IEP Chandigarh, February 15

Anup Gupta, Mayor, Chandigarh today visited all the branches of Municipal Corporation Chandigarh including Property Tax Branch, Parking branch, Estate Branch, Vendor Cell, Colony branch, Booking branch, Fire branch, Pension branch, drying branch, establishment branches etc.

He was accompanied by Joint Commissioners Sh. Gurinder Sodhi and Sh. Pavitar Singh. The Mayor took stock of office work at branches and asked the officials to clear public dealing works at the earliest. He said that to provide better services to the citizens of Chandigarh is our prime duty and all the officials of public dealing branches must dispose off their responsibilities towards the public.

IEP Chandigarh, February 15

The 51^st Rose Festival shall open to a majestic opening on February 17^th February amidst blooming roses in Rose Garden Sector 16, Chandigarh. For the 51^st edition of the three day mega event, the Municipal Corporation Chandigarh has teamed up for making all out preparations to adorn the beautiful Rose Garden, in order to host the annual event and make it a big one festival in the city and therefore three days high entertainment Light and Sound shows are being arranged for the first time in City beautiful from 17^th to 19^th February from 7.00 pm onwards for Public and visitors during this weekend.

While sharing the details of the 51^st edition of Rose Festival, Sh. Anup Gupta, Mayor, Chandigarh said that the Rose Festival in Chandigarh will commence from 17^th February and will continue consecutively for three days upto 19^th February, 2023.

The Mayor said that the most awaited Rose Festival will get a colourful boost on 17^th February, Friday, wherein the Governor, Punjab and Administrator, UT, Chandigarh, Sh. Banwarilal Purohit will inaugurate the festival at the Zakir Rose Garden amidst immense enthusiasm. The lively ceremony will commence with the beating of drums, playing of bands, folk dance performances displayed by different states, showcasing of regional art forms and flower arrangements.

He said that the event will be inaugurated on this Friday, amidst beautiful flower decoration at Rose Garden with thousands of visitors thronging to be a part of this festivity. Since, Rose Festival is an event dipped in entertainment and topped up with glamour quotient, thereby three special cultural evenings will be organized on all three days besides Light & Sound show on the theme of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.

He said that this time all the competitions will be organized as previous years after 3 years during which the competitions were not arranged due to COVID guidelines. Regular entertaining events by prominent artists from different parts of the country on each day, the colourful festival is bound to take people to an enviable world of excitement and thrill never seen before in Chandigarh.

The programme schedule on all the three days will be as under:

Programmes Schedule for 17^th February (Friday)

9.00 a.m. to 10.00 am Yoga & Meditation class at Main stage

11.00 a.m. Inauguration of Rose Festival by the Chief Guest.

11.10 a.m. Brass & Pipe Band Show

11.20 a.m. Flower Arrangements & Flower Hat Show

12.30 a.m. Folk Dance Competition

3.00 p.m. Ragni & Fag, Artists from Haryana

3.30 p.m. Kalbelia Dance Ghoomar & Bhavai Dance by renowned artists of Rajasthan

4.00 p.m. Rajasthani Dance performance

4.30 p.m. Kachi Ghodi (Live performance from renowned artists from New Delhi)

5.30 p.m. Bollywood Artists (Duplicate) From Mumbai:

1.      Anil Kapoor

2.      Shah-Rukh Khan

3.      Mallika Sherawat

7.00 p.m. Light & Sound Show

Programmes Schedule for 18^th February (Saturday)

9.00 a.m. to 10.00 am Yoga & Meditation class at Main stage

9.00 a.m. Rose Prince and Rose Princess Competition (Different Stage)

10.00 a.m. Photography Competition

10.35 a.m. Traditional Folk Dance (Punjabi Bhangra and Nagada)

11.00 a.m. Ghumar Dance by renowned artists of Haryana

11.10 a.m. Fag and Dhamaal by renowned artists of Haryana

11.20 a.m. Puppet Show by renowned artists from New Delhi

11.30 a.m. Rose King & Rose Queen (Senior Citizen)

3.00 p.m. Mr. Rose & Miss Rose Competition

4.00 p.m. Ghoomar Dance performance

4.30 p.m. Musical Evening by Artists from Bengali

5.00 p.m. Musical Performance by Punjabi Artists

7.00 p.m. Light & Sound Show

Programmes Schedule for 19^thFebruary (Sunday)

9.00 a.m. to 10.00 am Yoga & Meditation class at Main stage

10.00 a.m. Morning Raga, Classical performance by Swar Ragini Mestro Pt. Subhash Ghosh

11.30 a.m. Antakshari Competition

3.00 p.m. Closing Ceremony & Prize Distribution

4.00 p.m. Magic Show by Renowned Magician

5.00 p.m. Kalbelia, Ghoomar Fag and Dhamal Dance performances

6.00 p.m. Traditional Folk Dance ‘Devrath’ Folk Dance and Bhangra

7.00 p.m. Light & Sound Show

In addition, various Stage and Ground performances will be showcased by famous artists all days from 17^th to 19^th February, 2023.

Keeping in view the comfort of people, food stalls will be arranged in the Rose Garden this time.

·         Lucky draw with 300 attractive prizes for citizens submitting feedback on Swachh Survekshan 2023.

·         Tag social media accounts of Municipal Corporation Chandigarh in your selfie with the “I Love Chandigarh Sign” and “Swachhata Express” Selfie and win exclusive Swachh Survekshan Merchandise.

IEP Chandigarh, February 15     

     The Punjab government led by Chief Minister Punjab Bhagwant Mann is continuously striving to provide basic facilities, clean and pollution free environment to the people of the state. Taking a step forward in this direction, Local Government Minister Dr. Inderbir Singh Nijjar said that Punjab Government has decided to spend approximately Rs 10.87 Crore for cleaning of sewerage, manholes through suction machines and operation & maintenance of sewerage treatment plants and main pumping stations at jalandhar.          Giving more information in this regard, Local Government Minister, Dr Inderbir Singh Nijjar said that approximately Rs 3.92 Crore will be spent for operation and Maintenance of 25 MLD Sewerage Treatment Plants (SBR technology) and main pumping stations at Jaitewali, Jalandhar.          Similarly, he said that approximatley Rs 2.66 crore will be spent on operation and maintenance of 10 MLD Sewerage Treatment Plant (SBR Technology) and main pumping station at Bambianwali, Jalandhar.          Cabinet Minister further said that approximately Rs. 4.29 crore will also be spent on cleaning the sewerage lines and manholes of different zones in Jalandhar through suction machines.          He said that the local government department has already started the office process in this regard. Local government department has uploaded the e-tender for these works on the Punjab government website www.eproc.punjab.gov.in. If there is a need to make any kind of amendment in these tenders, then all the information will be made available on the same website.          Minister said that the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is giving top priority to provide basic facilities, clean and pollution free environment to the people of the state.          He has directed the official of Department to make ensure transparency and quality of works.

IEP Chandigarh, February 15

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday held a review meeting with all the departments to finalise the arrangements for Invest Punjab Summit slated to take place on February 23-24 in the Indian School of Business (ISB) at Mohali.Chairing a meeting here at his official residence, the Chief Minister asked the officers to ensure foolproof arrangements for the mega event in which Industrial tycoons from within the country and across the globe will take part. He said that the officers must not leave any stone unturned for ensuring the success of this event. Bhagwant Mann also discussed the broad contours of the technical sessions to be held on various topics during the summit.The Chief Minister envisioned that the summit will go a long way in ensuring holistic industrial development of the state to propel it into the orbit of high growth trajectory. He asked Invest Punjab to make optimum use of this healthy platform to project Punjab as the preferred investment destination among the domestic and global investors. Bhagwant Mann also asked the officers to make elaborate arrangements for one-to-one interaction of the leading entrepreneurs from the state with the delegates participating in the summit from the country and abroad.The Chief Minister asserted that this will help in further exploring possibilities of technical collaboration as well as technological transfer of know-how to set up industrial units in different sectors. He said that the ‘Brand Punjab’ must be duly showcased before the global industry coming to the state for participating in the Invest Punjab Summit. Bhagwant Mann envisioned that the summit will go a long way to showcase the vast potential of the state in the industrial sector to the world adding that it is the need of hour to make the state an Industrial hub of the country for giving fillip to economic activity and generating employment for the youth.

IEP CHANDIGARH/TARN TARAN, February 15       

   The Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) conducted as part of the ongoing drive to make Punjab a drug-free state as per the vision of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann got a major breakthrough after Punjab Police arrested one person after recovering 1Kg heroin and ₹27 lakh drug money from his possession, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Wednesday.          Notably, CASO raids were conducted at suspected hideouts of persons linked with Gangster Jagdeep Singh alias Jaggu Bhagwanpuria across the state on Tuesday.          The arrested accused has been identified as Jaipal Singh alias Gumta of Patti in Tarn Taran. Based on inputs, the Police have also booked his accomplice identified as Harmandeep Singh alias Harman of village Gulalipur in Tarn Taran, who is said to be a close associate of Jaggu Bhagwanpuria.          DGP Gaurav Yadav said that following a human intelligence that Jaipal Gumta along with Harmandeep Singh alias Harman are going to deliver arms and drug consignment, Tarn Taran Police teams immediately conducted a Naka and arrested Jaipal Gumta after recovering heroin and drug money from his SUV Mahindra Scorpio (without number plate), in which he was traveling. The Police teams have also impounded his car, he added.          Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Tarn Taran Gurmeet Chauhan said that Police teams have launched a manhunt to arrest the absconding accused Harmandeep alias Harman. Further investigations are on, he added.          He said that a case FIR no. 21 dated 14.02.2023 has been registered under sections 21, 25, and 29 of the NDPS act and section 25 of the Arms Act at Police Station City Patti in Tarn Taran.          Pertinently, as many as 2371 suspected hideouts of anti-social elements linked with Jaggu Bhagwanpuria were raided during a day-long operation carried out by at least 409 parties of Punjab Police involving about 2863 police personnel across the state on Tuesday.

IEP Chandigarh, February 14      

    In a bid to make Punjab leading state in production and utilization of clean and green energy, Punjab New and Renewable Energy Sources Minister Mr. Aman Arora called on Mr. RK Singh, Union Minister of Power, New & Renewable Energy at his office, New Delhi to discuss various issues regarding renewable projects.          Seeking Viability Gap Funding (VGF) to set up 100 MW Biomass Power projects in the state, Mr. Aman Arora apprised the Union Minister that these proposed projects would consume one million ton paddy straw per annum and it will go a long way to save the environment by finding a sustainable solution to the agriculture residue burning menace. He requested Mr. RK Singh to consider the demand for providing Rs.5 crore per MW VGF for these 100MW Biomass Power projects.          Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Mann led Punjab Government has been making concerted efforts for utilization of agri-residue as a fuel, said Punjab New and Renewable Energy Sources Minister, while adding that with the hand holding of Government of India (GoI) Punjab can lead in production of Renewable Energy for the greater interest of whole mankind.          He also sought financial assistance and technical support for setting up Biomass Solar Hybrid Power projects in the state.          Raising the issues related to green hydrogen, Mr Aman Arora said that GoI should provide technical support and financial assistance for setting up agriculture residue based green hydrogen projects under National Green Hydrogen Mission.                Union Minister Mr. RK Singh assured the Punjab Cabinet Minister that the Ministry will consider providing VGF for Biomass Power projects and will resolve all the other issues at the earliest, besides considering Punjab one of the favorite states under the National Green Hydrogen Mission.

IEP Chandigarh February 14:

Aiming to curb the menace of corruption in the state, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) has arrested a private person Sandeep Singh Virk, resident of village Naya Gaon, SAS Nagar district red handed while demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs. 15,000.          Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the VB said the above mentioned accused has claimed to the complainant Sabar Khan of Handiya, Barnala district that he has connections in Punjab Chief Minister office (CMO) and would get recruited him as a Personal Officer in CMO under special quota but he has to pay Rs 6 lakhs as bribe/expenses to get this job.          He further added that the complainant has informed to the VB that the accused had already taken Rs 15,000 as an advance money and now demanding Rs 25,000 more to get his file/case signed from the complainant and further to submit it to get its approval from concerned authorities.          After preliminary investigation, a VB team laid a trap and the accused Sandeep Singh was arrested while accepting bribe money of Rs 15,000 from the complainant in the presence of two official witnesses.          During investigation it has came to light that the above said accused Sandeep Singh prepared and get the complainant to sign a forged/fabricated appointment letter and other relevant documents to convince the complainant about his recruitment, he added.          The spokesperson further added that a case FIR No. 8 Dated 13-02-2013 under section 7A of prevention of corruption act has been registered against Sandeep Singh at VB police station, flying squad, Punjab, SAS Nagar. Local court has granted two days police remand of the accused and further investigation was under progress so as to uncover modus operandi of the accused and to know involvement of his accomplices including private/government officials, if any, he added.

IEP CHANDIGARH, February 14     

     Further tightening the noose around gangster-terrorist nexus to make Punjab a crime-free state as per the vision of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Punjab Police on Tuesday conducted raids at suspected hideouts of persons linked with Gangster Jagdeep Singh alias Jaggu Bhagwanpuria. The simultaneous raids were conducted at the residential and other premises linked to the gangster in all the districts across the state.          Notably, this was the fourth such raid conducted at the suspected places of different terrorists and gangsters in less than two months. Earlier, Punjab Police had conducted raids at suspected hideouts of Arsh Dalla, Lakhbir Landa, Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar.          Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav said that as many as 2371 suspected hideouts of anti-social elements linked with Jaggu Bhagwanpuria were raided during a day-long operation carried out by at least 409 parties of Punjab Police involving about 2863 police personnel across the state.          He said that raids were planned after the questioning of several persons in the recently busted modules backed by Bhagwanpuria.          Giving more details about the Operation, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Law and Order Arpit Shukla said that Police teams have conducted thorough searches at the houses and other premises linked with Bhagwanpuria and also collected the data from Electronic devices, which will be sent for forensic examinations. He said that several persons have also been detained for further verification and incriminating material has been seized from their possession, which is being further examined.          He said that the Police teams have also checked arms licences and questioned people about the sourcing of ammunition, besides, gathering travel details of foreign-based family members, bank transactions from abroad, and western union and property details for further examination.          He said that the operation was aimed at disrupting the nexus between terrorists, gangsters, and drug smugglers based in India and abroad. Such raids also help in infusing fear among the anti-social elements, whilst instilling a sense of safety and security among the common people, he added.          Pertinently, Punjab Police has busted 26 terror modules with the arrest of 163 terrorists/radicals after recovering 30 sophisticated Rifles, 201 Revolvers/Pistols, and 25 Drones since March 2022. As far as gangsters are concerned, Punjab Police have succeeded in busting 140 gangster/criminal modules with the arrest of 555 gangsters/criminals and neutralizing two, and recovering 510 weapons and 129 vehicles used in criminal activities from their possession in the same period.

IEP Chandigarh, February 14

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday envisioned that the Special Orientation Program being organised for the MLAs of the state will act as benchmark for quality debates and legislative work in the Punjab assembly during the ensuing sessions.The Chief Minister, while addressing the MLAs during the inaugural session of the Orientation program here in Punjab Vidhan Sabha, said that this is a path breaking initiative that will bring qualitative change in the functioning of the assembly. He said that people have elected the MLAs with a whopping mandate and they have high expectations from them. Bhagwant Mann said that these aspirations can be cherished through active participation of the MLAs in debates and law making procedures. The Chief Minister said that the time has come when all the political parties in the state must sink their differences and work in tandem with each other for safeguarding the interests of the state. He said that the political parties in other states unite for the common cause of their state and its people but this feature is missing in the state. Bhagwant Mann said that this is the need of hour to ensure that issues of the state are resolved at the earliest.Citing the example of a faulty decision of the Union government to supply coal to the state from its allotted coal mine via sea route, the Chief Minister said that this arbitrary decision of centre is irrational. He said that the state uses this coal for producing paddy which plays a key role in filling the food bowl of the country. Bhagwant Mann said that Punjab is being made to bear high expense of coal just which is unjustified, intolerable and unwarranted.The Chief Minister said that in democracy people are supreme and the government is run by the people elected by them. However, he quipped that some selected persons of the centre are just peeping their nose into the affairs of state which cannot be tolerated. Bhagwant Mann said that these selected persons should remain in the area of their own jurisdiction rather than locking horns with the elected representatives of people.The Chief Minister said that the Punjabis don’t remain isolated from politics and they take active interests in the political environment concerning them. He said that the Punjabis have inherited the leadership traits which can be judged well from the fact they have carved a niche for themselves even on foreign land. Bhagwant Mann said that Punjabis can be seen dominating the political field in Canada, England, New Zealand and other countries.The Chief Minister said that Punjab is the only state across the globe which has its franchise all over the world as Punjabis dominate the affairs in every other country. He said that the live session of Punjab Vidhan Sabha is seen across the globe with huge enthusiasm due to which the legislatures have a huge responsibility. Bhagwant Mann said that as the entire world is looking at us so we have a huge responsibility to maintain decorum while discussions in the Vidhan Sabha.The Chief Minister said that as the bouquet with flowers of various colors look beautiful and soothing in the same manner in a democratic system the opposition and treasury benches both are important. He said that both the opposition and ruling parties are a catalyst for healthy democracy. Bhagwant Mann said that both opposition and ruling party should play an active role for quality discussions in the house.  The Chief Minister said that homework is very important for quality debates by the MLAs adding that all the legislatures must come prepared for these debates. He said that all the MLAs must remember one basic thing that the chairs on which they are sitting today were once occupied by the great stalwarts who had shaped the destiny of the state. Bhagwant Mann also asked the MLAs to visit the Parliament Museum in New Delhi to get knowledge about the rich legacy of democracy inherited by them.The Chief Minister also batted for starting Members reference service for the MLAs on lines of the Lok Sabha. He said that it will help the MLAs in raising the issues of public far more effectively. Bhagwant Mann also shared his experiences as MP in Lok Sabha with the members.Earlier, Speaker of Punjab Sabha Kultar Singh Sandhwan welcomed all the dignitaries during the special orientation program. He said that the orientation program will help a lot in improving the quality of debates and proceedings of the house. Kultar Sandhwan said that this session will prove to be beneficial for all the MLAs and the people of the state also.Addressing the gathering, Cabinet Minister Dr Inderbir Singh Nijjar said that this program will be a boon for the first time as well as other MLAs. He said that this is a path breaking initiative which will have long term benefits for the state. Dr Nijjer urged the MLAs to take maximum mileage out of these sessions in which various experts will put forth their views.In his address, Leader of opposition Partap Singh Bajwa suggested that a cluster of MLAs be formed and Legislative assistants be associated with them. He said that this will help the MLAs in aptly raising the matters pertaining to their concern. Partap Singh Bajwa also hailed the Speaker of Punjab Vidhan Sabha for holding this session and advocated constructive functioning of the house.Deputy Speaker of Vidhan Sabha Jai Krishan Singh Rouri proposed vote of thanks on the occasion.On the occasion, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker also felicitated the Chief Minister and other guests.