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, Punjab

PUNJAB SEEKS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR SOLARISATION OF AGRI-PUMPS UP TO 15HP ON PATTERN OF NORTH-EAST & HILLY STATES

Leave a comment

IEP Chandigarh, October 01

 Punjab New and Renewable Energy Sources Minister Mr. Aman Arora has sought Central Financial Assistance (CFA) for solarisation of agriculture pump sets up to 15 horse power (HP) capacity on the pattern of North East and Hilly states so that maximum pumps can be solarised in the State. This assistance is given under PM-KUSUM Scheme.In a letter written to Mr. RK Singh, Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy (GoI), Punjab Cabinet Minister raised the issue of keeping Punjab out from the ambit of the Scheme. He said that the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy has made a provision for providing CFA to the farmers of North East and Hilly States for their pumps up to 15HP capacity on 01.08.2022. But, this facility is available only for up to 7.5HP agri-pumps in Punjab.“Punjab was the pioneer state in the green revolution which is rightly known as the food bowl of India. Thus, farmers of the state also need hand-holding of the Centre Government and they also deserve to avail the benefits of the scheme. Punjab is predominantly an agrarian State, and around 14 lakh electric motor pumps and 1.50 lakh diesel pump sets are being utilized for irrigation in the State”, said Mr. Aman Arora.  The Minister said that the capacity of majority pumps ranges from 10HP to 15HP in the state. The cost to solarise these pumps would be very high and out of the reach of the farmers, hence in order to bring the cost of these pumps in the ambit of the farmers, the CFA is required to be provided for higher capacity pumps.In the letter, he mentioned that the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) has been providing 30% CFA for solarisation of agriculture pump sets of capacity up to 7.5HP under Component-B & C of PM-KUSUM Scheme. The MNRE has allocated targets for solarisation of 50,000 off grid solar pumps under Component-B and 1.25 lakh electric motor pump sets under Component-C to the State of Punjab, for which the Central Financial Assistance for agriculture pumps up to 15 HP should be extended for Punjab as well, he added.

Chandigarh, Punjab

To overcome ‘isolation’ amongst elderly, ‘Pind di Satth’ concept to be replicated in urban areas of state: Social Security Minister Dr Baljit Kaur

Leave a comment

IEP Ludhiana/Chandigarh, October 1

 Punjab Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr Baljit Kaur on Friday advocated the need of teaching the children to have respect for the elders, in the schools.Dr Baljit Kaur, who was presiding over state-level function to celebrate International Elderly Day at Guru Nanak Bhawan, said that awareness must be created among school students on how to honour and respect the elders in the families besides parents must also impart social and family values to them so that they could spend quality time with the elders in families which was now invisible. She said that loneliness was considered a silent killer of the elderly and this must be eliminated promptly by bridging the gap between young and elderly people. She said that elders had the treasure of experiences and if the children will live with them, they will be able to have knowledge of culture, good qualities and habits and other social issues.The Minister said that the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government had been taking every possible step for the welfare of elderly and added the concept of ‘Pind di Satth’ will be replicated in the urban areas also so that elderly people can gather there and hold discussions daily to overcome ‘isolation’.Kaur said that Mansa and Barnala districts will have new old-age homes as soon as the construction work has already been started. Besides, 10 districts will also get new buildings for old-age homes in the state for which the budget has also been approved. She said that the government was committed to provide a better life of elderly people in the state and added the old-age pension system has been completely made effective and transparent.Meanwhile Director Madhavi Kataria said that to address the grievances of the elderly at a faster pace, the government had launched a toll-free helpline number 14567 for them and ensured quick services and facilities to the elderly by serving them through the helpline. She also urged them to avail maximum benefit of the helpline whenever they face any difficulty in life.Earlier upon her arrival in Ludhiana for the first time, the Cabinet Minister was also accorded guard of honour by the Commissionerate Police.Prominent among present on the occasion included MLA Hardeep Singh Mundian, AAP district president Harbhupinder Singh Dharaur, senior AAP leader Master Hari Singh, DC Surabhi Malik, CP Dr Kaustubh Sharma, ADC (Rural Development) Amit Kumar Panchal and others. 

Chandigarh, Punjab

VIGILANCE ARRESTS FORMER PRESIDENT MC SUNAM FOR MISAPPROPRIATION OF FUNDS

Leave a comment

IEP Chandigarh September 28

The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB), during its ongoing campaign against corruption in the state, on Tuesday arrested Baghirath Rai, former president of Municipal Committee Sunam, Sangrur district on the charges of embezzlement in the government funds.

          Disclosing this here today a pokesperson of the VB said the Bureau has conducted a through probe into the misappropriation of funds in the MC Sunam. During the investigation it was found that Baghirath Rai prepared fake bills pertaining to repair of his official vehicle. In addition to this he had not properly implemented the prescribed advertisement policy in the MC as instructed by the state government during his tenure for two times thereby caused a financial loss of about Rs 4 lakh to the state exchequer.

          The spokesperson further added that in this regard a case under Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered at VB Police Station Patiala and further investigation is under progress.

Chandigarh, Punjab

CM URGES GOI FOR MORE INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS FROM

Leave a comment

IEP Chandigarh, September 28 

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann today urged the Government of India to start more international flights from Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport to facilitate the Punjabi diaspora across the globe. The Chief Minister, while addressing a function to rename the airport here today, urged the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to flag this issue with the Prime Minister and her counterpart in Civil Aviation. He said that today is the 115th birth anniversary of Shaheed Bhagat Singh and this day has been made memorable with the decision to name airport after the legendary martyr. Bhagwant Mann said that the Union government must start more flights from this airport. The Chief Minister said that Punjab Diaspora from across the globe has been demanding such  flights to ensure air connectivity from the state to Canada, America, Australia and other parts of the world. He said that besides commuters from Punjab these flights will also benefit the commuters from Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu-Kashmir and other states. Bhagwant Mann said that the state government has made concerted efforts for renaming this airport after name of Shaheed Bhagat Singh. The Chief Minister profusely thanked the Union government for naming the airport after Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh. Bhagwant Mann said that a long lending demand of the entire country has been filled adding that heart of every Countryman is filled with joy. Paying floral tributes to Shaheed Bhagat Singh, he said that the young martyr is remembered not only for his heroism but also for his philosophy of socialism and fight against injustice. The Chief Minister said that the life and philosophy of young martyr will always inspire the young generations to serve the country with patriotic zeal. He said that today is a red letter day in history of state as this airport has been named after the great son of soil. Bhagwant Mann said that the state government is making concerted efforts for realising the dream of Shaheed Bhagat Singh and no stone is being left unturned for this noble cause. Earlier, Union Finance Minister accompanied by Governor Punjab Banwari Lal Purohit, Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Union Minister General (Retired) VK Singh, Member Parliament Kirron Kher, Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala and Haryana Minister Anil Vij unveiled the plaque to name the airport after Shaheed Bhagat Singh.

Punjab

CM ANNOUNCES TO RESUME SHAHEED BHAGAT SINGH YOUTH AWARDS, SET UP CHAIR ON NAME OF LEGENDARY MARTYR

Leave a comment

IEP Khatkar Kalan (SBS Nagar), September 28

 In a big bonanza to people on birth anniversary of Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann today announced to resume Shaheed Bhagat Singh Yuva award and setting up of chair at Guru Nanak Dev university in name of legendary martyr. Addressing the gathering here during a state level function to mark birth anniversary of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, the Chief Minister said that the award will bestowed to 46 youth every year for their outstanding contribution in several fields. He said that the award winners will get cash money worth Rs 51,000 along with appreciation certificate. Bhagwant Mann bemoaned that this award was stopped around seven years back but will be resumed now. The Chief Minister further announced that the state government will set up a chair on name of Shaheed Bhagat Singh at Guru Nanak Dev university, Amritsar. He said that the chair will undertake extensive research on life and philosophy of Shaheed Bhagat Singh. Bhagwant Mann said that this will help in inspiring the coming generations for serving the country. The Chief Minister exhorted the people to vow that they will not leave the country in search of good fortunes. He said that all of us should pledge that we will improve the system by living here rather than fleeing away in search of green pastures. Bhagwant Mann assured the people that state government is committed for restoring the pristine glory of Punjab. The Chief Minister said that the dreams of Shaheed-e-Azam still remain unfulfilled as corruption, nepotism and poverty still rule the roost. He said that those who came into power after Britishers plundered the country more mercilessly than the foreigners. Bhagwant Mann said that he is peeved to hear when some people say that the rule of Britishers was better than this day adding that this notion needs to be changed The Chief Minister also called upon people to rise above the parochial consideration of caste, communalism and creed to make India number one. He said that it will be real tribute to Shaheed Bhagat Singh and other freedom fighters who had laid their lives at altar of motherland. Bhagwant Mann also called upon youth to come forward and carve out a country of Shaheed Bhagat Singh’s dream. The Chief Minister bemoaned that it is unfortunate that these days some people are raising questions of sacrifice of the martyrs. He said that no one has any right to pose question mark over the contribution of great martyrs for their motherland. Bhagwant Mann reminded the people that when our great national heroes and martyrs were waging war against the atrocious British regime some traitors were siding with the imperialist forces adding that no one remember such people now. The Chief Minister also announced that the state government will install a 5D statue  of Shaheed Bhagat Singh near the International Airport at Mohali. He said that the hi-tech statue will inspire the younger generations to serve the country zealously. Bhagwant Mann also asked the youth to read more and more books to update their knowledge to cope up with challenges being faced by the country. The Chief Minister said that while the 23 years old youth of today demands motorcycle from his parents, Shaheed Bhagat Singh had sought freedom for country from Britishers in same age. He said that youth should widen their prospective by reading more and more books. Bhagwant Mann said that it will help in fulfilling the dreams of legendary martyr. The Chief Minister also recalled that two days were most important in his life. He said that one was December 28 when Lok Sabha had paid tributes to chotta sahibzadas of Guru Gobind Singh on their martyrdom day after he had pursued the matter with then Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan and other was today as Mohali airport has been named after Shaheed Bhagat Singh. Bhagwant Mann said that both the days are of immense importance in his life. On the occasion, the Chief Minister also felicitated the descendants of Shaheed Bhagat Singh and Shaheed Sukhdev. On the occasion Cabinet Ministers Brahm Shankar Jimpa and AnmolGagan Mann, Deputy Speaker Punjab Vidhan Sabha Jai Krishan Singh Rori, MLAs Santosh Kataria and Jaswinder Singh Ramdass, Chairman Punjab Agro Mangal Singh and others. Prominent amongst others present on occasion included Chief Secretary Vijay Kumar Janjua, Special Principal Secretary to CM Ravi Bhagat, Additional Director General of Police PK Sinha, Commissioner Sumer Singh Gurjar, Inspector General of Police SPS Parmar, Deputy Commissioner Navjot Pal Randhawa and Senior Superintendent of Police Bhagirath Meena.  

Punjab

CM CALLS UPON YOUTH TO FOLLOW IDEALS OF SHAHEED BHAGAT SINGH

Leave a comment

IEP Hussainiwala, September 28

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann today called upon the youth of state to follow ideals of Shaheed Bhagat Singh to make Punjab a front runner state in the country.

The Chief Minister laid floral tributes to Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev here on Wednesday during which a contingent of Punjab Police gave guard of honour as a mark of respect.

The Chief Minister said that all of us have to make strenuous efforts to realise the dreams of martyrs. He said that it is the need of hour to restore the pristine glory of the state. Bhagwant Mann said that Shaheed Bhagat Singh was not only an individual but an institution adding that we must follow his footsteps for progress of country.

The Chief Minister said that the supreme sacrifice of Shaheed Bhagat Singh will ever inspire youth to serve the country. He said that apart from emancipating the country from foreign clutches Shaheed Bhagat Singh had also envisioned a corruption and poverty free India. However, Bhagwant Mann said that the country is still facing these problems.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister also announced to upgrade Shaheed Bhagat Singh State University. He said that new courses will be introduced in the university so that more and more jobs can be created for the youth. Bhagwant Mann said that this will prove to be boon for the youth of border district.

On this occasion, Cabinet Minister Fauza Singh Sarari, MLAs Ranbir Singh Bhullar, Rajnish Dahiya, Naresh Kataria, Jagdeep Goldi, Gurdit Singh Sekhon and Narinder Pal Sawna, Special Principal Secretary to CM Ravi Bhagat, Deputy Commissioner Ferozepur Amrit Singh, SSP Ferozepur Surinder Lamba and others were also present.

Chandigarh, Haryana

Haryana makes proper arrangements for hassle-free procurement of paddy, says chief secretary

Leave a comment

IEP Chandigarh, September 28

To ensure smooth, uninterrupted and hassle-free conduct of procurement operations of Kharif Marketing Season 2022-23, Haryana Government on Wednesday deputed Administrative Secretaries as the in-charges of all districts. These officers will personally visit the Mandis of the districts allotted to them and monitor all the preparations there and ensure complete control over all the procurement-related works.

A letter in this regard has been issued by Chief Secretary Sanjeev Kaushal on Wednesday.

The official spokesperson said that VS Kundu has been deputed as in-charge of Rewari.  SN Roy has been deputed as in-charge of Hisar. Dr Mahavir Singh has been deputed as in-charge of the Jhajjar. Sudhir Rajpal has been deputed as in-charge of Palwal. Dr Sumita Misra has been deputed as in charge of Ambala district. Ankur Gupta has been deputed as in-charge of Sonipat district.

Anurag Rastogi has been deputed as in-charge of Gurugram. RS Vundru has been deputed as in-charge of Mahendragarh district.  Anand Mohan Sharan has been deputed as in-charge of the Panchkula district.  Dr Ashok Khemka has been deputed as in-charge of Nuh district.

Vineet Garg has been deputed as in-charge of Fatehabad. Anil Malik has been deputed as in-charge of Faridabad district.  G Anupama has been deputed as in-charge of the Kurukshetra.

He further said that AK Singh has been deputed as in-charge of Panipat. Arun Kumar Gupta has been deputed as in-charge of Yamunanagar. Vijayendra Kumar has been deputed as in-charge of Sirsa district.

D Suresh has been deputed as in-charge of Charkhi Dadri. Rajeev Ranjan has been deputed as in-charge of Karnal. Pankaj Agarwal has been deputed as in-charge of the Bhiwani. Pankaj Yadav has been deputed as in-charge of the Kaithal. Vikas Gupta has been deputed as in-charge of Rohtak and Vijay Singh Dahiya has been deputed as in-charge of the Jind.

The in-charges will monitor whether the paddy conforming to specifications of the Government of India is purchased on MSP or not.  Further, in order to ensure space in the Mandi for the arrival of paddy, these in-charges will ensure the lifting of last year’s wheat before the Kharif marketing season 2022-23. The availability of moisture meters with the market committees and state procurement agencies will also be ensured by them.

        They will also ensure that the purchased paddy is lifted from the Mandis on day to day basis, so as to avoid any glut and make room for the fresh arrivals, he added.

        The in-charges will also check the H register of the previous 4-5 days to see whether all the arrivals have been recorded variety-wise and have been sold after cleaning.

        They will also check the moisture level of the paddy purchased and paddy ready to purchase so that any dispute between the farmers and the procurement agencies can be avoided. The in-charges will also ensure arrangements for ‘pucca phars’, electricity, drinking water and toilets, etc. in the Mandis.

        The Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board has installed dryers in the Mandis for the purchase of maize and the in-charges are required to check the operation of these dryers.

        Special control rooms will also be set up in the Mandis for redressal of farmers’ grievances. The State Government is committed to make payments to farmers in their accounts within 72 hours from the date of approval of the I-form.

Dehradun

SP chief Akhilesh Yadav to be re-elected as national president for third consecutive term

Leave a comment

IEP Dehradun September 28

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav is all set to be re-elected as the national president for the third consecutive term at the party’s national convention in Lucknow on Thursday. The meeting of the state executive of the party will be held on Wednesday. Party’s Uttar Pradesh unit chief Naresh Uttam Patel is also likely to retain his post, SP sources said. Akhilesh Yadav and Naresh Uttam were elected to the posts they are holding at the SP’s national convention in Agra on October 5, 2017. The first day session will commence at 10:15 am with the hoisting of the party flag by Akhilesh Yadav. Later, Yadav will deliver the inaugural address which will be followed by presentation of economic and political resolutions.

SP general secretary and returning officer Ram Gopal Yadav will complete the process of the election of party’s national president. The valedictory address will be delivered by Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday. Akhilesh had first taken over as SP’s national president after replacing his father Mulayam Singh Yadav in January, 2017.

Naresh Uttam Patel replaced Akhilesh’s uncle Shivpal Singh Yadav at the party’s emergency national convention held in January 2017 amidst the Yadav family feud. The SP organised another meeting of the national executive in Agra in October 2017 and Akhilesh was reelected as the party president while Naresh the state president.

During the Agra convention, the SP also amended its constitution and increased the term of the party president from three to five years. After the 2022 Uttar Pradesh Assembly poll results, Akhilesh had on July 3 dissolved the national and state executives of the party. The SP is currently busy with its membership drive. Akhilkesh on Tuesday accused the BJP of vitiating the political atmosphere of the country by pursuing divisive politics which only generates hate. He alleged that the BJP made an attempt to hijack the democratic process and values.

The SP chief alleged that the BJP government in UP had derailed the development process and development projects started during the Samajwadi Party government had been damaged.

Dehradun

Uttarakhand CM Dhami’s Delhi visit kicks off speculation on cabinet reshuffle

Leave a comment

IEP Dehradun September 28

The second visit to the national Capital by chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami in less than a week has sparked off speculation on a major reshuffle in the Uttarakhand cabinet. To add further momentum to the rumours making rounds in the political circles, the Vidhan Sabha speaker Ritu Khanduri also left for Delhi. However, her visit is said to be a personal one and is as per her earlier schedule.

Officially the CM would meet some Union ministers during his visit and would discuss issues related to the State in these meetings. However the political circles are abuzz with talk that a major reshuffle in the cabinet is on the cards in Uttarakhand and the CM would consult the party high command of the BJP on this issue. It is speculated that CM Dhami could expand and reshuffle his cabinet during the ongoing Navratri season which is considered auspicious.

The results of the three-tier Panchayat election in Haridwar would be declared on September 28 and the cabinet reshuffle can be done after this date. Incidentally, on his birthday, Dhami had hinted at the cabinet reshuffle by stating that everything happens on time in BJP and its number (cabinet) would come after the Panchayat election in Haridwar and organisational elections of the party. It is learnt that apart from filling three vacant berths of his cabinet, the CM on the insistence of party high command can drop a couple of ministers from his cabinet. The recent decision to remove 288 employees from Uttarakhand Vidhan Sabha by speaker Ritu Khanduri on the recommendation of a threemember committee which found gross irregularities in these appointments has added to the worries of the Finance minister Prem Chand Agarwal.

A total of 78 such appointments were made during the tenure of Agarwal as the Assembly speaker and he had consistently defended his decision by claiming that rules were followed in these appointments. Experts point out that Agarwal could lose his place in the cabinet on the insistence of the party high command. Apart from Agarwal, one minister who is not keeping a good health could also be removed from the cabinet.

 There are a host of aspirants for a place in the Dhami cabinet and the recent turn of events has made them hopeful. The names of Vikasnagar MLA Munna Singh Chauhan, former BJP State president Madan Kaushik, Dharmpur MLA Vinod Chamoli, Lansdowne MLA Dilip Rawat, Bhimtal MLA Ram Singh Kaida and BHEL Ranipur MLA Adesh Chauhan are some of the names which are making rounds as possible new faces in the Dhami cabinet.

Dehradun

45 new dengue cases reported in Dehradun, total rises to 716

Leave a comment


IEP Dehradun September 28

The increase in the cases of the dengue in Dehradun is continuing to create scare to the administration and general public. The state health department reported 45 new patients of dengue in Dehradun district. With it the patient count of dengue has jumped to 716 in Dehradun this season. The authorities have so far reported 995 cases of the disease in the State out of which 70 per cent cases are from Dehradun district.

The district vector borne diseases officer of Dehradun, Subhash Joshi said that the condition of all the patients is stable and they are recovering from the disease. Joshi said that Aedes mosquitoes – the vector of dengue- are capable of laying their eggs in one spoonful of water so the pots, vases, water bottles and coolers should be decanted. He said that anti dengue activities are in full swing in the affected and the sensitive areas of the district. Joshi informed that the health department with the help of ASHA workers has undertaken source reduction activity on a large scale in the city.