IEP Chandigarh, January 7

The Punjab Governor and Administrator, UT, Chandigarh, Banwari Lal Purohit today administered the oath of office and secrecy to Dr. Balbir Singh as Cabinet Minister of the state in a brief but impressive ceremony here at Punjab Raj Bhawan in the presence of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that with this the total strength of the Cabinet had increased to 15 including the Chief Minister.

Earlier, the Additional Chief Secretary to CM A Venuprasad conducted the proceedings of the ceremony with the permission of the Governor. After being sworn in Dr. Balbir signed the oath, which was counter signed by the Governor.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister congratulated Dr Balbir for the new assignment and said that the new Minister has already been serving the masses with missionary zeal. He expressed hope that that the new minister will continue to serve the people with same passion and fervour. Bhagwant Mann said that the state government is already according top priority to the Health department adding that a hardcore professional like Dr Balbir will further take the department to zenith.

IEP New Delhi, January 4

Strongly presenting the case of Punjab before the Government of India on the Satluj Yamuna Link (SYL) canal, the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann today categorically said that the state does not have even a single drop of water to share with Haryana.

“More than 78% of our 150 blocks are in extreme dark zone due to depletion of ground water table, so Punjab can’t afford to share its water with any other state”, said the Chief Minister after a meeting with his Haryana counterpart Manohar Lal Khatar in the presence of Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.

The Chief Minister said that at time when this anti-Punjab agreement for the canal was inked, the state was getting 18.56 MAF of water which has now been reduced to 12.63 MAF. He said that now we don’t have any surplus water to share with any state. Bhagwant Mann said that Haryana is currently getting 14.10 MAF of water from Satluj, Yamuna and other rivulets whereas Punjab is getting only 12.63 MAF.

Batting for changing the nomenclature and proposal of the project, the Chief Minister said that instead of Satluj Yamuna Link (SYL) canal, the project should be now conceived as Yamuna Satluj Link (YSL). He said that Satluj river has already dried up and there is no question of sharing even a single drop of water from it. Rather, Bhagwant Mann said that water from Ganga and Yamuna should be supplied to Punjab through Satluj river.

The Chief Minister said that this is the only viable alternative which can be considered in wake of the alarming situation of water scarcity in the state. He said that despite being smaller in area, Haryana is getting more water than Punjab and ironically it is demanding more water at the cost of Punjab. In wake of this fact, Bhagwant Mann said that how can we give water to Haryana if our own fields are starving for it.

The Chief Minister said that the state has a centuries old canal system due to which the district even at the centre of the state falls on the tail end of canal water. He bemoaned that the Union government has not issued even a single penny for the rejuvenation of the canal system due to which farmers are suffering. Bhagwant Mann said that there are 14 lakh tube wells in the state which are pumping water regularly to fulfill the irrigation needs of the state and make the country self-sufficient in food production. 

The Chief Minister said that it is ironic that due to availability of surplus water, Haryana is today encouraging the sowing of paddy in its districts. However, he said that on the other hand Punjab, which is battling for saving water, is appealing to the farmers to adopt less water guzzling crops.  Bhagwant Mann said that though farmers of the state have made the country self-reliant by producing record paddy but they have over exploited the only available natural resource of state in terms of water.

The Chief Minister bemoaned that in all the water agreements across the globe a clause is mentioned that the agreement will be reviewed after 25 years in wake of climate changes. However, he said that SYL agreement is the only exception in which no such clause has been mentioned. Bhagwant Mann said that this is the gross injustice which had taken place with Punjab adding that the then government at the centre and leadership of Punjab was responsible for this sin.

Training his guns against the Congress and Akalis, the Chief Minister said that both these parties were partners in crime against Punjab. He said that these parties have connived with each other to hatch conspiracy against Punjab and Punjabis. Bhagwant Mann said that as Chief Minister Akali leader Parkash Singh Badal had allowed survey of the canal to appease his friend and Haryana leader Devi Lal.

Similarly, the Chief Minister said that scion of Patiala royal family and former Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, who was Member of Parliament at that time, had welcomed the then Prime Minister for ground breaking of this sinister move. He said that since the survey till now, every step of these leaders speaks volumes of their treachery against Punjab and its people. Bhagwant Mann said that it is ironic that those people who had hailed this decision are now offering unsolicited advice to him. 

The Chief Minister said that these leaders have sown thorns before the Punjab and its younger generations by indulging in this unpardonable crime. He said that for the sake of their vested interests these selfish political leaders have prepared distress for the state. Bhagwant Mann said that the hands of these leaders are drenched with this crime against state and history will never forgive them for backstabbing Punjab.

The Chief Minister said that the state government will defend the interests of the state well before the Apex court too. He said that no stone will be left unturned for safeguarding the rights of the state. Bhagwant Mann said that the Haryana was the younger brother of state but Punjab has no excess water to share with it.

IEP Chandigarh, January 4

Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann committed to clean the water bodies across the state, Local government Minister Dr.Inderbir Singh Nijjar kick started the work to clean the Sidhwan canal from Bhai Randhir Singh (BRS) Nagar canal bridge today.Cabinet Minister Dr.Nijjar also kick started the project to install chain linked iron fencing (2 meter height) along the 13 kms long stretch of canal within the city limits. Aiming to stop the residents from dumping waste into the canal, the project is being taken up at a cost of Rs 6.64 crore. The work to install the fencing will be completed in next six months time.He was also accompanied by MLAs including Gurpreet Bassi Gogi, Madan Lal Bagga, Ashok Prashar Pappi, Daljit Singh Bhola Grewal, Kulwant Singh Sidhu, Mayor Balkar Singh Sandhu, Officiating MC Commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal, Chairman of Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT) Tarsem Singh Bhinder, senior AAP leader Ahbaab Singh Grewal, amongst several others.The civic body officials stated that the canal falls under the jurisdiction of the irrigation department. Amid rising concern over garbage and filth dumped in the water body, which moves through the city, MC has stepped up to clean the canal in coordination with the irrigation department. Temporary ramps have been established at different points of the canal and the water body is being cleaned with the help of JCB machines and tippers.The officials stated that the irrigation department has prepared a schedule to stop the flow of water in the canal for 21 days. The process to clean the stretch of canal from Lohara bridge to Barewal canal bridge will be taken up during this period. If required, the irrigation department will also be asked to stop the flow of water in the canal for a few more days.Cabinet Minister Dr.Nijjar stated that the initiatives taken by the civic body to clean the canal and install iron linked around the same is appreciable, but the public should also support the authorities in keeping the canal clean and stop dumping waste in the water bodies. Further the Minister stated that the civic body will also be forced to take strict action against the violators if the concerned residents did not restrict themselves from dumping waste in the water bodies. Minister appeal residents to support authorities in keeping environment safePaying obeisance to Guru Granth Sahib at Sukhmani Sahib path organised by Municipal Employees Sangharsh Committee to mark New year celebrations at MC Zone D office in Sarabha Nagar, Minister Dr Nijjar appealed the residents to step forward to save the environment and groundwater. Minister also assured to fulfill the genuine demand of the employees raised by Chairman of employees union Ashwani Sahota and President Jasdev Sekhon.The minister also honoured different NGOs/social activists which have been working in association with the civic body. These include Shahi Imaam Punjab Maulana Muhammad Usmaan Rehmani Ludhianvi, Gursahib Singh and Davinder Nagi from Team 1699, Maneet Dewan from City Needs and members of other NGOs including Lets Clean Ludhiana Foundation, Neki Di Rasoi, Ashke group etc.Women empowerment sculptures unveiledMinister Dr Nijjar also unveiled women empowerment sculptures installed at the road islands outside MC Zone D office. The sculptures have been installed by FICCI FLO group, which has been working in association with the MC. Appreciating the effort by the group members led by head of National Governing body Monika Choudhary and Ludhiana Chairperson Neha Gupta, the minister urged NGOs to work in association with the civic body to spread greenery across the city

IEP Chandigarh, January 4

          Punjab Water Supply and Sanitation Minister Bram Shanker Jimpa will participate in national conference on “Water Vision@ 2047” on January 5 and 6 at Bhopal. This is a first of its kind conference in which ministers of many states will participate and discuss the efficient use of water and various other aspects connected with it.      

          Divulging the details, a spokesperson said that the theme of two-day conference of 1st All India Annual State Ministers Conference is “Water Vision@ 2047”.  This important conference has been organized by the National Water Mission of the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti. During two days, various topics related to water mainly “Water Vision@ 2047”, water security in water deficit,  water surplus and hilly regions, water use efficiency including reuse of waste water/grey water, water governance and climate change resilient water infrastructure, would be discussed.

          A sub-portal called ‘JalItisha’ will also be inaugrated on this occasion. The spokesperson said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the Punjab Government will showcase its achievement pertaining to the efficient use of water and supply of water to every rural household at the National level. Apart from this, the ideas presented by the experts in conference will play an important role in taking decisions regarding the use of water in future.

IEP Chandigarh, January 4

Aiming to strengthen the government departments, the Punjab government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has taken various initiatives to revamp the long-neglected printing and stationery department.Due to the ever-changing technology and neglect by the previous governments, the printing and stationery department lagged behind a lot, but now the state government has planned to bring it back on track and ensure that the printing work of all government departments and institutions is done from the government press.Printing and Stationery Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer said that with the advent of new technologies of printing in the era of modernity, new machinery is needed, for which the department is going to purchase new technology machines.The Cabinet Minister said that the government press at Patiala and SAS Nagar should be renovated. To raise the standard of printing, multi-color digital machines and offset machines are being purchased with an amount of Rs.1.40 Crore. More new modern machines will be purchased in the next budget session. Giving a green signal to the plan of restructuring the department, it was decided to recruit technology experts as per the need of the hour.Under the OUVGL scheme, Land of Government Press Patiala was transferred to PUDA. A proposal is being made to provide funds for the renovation of the S.A.S. Nagar Press building and for installing some new machines in both the presses.After studying the system in other states of the country in which the printing and stationery department is working better, the better model will be implemented in Punjab. All the work of the department is done as per the provisions of the Printing and Stationery Manual-1975 but in the present era the modernization of the press and the technology has advanced enough for which it has been decided to update the manual.Apart from this, the old traditional file covers have been replaced by new file covers which have the facility of writing the details of the file on the cover. This will save a lot of time. Along with this, logos were also placed on the file covers with messages against various social issues, including the anti-corruption campaign, environment conservation, boosting the literacy movement, water conservation and campaign against female feticide.

IEP Chandigarh, January 1

          Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on the first day of New year paid obeisance at Gurdwara Singh Shaheedan Sohana and prayed for peace, harmony and progress in the state and prosperity of its people.

          Greeting the people on the New Year, the Chief Minister wished a happy, peaceful and prosperous New Year-2023 to Punjabis living within the state and across the globe. He felicitated the people of the state on the dawn of New Year and called upon them to work zealously for ensuring overall development of the state and prosperity of its people. Expressing hope that coming year will bring joy, peace and success for all the Punjabis, Bhagwant Mann exhorted them to make a firm pledge for emerging Punjab as a frontrunner state in the country.

          The Chief Minister reiterated the firm commitment of his government to realise the dreams of our great freedom fighters so that the fruits of development must percolate at the grass root level especially to ameliorate the lot of poorest of poor. He said that the state was on threshold to further usher in an era of overall progress and growth besides cementing the bonds of communal harmony, peace, amity and brotherhood, for which all the Punjabis must work zealously in the coming year.  Bhagwant Mann said that the time has come for us to take a decisive leap further for providing consistency to an era of all round progress and growth of the state.

          The Chief Minister called upon the people to welcome the year 2023 with the commitment to work collectively and zealously to preserve the ethos of secularism, sovereignty, communal harmony and national integration. Bhagwant Mann wished one and all a happy and prosperous 2023 and expressed the confidence that the coming year would usher in a new era of overall development and growth for Punjab. He exhorted the people to follow the path shown by the great Gurus, saints and seers to further cement the bonds of national unity, peace, love and religious tolerance.

IEP Chandigarh, January 1 

Health assessment initiative wellness@work was launched by Syenergy Environics today . Ajay Poddar, founder & MD said that health assessment is done with the help of a US FDA approved diagnostic software which measures over 30 parameters including lifestyle score, vascular score, autonomic nervous system score, body composition analysis, risk screening for cardiovascular disease, diabetes and thyroid dysfunction, digestion and gastric function.

IEP Chandigarh, December 31   

       The Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is constantly striving for the welfare of every section of the state. Working in this direction, Minister of Labour, Investment Promotion, Tourism and Cultural Affairs and Grievance Redressal, Ms.Anmol Gagan Mann said that during the last 9 months of government, many important decisions have been taken to raise the standard of living of the working class and in favour of their interests.          Giving more information in this regard, the minister said that the state government has increased the minimum wages of unskilled workers from Rs.9192 to Rs.9907, while the minimum wages of semi-skilled workers has been increased from Rs 9972 to Rs.10687. Apart from this, the wages of skilled workers have been increased from Rs 10869 to Rs 11584 and the wages of highly skilled workers have been increased from Rs 11901 to Rs 12616.          She mentioned that a total amount of Rs. 71.01 crore has been released to 53731 construction workers under various labour welfare schemes through the Punjab Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board.          She said that 6.42 lakh live construction workers have been registered with the Punjab Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board, who can avail the benefits of the board’s 17 schemes.          The minister also shared the information that recently the Punjab Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board contacted the Government of India and connected the board with the e-KYC service. This will enable the beneficiary’s details to be authenticated/verified by fetching them from the Aadhaar database through their Aadhaar number during registration. This process will make the registration/renewal process efficient, accurate and better and the needy construction workers will be able to avail the welfare schemes of the board easily.          Apart from this, she said that a mobile app “Punjab Kirti Sahayak” has been launched with the aim of providing great convenience to the construction workers. She said that with this mobile app, the construction worker need not go to the Suvidha Centre, instead, he/she can get himself registered using his mobile phone and take advantage of the welfare schemes of the government, saving him from the loss of his daily wages.          The Labour Minister said that a total amount of 4.62 crores has been distributed to 2378 workers under labour welfare schemes in the current financial year through the Punjab Labour Welfare Board. She said that in the future too, pro-labour decisions will be taken by the state government for the welfare of the working class.