Category Archives: News

A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart.

Chandigarh, Chandigarh

Chandigarh rated as the best amongst the UTs in total solar power installation

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IEP CHANDIGARH AUGUST 27, 2022

Chandigarh has been rated as the best amongst the UTs in total solar power installation and received the first prize today on 27th Aug 2022 in a function organised by Association of Renewable Energy Agencies of States (AREAS) formed by Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Govt. of India on its 8th Foundation Day Ceremony at Cochin, Kerala.

 Chandigarh Renewable Energy & Science & Technology Promotion Society (CREST), UT Chandigarh also got the awards for following categories amongst all UTs:

1. For achieving second highest renewable energy installed capacity as on 31.03.2022.

2. For achieving second highest renewable energy capacity addition during 2021-22.

3. For achieving second highest solar power capacity addition during 2021-22.

4. For achieving second highest numbers of solar street lights installed as on 31.3.2022.

        These prizes were distributed by Shri Bhagwanth Khuba, Hon’ble Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy and Chemicals and Fertilizers, Government of India.

Chandigarh was selected as the Model Solar City and the Master Plan was approved by Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE), GOI in Feb. 2012.

    Under “AZADI KA AMRIT MAHATOSAV–To Commemorate the India’s 75 years of Independence”, CREST has set an ambitious target of 75MWp to be achieved by 15th August, 2023. Chandigarh is well ahead in terms of achievement & total aggregate capacity of 50.588 MWp Grid tied Rooftop Solar Plants at 4200 sites have already been installed & commissioned in Chandigarh.

     Sh.Dharam Pal, Adviser to the Administrator, U.T. Chandigarh appreciated the efforts of CREST in achieving this milestone and further added that with this pace, Chandigarh can achieve the dream target of Govt. of India to become 100% RE powered in near future. 

            Sh. Nitin Kumar Yadav, Home Secretary, U.T. Chandigarh congratulated the CREST team for making sincere efforts in producing Green Power for the city.

            Sh.Debendra Dalai, Secretary, Science & Technology and Renewable Energy-cum- CEO CREST, informed that this is a proud moment for Chandigarh and Chandigarh could win these awards with active support and participation of the people at large in implementation of the projects. He further informed that there are many unique projects which are in pipeline such as 2 MWp Floating SPV Power Plant at Water Works, Sector-39, 2 MWp Canal Top SPV Power Plant at N-Choe in front of Garden of Conifers, Sector-52, 2 MWp Canal Top SPV Power Plant at Patiala Ki Rao, 500 kWp Floating SPV Power Plant along-with Fountains at Dhanas Lake and 4 MWp of other projects.

            It is a proud moment for Chandigarh that a small territory has competed with other UTs of India and got these awards. This is a true encouragement for Chandigarh Administration. The award ceremony was attended by Sh. Debendra Dalai, Secretary Science & Technology and Renewable Energy -cum- CEO CREST and Sh. Sukhwinder Singh Abrol, Project Director, CERST.

Chandigarh, Chandigarh

Chandigarh Smart City installs water ATM in Sector 35 market

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IEP CHANDIGARH AUGUST 27,2022

Prem Lata, area councillor inaugurated the First water ATM in the market Sector 35, here today in the presence of Sh. N.P. Sharma, Chief Engineer, MCC & Shopkeepers of the Market.

While sharing information about the scheme, the Chief Engineer said that Chandigarh Smart City Ltd. has provided Municipal Corporation 4 water ATMS which have been installed in the Market of Sector 35 Chandigarh. All the Water ATMs have been supplied by Punjab and Sind Bank under CSR funds at a cost of each Water ATM about Rs. 5.25 Lakh.

He said that the Municipal Corporation has incurred expenditure of installation and civil work costing about Rs 2 Lakh per Water ATM and also will bear its maintenance charges including electricity and water charges from time to time.

He further said that the potable water of quality as per BIS standards -14543 duly will be available to the Shop Keepers as well as visitors from 9.00 am to 9.00 pm daily at the following charges :-

Rs1/- for 300ML

Rs.3/- for 500ML

Rs.5/- for 1000ML

Rs.20 for 5000 ML

Rs.35/- for 20000ML.

The Chief Engineer said the Water ATM has been equipped with provision for chilled water (water with temperature around 15 degree celsius during summers. A LED digital screen has been provided to show four key parameters of water standards namely PH, Hardness, TDS & temperature on real time basis. The user may scan the card or insert the coin on WAU(Water ATM Unit) sensor and press the button depending on the water requirements.

He said the storage capacity of each Water ATM is 500 Ltr which has been enhanced by providing water storage tank of 1000 Ltr along Water ATM. This will meet the long pending demand of shopkeepers as well as visitors in the market of non-availability of drinking water in the market.


Chandigarh, Punjab

TRANSPORT MINISTER LALJIT BHULLAR APPOINTS MOTOR VEHICLE INSPECTORS ON 11 VACANT POSTS TO SPEEDEN UP ISSUANCE OF FITNESS CERTIFICATES

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IEP CHANDIGARH AUGUST 27, 2022

Punjab Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar has appointed Motor Vehicle Inspectors (MVIs) on 11 vacant posts to reduce the ever-increasing burden of passing and issuing fitness certificates of old vehicles in the state.

          The Cabinet Minister said that only four MVIs under 11 RTA offices are currently looking after the work of passing and issuing fitness certificates to the old vehicles in 23 districts of the state. As a result, very little work could be done and files are piling up in the department. Responding to the complaints of delays, the minister made internal arrangements by appointing staff from Punjab roadways to reduce the workload and bring more transparency. Now, all 11 dedicated MVIs will work under 11 RTA offices.

          The Transport Minister said that apart from the previously posted MVIs, now MVI Preetinder Arora will look after the work of district Faridkot, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Moga, Bathinda and Mansa, while MVI Sukhwinder Singh will see the work at district Fazilka and Ferozepur, MVI Merik Garg at district Ludhiana, MVI Gurinder Singh at district Jalandhar and Kapurthala, MVI Leela Singh at district Gurdaspur, MVI Madhu Pushap at district Pathankot, MVI Navdeep Singh at district Amritsar and Tarn Taran and MVI Jaspreet Singh will see the work of district Sangrur, Malerkotla and Barnala.

          Emphasizing on the resolution of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann of zero tolerance policy against corruption, the Transport Minister categorically asked, any officer or employee found involved in corruption will not be spared at all, thus officers should discharge their duty honestly.

Chandigarh, Punjab

PUNJAB GOVT SEEKS APPLICATIONS FROM NGOS FOR GIVING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: DR BALJIT KAUR

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IEP CHANDIGARH AUGUST 27, 2022

Chief Minister Bhagwant Maan led Punjab government is making continuous efforts for upliftment of Scheduled Castes and also extends help to NGOs for implementing schemes run by government for Scheduled Castes at grass root level.

          Giving information in this regard, the Minister for Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities, Dr. Baljit Kaur said that the Punjab government takes help of these NGOs in implementation of SC oriented development schemes in lieu of which government provide them funds.

Giving details about eligibility criteria for the NGOs to claim funds, she added that the NGO should be actively working in the area of upliftment of SC people. The applicant NGO should be registered at least 3 years ago and should not be blacklisted at any level.

          Voluntary organizations desirous of receiving assistance under this scheme can apply for grants under the nominated projects listed in scheme. They should submit their proposal to the District Social Justice and Empowerment Officer of the concerned district within stipulated time and send it to the department through recommendation of the concerned Deputy Commissioner.

More information regarding these schemes can be obtained from E-mail ID: directowelfarepunjab@gmail.com or from the office of the concerned District Social Justice and Empowerment Officer.

          Complete information regarding this can be obtained from the website of Planning Department at pbplanning.punjab.gov.in. Interested organizations may submit their proposals to the Director, Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities Department, Punjab S. C. O .No: 7, Phase- 1, S. A. S. Nagar (Mohali) by 6 September 2022.

Chandigarh, Haryana

Haryana Police net mastermind of 16 ATM fraud cases in Delhi, UP and Haryana

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IEP CHANDIGARH AUGUST 27, 2022

With the arrest of three accused by ATM Fraud Investigation Cell (AFIC) of State Crime Branch, Haryana Police has cracked two untraced cases of ATM fraud in the state. Police has also recovered 17 from their possession.

Sharing the information here today, a Haryana Police spokesperson informed that in the first case, AFIC Yamunanagar team has arrested ATM fraud mastermind Jaiveer Singh, a resident of Hisar but was currently residing in Sultanpuri, Delhi. He was accused of cheating people in 16 cases by committing ATM frauds in Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.

In the month of January, Ranveer Singh, a resident of Gandhi Nagar had lodged a complaint to the District Police Yamunanagar that some unknown person changed his ATM. When he came home, he was shocked to see that about Rs 90,000 had been withdrawn from his account through unauthorized transactions. The case was declared untraceable by the district police. The case was handed over to the AFIC who re-investigated it and arrested accused Jaiveer Singh from Sultanpuri, Delhi on the basis of CCTV footage and other evidence. It was also revealed that 16 cases are registered against the accused in different states. Out of these, nine cases are registered in Ghaziabad (Uttar Pradesh), two in Delhi, two in Ambala and one case each in Karnal, Kaithal and Yamunanagar. During the investigation, 17 ATM cards have been recovered from his possession.

Explaining his modus operandi, he said that Jaiveer used to find different places to commit the crime and every time after committing the crime he used to change his hideouts so as to escape from the police. The accused used to keep ATM cards of every bank in his pocket so that whichever bank has an ATM, he could commit his crime accordingly.

In another crackdown, Rohtak team has apprehended two accused on the charges of defrauding people worth Rs3.43 lakh. Ajit, a resident of district Jhajjar had lodged a complaint that on July 25, 2021, he had given ATM card to his son. The accused fraudulently changed the ATM card from the son’s possession and carried out the transaction of Rs 3.43 lakh. The case was declared untraceable by the district police. While investigating this case again, AFIC Rohtak team identified the accused with the help of CCTV footage and arrested them in Rohtak. Both the accused Kamal and Sumit are already convicted in other cases and were out on bail.

Both the cases are under investigation and police trying to get details of similar fraud cases from various police stations to find out their involvement, he added.

Be extra cautious while using an ATM: O.P. Singh ADGP

ATM Fraud Investigation Cell has been established to effectively deal with cases of ATM frauds across the state.  It should be kept in mind that whenever you do a transaction at the ATM, there is no one around you. Apart from this, such criminal activities often take place at ATMs outside the city or ATM machines without guards. Keep in mind that whenever entering your PIN at the ATM, cover the keypad with your hand. This will avoid any of your personal information getting into the wrong hands.

Chandigarh, Haryana

Prime Minister to lay the foundation stone of the third plant of Maruti Suzuki at Kharkhoda today

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IEP CHANDIGARH AUGUST 27, 2022

The Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi will virtually lay the foundation stone of Maruti-Suzuki’s third plant at Industrial Model Township (IMT), Kharkhoda, Sonipat on August 28, 2022.  Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal and Deputy Chief Minister, Sh. Dushyant Chautala along with various central ministers and MPs will be present during the programme.

The Chief Minister said that the foundation stone would prove to be a new milestone in the industrial progress of Haryana. Today Haryana has become a major automobile manufacturing hub in the country. At present, about 50 percent of the cars made in India are manufactured in Haryana. With Maruti Suzuki setting up another such plant a new industrial hub is going to be developed in Haryana, asserted Sh. Manohar Lal.

The Chief Minister said that the State Government has given all kinds of facilities to the industry, due to which the state is progressing continuously as an industrial hub. He said that investment of big companies like Maruti in Kharkhoda has given a positive impetus to the industrial environment.

Sh. Manohar Lal said that after Gurugram and Manesar this is the third plant of Maruti Suzuki which will be set up in Haryana. Along with the Maruti car, the foundation stone of Suzuki’s bike manufacturing plant will also be laid here. This huge investment being made by Maruti and Suzuki Company is certainly going to open doors of employment and development for the State and in the coming times, Kharkhoda is certainly going to become at par with Gurugram and Manesar.

Notably, in May 2022, an MoU was signed for the allotment of land to Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) and Suzuki Motorcycle India Private Limited for the setting up of this plant at IMT. An amount of Rs. 2400 crore was spent for the purchase of this land and more than Rs. 20,000 are to be invested. Maruti’s new plants will be set up on an area of 800 acres and 100 acres respectively.

Chandigarh, Haryana

Under the Amrit Sarovar Yojana, Haryana has built 557 Amrit Sarovar more than the set target

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IEP CHANDIGARH AUGUST 27, 2022

Haryana Government has marked one more achievement by making Amrit Sarovars more than the stipulated target under the Amrit Sarovar Yojana of the Central Government. By August 15, 2022, 418 Amrit Sarovars were to be built in the state, but due to the tireless efforts of the government, 557 Amrit Sarovars have been made ready. Under this scheme, 75 Amrit Sarovars are to be built in each district.

This information was given in the review meeting of Haryana Pond and Waste Water Management Authority held under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary, Sh. Sanjeev Kaushal.

While directing the officers to expedite the restoration work of the ponds, Sh. Kaushal said that the works of Amrit Sarovar and all other ponds should be completed within the stipulated time. There should not be any negligence in this work. He said that the Amrit Sarovar Mission has been started across the country by Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi to save and rejuvenate the ponds. He added that Haryana should lead in the country by performing better in this mission.

In the meeting, the Chief Secretary was apprised that an action plan for the restoration of a total of 5,216 ponds has been prepared. Out of these ponds, a digital survey of 4,811 ponds has been completed and thereafter work has been allotted for making architectural drawings of 3,404 ponds. Estimates are being prepared after making the architectural drawings of 2,737 ponds. Verification of 268 architectural drawings is being done. Only 399 architectural drawings are under process, whose work will be completed by September 30, 2022.

It was informed in the meeting that according to the action plan for micro irrigation system by Micada for re-use of treated water for 5,216 ponds, administrative approval has been given to the estimates after checking the feasibility of 488 works. The work on which will be started soon. Apart from this, estimates of 1032 works have been received for the renovation of Amrit Sarovar Yojana and other ponds, out of which administrative approval of Rs. 496 crore has been given for 644 works and administrative approval for the remaining works will be expedited soon.

It was informed in the meeting that Haryana Pond and Waste Water Management Authority have collected the data of all the ponds located in the state through PDMS software. First of all, about 1,800 ponds with polluted water and issues of water overflow are being treated through Constructed Wetland Technique.

Additional Chief Secretary, Development and Panchayats Department, Sh. Anil Malik, Executive Vice-Chairman of Haryana Pond and Waste Water Management Authority, Sh. Prabhakar Verma and other officers were present in the meeting.

Chandigarh, Chandigarh, Punjab

PUNJAB TAKES LEAD BY FELICITATING ITS CWG CONTINGENT WITH CASH PRIZE AS CM HONOURS 23 PLAYERS

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IEP CHANDIGARH AUGUST 27, 2022

Punjab today became the first state in country by felicitating its Commonwealth contingent with cash prize as the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday felicitated 23 sportspersons of Punjab who represented the country in recently concluded Games at Birmingham with cash prize worth Rs. 9.30 Crore.

“This is a humble effort from our government to recognise the massive efforts out by all you to bring laurels for the country” said the Chief Minister while addressing the gathering here at Municipal Bhawan.

Interacting with the players, the Chief Minister reiterated the firm commitment of state government to restore the pristine glory of the state in field of sports. He said that strenuous efforts are already being made by the state in this regard. Bhagwant Mann said that the sportsmen of the state are being honoured with cash prizes to encourage them and other budding players to excel in sports.

The Chief Minister asserted that our sportsmen have brought laurels for the state and now the onus lies on the state government to recognise these achievements.

Highlighting the dire need of sports infrastructure to match at world level, he said that we have inherited natural talent to excel in sports and given a chance these players will conquer the world with grit. However, Bhagwant Mann said that for this world class infrastructure coupled with professional coaches, diet and other facilities are required.

The Chief Minister unequivocally said that the state government has already enhanced the sports budget to build new stadiums at village level, from where the natural talent is produced but had been hitherto ignored. Talking about the sports extravaganza ‘Khedan Wattan Punjab Diyan’ starting from August 29, he envisioned that these games will boost the sporting activity in state by channelising unbounded energy of the players in a positive direction. Bhagwant Mann said that such concerted efforts will bear fruits by providing a platform to the players to excel in arena of sports.

The Chief Minister emphasised that to propel sports culture at schools, the state government is recruiting DP and PTI teachers on war footing. Sharing anecdotes with players, Bhagwant Mann also revealed love for sports and mentioned that he inherited the love for hockey from his father.

The Chief Minister also recalled the names of hockey legends such as Balbir Singh Senior, Surjeet Singh, Dhanraj Pillay, Gagan Ajit Singh and others who had brought fame for the country in Hockey. Terming Gurjant, Manpreet, Akashdeep and others as stars of contemporary times, he expressed hope that the country will conquer the world again with the help of these legends. Recalling the names of renowned Drag Flicker of Holland Floris Jan Bovelander, Tennis Players Martina Navrtilova and Boris Becker, Bhagwant Mann said that sports rules are changing drastically in prevailing times, so we have to adapt with these rules swiftly.

The Chief Minister specifically remembered Cricket Player Harleen Deol’s stunning catch against England and also extended warm wishes towards Women Cricket Team Captain Harmanpreet Kaur. He said that it was a rare honour for him to be in the presence of illuminating sports gems. Bhagwant Mann asserted that massive efforts are afoot to revive the hockey team of Punjab Police, football teams of JCT Phagwara and Rail Coach Factory.

The Chief Minister said that 23 players from Punjab participated in Birmingham, out of which 19 players won three silver and four bronze medals. He handed over cash prize to Weightlifter Vikas Thakur, Men’s Hockey Players Manpreet Singh, Harmanpreet Singh, Akashdeep Singh, Mandeep Singh, Gurjant Singh, Hardik Singh, Varun Kumar, Krishan Pathak, Shamsher Singh, Jarmanjit Singh and Jugraj Singh, Women Cricketers Harmanpreet Kaur, Harleen Deol and Tania Bhatia, Weightlifters Harjinder Kaur, Lovepreet Singh and Gurdeep Singh and Women hockey player Gurjit Kaur. Apart from this, Judo player Jasleen Saini Judo, athlete Navjit Kaur Dhillon, cyclists Naman Kapil and Vishwajit Singh were also felicitated.

Meanwhile, the Sports Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer informed that Sports Budget has been increased 56 percent and logistics support have been created for sports. He informed that the Chief Minister will inaugurate ‘Khedan Wattan Punjab Diyan’ by playing Volleyball at Jalandhar on August 29.

Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion included Principal Secretary Sports Raj Kamal Chaudhary, Director Sports Rajesh Dhiman and others.

Chandigarh, Punjab

POWER SECTOR REFORMS GET A BOOST, WITH ALLOCATION OF RS. 25,237 CRORE WORKS UNDER RDSS SCHEME: POWER MINISTER

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IEP CHANDIGARH AUGUST 27, 2022

With the objective to supply 24×7 reliable power, the Punjab Government has approved an Action Plan of Rs. 25,237 Cr.  to improve the quality and reliability of power supply to the consumers. The reform-based and result-linked Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) is an ambitious flagship scheme aimed at improving the operational efficiencies and financial sustainability of the distribution companies through a robust and sustainable distribution network.

          Disclosing this the Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO said that under this scheme various infrastructure works like commissioning of 94 new 66 KV sub stations and installation and augmentation of 89 and 382 66/ 11 KV power transformers respectively shall be carried out. In addition to this, 2,015 circuit kilometers of 66 KV transmission lines shall be erected under this scheme for system strengthening and its modernization along with installation of 23,687 11KV distribution transformers and erection of 15,859 circuit kilometers of HT/LT lines.

          Similarly, for loss reduction, 600 circuit kilometers of 66 KV lines/underground cables shall also be erected along with installation of 2,83,349 new distribution transformers under High Voltage Distribution System (HVDS) and erection of 1,10,117 circuit kilometers of HT/LT lines shall be done.

          The Cabinet Minister further informed that in addition to above, IT enabling works like SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) and OMS (Outage Management System), Customer Care Centers, Unified Billing Solution are also to be carried out.

          Notably, with the execution of all these works besides the loss reduction, reliability and quality of power supply in the state shall further be improved which will benefit more than one Crore electricity consumers of the state. Out of the total project amount of Rs. 25,237 Cr, grant of Rs. 11,632 Cr. will be provided by the Govt. of India as gross budgetary support under this scheme.

Chandigarh, Haryana, Punjab

CHANDIGARH STATE AIDS CONTROL SOCIETY CREATE HIV AWARENESS THROUGH CYCLE RALLY

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IEP CHANDIGARH AUGUST 27, 2022

To encourage healthy lifestyle and to educate the public specially the youth, Chandigarh State AIDS Control Society organized a  Cycle Rally today starting from Sukhna Lake to New Lake Sector 42 Chandigarh.

The Cycle Rally was flagged off by Yashpal Garg Secretary Health. He urged people to adopt Healthy lifestyles by making cycling a routine activity and appreciated the efforts made by Chandigarh State AIDS Control Society in controlling  the spread of  HIV/AIDS in the city

More than 450 Cyclists from all walks of life participated in this awareness rally. The youngest Cyclist was 8 years old and the oldest was 78 years. The participants had decorated their Cycles in a way that gave message “Know AIDS for No AIDS” motivating people to come forward and gather knowledge about HIV/AIDS.

An Ambulance arranged by the department also followed the cyclists for their safety.

Yashpal Garg, Secretary Health, Akhil Kumar, Additional Secretary Health, Dr. Suman Singh, Director Health Services, Rajiv Tewari, Director Public Relations, Dr. Virender Nagpal, Project Director, Chandigarh SACS also participated in the rally. Prizes for the Quiz on HIV/AIDS conducted at Lake Sector 42 were distributed and participants were also motivated for Voluntary Free HIV Testing at the stationed Mobile HIV Testing Van at the venue.

HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases are most prevalent in the age group 15 to 39 years. Project Director, Dr. Virender Nagpal conveyed that Chandigarh is showing a declining trend in HIV epidemic, this is a result of extensive education and awareness about the disease.