Category Archives: News

A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart.

Chandigarh, Punjab

DR NIJJAR LAID THE FOUNDATION STONE OF THE NEW BLOCK AT GOVERNMENT SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL, SULTANWIND

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IEP Chandigarh, January 10

The main objective of the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is to provide quality education along with good health to the people of the state. Under the same chain basic infrastructure is being provided in government schools across the state and along with this Aam Aadmi Clinics are also being opened with the aim of providing good health services to the people.These words were expressed by the Minister for Local Government Dr. Inderbir Singh Nijjar today after laying the foundation stone of new blocks at Shaheed Gurmeet Singh Senior Secondary School Sultanwind girls. On this occasion, the annual prize distribution ceremony was also organized by the school. After the inauguration of the event, Dr. Nijjar also honored the children by giving awards for being winners in academic and various non-academic competitions at the district and state level.Addressing the students, Dr. Nijjar said that apart from book knowledge, improving their personality to advance in life will also lead them to success and children should make their behavior so good that their character be high. He told the students that along with studies, sports are also very important because sports develop the mental development of children. He invited the students to join sports and asked them to prioritize sports along with studies. Dr. Nijjar specially congratulated the principal of the school Mr. Amarjit Singh and all the staff for their various achievements.On this occasion, District Education Officer Secondary Mr. Jugraj Singh shared his thoughts and inspired the children to work harder and to succeed in life exams by working hard. After the function, Dr. Nijjar was also honored by the school staff. On this occasion, besides coordinator Madam Narinder Kaur, Mr. Devinder Singh, Mr. Gurikbal Singh, Madam Sukhraj Kaur, Madam Manpreet Kaur, Madam Bharti, Mr. Sharanjit Singh, a large number of parents of children were also present.

Chandigarh, Haryana

Haryana Police crack doctor’s murder case within 15 hours, five arrested

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IEP Chandigarh, January 10

Haryana Police has cracked the sensational doctor’s murder that took place in Kurukshetra on January 9, 2023 within 15 hours and arrested five miscreants who had looted cash and jewellery after a brief exchange of fire.

While giving information here today, a spokesman of Haryana Police said that when the police team chasing the accused on Pehwa-Dhand road and asked them to surrender, the miscreants started firing at the team. In retaliation, one of the accused got injured and was admitted in hospital for treatment. Police has also recovered 4 desi katta and one country made pistol from their possession.

Out of the five accused, four are residents of district Kaithal and one hails from district Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh.

The accused of killing a lady Doctor in Sector-13, Kurukshetra had escaped after committing loot in the house. The Superintendent of Police Kurukshetra Sh. Surinder Singh Bhoria had constituted a Special Investigation Team to crack the case.

Working on the intelligence and other inputs, police has arrested the accused after a brief exchange of fire.

On January 9, 2023, the accused entered a house located on first floor Atul Clinic in Kurukshetra and killed lady Doctor Vinita Arora besides looting cash and jewellery.

Police remand will be taken by producing the accused in the court for recovery of looted cash and jewelry.

Chandigarh, Punjab

Punjab Government extended holidays for children of Anganwadi Centers due to severe cold wave till January 14: Dr. Baljit Kaur

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IEP Chandigarh, January 9

The Punjab Government overnment has extended the holidays in Anganwadi Centers of the state till January 14, 2023 due to severe cold and fog in the state.  This was disclosed here today by the Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister of Punjab Dr.  Baljit Kaur.          Cabinet Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur said that the holidays have been extended till January 14 in all the Anganwadi Centers of the state to protect the children from winter.  Anganwadi workers will give take home ration to all the beneficiaries as per the order of the Hon’ble Supreme Court.  During vacations, Anganwadi workers/helpers will perform their duties in Anganwadi Centers as before.          It may be mentioned that the increase in holidays in Anganwadi centers has been done due to bad weather.

Chandigarh, Punjab

VIGILANCE BUREAU ARRESTS THREE PRIVATE PERSONS FOR EXTORTION OF RS 1, 50,000 FROM GOVT OFFICIAL

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IEP Chandigarh January 9

The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its ongoing campaign against corruption in the state has arrested three private persons accused for blackmailing a government official with the motive to extort money amounting to Rs 1, 50,000.          Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the state VB said the accused namely a property agent Umardeen, Saleem and a reporter of private channel Rupinder Kumar @ Dimple, all residents of Nabha, Patiala district have been arrested from Nabha on the complaint of registry clerk, Nabha tehsil, Rupinder Singh, a resident of Patiala.          Giving details he informed that the above said complainant has approached the VB and alleged that the accused Umardeen and his accomplices have been blackmailing him and demanding money Rs 5,00,000 from him in lieu of not complaining to the VB and making the video viral for accepting a bribe of Rs 500. The complainant clarified that he had not received any graft during the registry in which Umardeen was witness but was taking back Rs 500 in lieu of exchange of notes handed over to a person. Meanwhile, the accused shoot a video with his mobile with the intent to extort money from him. The complainant further alleged that the above said accused Umardeen has already taken Rs 50,000 from him as a first installment and the deal was struck at Rs. 2, 50,000.          After probing the complaint, a VB team from the flying squad Punjab laid a trap and accused Umardeen was arrested red handed while accepting extortion money Rs 1, 50,000 from the complainant as a second installment in the presence of two official witnesses. The VB team has also recovered Rs 40,000 from him out of Rs 50,000 which he had taken earlier from the complainant as a first instalment. Subsequently other co-accused in this case namely Saleem and Rupinder Kumar @ Dimple have also been arrested from Nabha.He further informed that a case FIR No. 02 dated 08-01-2023 under sections 419, 420, 384, 120-B of IPC and section 8 of Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered at VB police station, flying squad-1, Punjab at SAS Nagar. Further investigation in this case was under progress.

Chandigarh, Haryana

Sarpanch, Panchayat Samiti, and Zilla Parishad Chairman will be able to give administrative approval for works up to Rs 2 lakh at their level only

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IEP Chandigarh

occasion, Khattar announced the decentralization of the powers of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and giving more autonomy to these small governments to speed up the development works being done in rural areas. Khattar further announced that from now onwards, the Sarpanches, and Chairman of Panchayat Samitis and Zilla Parishads can accord administrative approval for the development works up to Rs. 2 lakh at their level only. No tenders will be floated for all such works, said Khattar. The Chief Minister informed that Junior Engineers can give technical approval for works up to Rs 2 lakh. Similarly, SDO can give technical approval for works ranging from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 25 lakh. Short-term tenders will be floated for these works through Haryana Engineering Works Portal. Likewise, XEN will give technical approval for works ranging from Rs 25 lakh to Rs 1 crore. The technical approval for the works ranging from Rs 1 crore to Rs 2.5 crore will be given by the Superintending Engineer and the approval of the works above Rs 2.5 crore will be given by the Chief Engineer, informed Khattar. He said that Gram Panchayats also have fixed deposits. Out of these deposits, up to Rs 50 lakh in a year or 10 percent of the deposits, whichever is higher, can be released by the Deputy Commissioner, for any required developmental works to be executed in the villages. “If more than this amount is to be released from these deposits, then the Deputy Commissioner will refer the matter to the State Government,” informed Khattar. The Chief Minister informed that if any PRI falls short of the amount in executing their development works, then the additional amount of Rs 25 lakh given by the State Government will be directly released to the PRIs. However, Rural Development Department will get all the works done above Rs. 25 lakh, informed Khattar. The Chief Minister said that the administrative approval for the work ranging from Rs 25 lakh to Rs 1 crore will be given by the Director, Rural Development Department, and technical approval will be given by XEN. Meanwhile, administrative approval for work ranging from Rs 1 crore to Rs 2.5 crore will be given by the Administrative Secretary of concerned department, while the technical approval for all such works ranging of the same amount will be given by the superintending Engineer. The Chief Minister further informed that administrative approval for the development work ranging from Rs 2.5 to Rs. 10 crore will be given by the concerned Minister, while the technical approval will be accorded by the Chief Engineer. He said that administrative approval for the works above Rs 10 crore will be sent to the Chief Minister for final approval, while the technical approval will be given by the Chief Engineer. The Chief Minister informed that with this new system, the execution of development works will be done at a faster pace.Khattar said that the government allocates 7 percent of its revenue to PRIs and Municipal Bodies for development works according to the population size of villages and cities. However, 2 percent is kept in reserve so that additional funds can be provided to financially weak Panchayati Raj institutions and municipal bodies. Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister and Director General, Information, Public Relations and Languages Department, Dr Amit Agarwal, Additional Director, Information, Public Relations and Languages Department Vivek Kalia were also present on the occasion.

Chandigarh, Haryana

Soon 40,000 Group C posts would be filled, says Hry Chief Minister

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IEP Chandigarh

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Monday said that the Common Eligibility Test (CET) has been conducted for the recruitment of Group C posts, the result of which is going to be declared soon. The recruitment of around 40,000 Group C posts will be advertised once the results are declared. Besides this, the CET exam will also be conducted soon for the recruitment of Group-D posts, and about 17,000 to 20,000 posts will be recruited, he added.

Addressing the media persons, Khattar said that the CET examination is valid for 3 years. Although the CET exam will be conducted every year, any candidate who wants to improve his/her score can re-appear in the exam.

Describing the CMIE unemployment figures as baseless and beyond facts, the Chief Minister said that these figures are based on a very small survey sample. Earlier, the same agency had shown Haryana’s unemployment rate of 2 percent. Khattar informed that in the last 8 years, 50,000 MSME industries have been set up in Haryana. Besides this, 33,06,635 people have got employment opportunities through the private sector and self-employment opportunities.  “Loans have been provided to 16.85 lakh youths under Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana and 38,000 youths have got self-employment opportunities under Pradhan Mantri Swanidhi Yojana.  Similarly, more than 12.64 lakh youth have got employment in several industrial units,” Khattar added. He further shared that through Antyodaya Utthan Melas, loan applications of around 34,000 applicants have been sanctioned. 

Besides this, around 27,516 applicants have got employment through Rozgar Melas. Also, more than 1 lakh youth have got government jobs on merit basis. He further informed that 1500 different trades have been identified by Shri Vishwakarma Skill University to provide skill training to the youth. The University has tied up with 50 industrial units and these units are providing training as per the need of the industries, shared Sh. Manohar Lal. 

Chandigarh, Punjab

DR. BALBIR SINGH SWORN IN AS CABINET MINISTER OF PUNJAB

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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.

Chandigarh, Haryana

In Haryana, Bachelor of Vocational Degree will be considered equal to any other three-year Bachelor Degree for employment purposes

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IEP Chandigarh, January 4

The Haryana Government has decided to consider ‘Bachelor of Vocational Degree’ (B. Voc) awarded by any statutory University established under the State or Central Act, equivalent to any other three-year Bachelor Degree for employment purposes where a Bachelor Degree in any discipline is the eligibility condition for employment.Giving information in this regard, the Chief Secretary, Sh. Sanjeev Kaushal informed that the matter regarding clarification for treating B. Voc equivalent to any other three-year Bachelor Degree for employment was under consideration with the State Government. The Haryana State Higher Education Council (HSHEC) had also recommended to consider B.Voc degree equal to any other three-year Bachelor Degree for employment purposes.Sh. Kaushal said that the state government has now taken this decision in pursuance of the recommendation of University Grants Commission and Haryana State Higher Education Council. In this regard, instructions have also been given to all Administrative Secretaries, Heads of Departments, Managing Directors and Chief Administrators of Boards, Corporations, Divisional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners and Registrar of Punjab and Haryana High Court to ensure compliance in letter and spirit.

Chandigarh, Haryana, Punjab

SYL Issue: Punjab refusing to accept Supreme Court’s decision, says Haryana CM

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IEP Chandigarh, January 4

The Union Water Resources Minister, Sh. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat today held an important meeting on the issue of the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal with the Chief Ministers of Haryana and Punjab in New Delhi.

        Divulging the details about the meeting, Sh. Manohar Lal said that no consensus has been reached in this meeting as well. He said that the Supreme Court in its decision had announced that SYL should be constructed but the Punjab Chief Minister, Sh. Bhagwant Maan and his administrative wing are not ready to find any solution to this issue.

        “Instead of discussing this pivotal issue, the Punjab Chief Minister and his administrative wing are repeatedly saying that there is no water in the state. Rather they are asking to discuss sharing of water whereas a separate tribunal has been set up for discussing issues related to water sharing. Distribution of water will be done according to the recommendation of the tribunal,” said Sh. Manohar Lal.

        The Chief Minister said that the Punjab government is not even accepting the Supreme Court’s decision wherein the Act brought by the Punjab government in the year 2004 has been repealed. “Punjab  Chief Minister says that the 2004 Act still exists which is completely unconstitutional,” added Sh. Manohar Lal.

        The Chief Minister said that the SYL Canal should be built and the Haryana Government would apprise the Supreme Court about Punjab’s reluctant attitude over this issue. “We will accept the decision of the Supreme Court in this regard”, added Sh. Manohar Lal.

        The Chief Minister clarified that SYL is the right of Haryana residents and he is hopeful that the state will get this right. He said that SYL water is very important for Haryana.  Now it is necessary to fix a timeline in this matter so that the availability of water to the farmers of the state can be ensured, added Sh. Manohar Lal.

        The Chief Minister said that it is a well-known fact that despite two Supreme Court judgments, Punjab has not completed the construction of SYL. Instead of implementing the decisions of the Supreme Court, Punjab tried to obstruct their implementation by enacting the Cancellation of Agreements Act in 2004. It is worth mentioning that under the provision of Punjab Reorganization Act, 1966, according to the order of the Government of India dated March 24, 1976, 3.5 MAF of water was allocated to Haryana out of the surplus water of Ravi-Beas. Due to non-completion of SYL canal, Haryana is using only 1.62 MAF of water. Punjab is illegally using about 1.9 MAF of water from Haryana’s share by not completing the SYL canal in its region, he added.

        “Due to this attitude of Punjab, Haryana is not able to take its 1.88 MAF share of water. Punjab and Rajasthan are using about 2600 cusecs of water from Haryana every year. If this water had reached Haryana, it would have been used to irrigate 10.08 lakh acres of land, quench the state’s thirst, and help thousands of farmers”, added Sh. Manohar Lal. He said that due to non-availability of this water, the groundwater level in South-Haryana is also going down considerably. Due to non-construction of SYL, farmers of Haryana irrigate by using expensive diesel and running tubewells with electricity, which incurs an additional burden of Rs. 100 crore to Rs. 150 crore every year. Due to non-formation of SYL in Punjab region, the irrigation potential created to irrigate 10 lakh acres in Haryana is lying idle, he added.

        “Additionally, the state also bears the loss of 42 lakh tonnes of food grains every year. Haryana would have generated an additional 130 lakh tonnes of food grains and other crops had SYL been established in 1983 in accordance with the 1981 agreement. The total value of this agricultural produce at the rate of 15,000 per tonne is Rs. 19,500 crore”, asserted the Chief Minister.

Chandigarh, Punjab

NO SYL, TALK ABOUT YSL: ASSERTS Punjab CM

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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.