IEP Dhuri (Sangrur), October 25         

   Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday exhorted the people to follow the path shown by Lord Vishwakarma to make Punjab a frontrunner state in the country.          Addressing the gathering here during a function to mark Vishwakarma Day here today, the Chief Minister, while paying tributes to Lord Vishwakarma, said that he was divine architect of the entire universe, who is believed to be the master of all machinery and equipments being used by the people in the industrial activities. He called on the people to follow the footsteps of this great Deity of all craftsmen and architects. Bhagwant Mann said that Lord Vishwakarma has ever inspired the artisans, workers and labour class to work hard with utmost dedication and commitment to develop the nation.          The Chief Minister said that in line with the ideology and teachings of Lord Vishwakarma, Punjabis across the globe have proved their mettle by contributing tremendously in socio-economic growth of various countries. He impressed upon the industrialists to make a solemn pledge of making whole hearted efforts for promoting skill training as it will be a real tribute to Lord Vishwakarma. Bhagwant Mann said that it will not only help in generating employment for the youth but would also play a pivotal role in putting the state on a high growth trajectory.          The Chief Minister, while allaying the fear of global recession, said that wherever Punjabis are working this economic slowdown will never come. He said that Punjabis are hard working and are blessed with tremendous unbounded energy and enormous capabilities to excel in every field. Bhagwant Mann said that with these traits, Punjabis work very hard and ensure that no slowdown comes in any field.          Listing the several path breaking initiatives of the Aam Aadmi Government in Punjab, the Chief Minister said that from July 1 onwards the Punjab government has provided 600 units of free power to people in every bill cycle. He said that as a result of this around 50 lakh households out of total 72.66 lakh) have got zero power bill in the month of September. Bhagwant Mann said that this has given major reprieve to the people from every section of the society.          The Chief Minister further said that in a historic decision aimed at the well being of the government employees, the state government has restored the old age pension scheme for the employees of the Punjab. He said that the Old Pension Scheme was discontinued in 2004 and ever since then the employees are being given New Pension Scheme. Bhagwant Mann said that keeping in view the well being of the lakhs of employees the Old Pension scheme in the state has been restored which will ensure security to lakh of employees.          The Chief Minister said that 16 new Medical colleges will be constructed in the coming five years thereby enhancing the total tally of medical colleges to 25 thus transforming Punjab into a hub of medical education. He said that the students aspiring to pursue medical education will no longer have to go to countries like Ukraine as they will be provided quality medical education in these medical colleges. Bhagwant Mann said that earlier governments have not paid any attention towards it but the focus of his government is that every district must be touched by a medical college.          The Chief Minister said that Punjab government is committed to restore the pristine glory of the state and no stone is being left unturned for this noble cause. He said that the state government has taken several pro-people and development oriented steps in this regard. Bhagwant Mann said that in the coming days too more such path breaking initiatives will be taken.          The Chief Minister also announced to give facelift to Hospitals at Dhuri and Sangrur to impart quality health services to people. He also said that driving test centre for heavy licenses will also be operational soon at Dhuri to avoid inconvenience caused to people while visiting Mahuana centre for same purpose. Bhagwant Mann also announced that work on construction of Railway Overbridge at Dhuri will also be started soon by the Railways.

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.

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.

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.

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.