Category Archives: News

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AMAN ARORA exhorts people to celebrate a clean, green & safe Diwali

IEP Chandigarh, October 23

Punjab Information & Public Relations, Housing & Urban Development and New & Renewable Energy Sources Minister Mr. Aman Arora extended warm wishes to the people of Punjab and media fraternity on the eve of festival of lights, Diwali and Bandi Chhor Diwas.

          Urging the people to celebrate the festival with traditional fervor and gaiety rising above the parochial considerations of caste, color, creed and religion, the Cabinet Minister said, “May this Diwali and Bandi Chhor Diwas fill the lives of people with joy and happiness coupled with healthy and prosperous future.”

          In his message, he also prayed to the Almighty that the sacred occasion brings peace, prosperity besides strengthening the bonds of brotherhood which will pave a way to build Rangla Punjab.

          Exhorting the people to celebrate the pious festival responsibly, Mr Aman Arora said, avoid fire crackers to save the earth from pollution. Celebrate a clean, green and safe Diwali this time, he appealed earnestly.

BRAM SHANKER JIMPA GREETS PEOPLE ON DIWALI AND BANDI CHHOR DIWAS

IEP Chandigarh, October 23

        Punjab Revenue Minister Bram Shanker Jimpa today extended his warm wishes to all the Punjabis living across the globe on the sacred occasion of the festival of lights- Diwali and Bandi Chhor Diwas.

      In his message, Jimpa said that this festival symbolizes the triumph of truth and righteousness over falsehood and of good over evil and highlights the ethos and high values of the country’s civilizational history.

         He appealed that we should celebrate diwali to safeguard our environment as pollution problem is Grave and affect all of us.

          At the same time,  Revenue Minister also greeted the entire countrymen especially the Sikh Panth on the historic ‘Bandi Chhor Diwas’-to mark the release of 52 Hindu Princes from the Gwalior fort by Sixth Guru Sri Hargobind Sahib ji on the Diwali festival in year 1612.

      Jimpa hoped that the festival would further strengthen the bonds of communal harmony, brotherhood, amity, tranquility and secularism, which are the hallmarks of our glorious composite cultural traditions and prayed for the well-being of the people of the State.

ANMOL GAGAN MANN GREETS PEOPLE ON DIWALI, BANDI CHHOR DIWAS & VISHWAKARMA DAY

IEP Chandigarh, October 23

          Punjab Minister for Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Investment Promotion, Labor and Grievance Redressal  Ms Anmol Gagan Mann has today greeted the people on the holy festival of Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas. In her message, Anmol Gagan appealed to the people and said, “Let us celebrate this holy festival of lights in a traditional way and light the lamps of happiness with the spirit of unity and harmony.”

          The Minister also extended warm greetings to all the people, especially the Sikh Panth, on the historic day of ‘Bandi Chhor Diwas’. This day is celebrated as the occasion of the release of 52 Hindu kings from Gwalior Fort by the sixth Patshah Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji on the day of Diwali.

          Minister Anmol Gagan Mann also greeted the people of the state on Vishwakarma Day and with this, she expressed hope that the life of the entire working class will be more prosperous and the spirit of Lord Vishwakarma Ji’s craftsmanship will prevail in the entire human world increasing the respect for the entire working class.

          The minister appealed to the people to celebrate these holy festivals with enthusiasm and to rise above caste, color and partisanship and said that this will strengthen national unity and global community. She prayed to God that this festival brings peace and happiness to the people of Punjab and India.

Police station in-charges would be answerable for illegal sale of crackers and liquor in their areas on Deepawali’

IEP Dehradun

The Dehradun Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Daleep Singh Kunwar said that respective police station in-charges would be answerable for the illegal sale of crackers and liquor in their areas on the occasion of Deepawali. He held a meeting on Friday to review security arrangements and traffic management preparations across the district during the festival season. Giving his input on the plans, he also issued several directions to the officials concerned. He said that the respective police station in-charges must ensure no illegal set up of crackers would be arranged in their areas to ensure no unfortunate fire-related incidents occur. Every police officer concerned must work towards stopping the sale of crackers in narrow lanes of colonies and prohibited areas and if he or she fails to carry out this duty, they will be answerable for it to senior-level officials, stated the SSP. He also directed the officials to prevent the illegal supply of liquor under their respective police stations that potentially increase during festival season. The respective police station in-charge would be responsible for any illegal sale of alcohol across the district, added the SSP.

He directed the officials to take immediate action against such complaints for the next one week. He also ordered to deploy police personnel in plain uniform at marketplaces to prevent criminal activities that potentially increase in crowded spaces during festivals for easy targets. He also issued orders to deploy police personnel outside jewellery shops, ATMs and petrol pumps where money transactions are frequent during the festival season. He has also directed the officials to ensure that people follow the recently released traffic plan issued by the traffic police in their respective areas. Make all necessary arrangements required to ensure security during festival season, added the SSP.

Third decade of the 21st century belongs to Uttarakhand, says PM Modi

IEP Dehradun October 22, 2022

Addressing a public gathering in Mana after offering prayers in Badrinath and Kedarnath, and unveiling the foundation stones for development works worth Rs 3,400 crore, the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi said that the third decade of the 21st century belongs to Uttarakhand.

Modi said, “By the grace of Baba Kedarnath when I had visited Kedarnath the last time, some words came out of my mouth to the effect that the third decade of the 21st century belongs to Uttarakhand. These were not my words but were spoken by me by the blessings of Baba Kedarnath. With these new projects today I reiterate the commitment here.” Stating that Uttarakhand is witness to the development brought by the double engine government, he said that earlier at the most five lakh pilgrims used to visit during the Char Dham Yatra season but now this number has increased to about 45 lakh. 

He said, “There is another aspect to faith and revival of spiritualism- ease of living for the mountain dwellers and their employment because when road, rail and ropeway reach the mountains they bring employment and make life in the mountains better and easier. Now our government is also working on a plan to use drones for carrying goods. This will enable people in the mountains to transport their fruits and vegetables to the market,” he said. Appreciating the items locally produced by a self help group of Mana, the PM referred to ‘vocal for local’ and exhorted citizens across the nation to spend at least five per cent of their total expenditure on a journey on buying local products. He said that the double-engine government has linked the youth to home stays and skill development while youngsters are also being connected to the National Cadet Corps in mountainous regions. The PM also referred to the development being achieved through execution of various Central government schemes. Speaking on the occasion, chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that PM Modi has always accorded priority to the development of Uttarakhand. Unprecedented cultural revival of the nation is taking place under the leadership of PM Modi, he said. Nations are looking towards India for solutions to the problems facing the world and also following the policies implemented in India. The PM’s farsightedness is clear not only on the economic front but also on the strategic front. No enemy of the nation dares to challenge India today, said Dhami. 

THREE OPERATIVES OF LANDA-RINDA TERROR MODULE HELD FROM AMRITSAR; AK-47, THREE PISTOLS RECOVERED

IEP CHANDIGARH/AMRITSAR, October 21         

  With Punjab Police has tightened noose around the anti-social elements on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Amritsar Commissionerate Police and Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) in a joint operation with Delhi Police has arrested three operatives of a terrorist module and recovered one AK-47 Assault Rifle and three pistols along with ammunition from their possession, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Friday. The module is being jointly handled by Canada-based terrorist Lakhbir Singh alias Landa and Pakistan-based terrorist Harvinder Singh Rinda.          Those arrested have been identified as Balraj Singh of Bhikhiwind in Tarn Taran, Aatish Kumar and Avinash Kumar, both resident of village Sarhali Kalan in Tarn Taran. All the three accused persons were working as security guards at a Tile Factory in Gujarat.          The development came days after the Delhi Police had arrested Harminder Singh of Kot Isse Khan in Moga, who revealed that he had picked a consignment of one AK-47 and three pistols on the directions of Lakhbir Landa and handed over to Balraj, Aatish and Avinash.          DGP Gaurav Yadav said that following the inputs from Delhi Police, a manhunt operation was launched in the Amritsar and Police teams led by DCP Detective Amritsar Mukhwinder Singh Bhullar have arrested the trio accused from a Hotel at Ghee Mandi area on Thursday after recovering three pistols including one 9mm along with 22 live cartridges and two .30 bore with 9 live cartridges from their possession.          On the disclosures of accused Balraj, the Police teams have also recovered AK-47 assault rifle along with 23 live cartridges from a location pinpointed by him at village Thathe in Tarn Taran, he added.          Commissioner of Police (CP) Amritsar Arun Pal Singh said that the Police have procured seven days remand of the arrested persons after producing them in the Court. Further investigations are on to identify their other associates and more recoveries of arms and ammunitions are expected from this module, he added.          Meanwhile, a case FIR no. 135 dated 20.10.2022 has been registered under section 25(8)/54/59 of the Arms Act at Police Station E Division Amritsar.

AMAN ARORA HANDS OVER JOB LETTERS TO 21 JUNIOR DRAFTSMAN


IEP Chandigarh, October 21

Punjab Housing and Urban Development Minister Mr. Aman Arora on Friday handed over appointment letters to 21 Junior Draftsman at his office, Punjab Civil Secretariat-1, here.

          Conveying Diwali wishes and congratulating the newly inducted employees, Mr Aman Arora exhorted them to work diligently and with full honesty. He said that transparent and corruption-free governance is the sole agenda of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Mann led state government and no stone has been left unturned to provide employment opportunities to the youth of the state.

          He said that all these employees are being posted at their nearest and convenient station. He wished them all the best for future.

          The Cabinet Minister also informed that the Punjab Cabinet today decided to restore the Old Pension Scheme, besides, giving 6 per cent DA to the state government employees as Mann government was committed to welfare of employees. In less than 7 months, the state government has provided government jobs to as many as 18,543 youths, he added.

CM FOR SMOOTH AND HASSLE FREE PROCUREMENT AND LIFTING OF THE PADDY DURING THE ONGOING PROCUREMENT SEASON

IEP Chandigarh, October 21        

   The Punjab Chief Minister today emphasised on the need for smooth and hassle free procurement and lifting of the paddy during the ongoing procurement season, from the grain markets across the state.          The Chief Minister, while chairing a meeting with the Administrative Secretaries of the state government here at his office, said that every single grain of the farmers must be procured and lifted without any sort of delay. Sh. Bhagwant Mann expressed satisfaction over the fact that around 50 lakh Metric Ton of Paddy has already arrived in the mandis across the state and payment worth Rs 7307.93 crore has been released to the farmers.  He said that the procurement process must be completed without any sort of inconvenience to the farmers.          Dwelling on another agenda, the Chief Minister said that the farmers must be sensitised for not burning the paddy straw. He said that burning of paddy straw causes a huge threat to human life besides creating environmental hazards. Sh. Bhagwant Mann said that all out efforts need to be made for checking it at all costs by making the farmers aware of its ill effects.          Reviewing the functioning of the Aam Aadmi Clinics in the state, the Chief Minister  expressed satisfaction over the fact that daily 7500 patients are availing the benefits of these clinics. He said that these clinics are proving to be a boon for the common man by imparting quality health treatment to them. Sh. Bhagwant Mann also asked the Health department to strengthen the 400 other healthcare centres across the state.          Assessing the functioning of the Sewa Kendras in the state, the Chief Minister asked the officers to take immediate action against the complaints of overcharging for the services rendered in these Sewa Kendras. He said that strict action should be taken against the erring employees indulging in this sinister move. Sh. Bhagwant Mann said that quick disposal of citizen centric services must be ensured at all the 531 Sewa Kendras across the state.          Reiterating the firm commitment of his government against corruption, the Chief Minister asked the officers to ensure that no inflation takes place in estimates of the engineering wing. He said that the estimates must be realistic adding that severest of severe action will be taken against those indulging in such practices. Sh. Bhagwant Mann asked the officers to ensure physical checking and verification of the developmental works at grass root level.          The Chief Minister also asked the officers to ensure judicious utilisation of the funds under centrally sponsored schemes. He said that these funds must be utilised for giving fillip to the development works in the state. Sh. Bhagwant Mann also asked the Finance department to ensure that there is no pendency of any bill at the level of government.          The Chief Minister also batted for identification of the short term and long term targets to give impetus to the development of the state on one hand and provide jobs to youth on the other. He also advocated flawless interdepartmental coordination for effective implementation of the government policies and programs. Sh. Bhagwant Mann also asked the officers to perform their duty in a free, fair and transparent manner.          Keeping in view the festive season ahead, the Chief Minister asked the health department to crack down on spurious sweets and milk products. He said that no one should be allowed to play havoc with the precious lives of people. Sh. Bhagwant Mann said that severe action should be taken against those who take the life of people for granted.          The Chief Minister also asked the officers to ensure that the process of acquisition of land for the projects of the National Highways is completed at the earliest by duly compensating the farmers. He also asked the officers to expedite the ongoing work of constructing the roads across the state. Sh. Bhagwant Mann laid stress that the highest norms of quality must be adhered to while construction works.           Sh. Bhagwant Mann reiterated the firm commitment of the well being of all sections of society adding that all the officers should discharge their duties meticulously for this noble cause.

PUNJAB GOVERNMENT OPENS PORTAL TO RECEIVE APPLICATIONS FOR REGULARISING CONTRACTUAL TEACHERS, INFORMS HARJOT SINGH BAINS

IEP Chandigarh, October 21

 For regularizing the services of the contractual teachers and non-teaching staff working in the education department, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led government has opened the portal to receive applications, informed Harjot Singh Bains, School Education Minister, Punjab.          He said, in order to regular the teaching and non-teaching employees in education department, the Personnel Department had issued the “Policy for the Welfare of Adhoc, Contractual, Temporary Teachers (Nation Builder) and Other Employees in School Education Department” on 7th October 2022, adhering to which an online portal has been opened, which will remain open till January 6, 2023.          He said that to apply on this portal, the beneficiaries should have to fill the required information in the prescribed proforma by visiting the apply link in the login ID for the temporary employee’s in the e-Punjab School app of the department.”Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led government was committed to revamping the school education department and fulfilling all the legitimate demands of the teachers and non-teaching staff working” he reiterated.

PUNJAB TO DEVELOP ENERGY ACTION PLAN TO REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSION

IEP Chandigarh, October 21

In yet another move aimed at making optimum use of natural resources, Punjab will soon come up with an Energy Action Plan, which will help in reducing Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission by adopting new and innovative clean energy technologies, informed Mr. Sumeet Jarangal, Chief Executive Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA). He was addressing the capacity building workshop on Training Needs Assessment (TNA) for State Energy Action Plan, here.

          Mr. Jarangal said that PEDA is striving hard to achieve the target of 2500 MW renewable energy capacity in Punjab and the Energy Action Plan will facilitate all stakeholder departments to implement Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy in their institution at the State level. He said that different departments of the state, which were till date merely the energy consumers, will now play a pivotal role in the energy transition & development of the future energy systems as the state is on the journey towards energy transition to ensure a clean and green environment, he added.

          The workshop was aimed to facilitate wider discussions on the strategy paper and to gather the valuable inputs of the stakeholder departments, said the Chief Executive, while adding that the deliberations of the workshop were useful to facilitate wider discussions on strategy paper, proposed training framework and finalize the action plan for capacity building in the state. A comprehensive blueprint will be developed for necessary training and capacity building programs on the basis of inputs received from the workshop. This will be followed by the creation of a network of training institutions and trainers to identify, plan, and roll out training programs for various aspects of energy planning and implementation.

          He said that Punjab will identify potential areas for training of government departments and officials for the multi-sectoral energy planning. The team has already undertaken a survey to understand such needs through interviewing various officers in different departments in Punjab. A strategy document on ‘training and capacity needs framework’ has been developed for the state of Punjab based on findings from this survey.

          Notably, GIZ (German Development Cooperation) has initiated Training Need Assessment with its partner Deloitte India to understand/assess knowledge/skill gaps) and understand the preparedness of departments in taking up new roles in Energy Planning and Sustainability in Punjab.

          Ms. Nidhi Sarin and Mr. Manoj Mahata, representatives of GIZ and Additional Director PEDA Mr. Jaspal Singh were also present in the workshop.