IEP SAS Nagar, January 28

Punjab Sports Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer on Saturday took serious notice of the poor quality food being served to the players during surprise check at the mess in the wing of the Punjab Institute of Sports (PIS) in the Phase 9 sports complex in Mohali.

The Sports Minister himself also ate the food and inspected the food preparation materials in the mess. He said that the food is not at all satisfactory and below the standard. He warned the mess workers present on the spot regarding the poor quality of food being served and the lack of nutritional food for the players. He immediately called the contractor on the spot and told him that such callosity is not at all tolerable. 

He said that the state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will not compromise with the health and diet of the players. He made it clear to the contractor that if this happens again in the future, the contract will be cancelled. On the instructions of the Sports Minister, PIS issued a warning letter to the contractor. He categorically said that only quality edible products should be used and it should be ensured that nutritious food, which is mandatory for diet, is served to the players. The Sports Minister also instructed the officers to conduct such checking campaigns across the state and take strict action if any shortcoming is found in service of nutritious food. He said that if the player does not get a proper diet, then better results will never be achieved.

It is worth mentioning About 350 players of Hockey, Boxing, Wrestling, Judo, Weightlifting, Basketball and Gymnastics are taking training in this PIS sports wing.

The minister was accompanied by Director Sports Amit Talwar.

IEP CHANDIGARH, January 27

Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring today described as merely publicity stunt the opening of the Aam Aadmi clinics in Punjab saying, it was a classic case of old wine in new bottles as the government was only renaming the existing health facilities. 

Besides, the PCC president remarked, these clinics looked more like Aam Aadmi Party offices and extension counters than health centres.

Reacting to the opening of the clinics in Punjab, he pointed out, that the state government was only renaming the already existing facilities in the and naming these as “Aam Aadmi clinics” as its purpose was more to gain political mileage than provide healthcare to the people.

Warring said, in the mad race of getting the numbers of so called clinics jacked up, the AAP government had replaced the historic and religious names of various centres including the one in Amritsar which was named after one of the Panj Pyaras.

He asked as why these clinics were not named as “government clinics” and why as Aam Aadmi clinics with Chief Minister’s photograph.

Who is paying for it, the government or the AAP? he asked, while asserting that the names of these clinics must be changed. He also hinted at initiating legal course for the same. 

“First of all there was no need to open such clinics as Punjab already has a robust healthcare system which was proved by the fact that the government was only renaming the existing healthcare facilities and superimposing party name on them which is illegal”, he said, while adding, “it was only trying to propagate and publicise its party name”.

IEP Bathinda, January 26

The Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday said that with the strenuous efforts of the state government, the state will shine like the precious ‘Kohinoor’ gem during the current year by witnessing a holistic development in every arena.

Addressing the gathering here after unfurling the national tricolor during a function to mark Republic Day here at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Sports Stadium, the Chief Minister gave a clarion call to people to extend fulsome support and cooperation to the state government. He urged the Punjabis residing across the globe to help the state government in restoring the pristine glory of the state.  Bhagwant Mann vowed to take Punjab to new heights adding that the state government is committed to carve out an egalitarian society which our great martyrs and national leaders had envisioned.

The Chief Minister also said that as a colony of British Empire our country had suffered a lot but the brave and determined heroes of our freedom struggle made enormous sacrifices to remove the shackles of foreign imperialism. He said that is on record that more than 90% of the great patriots who laid down their lives or were subjected to British tyranny in one form or other were Punjabis. Bhagwant Mann said that a string of gems like Baba Ram Singh, Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh, Shaheed Rajguru, Shaheed Sukhdev, Lala Lajpat Rai, Shaheed Udham Singh, Kartar Singh Sarabha, Diwan Singh Kalepani and many others, shed their blood to achieve an independent nation for us.

The Chief Minister asserted that even today Punjabis are at forefront to safeguard the borders of the country. He said that Punjabis led the nation from the front whenever India faced any challenge from internal or external aggression. It is a known fact that the hard working and resilient farmers of the state have played a crucial role in making the country self-reliant in food production, Bhagwant Mann added.

The Chief Minister bemoaned that even 75 years after Independence the dreams of our freedom fighters and great national heroes like Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh and Baba Sahib Dr BR Ambedkar remain unfulfilled. He said that people had high hopes from the successive governments that assumed power in the state through the decades after independence, but most served to dash these hopes because corruption, poverty, unemployment and many other ills are still deeply embedded in the state. Bhagwant Mann said that Aam Aadmi government which assumed the charge of office early this year has come like a breath of fresh air into Punjab as it is committed to fulfil the aspirations of people of the state.

The Chief Minister said that now the time has come when every Punjabi must come forward for making a ‘Rangla Punjab’. He said that Punjab is a blessed land and now the time has come to resurrect it for ushering a new era of progress and prosperity. Bhagwant Mann said that this will help in reversing the trend of brain drain by opening new vistas for youth within the state. 

The Chief Minister asserted that service of the state and its people is ultimate aim of his life. Bhagwant Mann said that god forbids if he ever indulges in favoritism to his family or relatives then it will be the day of his death warrant. He said that every breath is dedicated for the progress of state and prosperity of its people.  

The Chief Minister further said that after assuming the charge his government is making concerted efforts to restore the glory of state and cherish the aspirations of our great national leaders. He said that in mere first 10 months of its tenure the state government has fulfilled the major guarantees promised to people adding that top priority is being accorded to health, education and employment sectors. Bhagwant Mann said that so far 100 Aam Aadmi Clinics have been dedicated to the people and more than 400 more clinics are being opened on January 27 to provide quality health facilities to the people of Punjab.

The Chief Minister said that 16 new medical colleges are to being established across the state to emerge Punjab as a hub of medical education.  He said that fulfilling the promise of Corruption free governance, the state government has started Anti Corruption Helpline on March 23 on the occasion of Martyrdom Day of Shaheed Bhagat Singh. Similarly, Bhagwant Mann said that the guarantee of 300 units of free electricity per month has also been fulfilled since July 1 adding that 87% of the households in the state have zero electricity bill in the months of November-December, 2022.

The Chief Minister said that within the first few months of the formation of this government, more than 25,886 youths have been given appointment letters for government jobs and the entire recruitment has been done purely on the basis of merit and transparency. He said that it is for the first time that the process of filling 2100 posts in Punjab Police has been issued and it has been decided to fill 1800 posts of Constables and 300 Sub-inspectors every year in coming four years.  Bhagwant Mann said that state government is laying major thrust on putting the state on high growth trajectory of industrial development to open new vistas of employment for youth.

The Chief Minister said that due to massive efforts of Punjab government, entrepreneurs are showing enthusiasm for investment in the state and till yet investment worth Rs. 27,000 Crore has been firmed up in Punjab thereby creating 1.25 lakh jobs for youth. He said that 117 Schools of Eminence have been set up in 23 districts of the state to provide quality education to children.  Bhagwant Mann also announced that in a major decision the state government has decided to deliver the old age pension to the beneficiaries at their doorsteps.

Slamming the union government for deliberately excluding Punjab’s tableau from the Republic Day parade, the Chief Minister said that it reflects the myopic mindset of those in power at the centre. He said that celebration of any national day without showcasing the contribution of Punjab is unimaginable. Bhagwant Mann said that this discrimination with Punjab is totally unwarranted and undesirable.

IEP Chandigarh

Punjab Engineering College(Deemed to be University) Chandigarh joined the nation in celebrating the 74th Republic Day with grandeur, gaiety and enthusiasm. 

The event commenced with the hoisting of the National Flag by Prof. (Dr) Baldev Setia, Director of PEC, followed by the singing of the National Anthem at the PEC campus in the presence of the students, faculty, staff members and PEC residents. The event continued with a very synchronised parade by the National Cadet Corps that filled the air with patriotic spirits. 

Prof. Baldev Setia, Director of PEC, congratulated all the attendees on the 74th Republic Day Celebrations. While addressing the audience he recalled India’s long journey of Independence and the significance of the enactment of the Constitution of India. He also highlighted the importance of 26 January 1930, the first concrete step towards Purna Swaraj (Total Independence) for Indians. He expressed his gratitude towards all the freedom fighters who fought for India’s Independence and the architects of the Indian Constitution. While highlighting the importance of the Indian Constitution he motivated the audience to respectfully follow their duties towards the nation. 

The celebrations continued with cultural events and various clubs performed with all their heart. The students presented a documentary on PEC followed by excellent speeches by the students of the English and Hindi Editorial Board, Poetry recitation by the Punjabi Editorial Board and a Musical session by the Music Club and a staff member of PEC filled the aura of the auditorium with patriotism. The event continued with a skit by the Dramatics Club on the journey of Indian freedom fighters and was followed by energetic Dance performances by the students. The event concluded with a vote of thanks and the audience singing the National Anthem with a patriotic spirit. 

The celebrations ended with the distribution of tea, sweets and snacks to all the faculty members, students and staff.

IEP Chandigarh, January 25

The Punjab Vigilance  Bureau (VB), during its ongoing campaign against corruption, has arrested former Sarpanch Gurjit Singh and Panchayat Secretary Balraj Singh, of village Verowal Baviya, block Khadoor Sahib, Tarntaran district for misappropriation in panchayats funds.          Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the VB said on the basis of a vigilance enquiry, a technical team of Bureau has conducted an investigation regarding embezzlement in development funds received by the gram panchayat Verowal Baviya, district Tarntaran from the year 2013 and 2017. It has came to light that during the above said check period, the gram panchayat had received total government funds amounting to Rs. 47,47,373 and Rs. 24,75,000 from contract farming on shamlat land of the village panchayat.          He further added that that during the assessment period, the said Panchayat had received total amount Rs. 72,22,373 and spent Rs. 63,62,522 which shows that ex-Sarpanch Gurjeet Singh, in connivance with Panchayat Secretary Balraj Singh have misappropriated Panchayat funds to the tune of Rs. 8,59,851.          In this regard a case under sections 13 (1) (a), 13 (2) of prevention of corruption act and under sections 409, 420, 467, 468, 471, 201, 102-B of IPC at VB police station, Amritsar. Further investigation in this case was under progress, he informed.

IEP SAS Nagar, January 25 

 What an Idea- Start Up Challenge has been started in the district by the District Administration in association with District Bureau of Employment and Enterprises, SAS Nagar, to provide a platform to the young minds to start their own businesses. Mentoring and handholding will be provided by experts to initiate the project. 

   In this regard a press meet and a meeting with the Incubation Centers were held under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble Deputy Commissioner Mrs. Aashika Jain IAS in the presence of ADC(Dev.) Avneet Kaur & DBEE In charge Meenakshi Goyal at the District Administrative Complex on 25-01-2023 with the aim of making as many young people aware about the startup challenge as possible, in which Mr.Somveer Anand and Supriya Malhotra (IM Punjab), Sh.Ajay Srivastava (STPI), Sh.Alok Goyal and Ms.Anshika Bansal (IISER), Dr. Deepak Kapoor from Punjab State Council for Science and Technology, Sh. Karanjit Chaudhary from CGC Landran participated. Incubation Centers provide facilities to budding entrepreneurs in various sectors. Taking advantage of this, new startup ideas are made viable. All kinds of handholding and mentorship will be provided by above organizations and Distt. Administration to the candidates participating and selected in this challenge to launch their startups.

Mrs. Ashika Jain, Deputy Commissioner SAS Nagar also briefed that applications have been invited from the candidates of the district in 14 sectors under two categories (student and open category) and appealed to the interested candidates to submit their applications at https://bit.ly/WhatAnIdeaMohali. A QR code has also been issued separately for this purpose. She said that no stone will be left unturned to provide employment to the youth.

This program has been launched in collaboration with Start Up, Punjab and having “Innovation Mission” Punjab as the knowledge partners. The administration is also being supported by Tynor Orthotics, Jal Joy Enterprises and Cheema Boilers for the said programme

IEP CHANDIGARH, January 25      

    On the recommendations of the Punjab Government, the Governor of Punjab on Wednesday announced the names of the Punjab Police officers/officials, to be awarded the Chief Minister’s Rakshak Padak award and Chief Minister’s Medal for Outstanding Devotion to Duty on the occasion of Republic Day-2023.          The Governor of Punjab announced the names of four officials including SHO Police Station Kotbhai Sri Muktsar Sahib SI Raman Kumar, ASI Harpinder Singh, Head Constable Gurnam Singh, and Head Constable Harinder Singh for Chief Minister’s Rakshak Padak award.          Similarly, five PPS officers including AIG Flying Squad Vigilance Bureau Punjab Manmohan Singh, AIG Excise and Taxation Punjab Gurjot Singh Kaler, DSP Vigilance Bureau Slamudin, DSP STF Ludhiana Range Ajay Kumar and DSP Garhshankar Daljit Singh Khakh are among 11 officers/officials who have been selected for the Chief Minister’s Medal for Outstanding Devotion to Duty. The remaining officials include Inspector Sarabjit Singh, Inspector Vivek Chander, Inspector Bhupinder Singh, SI Jujhar Singh, ASI Davinder Singh, and ASI Bhag Singh.          Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav congratulated the awardees and thanked the Punjab Government led by Chief Minister Punjab Bhagwant Mann for recognizing the services of the Punjab Police officers/officials. He said that such recognitions play a significant role in encouraging the Police force to work with more dedication and devotion. 

IEP Chandigarh, January 25

          The Punjab Government led by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is fully committed to safeguarding the interests of employees. As part of this, the Government would not compromise on the safety of the employees serving in the department. These views were expressed by the Forest and Wildlife Preservation Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak at the Forest Complex in Sector 68 while presiding over a meeting of Punjab Non – Gazetted Forest Officers Association.

          Showing utmost seriousness over the issue of the employees especially the Forest Guards, the Minister emphasized that patrolling in groups at night should be preferred at the range level. He also said that the anti social elements causing harm to the property of the Forest Department, must be strictly proceeded against.

          Exhorting the field employees of the department to wear uniforms on duty, Mr. Kataruchak said that this would not only accord them a distinct identity but also prove beneficial from the security point of view. The Minister directed the officers of the department to consider the proposal to institute an award besides conferring a Medal on the employees who have been victims of attacks by unruly elements. This would go a long way in boosting the morale of such employees, said the Minister.

          On the various demands put forward by the Union such as changing the name of the post of Forest Guard to the Forest Beat Officer/Beat Incharge, separate transfer policy, giving conveyance allowance, speeding up the process of promotion and filling up the 74 posts of Forest Rangers, the Minister assured to give sympathetic consideration.

          Among others present on the occasion included the PCCF R.K. Mishra and the APCCF (Admn) Dharminder Sharma.

IEP Chandigarh, January 25

The Punjab Government has issued notification to give motor vehicle tax rebate on purchase of new vehicle by the owner of scrapped vehicle.Disclosing this here today, Transport Minister S. Laljit Singh Bhullar said that in consonance to the Scrapping Policy introduced by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, regarding registration of new vehicles, the Punjab Cabinet has decided to give Motor Vehicle Tax rebate of up to 15% to the Transport Vehicle Owners and 25% to Non-Transport Vehicle Owners in Motor Vehicle Tax under Section-13 (3) of the Punjab Motor Vehicle Taxation Act, 1924.He said, as per this environment friendly decision, the owners of transport vehicles can take advantage of this scheme up to 8 years from the registration of their vehicles and owners of non-transport vehicles up to 15 years from the registration of their vehicles. When the vehicle is scrapped by the vehicle owner, the vehicle will be purchased by the scrapper who will issue a “Certificate of Deposit” to the vehicle owner, which will be deposited with the concerned Licensing Authority and the owner of the vehicle will get the due exemption on Motor tax.He said, scrapping of the transport vehicle up to 8 years after registration is optional

IEP Chandigarh

State Bank of India, Punjab Engineering College and ICICI Bank jointly organized a function to launch the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) issued by the Reserve Bank of India on 25th January, 2023 in the PEC auditorium from 3pm to 5pm. The event was conducted by Mr. Anuj Ranjan, General Manager, RBI, Mrs. Varsha Bajpai, General Manager(HR), RBI,  Mr. Vinod Jaiswal, Chief General Manager, SBI and Mr. Jasminder Chahal, Tricity and Punjab Head, ICICI Bank.Mr. Vinod Jaiswal CGM SBI welcomed the students, staff and faculty members for attending the CBDC outreach program . He expressed his joy for having the opportunity to be a part of the pilot project and talked about the 300+ merchants who have been enrolled by SBI to be a part of the retail pilot project in the region . Mr. Jasminder Chahal from ICICI Bank expressed his pleasure to be a driving force in India’s digitalization as an economy. He also expressed his belief in the role of digital currency in enhancing the financial inclusivity of the nation.The event focused on describing the advantages of the digital currency touching on various related issues such as the trust, safety, liquidity, settlement finality and integrity of the CBDC. The officials also explained the various reasons behind the issuance of CBDC. The major ones included cost reduction of issuance of money and transactions, convertibility of CBDC from and to commercial bank money and cash etc. Mr. Anuj Ranjan, GM, RBI concluded the event answering various different questions asked by the audience.The session saw interactive participation and was a huge success as it enlightened the students and faculty members attending the event about CBDC as an emerging technology in all segments of markets across India.