IEP Chandigarh, December 7

Punjab’s Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Investment Promotion, Labor and Grievance Redressal Minister Madam Anmol Gagan Mann conducted a surprise inspection of Municipal Council Kharar District SAS Nagar today. During the checking, she ordered to demolish the illegal buildings under construction in the city of Kharar. On this occasion, SDM Mr. Ravinder Singh and Municipal Council Executive Officer Manveer Singh Gill were present.

        Giving more information, Cabinet Minister Anmol Gagan Mann said that during check it was found that maps were passed by the committee for some illegal constructions in the city. A complete report has been ordered in this regard. She instructed the SDM Kharar that the facilities shown in the map should be implemented by the builders while selling the land to the people and action should be taken against the erring by forming a committee.

Apart from this, she instructed the concerned officials to immediately demolish the illegal buildings under construction in Kharar city. She said that the plan passed by the committee for the construction of illegal buildings will be scrutinized and legal action will be taken against those found guilty.

She said that the Punjab government is committed to provide a clean and corruption-free administration to the people. She gave strict instructions to the city council officials and said that no map should be passed without government guide lines.

On this occasion, the residents of Kharar who were present highlighed the daily problems they were facing and the cabinet minister assured to resolve all the problems soon.

IEP Chandigarh, December 7

      The Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is constantly striving to provide basic facilities and a clean environment to the people of the state.  Working in this direction, Local Government Minister, Dr. Inderbir Singh Nijjar said that Rs.48.78 crore are being spent for expansion and improvement of water supply and sewerage system for Sangrur town.  The work of this project is under progress.          After reviewing the work of Sangrur Water Supply and Sewerage Project, Local Government Minister, Dr.Inderbir Singh Nijjar has directed the officials of Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board to complete this project within the stipulated time.          Giving more information in this regard, Local Government Minister Dr. Inderbir Singh Nijjar said that laying of water supply pipe lines of different sizes and other related works will be covered under this project.  He said that cost of the water supply project is Rs 9.34 crore. About 42 kms area will be covered under this water supply project. Dr. Nijjar further said that Rs. 39.44 crore are being spent to expand and improve the sewerage system at Sangrur.  Laying of sewerage lines and other related works will be completed under this project, under which an area of about 56 kms will be covered.          Dr. Nijjar said that the large population of Sangrur town will get benefit under this water supply and sewerage project.          The Cabinet Minister also said that Haripura Road, Bhattal Colony, Ram Nagar, Ubawal Road will be covered under this water supply and sewerage project.  Apart from this, the areas of Upali Road, Baba Jiwan Singh Nagar, Sunam Road, New Jiwan Singh Nagar, Ajit Nagar, Shivam Colony and Officer Colony are covered under this project. The cabinet minister said that the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is giving top priority to provide basic facilities and clean environment to the people of the state.          The Minister has directed the officials of Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board to ensure transparency and quality in the works of the department so that the dream of the Mann Government of providing corruption free administration to the people of the state can be fulfill.

IEP Chandigarh, December 6

With an aim to give a major push to the industrial development of the state especially in the Rural areas and generate employment for youth, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday said that the state government will soon set up 20 dedicated Rural Industrial Hubs across the state.

Chairing a meeting with the industrialists here at his office in Punjab Civil Secretariat to solicit their views on draft Industrial Policy, the Chief Minister said that it will serve the twin motives as it will give impetus to industrial development on one hand and open new vistas of employment for rural youth on the other. He said that these hubs will be equipped with state of the art infrastructure to facilitate the industrialists in setting up their units. Bhagwant Mann assured fulsome support and cooperation to the industrialists opting for setting up their units in these hubs adding that the state government is fully committed to accelerate industrialist development in Punjab.

During the meeting, the Chief Minister also mooted the idea of ‘One District, One Product’ to ensure production of specialized goods in various districts. He said that this will help in enhancing the productivity of the industrial goods and enabling the entrepreneurs to give the best quality of products from a single district. Bhagwant Mann said that a number of districts across the state have specialization in several products adding that potential of this can be tapped further by focusing on ‘One District, One Product’.

Dwelling on another agenda, the Chief Minister said that the state government is making strenuous efforts to further strengthen the single window system for facilitating the investors. He said that the pragmatic policies of the state government coupled with industrial peace and state of the art infrastructure provides a conducive atmosphere for the industrial development in the state. Bhagwant Mann pointed out that earlier single window service was merely a sham, devoid of any meaningful purpose, which not only demoralized the potential investors but also hampered the industrial development of the state.

However, the Chief Minister said that his government has ensured that the single window system works as a real facilitator to the entrepreneurs interested in investing in the state. He said that this will further be streamlined so that industrialists do not face any sort of problem. Bhagwant Mann also assured the industrialists that the pending issues pertaining to the Change in Land Use (CLU) will also be resolved soon adding that this mechanism will also be simplified further in coming days.

The Chief Minister also said that due to industrial peace in the state, Punjab is the most preferred investment destination across the globe. He said that peace and tranquility will be maintained by all means and no one will be allowed to disturb it at any cost. Bhagwant Mann unequivocally said that the protest is democratic right of everyone but no one will be allowed to derail the economic progress of the state on pretext of it.

The Chief Minister also solicited feedback on the draft Industrial & Business Development Policy, 2022. Highlighting the salient features of the draft Industrial & Business Development Policy, 2022, he said that status of Thrust Sector has been given to the Auto and Auto Components and Electrical Vehicles, Sports Goods including Fitness Equipment, Hand tools, Agricultural Machinery and Equipment, Capital Goods including Machine Tools and Paper Based Packaging Units, Activities under Circular Economy and One District One Product in respective districts.

Meanwhile, the Industrialists hailed the investor friendly policies of the Chief Minister led state government. They also said that they will contribute generously for emerging the state as a hub of industries across the globe. They also assured the Chief Minister that they will be active partners in socio-economic progress of the state.   

IEP Chandigarh, December 6

A Zonal-level conference on ‘National Logistics Policy’ was held at PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Chandigarh today for adoption of the policy, sensitizing stakeholders, outlining the role of Ministry/Departments and developing monitorable parameters. Sh. Ghanshyam Thori, IAS, Director, Deptt. of Food & Civil Supplies, Govt. of Punjab chaired the conference organized by Regional Office, Food Corporation of India, Punjab Region in association with DFPD, DPIIT, State Govt. of Punjab and Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC). 

Throwing light on the broader perspective of National Logistics Policy, Mr. Ghanshyam Thori also underlined how the newly introduced policy could be effective in resolving the issues regarding managing natural disasters and inter-agency coordination for better handling of the same. He further explained in this respect as to how the policy will not only be beneficial for private sector, but will also play a pivotal role in strengthening national security framework.  

Director (Storage), DFPD, Sh. Mateshwari P. Mishra, explained the initiatives taken by DFPD in strengthening the National Logistics Policy, creation of Silo & Gati Shakti Terminals and reduction of total cost of transportation.

Director, DPIIT, Sh. Arvind Pandey explained about the Comprehensive Logistics Action Plan and its various stages of implementation. He further shared statistical data of Logistics Ease Across Different States stating that, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chandigarh, Delhi, Gujarat & Haryana are among the achievers.

General Manager, CWC, Sh. P. K. Saw informed about addition of warehousing capacity of 112.50 Lakh Sq. ft. by 2024-25 which will utilize modern technology in logistics management. He also cited initiatives such as Multi- Modal Logistics Prog. to be implemented at 35 locations across the country and explained about the CWC plans of expanding the warehousing network with a variety of storage capacity such as cold storage etc.

Sh. Aseem Chhabra, GM (Silo), FCI Headquarters mentioned various aspects of warehousing including Silo & the Hub & Spoke model for development of 111.125 LMT capacity at 249 locations across the country which shall be a network of standalone spoke silos to be developed across procuring & consuming regions tagged to Rail linked Hub silos. 

Sh. Akhil Gupta, Consultant, Haryana State Commerce Department showcased through his presentation on Haryana Logistics, Warehousing & Retail policy, and its mission to transform Haryana into a global Logistics, Warehousing and Retail hub.

Representative from Punjab State Small Industries and Export Corporation discussed the State Level Institutional Framework (SLIF) under the PM Gati Shakti in Punjab and mentioned that Punjab State has been rated top 3 in all LEADS Surveys from 2018 to 2021.

Ms. Bhawna Jain, D.O.M., DRM Officer, Delhi displayed her presentation sharing their vision of achieving 45% Modal Share in Freight Transportation by 2031.

The conference was followed by a panel discussion amongst all participating departments which also involved Q&A towards the end of the session.

Director Storage, DFPD, Sh. Mateshwari P. Mishra concluded the programme with vote of thanks.

IEP Chandigarh, December 6

The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its ongoing campaign against corruption in the State, as directed by the Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann, on Tuesday nabbed an Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) Surinder Singh red handed for accepting a bribe of Rs 10,000.

          Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of the VB said the accused ASI Kulwinder Singh (No 128/Pathankot), posted at sadar police station, Pathankot has been arrested on the complaint of Mahavir Singh resident of village Samrala, Pathankot district. Giving details he informed that the complainant has approached the VB and alleged that the above said police official was demanding a bribe of Rs. 50,000 in lieu of registering a police case on basis of medico-legal reports of his wife and son.

          The spokesperson said after verifying this complaint, a VB team laid a trap and the accused police official was caught red handed while taking a bribe money of Rs. 10,000 as a first installment in the presence of two official witnesses.

          He informed that a case under Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered against the accused ASI at VB police station, Amritsar and further investigation was under progress

IEP Chandigarh December 6

The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its anti-corruption campaign on Thursday, has registered a corruption case against an Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI), Ramesh Kumar, attached as Reader with District Deputy Attorney (Legal) for demanding a bribe of Rs 10,000.

          Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of the VB said the bribery case against the above accused ASI has been registered after investigation of an online complaint lodged at the Chief Minister’s anti-corruption helpline.

          Giving details he added that the complainants Dhawaljit Datta resident of Berian Mohalla, Gurdaspur and Surinder Mohan have informed that the above said police official has demanded Rs 40,000 as a bribe for taking action on a police enquiry and accepted Rs 10,000 from Surinder Mohan in this regard. The complainant has recorded the conversation while giving money to the accused.

          The spokesperson added that the VB has investigated the allegations levelled in the complaint and registered a corruption case against the above mentioned police official after finding him guilty for demanding and accepting a bribe money. In this regard the VB has registered a case under Prevention of Corruption Act at VB police station Amritsar. Further investigation in this case was under progress, he added.

IEP Chandigarh, December 6

The Punjab Government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is constantly striving for the welfare of every section of the society.Under this series, the Punjab government has released an amount of 267 lakh rupees for the update of M.R. Homes running in the districts of Ludhiana, Rajpura (Patiala), Kapurthala and Sri Amritsar Sahib for the mentally ill patients of the state.Divulging this, Minister for Social Security, Women and Child Development, Dr. Baljit Kaur said that keeping in mind the needs of patients facing psychological issues in the state, the State Government has speeded up the pace of improving the infrastructure at the homes housing such patients in Ludhiana, Rajpura,(Patiala)( for boys), Kapurthala, Amritsar Sahib (for girls).She said that the government is doing update of 04 M.R. Homes for mental patients in the state, for which an amount of 267 lakh rupees has been released.Dr. Baljit Kaur further added that the Punjab government is committed to provide corruption free administration to the people of the state, therefore, transparency must be ensured in the execution of these works.

IEP Chandigarh, December 5

Punjab Information and Public Relations Minister Mr. Aman Arora on Monday mourned the sad demise of Mrs. Shanti Devi Sharma, the mother of Mr. Deepak Sharma, Punjab Bureau Chief of MH1 news channel.

Mrs. Shanti Devi Sharma (80) breathed her last on Sunday afternoon after a brief illness at PGI here.

Extending his heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family and relatives of the deceased, Mr. Aman Arora prayed to the Almighty to give them courage to bear this irreparable loss and grant eternal peace to the departed soul.

Meanwhile, Principal Secretary Information and Public Relations Mr. Rahul Bhandari and Director Ms. Sonali Giri also expressed their heartfelt condolences to Mr. Deepak Sharma in this hour of grief.

IEP Chandigarh, 5 December

Health and Family Welfare Minister, Punjab Chetan Singh Jauramajra inaugurated the Blood Donation Camp organized by Punjab AIDS Control Employees Welfare Association in collaboration with Punjab State Blood Transfusion Council. In this camp employees of Punjab State AIDS Control Society from across Punjab participated. During this time Chetan Singh Jauramajra said that blood should always be taken from licensed blood banks. Because many diseases are tested in these centers and blood is given to a person only after the report is correct. There are 161 approved blood centers operating in Punjab, out of which 46 are government, 7 are military and 108 are private blood centers.

Chetan Singh Jauramajra appreciated the blood donation camp organized by the association. He said that many lives can be saved through voluntary blood donation camps. One donated unit of blood can save many lives. Jasmail Singh Deol, president of Punjab AIDS Control Employees Welfare Association, said that his union also does social welfare work like blood donation, besides assisting in the treatment of AIDS patients. On the occasion Project Director, PSACS Ms. Neelima, Director Health Services Dr. Ranjit Singh, Director NHM, Punjab Dr. S.P. Singh, Civil Surgeon Mohali Dr. Adarshpal Kaur, Additional Project Director Dr. Boby Gulati were present. Apart from these  General Secretary Gurjant Singh, Chief Advisor Mahinder Pal Singh, Finance Secretary Kawaljit Singh, Manish Yadav, Media Secretary Manish Kumar, Core Committee Member Ashu Garg, Surinder Singh, Rajan Kumar, Ramandeep Kaur and other staff were present.