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Chandigarh, Haryana

Haryana to hold special programme on 25th January to celebrate 75 years of Constitution adoption

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Chandigarh, January 3

Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini has said that a special programme will be organized throughout the state on 25th January as part of the ongoing celebrations of 75 years of adoption of the Indian Constitution. The year-long celebrations had begun on November 26, which is celebrated as Constitution Day.

          While reviewing the preparations for the programme here today, Chief Secretary Dr. Vivek Joshi held a meeting with all Deputy Commissioners and Vice-Chancellors of state universities via video conferencing and directed them to organise events on the significance of the Constitution to create awareness in the society, especially among students. A special focus must be laid on highlighting the contribution made by members of the Constituent Assembly.

          The Chief Minister has desired that the Department of Information, Public Relations, Languages and Culture should publish a booklet on the events being conducted throughout the state, the Chief Secretary added.

          The Chief Secretary said the photographs and information about these events must be uploaded on the portal constitution75.com along with all other social media platforms, adding that the year-long celebrations will be done under the campaign tagline ‘Hamara Samvidhan, Hamara Swabhimaan’. He directed the Deputy Commissioners to chalk out the programme schedule for January 25 and coordinate with the respective universities for successful organisation of the event.

          During the meeting, the Deputy Commissioners and Vice-Chancellors underlined the initiatives and events being planned in their respective districts and universities to celebrate 75 years of adoption of the Constitution. Mass reading of the Preamble, wall paintings, debates, declamation contests, quizzes, guest lectures, seminars, street plays, slogan-writing and moot courts etc will be organised in schools and colleges to create awareness on the ideals of the Constitution.

          Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Sh. Arun Kumar Gupta; Commissioner & Secretary, Information, Public Relations, Languages and Culture, Sh. Amit Kumar Agrawal; DG, Information, Public Relations, Languages and Culture, Sh. K. Makarand Pandurang; Special Secretary, Personnel, Training and Parliamentary Affairs, Sh. Aditya Dahiya, and other senior officers were present in the meeting.

Chandigarh, Haryana

Work on the International Horticulture Market in Ganaur will be completed soon:  CM Nayab Singh Saini

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Chandigarh, January 3

Haryana Chief Minister, Sh Nayab Singh Saini, while on his way from Bahadurgarh to Chandigarh, reached Gupti Dham in Ganaur, district Sonipat and took blessings of Gupti Sagar Ji Maharaj.

          While interacting with the media persons on this occasion, Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini stated that the state government is committed to advancing development projects. He added that the work on the International Horticulture Market in Ganaur is progressing rapidly and will be completed soon.

          He further mentioned that the metro project from Bawana to Kundli has been approved, and work on it has already begun. Regarding the Rapid Rail, he highlighted the heavy vehicle traffic on NH-44 and stated that the work on Rapid Metro from Delhi to Panipat will also commence soon. The Chief Minister stated that he is touring all assembly constituencies to thank the people of the state and added that he will visit Ganaur again. He also mentioned that he has instructed the officers to accelerate all development projects.

          MLA Ganaur Sh Devender Kadyan, MLA Kharkhoda Sh Pawan Kharkhoda and other dignitaries were also present on this occasion.

Chandigarh, Haryana

Conference Held Under the Chairmanship of DGP Shatrujeet Kapur to Control Cybercrime

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Chandigarh, January 3. A high-level conference was held today at the Haryana 112 Auditorium under the chairmanship of Haryana Director General of Police Shatrujeet Kapur. ASPs, DSPs, all 29 Cyber SHOs, and Cyber investigative Officers from across the state participated in this conference. Various technical aspects and best practices related to cybercrime control were discussed in detail.

While expressing his views at the conference, Director General of Police Shatrujeet Kapur said that commendable work has been done in Haryana regarding cybercrime. In August 2023, only 7% of the amount defrauded in cybercrime was held, which has now increased to 27%. The work done by Haryana Police to control cybercrime is being appreciated all over the country. Due to which, Union Home Minister Amit Shah was awarded the Best-1930 Cyber Team Award in September 2024. Today, the work done in Haryana regarding cybercrime is also being replicated by many states in india. Today, 15 nodal officers from 10 banks are working with the Haryana Police and now from next week, the nodal officers of SBI Bank will also work with the Haryana Police team. These bank officers work 24 hours with the Haryana Police team.

Mr. Kapur said that in the year 2023, Haryana Police had made about 1900 arrests, which increased to about 5156 in the year 2024. Thus, compared to the year 2023, Haryana Police made about three times more arrests in the year 2024. Similarly, in the year 2023, cyber frauds of about Rs. 602 crore were reported in Haryana, while this figure increased to Rs. 980 crore in 2024. In the year 2023, about Rs. 76 crore was saved from cybercriminals, while in 2024, about Rs. 268 crore was saved. He said that efforts should be made to arrest cybercriminals to control cybercrime and also give targets to their subordinate officers for this and fix the responsibility of negligent officers. He emphasized the arrest of cybercriminals.

Mr. Kapur said that to control cybercrime, we all will have to work under an effective action plan in one direction, only then the results will be even better. He said that cybercrime is a serious issue, to deal with which new challenges have to be faced every day. In such a situation, it is necessary that everyone is clear about their responsibilities and has no doubts about the work. He said that the purpose of the training program is to build capacity by improving our work process and work plan.

In the conference, SP Cyber Amit Dahiya explained in detail the methods adopted in digital arrest, investment scam by cybercriminals for cyber fraud and the cyber technical aspects of investigation. He gave information about the I4C coordination portal, Samanvaya portal, OSNIT tools, M Kavach mobile app, antivirus and other important aspects. In the conference, Mr. Dahiya also gave information about new RBI guidelines dated 19 November 2024 and social engineering crimes. Apart from this, information was also given on digital arrest, investment fraud, cryptocurrency fraud, international fraud calls, NCRP and coordination portal, establishing coordination with bank nodal officers, and many other subjects.

Additional Director General of Police Cyber, Mamta Singh, Additional Director General of Police ERS, Hardeep Doon and many other officers were present in the conference.

Chandigarh, Punjab

Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema Hands Over appointment letters to 8 newly recruited officials of Excise and Taxation

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Chandigarh, January 3

To strengthen the workforce of the Excise and Taxation department, Punjab Finance, Planning, Program Implementation, and Excise and Taxation Minister, Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema, handed over appointment letters to 8 newly recruited officials under the Ghar-Ghar Rojgar Yojana today. The newly appointed officials include 5 Excise and Tax Inspectors and 3 Clerks.

 Congratulating the newly appointed officials on their new roles, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema emphasized the crucial role the Excise and Tax Department plays in generating revenue for the state government.

Finance Minister exhorted the newly appointed officials to uphold the highest standards of integrity and diligence in their work, focusing on increasing revenue collection to fuel the state’s development.

The Finance Minister said that the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab  Government’s efforts to strengthen its workforce and providing maximum job opportunities to the youth will have a positive impact on Punjab’s overall development, paving the way for a brighter future for its citizens.

Chandigarh, Punjab

Union government’s river interlinking initiative needs reconsideration; Sandhwan warns of environmental impact

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Chandigarh, January 3

The river interlinking initiative proposed by the union government warrants comprehensive review and needs to be thoroughly examined, said Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan, while characterizing this initiative as an unprecedented intervention in natural systems. He cautioned that such projects could adversely impact agricultural productivity and disrupt monsoon patterns.

In an official statement released here today, S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently inaugurated the Ken-Betwa River Interlinking Project in Madhya Pradesh. Although the union government stated the objective of redistributing water resources to drought-prone regions, the Speaker said, scientific research indicates such interventions could significantly alter natural hydrological systems.

The Speaker expressed concerns that large-scale hydrological modifications could disrupt established monsoon patterns, potentially endangering agricultural sustainability and affecting multiple sectors nationwide. He advocated for prioritizing water conservation and recycling initiatives, asserting the critical need for implementing advanced water treatment and purification programs.

Notably, the Ken-Betwa Link Project is the inaugural project of 30 planned initiatives under the National Perspective Plan, orchestrated by the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti for water resource development and river connectivity. This project is supposed to channelize surplus water from Madhya Pradesh’s Ken river to Uttar Pradesh’s Betwa river, intended to enhance irrigation capabilities in the drought-susceptible Bundelkhand region.

Chandigarh, Haryana

Haryana ACB Arrests Superintending Officer(ASI incharge) for Accepting Bribe

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Chandigarh, January 3

The Gurugram team of the Haryana Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) today arrested Rajesh Kumar, a Superintending Officer(ASI Incharge) in the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, posted at the CGO Complex office in Faridabad, while accepting a bribe of Rs. 20,000. The accused had demanded the bribe from the complainant in exchange for filing a notice for the second phase of the inspection schedule of the annual survey of service sector industries and processing his return. A case has been registered against the accused in the Faridabad ACB and he has been arrested.

A government spokesperson said that the ACB Gurugram team had received a complaint in this regard. The complainant stated that the accused had issued two notices dated 16.12.2024 and 30.12.2024, requiring him to submit a return for the second phase of the inspection schedule under the annual survey of service sector industries. The accused had threatened the complainant that if he did not give him a bribe, he would be fined under the Statistics Collection Act. A plan was made to catch the accused while investigating the matter, and today, on January 3, 2025, the ACB team arrested the accused from the CGO Complex in Faridabad while accepting a bribe of Rs. 20,000. A thorough investigation is being carried out into the matter, keeping all aspects in mind. The entire action was carried out with complete transparency in the presence of witnesses. A case has been registered against the accused in the Faridabad ACB.

Appealing to the general public, the spokesperson of the Bureau said that if any Government officer or employee demands a bribe in lieu of performing government work, they should immediately inform the Haryana Anti-Corruption Bureau on the toll-free number -1800-180-2022 or 1064. Apart from this, you can also contact on WhatsApp number 9417891064.

Chandigarh, Punjab

CM SLAMS MODI GOVERNMENT FOR ANTI-FARMING STANCE

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Slamming Prime Minister Narendra Modi Union government for anti-farmers stance, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday unequivocally said that the state government will vehemently oppose any move of centre to once again pass anti-farmers draconian law through back door.

Interacting with the media here at his official residence, the Chief Minister said that from the last few  months farmers agitation is going at Shambhu and Khanori borders. He said that during last January and February farmers groups had detailed parleys with the centre government in which the state government acted as a bridge. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the demands of the farmers are primarily concerned with the Union government and Punjab has no role to play in it.

However, the Chief Minister said that it is unfortunate that after forming the government at centre, the Modi led government has not bothered to show any concern about the farmers. He said that now the union government is trying to bring back the black laws through the back door. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that all the demands of the farmers are related to the Union government but unfortunately the Modi government is apathetic towards it.

The Chief Minister said that the fast by farmers leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal is going on but the union government is giving cold shoulder to it whereas the state government has deployed more than 50 Doctors to take care of the health of farmers leader. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he had himself called Dallewal and urged him to end his fast but the Union government has not made any effort to assuage the sentiments of food growers. He said that the Union government wants Dallewal and farmers should be lifted from the protest site irrespective of the fact that they are not creating any law and order problem.

The Chief Minister said that he was surprised that the Union government is shying away from talking with the farmers and trying to put the onus on the state government. He said that instead of making any effort to redress the grievances of the farmers, the Union government is trying to fix the responsibility of the farmers. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that ironically rather than solving problems of farmers the Union government is again ready to implement the draconian laws.

The Chief Minister said that the state government will not support this move which is against the interests of Punjab and its farmers. He said that the state government is already implementing the orders of the Supreme Court to save precious lives of the farmers. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it is a paradoxical situation that the issues of farmers are concerned with the centre, Haryana is using force on farmers and Punjab is being made accountable for that.

The Chief Minister urged the farmers leader Dallewal to end his fast as his life was too important for the country and food growers. He said that the Union government is not making any efforts to even initiate dialogue with the farmers despite the enormous contribution of farmers of Punjab. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the centre should shun his haughty and apathetic approach and open talks with all the stakeholders.

The Chief Minister said that the centre has failed to provide DAP fertilizers to the farmers and rice from the state have not yet been lifted. However, he said that instead of solving these problems, the union government is creating a rift in the state, especially between farmers and the government which is intolerable. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that his government is giving highest SAP to sugarcane cultivators, efforts are being made to lift the water level in the state and others adding that more efforts are being made to make agriculture a profitable venture.

The Chief Minister said that Punjab neither needs air ambulance nor extra force to tackle farmers agitation but centre should open dialogue with all the stakeholders especially with farmers. He said that hard earned peace of the state should be maintained by all means adding that the centre should not stoop too low just to take advantage in Delhi assembly polls. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the union government is running away from solving this issue by holding parleys with the farmers.

The Chief Minister said that he is daily flagging off this issue with the union government but they are not heeding to any demand of the farmers. He said that agriculture is a state subject but the union government is trying to thrust its decision on the state which is unjustified. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it is a fact that the Modi government is habitual of using force to get its decision implemented adding that Modi has time to act as global leader but he doesn’t want to solve problems faced by the countrymen.

Chandigarh, Punjab

Vigilance Bureau registers corruption case against Senior Assistant for committing irregularities, plot scam in Improvement Trust

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The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its campaign against corruption, has registered a corruption case against Sanjeev Kalia, Senior Assistant, Improvement Trust, Jalandhar, (now posted at Hoshiarpur) for committing irregularities and purchasing a plot in the Improvement Trust, Jalandhar on wife’s name by misusing his position.

Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the VB said during the investigation of complaint number 75/2022, it was found that without receiving the non-construction fee of Rs. 14,35,350 from Devinderpal Kaur for plot number 828 in the Trust colony, the said Sanjeev Kalia, despite not being a dealing hand, had misused his position and wrote a letter dated 21.04.2010 to the halqa Patwari to report about the Khasra numbers of the said vacant plot. Later, the Patwari sent this report to the Superintendent (Sale), but Sanjeev Kalia again bypassed the Superintendent and directly got transferred the said plot in the name of Devinderpal Kaur from the then Chairman without receiving the non-construction fee of Rs. 14,35,350. Apart from this, the Trust in a letter dated 13/10/2016 issued a No Objection Certificate (NDC) in the name of plot owner Davinderpal Kaur, whereas she (Davinderpal Kaur) had died on 12/01/2015, due to which this NDC could not be issued.

He further revealed that during the probe, as per the statement given by Jatinder Singh, Executive Officer (EO), the NDC issued on 13.10.2016 does not have his signature, but the Trust has clarified through its official letter dated 11.10.2024 that this NDC was signed by Jatinder Singh, EO and the signature is similar to the signatures of this Officer put on the other files.

In addition to this irregularity, during the investigation it was also found that a 9 marla 147 sq ft land owned by Sohan Dei wife of Bhagwan Das was acquired by the Improvement Trust under the ‘110 Scheme’ Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar, Jalandhar in the year 1976 but no plot was allotted to Sohan Dei in return as per the policy of Trust. The aforementioned Sanjeev Kalia, being posted at the Trust, was aware that plot number 276 adjacent to his residential house in the trust’s 94.5 acre scheme Guru Gobind Singh Avenue is vacant, which could be allotted in the name of someone else under the Locally Displaced Persons (LDP) quota scheme. Therefore, he approached Sohan Dei through his acquaintances and gave him only Rs. 6,50,000 and appointed Deepak son of Sohan Lal, a resident of Satowali, Police Station Adampur, district Jalandhar as the power of attorney for Sohan Dei and got it registered in his name with Power of Attorney No. 275 dated 10.10.2011. After this, the said plot was allotted to wife of Sanjeev Kalia on the basis of Deepak’s power of attorney through letter No. 1202 dated 28.10.2011. The reserve price of this plot as per the said special quota under LDP was Rs. 31883 only and he deposited the same in the bank account of the Trust. After getting the registration of this plot in the name of Sohan Dei on dated 22.12.2011, the NDC of plot number 276 was obtained through letter number 3965 dated 05.03.2012.

The spokesperson further added that for this purpose, Sanjeev Kalia, by showing that he had paid Rs. 7,00,000 in cash to the said Deepak, on 03.02.2012 had appeared in person to got registered this plot in the name of his wife Upma Kalia at Rs. 21,74,000 as per the collector rate.

He added that it was also found that Sanjeev Kalia did not took approval from his department for purchasing the said plot and neither did he informed the department later. In this regard a case has been registered against the said accused under sections 420, 409 of the IPC and 13(1)A including 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act at Police Station Vigilance Bureau, Range Jalandhar. The accused Sanjeev Kalia would be arrested soon. Further investigation of this case is underway.

Chandigarh, Punjab

Budo Kai Do Mixed Martial Arts Federation of India felicitates winners of 6th National Sikh Games 2024

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Chandigarh, January 2, 2025

Under the leadership of Sharanjit Singh, President, Budo Kai Do Mixed Martial Arts Federation of India, a program was organized to conduct workshops for the players and felicitate the winners of 6th National Sikh Games 2024. Giving information during a press conference at Chandigarh Press Club, Sector 27, Chandigarh, Sharanjit Singh, President, Budo Kai Do Mixed Martial Arts Federation of India said that a special workshop was organized for the players in Chandigarh, in which martial arts enthusiasts participated.

He said that on this occasion, world renowned martial artist Soke Joachim Peters, Black Belt 10th Dan, who is President of W.B.K.F. The German mayor and former colonel, conducted a workshop and interactive session with the players.This special training lasted from 27 December to 2 January 2025, in which the players of the federation honed their techniques under the guidance of Soke Joachim Peters and were greatly inspired by his experience and expertise. On this occasion, world-renowned martial artist Soke Joachim Peters said that such training camps should be organized for children fond of martial arts. He said that he enjoyed training the players of Budo Kai Do Mixed Martial Arts Federation of India. He expressed his desire to come here again for such a training workshop.

In this workshop, the players of Budo Kai Do Mixed Martial Arts Federation of India honed their techniques under his guidance. The players were extremely inspired by his experience and expertise.

He said that the winners of the 6th National Sikh Games 2024 were also felicitated during the event. He said that the 6th National Sikh Games 2024 were dedicated to the four Sahibzadas.

On this occasion, medal winners Ekamveer Singh, Kush Agnihotri, Harnek Singh, Kartik Malik, Jeet Singh, Garvita Kaushal and Neha were felicitated. On this occasion, Kush Agnihotri was also given a cheque of Rs 2,00,000 for his exceptional achievements. On this occasion, coaches Ravinder Pal Sharma, Harpreet Kaur, Manish Sharma, Madan Lal, Mohan Lal and Manjeet Sharma congratulated and wished all the winning players.

The Federation President congratulated all the players for their outstanding achievements and performance.

This event proved to be another important step for the Budo Kai Do Mixed Martial Arts Federation of India, which is committed to promoting martial arts and encouraging talent across the country.

Chandigarh, Haryana

Vigilance Bureau nabs 173 persons red handed taking bribes in 134 traps during 2024 : Varinder Kumar

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Aiming to weed out corruption from the society, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) adopted a multi-facet approach to corner the bribe seekers and to generate awareness among the public with a resolute stand to curb this social malady. During the period the VB has apprehended 173 persons red handed taking bribes in different cases.

Disclosing this here today, VB Chief Director-cum-Special DGP Varinder Kumar, said the VB has been able to nab 139 officials of different departments and 34 private persons while accepting bribes in 134 trap cases during the year 2024. Adopting a zero tolerance policy towards all forms of corruption, the Bureau had nabbed 10 gazetted officers (GOs) and 129 non-gazetted officials (NGOs) from January 1 to December 31, 2024.

VB Chief revealed that during the year, apart from other departments, 53 personnel of Punjab Police, 33 of Revenue Department, 9 of Power, 3 of Panchayats and Rural Development, 8 of Health department, 18 of Local Bodies department, 3 of Food & Civil Supply department were nabbed red handed while taking bribes in separate cases. In addition to this, the VB has apprehended two employees each of Forest department, Labour, Finance and Transport department in graft cases.

Giving more details about the performance of the Bureau he added that the VB had registered 124 criminal cases against the accused in which include 29 GOs, 117 NGOs and 117 private persons. Apart from this, 60 Vigilance Enquiries had also been registered to probe corruption complaints against 26 GOs, 27 NGOs and 7 private persons. Besides, 3 cases of disproportionate assets were also registered against 3 NGOs.

In addition, 1 Gazetted officer and 1 Non Gazetted Officer has been dismissed from their services by their respective administrative departments due to conviction by the competent courts while deciding the VB cases. He further revealed that the Bureau had been able to conclude 71 Vigilance Enquiries during the year. .

Sharing details, DGP VB said various competent courts have sentenced 50 accused in 41 cases filed and contested by the Bureau under prevention of corruption act which includes 3 GOs, 31 NGOs and 16 private persons and awarded imprisonments ranging from one year to seven years. The courts have also imposed fines varying from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 5,00,000 in these cases which amount to a total sum of Rs. 22,42,000, he added.

The VB has effectively implemented awareness campaigns during Vigilance Awareness Week in which seminars and public meetings were held in urban as well as in rural areas to weed corruption from the society and integrity pledges was also administered to all the officers and employees of the bureau,” he added.

He further informed that prominent persons have been booked/arrested in corruption cases during the last year included I.A.S officer Vinay Biblani, P.C.S officer Harpreet Singh Assistant Labour Commissioner Hoshiarpur, A.C.P Nirdesh Kaur Ludhiana, executive engineers Ranbir Singh and Rajinder Singh, DCFA Pankaj Garg, C.T.P. Pankaj Bawa, Jarnail Singh Bajwa, of Bajwa Developers Mohali and Medical Officer Dr. Narinder Pal Singh. In addition this, Gurmukh Singh, Sarbjit Singh and Kulwinder Singh all BDPOs, posted at Ludhiana, Ferozpur and Mohali respectively, Baldev Raj DFSO, Tehsildar Sukhchain Singh and Lakhwinder Singh, Deepak Kumar Singal of Deepak Builders, Arvinder Singh Chief Engineer, Paramjit Singh and Sarbraj Kumar both Executive Engineers were also arrested/booked during the year.