IEP Chandigarh, December 23

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday said that due to the pro-industry environment and ease of doing business policies, an investment of Rs 30,000 crore has been firmed up in the state in the last nine months, which will create new employment opportunities for thousands of youngsters.

“Big industry houses like Tata Steel, Verbio, Freudenberg, Sanathan Textiles have entered into agreements to invest by reposing faith in our industrial policies, which will provide jobs to our youth,” the Chief Minister said while handing over appointment letters to the newly recruited candidates at Markfed and launching new products at the Municipal Bhawan here today.

Referring to the recent meetings with industrialists in Hyderabad, Bhagwant Mann said that the entrepreneurs associated with food processing and agriculture have shown keen interest in investing in Punjab, which will further strengthen the industrial sector of the state. He said that Where there is a will there’s a way as now the industrialists do not have to face the corrupt and intricate process to invest in the state. Bhagwant Mann said that subsequently, the industrialists are coming to Punjab as We have eliminated corruption, provided uninterrupted power supply to the industry and a conducive environment and now our efforts are bearing fruit.

On the other hand, the Chief Minister said that in order to set up industries during the previous regimes, industrialists had to negotiate with the families of political clout an face massive torment. He said that earlier the agreements were made with families but now industrialists are signing MoU with state. Bhagwant Mann envisioned that with strenuous efforts of government Punjab will soon emerge as industrial hub of the country.

Lashing out at the opposition for making a hue and cry over the alleged deteriorating atmosphere in Punjab, the Chief Minister said the leaders of the opposition parties were deliberately defaming him in Parliament or in public functions as his government has exposed the designs of the previous governments to loot the state. Bhagwant Mann said that he was being opposed as he was not like his predecessors who had plundered the wealth of state. He said that throughout his life he had worked for well being of Punjab and it’s people.

The Chief Minister stated that the successive governments patronised gangsterism, sand mafia, transport mafia and others. However, he said that his government has wiped out these mafias and ushered an era of new politics to deliver a transparent and honest government to common man. Bhagwant Mann said that the thrust of his government is to ensure progress of state and prosperity of its people.

Fulfilling its promise of providing ’employment to deserving youth’, the state government had given appointment letters of government jobs to 21,404 youths in nine months and more were being recruited, the Chief Minister said. He said that the entire recruitment process has been done on the basis of merit. Sharing another milestone, Bhagwant Mann said appointment letters to be distributed to over 3,000 youth of the master cadre on the occasion of the New Year, which would further strengthen our school education system.

The Chief Minister said that for the first time, a historic decision has been taken to recruit 1800 constables and 300 sub-inspectors every year in the police department and the dates of examinations have also been fixed, which will now give time to the youth to prepare dedicatedly to secure the job. Stating that education was a top priority, he said that for the first time in the state, a teacher-parent meet was being organised in government schools on December 24, which would give parents an opportunity to get their child’s feedback in detail from the teachers. Bhagwant Mann  invited all the parents to actively participate in the meet.

The Chief Minister said that with the ‘School of Eminence’ being set up in the state, students studying in classes IX and X would be prepared to choose their preferred occupations in the future. Referring to the free treatment being provided to the common man through the 100 Aam Aadmi Clinics set up in the state, he said that by January 26, 2023, the number of these clinics was being increased to 350 and by March 31, 2023, 750 Aam Aadmi Clinics would be set up, which would provide free and top-class treatment to the people of Punjab near their doorsteps. Terming Markfed and Verka as the hubs of the state’s cooperation, Bhagwant Mann said that the state government was planning to increase the business of these establishments in foreign nations as NRIs love the products made in their state.

The Chief Minister also launched products manufactured by Markfed, including laundry soap and surf, bathing soap, handwash.

On this occasion, Markfed Chairman Amandeep Singh Mohi, Additional Chief Secretary Cooperation Anurag Aggarwal and MD Markfed Ramvir were also present.

IEP Chandigarh, December 23

Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema led cabinet sub-committee on Friday held a meeting with the representatives of truck operators of the state and discussed their issues in detail.

During the meeting which was attended by Food & Civil Supplies Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak and Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar, the Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema gave assurance to the truck operators that Mann government was committed to the welfare of every section of the society; hence their demands would be considered sympathetically.

Meanwhile, Advocate Cheema constituted a committee headed by the Secretary of the Transport department and directed that it would discuss all aspects in detail with the Industry department, truck operators and other stakeholders, and submit its report by January 31. He also asked the truck operators to form an action committee that can discuss their concerns with the committee.

To solve the issues of truck operators related to the Food and Civil Supply department, Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema asked Food & Civil Supplies Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak to organize meetings with the truck operators to seek their suggestions for formulating an adequate transportation policy of the department.

10-member committee formed to settle GOGs issues

During another meeting, the Cabinet Sub-Committee also constituted 10-member committee to resolve the issues of GOGs. Finance Minister Advocate Cheema said that the Secretary and Director of Defense Services, a representative of the Finance Department and 7 members from GOGs would discuss the issues and submit a report within 30 days.

IEP Chandigarh: December 23, 2022    

              A special meeting of the officials of Ayurvedic Department and Homeopathic Department was held today at Punjab Secretariat Office under the chairmanship of Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Chetan Singh Jauramajra. The minister reviewed the works of the departments and discussed the future strategies and issued strict instructions to bring more improvements in their working.  Apart from Health Secretary Ajoy Sharma, MD NHM Abhinav Trikha, Director Ayurvedic Department, Director Homeopathic Department, district heads of departments participated in this meeting.          Chetan Singh Jauramajra said that Ayurveda is the ancient system of medicine of our country and it is possible to cure all diseases with these pathies, so we should resolve to promote Ayurveda in every home so that every citizen is healthy.  He said that Ayurveda and Homeopathy have played a positive role during the war against Covid-19.  He said that Ayurvedic decoction has also proved to be extremely beneficial for controlling seasonal diseases.          Jauramajra emphasized the importance of being  alert against the new and emerging variant of Covid-19.  He underlined that Covid is not completely over yet and he directed the officials to be fully prepared and strengthen surveillance.

IEP Chandigarh, December 23, 2022

Health and Family Welfare Minister, Punjab S. Chetan Singh Jauramajra said that Punjab is making preparations to deal with the new variant of Corona. He participated in the sensitization workshop held by the Government of India regarding Corona under the chairmanship of Union Health Minister Sh. Mansukh Mandaviya. He said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Maan all possible efforts are being made by the Punjab Government to prevent Covid. He held a meeting with all the officers on December 22, 2022, and they have been given strict instructions to deal with Corona.

S. Chetan Singh Jauramajra gave strict instructions to the health staff to carry out their duties diligently considering their responsibility and to educate as many people as possible to avoid Corona so that people do not have to face the problem of Corona. He said that beds, tests, and other necessary arrangements are being made in the hospitals.

He said that to deal with the critical situation in Punjab, mock drills are conducted every month so that it is known that the plants are working properly. He also said that Punjab has demanded Corona vaccination, which he hoped would be provided by the Government of India as soon as possible. On this occasion, Secretary Health Shri Ajoy Sharma, Mission Director National Health Mission, Punjab Dr. Abhinav Trikha, Director Health Services Dr. Ranjit Singh, State Program Officer Covid Dr. Rajesh Bhaskar and other officials were present.

IEP Chandigarh, December 23

          Local Government Minister Dr. Inderbir Singh Nijjar held a meeting with senior officials of Sri Guru Ramdas International Airport and Amritsar District Administration regarding the hosting of the G-20 summit to be held in Amritsar in March 2023. Mayor Mr.Karamjit Singh Rintu, Deputy Commissioner Mr. Harpreet Singh Sudan, Commissioner of Police Mr.Jaskaran Singh, Commissioner Corporation Mr. Sandeep Rishi and Director Airport Mr. Vipan Seth were specially present in this meeting.

 Giving more details in this regard, Dr. Inderbir Singh Nijjar said that every efforts will be done for entertaining leaders and officials from different countries in the G-20 summit.  He said that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is taking personal interest in this issue and has held several meetings regarding it.  He said that the main roads leading from Amritsar Airport to the whole city are being repaired, lights and landscaping will also be ensured on these roads.  He said that eminent personalities participating in G-20 Summit will be warmely welcomed according to the Punjabi Culture.

 After this, he visited the main road coming from Amritsar Airport to Sri Darbar Sahib alongwith the concerned officials and also gave instructions to complete all the work on time.

IEP Chandigarh, December 23

To give loud and clear message of the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to anti-social elements that they have no place in the state, Punjab Police on Friday conducted a special operation “OPS Eagle” for searching and rounding-up of suspicious persons for their verification, at vulnerable places including Railway Stations and Bus Stands etc in all the 28 Police districts. The operation was conducted on the directions of Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav.Apart from checking at Bus Stands and Railway Stations, over 500 well-coordinated Strong Nakas involving over 5000 Police Personnel, were also set-up under the supervision of Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs) in the state for a thorough search of suspected vehicles/persons, while ensuring minimum inconvenience to the general public.The operation was conducted in a synchronised manner from 11am to 4pm across the state and ADGP/IGP/DIG rank officers from Punjab Police Headquarters were deputed in each Police district to personally supervise the operation. All the CPs/SSPs were asked to mobilise a maximum number of officers and manpower for this operation to lay strong ‘nakas’ at district/city sealing points under the supervision of Gazetted officers.Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Law and Order Arpit Shukla, who was personally supervising the operation in SAS Nagar, said that an SP level officers were deputed to conduct search of the Railway Stations and Bus Stands, while, a DSP-level officers were deputed at all the Nakas. “We had strictly instructed all the Police Personnel to deal with every person in a friendly and polite manner while frisking them or checking their vehicle during the course of this operation,” he added.He said that such operations would continue till the menace of drugs and Gangsters wiped out from the state as per the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. These types of operations are part of the basic policing which includes keeping vigil in vulnerable spots and advance preparation to tackle any untoward situation, he added.Meanwhile, such operations will also help in showing the police presence in the field and boost confidence among common people. 

IEP SAS Nagar, December 15

 The campaign to provide free spectacles to the needy children by checking the eyes of 100 percent of the children studying in all government schools in the district SAS Nagar has been kickstared today when in the presence of Deputy Commissioner Mr. Amit Talwar 200 needy children were fitted with eye glasses free of charge during a function organized at Government Model Senior Secondary School Phase 3 B 1 SAS. Nagar.Disclosing this, Deputy Commissioner Mr. Amit Talwar said that a total of 101193 children are studying in the government schools of the district who are being screened by the health department with the help of Education Department.  He said that from April 1, 2022, the target of screening of 86707 children from these government school children was set for the health department.  Out of which 63903 children have been screened by the health department so far.  He said that JP Eye Hospital Mohali Eye Hospital Mohali voluntarily with the support of Eye Group Vision Spring Board has taken up the task for the screening of 14490 children studying in government schools in the urban area. Out of which 8189 children have been screened by them so far.It was told by the Deputy Commissioner that today with the help of JP Eye Hospital, 200 children from 12 government schools were given eye glasses free of cost at a function organised at Government Model Senior Secondary School Phase 3 B 1, SAS Nagar. while the rest of the needy children will also be fitted with eye glasses in the next few days. The Deputy Commissioner informed that among the 63903 children whose eyes have been checked up by the Health Department, 490 children will be fitted with spectacles, out of which the Health Department has provided spectacles to 228 children from government funds and the rest  Eye glasses will be provided to the needy children in the next 15 days from government funds or under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). On this occasion, Civil Surgeon Dr. Adarsh Pal Kaur, Dr. J. P. Singh, Dr. Jatinder Singh, Dr. Kirti Pradhan Agarwal, DEO Elementary Ashwani Kumar Dutta, Deputy DEO Secondary Dr. Kanchan Sharma, Principal Shalinder Singh were present.

IEP Chandigarh, December 14

The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its ongoing campaign against corruption in the State, on Wednesday arrested a Panchayat Secretary Rajinder Singh posted in gram panchayat Hawara, block Khamano, district Fatehgarh Sahib for misappropriating funds to the tune of Rs 37,55,000.

Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the VB said in this regard a case under prevention of corruption act has been registered at VB police station Patiala after investigation of a complaint.

          He added that the gram panchayat had received development grants to the tune of Rs 37,55,000 during the tenure of Baldev Singh former Sarpanch. During the probe it was found that this amount was misappropriate by the above said accused Panchayat Secretary in connivance with Gurdeep Singh, Junior Engineer (JE), Panchayati Raj Khamano and former Sarpanch Baldev Singh.

          The VB team has also found that Gurdeep Singh JE did not make any entries of the said grants in the measurement book (MB) of the gram panchayat. Out of the above said grants, the Bureau has made assessment of Rs.19,05,000 but the same were not entered in the MB book.

He further informed that during the investigations it has also came to light that after misappropriating the said grants, Gurdeep Singh JE signed the utilisation certificate in this regard and get them issued from BDPO Khamano.

          The spokesperson further informed that action would be taken against the accused Gurdeep Singh, JE and Baldev Singh former sarpanch besides others responsible for this embezzlement after carrying out the investigation. The further probe in this case was under progress.

IEP CHANDIGARH/JALANDHAR, December 14:        

With the arrest of three accused persons from Bathinda, the Punjab Police have successfully solved the double murder case of a Nakodar-based Cloth Merchant and his Personal Security Officer (PSO) Mandeep Singh on December 7, 2022 with the arrest of three shooters masterminded by US-based Amandeep Purewala alias Aman, a native of Nakodar, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Wednesday.         Those arrested have been identified as Khushkaran Singh alias Fauji of village Nangla in Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda; Kamaldeep Singh alias Deep of Vehan Diwan in Bathinda; and Manga Singh alias Geeta alias Bicchu of village Jassi Poh Wali in Bathinda. The Police teams have also recovered one .30 bore Pistol used in the crime and a Safari Car used to conduct recce from the possession of arrested persons.         On December 7, 2022, at about 8.30 pm, five unknown persons shot dead Cloth Merchant Bhupinder Singh alias Timmy Chawla, while, his PSO Constable Mandeep Singh, who also received bullet shots, later succumbed to the injuries at Capitol Hospital in Jalandhar. Notably, on November 3, 2022, Jalandhar Rural Police on the complaint of Timmy Chawla, who stated that he received threat calls for extortion of Rs 30 lakhs, had registered a First Information Report (FIR) under sections 387 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) at Police Station Nakodar City and two security personnel were immediately provided to the protectee.         DGP Gaurav Yadav, while addressing a press conference at Punjab Police Headquarters in Chandigarh, said that Police have also identified the two main conspirators as Amrik Singh of Bathinda and Gurinder Singh alias Ginda of Malri in Nakodar, who conducted recce, arranged shooters and weapons on directions of Amandeep Purewal, besides, identifying the remaining two shooters— Satpal alias Sajan and Thakur. “Police teams are on a manhunt to arrest the absconding shooters and both conspirators,” he said.         The DGP, while ruling out the association of Amandeep Purewal with any other gang or gangsters, said that the mastermind Amandeep Purewal, in a bid to float his new gang to create terror in the border state has made Timmy Chawla as his first target and made extortion calls to him while in the US. “Later, Amandeep Purewal along with Amrik Singh and Gurinder Ginda hatched a conspiracy to eliminate Timmy Chawla, and arranged five shooters, who opened fire at the victim and his PSO in the evening of December 7,” he said, adding that the Punjab Police have successfully nipped this gang in the bud.        DGP Gaurav Yadav reiterated that Punjab Police is committed to making Punjab a safe and secure state as per the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.           Disclosing more details, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Jalandhar Rural Swarandeep Singh said that the district police acted swiftly by constituting separate teams to work on different angles, some inmates were brought on production warrant from various Jails for questioning, and, technical investigation was conducted by analysis of CCTV footage and data from mobile service providers, which revealed some important clues which were further developed and led to the arrest of the accused. The perpetrators have no previous police record. Further investigation and searches are being conducted to apprehend the remaining accused shooters and conspirators who provided logistics, he added.         A separate case FIR no. 144 dated 08.12.2022 had been registered under sections 302, 307 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and section 25 of the Arms act at Police Station City Nakodar in this regard.

IEP Chandigarh, December 14

A delegation of Punjab Marriage Palaces and Resorts Association met Public Works Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO here today regarding government fees for road access in the state. During the meeting the Minister said to pay the current year fee without any delay and submit a written proposal regarding the old penances which would be considered.          Earlier  a delegation of Punjab Marriage Palaces and Resorts Association under the chairmanship of President Sukhdev Singh Sidhu and General Secretary Manwinder Singh Goldy, briefed the Public Works Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO regarding the notices given to Marriage Palaces and Resort owners for depositing the road access fee. The delegation briefed the Minister that notices regarding non-payment of fees for the last 8 years had been served to them.          In this regard, with the consent of the delegation of Punjab Marriage Palaces and Resorts Association, it was decided that this year’s fee should be paid without delay and a written proposal should be given regarding the dues of the remaining years, which would be considered.