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

51 lakh electricity consumers will get zero  bills from September 1: CM

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IEP CHANDIGARH AUGUST 12, 2022

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday said that  51 lakh households of Punjab can look forward to getting zero electricity bills from September 1st.

After dedicating 66KV Butaari-Beas line to the people, the Chief minister said that in a path breaking initiative the Aam Aadmi government in the state has provided 600 units of free power per billing cycle to every section of society. He said that due to this unprecedented pro-people initiative 51 lakh households out of total 74 lakh will get zero electricity bill in the coming month of September. Likewise, Bhagwant Mann said that 68 lakh household will get zero power bill in January, which will be roughly 90% of the total households of the state.     

The Chief Minister said that for the first time in history of state farmers have got regular, uninterrupted and surplus power. Bhagwant Mann said that neither there was any power cut for farmers nor for others

The Chief Minister said that the state government is taking path breaking initiatives for the progress of state and welfare of people. He said that this important line that will regularly illuminate 70 villages of the border districts have been hanging in fire since last one decade. However, Bhagwant Mann said that after assuming the charge of office he had asked the officers to ensure that all such projects are completed at the earliest.

The Chief Minister said that the total expenditure incurred on the project has been Rs 4.40 crore. He said that the project will benefit more than 2 lakh consumers who will no longer have to unscheduled face power cuts or overloading. Bhagwant Mann said that four power stations viz. 66KV Lidhar, 66 KV Beas, 66 KV Butaala and 66 KV Sathiala are connected with it.

Chandigarh, Haryana

Central Industrial Security Force unit conducts ‘Tiranga Yatra’

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IEP CHANDIGARH AUGUST 12, 2022

The officers and jawans of the Industrial Security Forces working in the Punjab and Haryana Civil Secretariat conducted the Tiranga Yatra under the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga Yatra’ campaign. Chief Commandant of Central Industrial Security Force Unit, Sh. Yogesh Prakash Singh inaugurated the Tiranga Yatra.

During the ‘Tiranga Yatra’, people were inspired and made aware to hoist the tricolor at every home. The youth was filled with enthusiasm and spirit of patriotism. The Tiranga Yatra was carried out from Punjab and Haryana Civil Secretariat to Khuda Alisher village, Chandigarh. The tricolor is a symbol of pride and honor of our country. People will actively participate in the government’s ‘Har Ghar Tiranga Yatra’ campaign from 13 to 15 August.

Chandigarh, Haryana

MHA awards 4 Haryana cops with ‘Union Home Minister’s Medal for excellence in investigation

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IEP CHANDIGARH AUGUST 12, 2022

Four police officers and personnel of Haryana Police have been chosen for the ‘Union Home Minister’s Medal for Excellence in Investigation’ for the year 2022.

Sharing the information here today, the Haryana Police spokesperson informed that Sh Basant Kumar Inspector, Smt Suman Devi Sub Inspector, Sh Yogesh Kumar Sub Inspector and Gopal Chand Head Constable are among the 151 awardees selected from across the country this year.

While congratulating all the police officers and personnel, the Director General of Police (DGP), Haryana, Sh. P.K. Agrawal said that it is a matter of great pride for the entire Haryana Police that four of its officials had been selected for this prestigious honour. He also wished them more success and recognition in the future.

The Police officers/officials decorated with prestigious awards will receive the honour in recognition of their outstanding contribution in the field of investigation through scientific probes that led to the cracking of cases, he added.

Established in 2018, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs has instituted this award with the objective to promote high professional standards of investigation of crime and to recognize such excellence in investigation by investigating officers.

Chandigarh, Punjab

GoM DIRECTS TO PROCURE 3.33 LAKH MORE DOSES OF GOAT POX VACCINE TO PREVENT LUMPY SKIN DISEASE

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IEP CHANDIGARH AUGUST 12, 2022

The Group of Ministers (GoM) formed by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann for effective monitoring for the prevention of lumpy skin disease in the state, has directed to procure 3.33 lakh more doses of Goat Pox vaccine for the prevention of lumpy skin.

During a meeting here at Punjab Bhawan today, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and Animal Husbandry Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar directed that 3.33 lakh more doses should immediately be ordered from approved veterinary research institutes and distributed to all the districts so as to ensure no hindrance in vaccination drive.

“The Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is personally monitoring the situation and daily taking report of the ongoing relief operations in the state” they apprised.

While reviewing the vaccination drive, the Ministers directed that vaccination should be intensified and the target should be doubled to 50,000 per day besides ensuring that vaccination is being done free of cost. They said that so far more than 1.30 lakh cattle have been vaccinated in the state.

GoM Committee Members Principal Secretary Animal Husbandry Vikas Pratap, Finance Commissioner Rural Development K. Siva Prasad and Director Animal Husbandry Dr.  Sanjeev Goel was present in the meeting, while Dr. SPS Ghuman, Dean of Veterinary Science College and Dr. SS  Randhawa, Director Clinics, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana attended meeting through video conferencing.

The Cabinet Ministers directed the senior officials of the concerned departments to issue instructions to the district officials for providing calcium, vitamins and other necessary medicines for the animals of the state.  And, ensure that the guidelines regarding prohibition of entry of livestock from other states into Punjab and holding of animal fair should be followed in letter and spirit, till the disease is contained. The Ministers also reviewed the activities related to spraying of mosquito repellent in the state.

The Cabinet Ministers said that to shun the practice of throwing carcasses of dead animals in the open, the government has issued funds to the BDPOs besides directing them to arrange JCB to ensure burial of dead cattle and remain in touch with sarpanchs of villages. The ministers also urged farmers not to throw the dead animals in the open.

Rejecting the rumors about not consuming the milk of the affected animals, the Animal Husbandry Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar said that this disease does not affect the human body if the milk is well boiled.

He said that the Punjab government stands shoulder to shoulder with farmers in this crisis and committed to provide all possible help to prevent this disease.

Chandigarh, Punjab

Water Resources Minister urges people not to dispose of carcasses in any waterbody

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IEP CHANDIGARH AUGUST 12, 2022

Punjab Water Resources Minister  Harjot Singh Bains today urged livestock farmers and general public of the state not to dispose of carcasses of dead animals in any waterbody.

In a statement issued here today, Mr Bains said that it has come to his notice that some people are disposing of carcasses of cattles killed by lumpy skin disease in Waterbodies and 5 dead cattles has been found floating in Kotbhai tributary near Mahima Bhagwana village in Bathinda.

 Urging the people to bury the animals killed by Lumpy Skin Disease by digging a deep pit, the minister said that carcasses should be disposed of as per the instructions issued by the Animal Husbandry Department. 

This trend should be stopped immediately as it can aggravate the situation further, said Mr Bains .

On the instructions of the Minister of Water Resources, the Principal Secretary of the Department has issued a letter to the Deputy Commissioner, Bathinda, asking that necessary steps should be taken to prevent animals killed by Lumpy Skin Disease from being disposing of into the waterbodies if found anyone doing so a necessary action should be taken.

Chandigarh, Punjab

Punjab CM orders stern action against educational institutes withholding degree of SC students

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IEP CHANDIGARH AUGUST 11, 2022

Underlining that the funds under Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme is an issue between the Government and the institutes but not the students, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday directed that severest of severe action must be taken against educational institutes withholding the degree of Scheduled Caste (SC) students on the pretext of the scholarship scheme.

Mann, in a major relief to the students belonging to the Schedule Caste (SC) category, directed, “Take severest of severe action against educational institutions indulging in such tantrums to ruin the future of SC students and ensure that degree of not even a single student is withheld by any educational institute.”

The Chief Minister, chairing a meeting of the Social Justice and Empowerment Department, unequivocally said that the payment of funds under the scheme is a matter between the State Government and the educational institutions. “The students from the underprivileged and weaker sections of society have nothing to do with this and they should not suffer at any cost…The educational institutes have no right to withhold the degrees of the students and ruin their career,” he said.

Mann categorically said that it is a cynical move on the part of educational institutions to act in such a shameful manner. “It also reflects the myopic mindset of some educational institutions which are trying to create barriers in the way of SC students,” he said, adding that stern action should be taken against erring educational institutes resorting to such tactics.

Chandigarh, Punjab

Punjab CM accepts resignation of Baba Farid medical varsity VC

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IEP CHANDIGARH AUGUST 11, 2022

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has accepted the resignation of Dr Raj Bahadur, the vice-chancellor of Baba Farid University of Health Sciences who was allegedly forced to lie on a dirty mattress at a hospital by the state’s health minister during an inspection.

The state government has given the charge of the university VC to the director, medical education. The CM after accepting the resignation forwarded it to the Punjab governor. Dr Raj Bahadur had tendered his resignation after he felt ”humiliated” at the hands of Health Minister Chetan Singh Jouramajra.

It happened last month when Jouramajra was on an inspection to Faridkot’s Guru Gobind Singh Medical College and Hospital, which comes under the university.

A video clip of the incident that circulated on social media had shown Jouramajra placing a hand on the veteran surgeon’s shoulder as he pointed towards the ”damaged and dirty condition” of a mattress at the hospital. The minister was then seen allegedly forcing Dr Bahadur to lie down on the same mattress.

After the incident, Dr Bahadur had conveyed to the Punjab chief minister the ”humiliation” and requested that he be relieved from service as the work environment was not conducive. The incident had triggered an outrage and various doctors’ bodies, including the Indian Medical Association, flayed the health minister over his behaviour and demanded his dismissal from the state Cabinet.

Dehradun

Misuse of the Dowry Prohibition Ac

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IEP DEHRADUN AUGUST 11, 2022

DOWRY PROHIBHITION ACT 1961

Dowry refers to the money and property given by the bride’s family to the groom’s family on the occasion of their marriage. The Dowry Prohibition act was passed on May 1stin the year 1961which made the receiving and giving of dowry illegal in India. It is applicable to every individual irrespective of their caste and religion. Violation of the act is punishable with imprisonment not less than 6 months but which can be extended for life depending on the nature of the crime. An additional fine of rupees 10,000 is also charged. In the year 1983the law was amended to add section 304B and 498A of the Indian penal code in its framework to make it easier for a wife/bride to file a complaint and seek redressal.Sec304B deals with the laws related to the death of a woman within 7 years of marriage. While sec 498B is related to cruelty (mental and physical) subjected upon a woman.

Dowry was and still is the bone of contention for the death of various women in India and the act was passed to ensure the safety of women from being subjected to various offences like cruelty , torture etc which are mainly committed  due to a dispute on dowry. The act has been amended various times but still the violence related to it is prevalent and now there is another challenge on the rise that is the misuse of dowry act by the women for egocentric purposes.

CAUSES FOR THE MISUSE OF THE DOWRY ACT

There are various causes for the misuse of the act but first and foremost, it is because the laws are stringent in nature. It is a non bailable and non compoundable offence making it onerous for the accused and his family to get bail. Due to such strict framework of this act the women have started misusing it to a great extent for malicious and other purposes. Further, the laws are clearly victim biased; the universally followed doctrine of innocent until proven guilty is reversed in the case of the dowry act .Here the accused is considered to be guilty until proven innocent. The major reason for the misuse is to attain monetary benefit from the spouse and his family such as properties, huge amounts of cash , etc. In India out of 4,66,079 cases that were pending in the beginning of the year 2013 ,only 7,528 were convicted while 38,165 were acquitted and 8,218 were withdrawn. Every year 90,000 -1,00,000 dowry cases are filed and a huge proportion of them turns out to be false which makes the law one of the most abused laws in the country. In the year 2011 a trial court termed the misuse of the act as legal terrorism.

CASES RELATED TO THE MISUSE OF THE DOWRY ACT

The Nisha Sharma dowry case was a landmark anti dowry lawsuit and it showcased how the various laws under the dowry prohibition act can be misused. It started in the year 2003 and continued till 2012.Nisha accused her fiancé  Munish Dalal of demanding dowry and the case was covered by Indian as well as International media. In the year 2012 the court acquitted all the accused. It was found that and all the allegations against the accused were false and Nisha misused the law to avoid getting married to her fiancé. Another lawsuit Ansh Kumar Vs The State Of Bihar was a landmark judgement where the court stated that sec 498A was a deadly weapon in the hands of the disgruntled wives and led to the conviction of innocent people without any evidence which was due to the non – bailable framework of the law.

IMPACT OF THE FALSE ALLEGATIONS ON THE VICTIM

The men and their family have to bear with various consequences as a result of the injustice done to them. A complaint by the wife/ bride grants the right to the police to arrest the accused without a warrant. They are then tortured and harassed by the police which further  leads to mental trauma and humiliation.Majority of the times the accused and his family commit suicide because of the social stigma . To add on, the respondent suffers huge financial losses and false conviction also negatively affects their career and reputation. A huge financial and mental strain is developed on the accused and their families.

CONCLUSION

In the previous judgements the Supreme court has stated that the provisions of the dowry act needs to be re- examined. While in the past years every case that resulted in a conviction, five other cases resulted in an acquittal and one case was withdrawn with the result being that only one out of seven cases resulted in a conviction. Hence the government should work on possible ways to safeguard the rights of both men and women and conduct a preliminary inquiry before making arrests to curb the misuse of the act. It was passed to act as a shield for the women but instead is being used as a weapon by them. (The writer is Riya Bhatia, student of THE Montessari School, Uttarakhand)

Chandigarh, Punjab

1.67 LAKH MORE DOSES OF GOAT POX VACCINE TO REACH PUNJAB BY TOMORROW MORNING: LALJIT SINGH BHULLAR

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IEP CHANDIGARH AUGUST 8, 2022

Punjab Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Dairy Development Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar, on Monday, affirmed that second consignment of 1.67 lakh more doses of Goat Pox vaccine will reach Punjab tomorrow morning i.e. August 9, 2022.

“Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led government was making all-out efforts to save cattle from lumpy skin disease, said the cabinet Minister, adding that this vaccine, certified by the Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izat Nagar (Uttar Pradesh), is being air-lifted from Ahmedabad, which will reach Chandigarh by the morning of August 9. He said that senior officials of the department have already been instructed to deliver it well before the same day evening to all the districts and disease-affected areas of the state so that healthy cattle can be protected in advance from the infection.

Pertinently, the government has distributed more than 66k doses of Goat Pox vaccine in all the districts, which is being administered to healthy animals free of cost.

Chandigarh, Punjab

Chief Secretary directs all departments to ensure necessary arrangements to address water and air pollution issues

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IEP CHANDIGARH AUGUST 8, 2022

Punjab Chief Secretary Vijay Kumar Janjua today directed all departments concerned with controlling water & air pollution to work on a war footing in order to make Punjab and its rivers and streams pure and clean.

Reiterating the commitment of chief minister Bhagwant Mann to make a pollution free environment in the state, the Chief Secretary reviewed the discharge of sewage and effluents and disposal of solid and plastic waste in the state.  

While reviewing the water pollution of rivers due to discharge of sewage and effluents, the Local Government Department apprised that out of 111 STPs of about 785 MLD capacity proposed to be set up in the State, the work in 53 STPs (617.5 MLD) is already in progress. All the 111 STPs are likely to be made functional by December 31, 2023 and the State would be able to achieve the desired quality in the rivers. As far as pollution of river Sutlej is concerned, the 2 STPs at Jamalpur (225 MLD) & Balloke (60 MLD) are likely to be completed by March 31, 2023. Further, the Common Effluent Treatment Plants of 40 MLD & 50 MLD capacity for the treatment of Textile Dying Effluents at Ludhiana have already been commissioned.

Regarding the treatment of Dairy Effluents in Ludhiana, the work for setting up of the Compressed Bio Gas Plant to treat 300 Tons/day of Cow dung has been awarded. Further, there is a plan to set up one more Bio Gas Plant at Haibowal Dairy Complex which will handle around 200 Tons/day of Cow dung.Further, regarding the treatment of Liquid Waste being generated from Tajpur & Haibowal Dairy Complexes, the work on setting up of 2 ETPs is under progress and is likely to be completed by March 31, 2023.

In the meeting Rural Development & Panchayats Department informed the Committee that the work of rejuvenation of ponds has been completed in 860 villages and is under progress in 515 villages. 

The Chief Secretary was appraised by PPCB  that the State is strictly enforcing the ban on Single use plastic items as per the directions of Ministry of Environment Forest & Climate Change, Govt. of India. A State Level function had also been organized under the guidance of Chief Minister and Science Technology & Environment Minister on August 5, 2022 for creating awareness among public. 

The Chief Secretary was also apprised that Solid Waste Management, door to door collection and segregation of waste at source has been started. Further, around 8250 compost pits have been constructed for the management of wet waste and 266 material recovery facilities have been set up for the management of dry waste.

Regarding the Bio-remediation of old dump sites, it was informed that the work in 114 ULBs is to be completed by December 31, 2022, 32 ULBs by March 31, 2023 & 2 ULBs by March 31, 2024. The Local Government department has also set up micro units in 139 ULBs for the processing of construction and demolition waste. A 60 TPD Plant has also been commissioned at MC, Jalandhar.

Prominent among others who were present in the meeting included Financial Commissioner Rural Development K. Siva Prasad, Principal Secretary Housing & Urban Development Ajoy Kumar Sinha, Principal Secretary Local Government Vivek Pratap Singh, Secretary Environment Rahul Tiwari, Chairman Punjab Pollution Control Board Dr. Adarsh Pal Vig, CEO Punjab Water Supply & Sewerage Board Varinder Kumar Sharma, CEO PMIDC Isha Kalia, CEO PEDA Sumeet Jarangal, Director Environment Manish Kumar.