With a view to provide houses at affordable prices to the Lower Income Group in the State, the Cabinet also gave green signal to notify Affordable Colony Policy, 2023. The policy proposes to increase the saleable area from 62% to 65% and further to reduce CLU/EDC/LF/SIF/UDF charges to 50% of the applicable charges in respective zones in the State of Punjab (except in GMADA Regional Plan and Master Plans/ Proposed Land Use Plan Lalru in GMADA Region where there shall not be any reduction in charges). Further, for quick approval of the project, power for the grant of approval of CLU, License and Building Plan shall also be delegated to Chief Administrator of the concerned Development Authority (at local level) as a single agency.

APPROVES “INTEGRATED LOGISTICS & LOGISTICS PARK POLICY”

          With the aim of holistic development of the Logistics Sector of State, the Cabinet also accorded approval to “Integrated Logistics & Logistics Park Policy”.  Punjab has built a robust logistics infrastructure and has carried out various regulatory and structural reforms and has also designated Logistics as thrust sector. The policy offers several incentives for the development of infrastructure like MMLPs, Logistics Parks and Trucker Parks/Wayside Amenities Further, to ensure de-carbonization of the sector.

The policy incentivizes use of Commercial EVs for logistics and non-EV Refrigerated vehicles (Reefer vehicles). In order to ensure balanced regional development specialized services and warehouses in border districts have also been incentivized. The Policy further envisages a single integrated approval system for setting up units in the logistics sector, which will usher in a new era of development of logistics sector resulting in transformation of Punjab’s economy from agri-focused to manufacturing based, MSMEs becoming more competitive and enhanced employment opportunities.

GIVES NOD TO IMPLEMENT ‘PUNJAB YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR PROGRAM’

The Cabinet also gave nod to implement ‘Punjab Young Entrepreneur Program’, which envisions development of entrepreneurial skills and mindsets in students of government schools, to prepare them for the real world – as job creators and problem solvers for the country in general and Punjab in particular. Under this program a Business Blasters Program has been launched as per which the Department will provide seed money to a group of students to develop and implement a business idea, @2,000/- per student. As the experience of using seed money for implementing the business idea is at the core of the program, benefits or losses, if any, will not be recovered by the Department from the students. The teacher/ schools heads will exercise oversight on utilization of seed money and the profit and loss statements maintained by the students.

NOD TO CHANGE NOMENCLATURE OF THE OFFICES OF THE HEADS OF SECONDARY AND ELEMENTARY WINGS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION

The Cabinet also approved a proposal to change the nomenclature of the offices of the Heads of Secondary and Elementary wings of the Department of School Education from Director Public Instructions (Secondary Education) and Director Public Instructions (Elementary Education) to Directorate of School Education (Secondary) and Directorate of School Education (Elementary).

APPROVAL TO CONVERT 101 TEMPORARY POSTS OF DISTRICT AND SESSIONS JUDGE/ADDITIONAL DISTRICT AND SESSIONS JUDGE

The Cabinet also gave nod to convert 101 temporary posts of District and Sessions Judge/Additional District and Sessions Judge, whose pay scale (Entry level) is Rs.51,550-1230-58,930-1380-63,070/- and 270 temporary posts of Civil Judge (Junior Division)-cum-Judicial Magistrate, whose pay scale (Entry level) is Rs 27,700-770-33.090 920 40,450-1080-44,770/- of State Subordinate Courts into permanent posts to  further strengthen the judicial system in the State.