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.

PUNJAB BETS ON GOVT JOBS, SKILL DEVELOPMENT TO STOP BRAIN DRAIN

Responding to Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann’s clarion call to stop the brain drain and turn the youth into job creators rather than job seekers, Punjab Government has not just provided around fifty thousand regular jobs in the various departments of the state government but also walked an extra mile to make the state youth skilful, besides, helping them in starting their own ventures. 

Underlining the two years and 9 months achievements of the state government, Punjab Employment Generation, Skill Development and Training Minister Mr. Aman Arora said that as many as 49,949 government jobs have been provided to the youth in the first 33 months of its tenure, which is a record in itself. Apart from this, 2,65,430 candidates have also been provided assistance to get jobs in the private sector by organizing over 4,725 placement camps in the state. Punjab Skill Development Mission has given skill training to 64427 candidates through captive employers, Government as well as private skill training agencies in courses like automotive machine operator, fitter, advanced respiratory therapist, desludge operator, warehouse packer, general duty assistant, security guard, courier delivery executive, electrician, beauty therapist, CNC operator, solar panel technician etc followed by employment to 47,821 candidates.

He further informed that 8,56,874 candidates were given career guidance, 23,917 career talks were delivered in school colleges and conducting 1,373 self-employment camps, in which 1,77,049 applicants were given guidance for obtaining sanction for self-employment-loans, to encourage self-employment and entrepreneurship in the state.

Mr. Aman Arora informed that a total of 74 cadets of Maharaja Ranjit Singh Armed Forces Preparatory Institute, SAS Nagar (Mohali) have been commissioned as officers in Defence Services since the CM Mann led-Punjab Government has come into power. As many as 64 cadets have joined training academies and 12 cadets are awaiting call up letters. Cadet Armaanpreet Singh of 12th Course AFPI, stood 1st in the All-India Order of Merit and Cadet Keshav Singla secured 15th in the Order of Merit in the NDA -153 course was declassified on October 24 this year. The Technical Entry Scheme (TES)-52 Course merit list was declassified on November 7, in which Cadet Karman Singh Talwar of 12th Course AFPI, stood 2nd in the All-India Order of Merit.

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GIVING WINGS TO DREAMS OF PUNJAB GIRLS

In a yet another decision to empower women of the Punjab, CM S. Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government is all set to open a Centre for Training and Employment of Punjab Youth (C-PYTE) camp exclusively for girls at Kanjla in Kapurthala district. This camp will be run entirely by female staff.

Mr. Aman Arora said that the state Government took another path breaking decision by establishing an NDA Preparatory Wing at Mai Bhago Armed Forces Preparatory Institute, SAS Nagar in May 2023 for Punjab girls. The Institute has spurred greater representation of Punjab girls in the Defence Services as commissioned officers.

Recently, two Lady Cadets of Mai Bhago Armed Forces Preparatory Institute for Girls, have secured All India Rank 4th and 23rd in the Air Force Academy Merit List respectively. Six more Lady Cadets have been recommended for commission by the SSBs in the last two months. In 2024-25, the Institute has trained 90 Lady Cadets for NDA exam and SSB training, he added.

Rs 9.92 crore releases for Scheduled Caste students: Dr. Baljit Kaur

The Punjab government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is working diligently for the welfare of Scheduled Caste students. Continuing this commitment, the Punjab Government has released ₹9.92 crore to 1503 institutions in the state for students of classes 10+1 and 10+2 belonging to the Scheduled Caste category.

Sharing the details, Minister for Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities Dr. Baljit Kaur stated that ₹9.92 crore has been sanctioned for 1503 institutions. She also informed that ₹59.34 crore out of ₹92.00 crore allocated had already been released to 256 institutions and efforts are being expedited to clear the remaining payments to other institutions.

Dr. Baljit Kaur highlighted that under the Post Matric Scholarship Scheme for SC Students, ₹92.00 crore was allocated for fee payment (40%) for the academic years 2017-18 to 2019-20, benefiting students from Government institutions and Punjab students studying in institutions outside the state.

The minister appealed to parents to ensure the submission of income certificates so that students can maximize the benefits of this scheme.

She said that for the academic year 2024-25, the Punjab government has earmarked ₹245.00 crore under the Post Matric Scholarship Scheme for SC Students to provide financial assistance to students.

Dr. Baljit Kaur reiterated that the Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is not only striving for the welfare of all sections of society but is also committed to securing a bright future for students belonging to Scheduled Castes.

She further mentioned that financial aid is directly transferred to the beneficiaries’ bank accounts.

Major initiatives undertaken by Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs department in 2024 to ensure transparency in ration distribution: Lal Chand Kataruchak

The Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department had yet another successful year 2024 by undertaking several novel initiatives aimed at ensuring transparency in the functioning of the department. As many as 14420 E-PoS Kits including E-PoS devices and Iris scanners as well as Electronic Weighing Scales were purchased with a view to ensure hassle free distribution of the ration.

Disclosing this, the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Mr. Lal Chand Kataruchak said that the tenders have been allotted in order to ensure the proper maintenance of the E-PoS machines and the Electronic Weighing Scales for the period of 5 years. Now, an E-PoS kit has been provided at each of the ration depots besides making sure to install Electronic Weighing Scales at these depots.

He further said that in 2016, the margin money of the  depot holders was Rs. 50 per quintal which has been increased to Rs. 90 Per Quintal and the increase has been implemented from April 2024. As a result, Rs. 38.43 crore stands released in this regard, said the Minister adding that this step would benefit 14400 ration depot holders in the State.

Besides, the department ensured a successful Rabi season by procuring 124.57 Lakh Metric Tonne (LMT) wheat for the central pool and crediting a sum of Rs. 28, 340.95 Crore in the accounts of 9 lakh farmers. Similarly, during the Kharif season, the department procured 172.93 LMT of paddy and credited an amount of Rs. 40,119.76 Crore into the accounts of approximately 8 lakh farmers. Also, till September 2024, 44,20,826 Quintals of Wheat was disbursed free of cost to the beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).

Taking strong steps to protect the interests of consumers, the Legal Meteorology wing earned revenue of Rs. 18.64 Crore by initiating action against those violating the principle of selling the goods in correct weight and quantity. Further, the 100 percent Aadhar Saturation was achieved and as per the Aadhar Saturation report of the UIDAI Dated November 11th, 2024, the State of Punjab ranks 7th amongst the States/UTs of the entire country.

Hry Minister asks officers to expedite completion of Gredawari & assess crop damage caused by rain

Haryana Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Vipul Goel on Monday directed revenue officers to expedite the completion of the Gredawari (village land record) and assess the crop damage caused by the recent hail storms that affected various districts of the state. Emphasizing that no laxity would be tolerated in this regard, Goel also called for the urgent upgrading and enhancement of the fire and emergency services system in the state.

While reviewing the work of the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Goel focused on the timely and accurate assessment of the damage caused to crops by recent hailstorms. He directed that the Gredawari process be completed swiftly and that the revenue officers immediately begin evaluating the extent of crop losses across the affected districts.

Goel said that there would be no tolerance for delays or negligence in these critical tasks. He stressed the importance of ensuring that farmers who have suffered losses due to the hailstorms receive timely compensation and support from the state government.

In the meeting, Goel emphasized the pressing need for the state’s fire and emergency services system to be upgraded to meet modern standards. Highlighting the critical importance of having an efficient and well-equipped emergency response system, the Minister underscored the need for these services to be equipped with the latest technology, advanced training, and adequate resources.

He pointed out that modernizing the fire and emergency services would lead to significant improvements in their efficiency, safety, and timely response during emergency. This would ultimately help save lives, minimize property damage, and enhance the overall safety of the public.

Goel further directed the officers to conduct a thorough assessment of the current infrastructure of the fire and emergency services and devise a comprehensive plan to address existing gaps in the system. He also emphasized the importance of improving coordination among various departments involved in disaster management and emergency response to ensure a more integrated and streamlined approach to handling crises.

          The Minister reiterated that the Haryana Government remains committed to provide the best possible services to the public and that necessary steps would be taken to strengthen the state’s disaster management and emergency services infrastructure.

MCC decides to implement No work No pay against striking Door to Door waste collectors

Chandigarh, December 30

Taking strict note of Door to Door waste collectors joining strike, the Municipal Corporation Chandigarh has decided to implement the principle of ‘No work No Pay’. Accordingly, the Door to Door waste collectors who have participated in strike, their wages/ payment will be deducted for the days they will remain on strike including those who were on strike on 21.12.2024. 

Passing these orders here today, Municipal Commissioner Sh. Amit Kumar, IAS said that reportedly a section of Door to Door waste collectors have proceeded on strike, causing disruption to the essential services provided by the Municipal Corporation Chandigarh. Despite repeated appeals to return to work, the strike continues.

He said that the Municipal Corporation Chandigarh is committed to ensuring the uninterrupted delivery of essential services to the citizens. Alternative arrangements are being made to maintain the continuity of services.

Making an appeal to the striking employees, the Commissioner, asked them to reconsider their decision and return to work immediately. The Municipal Corporation Chandigarh is willing to engage in constructive dialogue to resolve the issues, but the strike must be called off first, he said.

The Commissioner appealed to the citizens of Chandigarh to hand over their waste separately directly in the waste collection vehicles till the strike is over.

Mahakumbh is eternal and collective proclamation of unity in the diversity of India: Lakshmi Narayan Chaudhary

Mohali, December 30

The Uttar Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, is dedicated to making Mahakumbh 2025 a global symbol of India’s cultural unity. As part of thisendeavor and vision, CabinetMinister, Sugarcane Development and Sugar Industry, Shri Laxmi Narayan Chaudhary, Shri Dharmveer Prajapati with Minister of State (Independent Charge), Home Guard and Civil Defence, and Minister of State, Agriculture,Agricultural Education, Agricultural Research, Shri Baldev Singh Olakhled a grand roadshow in Mohali. They highlighted the Mahakumbh as a uniquecelebration of unity within India’s diversity and extended an invitation to theHon’ble Governor of Punjab, Shri Gulab Chand Kataria and the esteemed people ofPunjab to participate in the Prayagraj Mahakumbh-2025. Shri Lakshmi NarayanChaudhary emphasized that the government is taking significant steps to ensurethe event is historic, featuring international participation andstate-of-the-art facilities. Speaking to the media after the roadshow, hestated that the Mahakumbh embodies the spirit of India’s cultural and spiritualconsciousness and is a divine and vibrant representation of ‘Ek Bharat-Shreshth Bharat-Samaveshi Bharat (One India, Great India, Inclusive India)

.’Duringthe press conference, the Cabinet Minister reminded, “Many of you may havewitnessed the ‘divine and grand’ experience of the Prayagraj Kumbh in 2019,which became an indelible symbol of India’s cultural pride on the global stage.The world widely acknowledged the efficient management of the event.” Hefurther emphasized that this year’s Mahakumbh will surpass the previous one inboth grandeur and divine essence. Prayagraj Mahakumbh-2025 is expected towelcome over 450 million pilgrims, saints, ascetics, and tourists. Inpreparation, the Uttar Pradesh government has made meticulous and timelyarrangements. Duringhis address to the press, the Cabinet Minister Shri Lakshmi Narayan Chaudhary stated,”Under the inspiration and guidance of Honorable Prime Minister ShriNarendra Modi and the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Yogi Adityanath, theMahakumbh will take place in Prayagraj from January 13 to February 26, 2025, onthe sacred banks of the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers.Recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, theMahakumbh will once again be held on the holy land of Prayag after a gap of 12years.” Swachh,Swasth, Surakshit and Harit MahakumbhAddressing the media regarding thepreparations for the Mahakumbh, the Cabinet Minister Shri Lakshmi NarayanChaudhary informed, “It would be a clean, healthy, safe and digital  Mahakumbh. A pledge has been taken to makethe event environment friendly by declaring it a single-use plastic-freeMahakumbh. As part of this initiative, various shops of dona-pattal vendorswill be allocated within the Mela area, and meetings have been conducted withprincipals of 400 schools to discuss cleanliness and the initiative of a cleanMaha Kumbh is being communicated to 4 lakh children and 5 times the populationof Prayagraj.

Furthermore, under the ‘Har Ghar Dastak’ campaign, the message ofa single-use plastic-free environment is being delivered to every household.”Hehighlighted that special emphasis has been placed on making Mahakumbh Mela 2025both clean and green. Approximately three lakh plants have been cultivatedacross Prayagraj, with the Uttar Pradesh government pledging to ensure theircare and maintenance even after the conclusion of the Mela. Comprehensivehealthcare services for pilgrims, sadhus, saints, and touristsThe Cabinet Minister Shri Lakshmi NarayanChaudhary informed that the preparations for the Mahakumbh Mela are being madewith a focus on health and hygiene. This includes making healthcarearrangements for pilgrims, sadhus, saints, those observing Kalpwas at Mahakumbhand tourists. A large number of specialist doctors have been deployed. A100-bed hospital has been set up at the Parade Ground. Two more hospitals with20 beds each and smaller hospitals with 8 beds have also been prepared. Two10-bed ICUs have been set up by the Army Hospital at the Mela area and Arail.These hospitals will have doctors on duty 24 hours a day. In total, there willbe 291 MBBS doctors and specialists, 90 Ayurvedic and Unani specialists, and182 nursing staff. Moreover, separate wards for male, female and children havebeen set up in these hospitals. Delivery rooms, emergency wards and doctors’rooms will also be available. Devotees will also experience thedigital Mahakumbh – Cabinet Minister Shri Lakshmi Narayan Chaudhary Addressing the press, the Cabinet MinisterShri Lakshmi Narayan Chaudhary stated that the Uttar Pradesh government iscommitted to organizing a divine, grand, and digital Maha Kumbh.

Thepreparations include the launch of a dedicated website and app, an AI-poweredchatbot in 11 languages, QR-based passes for people and vehicles, amultilingual digital lost-and-found center, ICT monitoring for cleanliness andtents, software for land and facility allocation, multilingual digital signage(VMD), an automated ration supply system, drone-based surveillance and disastermanagement, live software for monitoring 530 projects, an inventory trackingsystem, and integration of all locations on Google Maps.
Smart parking facilities will beprovided for the convenience of tourists – Cabinet Minister Shri LakshmiNarayan Chaudhary Cabinet Minister ShriLakshmi Narayan Chaudhary informed that arrangements have been made to ensuretourists do not face parking issues. In this regard, 101 smart parkingfacilities have been created, capable of accommodating up to five lakh vehiclesdaily. The parking area spans 1,867.04 hectares, which is 763.75 hectareslarger compared to the 1,103.29 hectares allocated for parking in 2019. Theseparking facilities will be monitored through the Integrated Control CommandCenter. Arrangementsfor clean drinking water, an Integrated Control Command Center, and flowershowers at 44 ghats, including the riverfrontDuringthe press conference, the Cabinet Minister Shri Lakshmi Narayan Chaudhary provideddetails about the arrangements for the Mahakumbh. He informed that 35 existingpermanent ghats and 9 new ghats have been constructed in the Mahakumbh city tofacilitate bathing for devotees. Aerial flower showers will be carried outacross all 44 ghats spread over a 12-kilometer area. He further mentioned thata riverfront, modeled after Mumbai’s Marine Drive, has been developed along a15.25-kilometer stretch on the banks of the Ganges, extending from the Sangamto Nagvasuki Temple, Surdas to Chhatnag, and near Curzon Bridge to Mahavir Puri.Additionally, the Integrated Control Command Center has been upgraded toenhance crowd management. Four viewing centers, equipped with 52-seater setups,have been established for real-time CCTV monitoring. Headcountof pilgrims attending the Mahakumbh will be done through technologyTheCabinet Minister Shri Lakshmi Narayan Chaudhary stated that approximately 450million devotees are expected to attend Prayagraj Mahakumbh-2025, marking asignificant milestone. Three technical methods will be used to count everyindividual.Thefirst method is attribute-based search, where tracking will be conducted usingperson attribute search cameras. The second method involves RFID wristbands,which will be provided to pilgrims.

Through these wristbands, entry and exittimes will be tracked using RFID readers. The third method is mobile apptracking, where, with the consent of the pilgrims, their location will betracked through GPS using a mobile application. Mahakumbhis an eternal and unified proclamation of India’s unity in diversityTheMinister ofState (Independent Charge), Shri Dharmveer Prajapati statedthat the Kumbh is not merely a fair or a ritualistic dip in the holy waters butan eternal and unified proclamation of India’s unity in diversity. The Mahakumbhis a grand festival that immerses all differences, disputes, and divisions inthe sacred flow of the river, serving as a unique example of social harmony.This festival holds special significance not only for the entirety of India butalso for followers of Indian culture worldwide.TheMinister ofState, Shri Baldev Singh Olakh emphasized that underthe guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the leadership of ChiefMinister Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh’s double-engine government is uniquelyshowcasing the cultural, spiritual, traditional, and mythological essence ofthe rare and highly distinguished religious event of Mahakumbh on the globalstage. The state government is extending invitations for Mahakumbh-2025, thegrand festival of Sanatan Indians, to all states across India and the entireworld. In this context, we have come to you with a humble request toparticipate in this sacred pilgrimage.Around 80 esteemed personalities activelyparticipated in the event held in Mohali, including senior journalists fromleading media houses, travel and tour operators, travel bloggers, influencers,and a few industrialists from the region

Central and State Governments launched various schemes aimed at benefiting the most marginalized sections of society

Chandigarh, December 30

  Haryana Public Works (Building and Roads) and Pulic Health Engineering Minister, Sh. Ranbir Gangwa, said that both the Central and State Governments have launched various schemes aimed at benefiting the most marginalized sections of society.

          Sh. Gangwa made these remarks while addressing public grievances in Barwala, Hisar district, today. He personally heard the concerns of the residents and instructed the concerned officials to take immediate action to resolve the issues.

          He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi and Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, both the country and the state are making rapid progress. He emphasized that Sh. Modi’s vision and leadership have significantly enhanced India’s credibility on the global stage. He also highlighted that the Samadhan Camps, organized by the District Administration on the instructions of the State Government, are playing a crucial role in addressing the issues of the common people. These camps have been well-received by the public, as they provide a valuable platform where officials from various departments come together under one roof to resolve people’s problems efficiently.

          The Cabinet Minister stated that the state government is ensuring equal development for all sections of society, leading to comprehensive growth across the state. As a result, there is widespread happiness among all segments due to the public welfare policies of the state government. He further mentioned that the current government launched a campaign to deliver the benefits of government services and schemes to last person standing in the queue. 

Vipul Goel Reviews Progress of Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Urges Swift Action on Key Initiatives

Chandigarh, December 30: Haryana Revenue and Disaster Management Minister, Sh. Vipul Goel, directed revenue officers today to expedite the completion of the Gredawari (village land record) and assess the crop damage caused by the recent hailstorms that affected various districts of the state. Emphasizing that no laxity would be tolerated in this regard, Sh. Goel also called for the urgent upgrading and enhancement of the fire and emergency services system in the state.

*Expedited Action on Crop Damage Assessment*

          While reviewing the work of the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Sh. Goel focused on the timely and accurate assessment of the damage caused to crops by recent hailstorms. He directed that the Gredawari process be completed swiftly and that the revenue officers immediately begin evaluating the extent of crop losses across the affected districts.

          Sh. Goel said that there would be no tolerance for delays or negligence in these critical tasks. He stressed the importance of ensuring that farmers who have suffered losses due to the hailstorms receive timely compensation and support from the state government.

*Urgent Need for Upgrading Fire and Emergency Services*

          In the meeting, Sh. Goel emphasized the pressing need for the state’s fire and emergency services system to be upgraded to meet modern standards. Highlighting the critical importance of having an efficient and well-equipped emergency response system, the Minister underscored the need for these services to be equipped with the latest technology, advanced training, and adequate resources.

          He pointed out that modernizing the fire and emergency services would lead to significant improvements in their efficiency, safety, and timely response during emergency. This would ultimately help save lives, minimize property damage, and enhance the overall safety of the public.

*Comprehensive Plan for System Improvement*

          Sh. Goel further directed the officers to conduct a thorough assessment of the current infrastructure of the fire and emergency services and devise a comprehensive plan to address existing gaps in the system. He also emphasized the importance of improving coordination among various departments involved in disaster management and emergency response to ensure a more integrated and streamlined approach to handling crises.

          The Minister reiterated that the Haryana Government remains committed to provide the best possible services to the public, and that necessary steps would be taken to strengthen the state’s disaster management and emergency services infrastructure.

          Additional Chief Secretary cum Financial Commissioner Revenue and Disaster Management, Mr. Anurag Rastogi and other senior officers of the Department were also present in the meeting.

Boosting 112 Response: 172 Communication Officers Receive Advanced Training in Haryana

Chandigarh, December 30

Haryana Police, in a step towards capacity building, is providing soft skills training to communication officers working in Haryana 112 ERSS to improve the efficiency of responding to complaints received on Haryana-112 and enhance their skills. This training is being given in different sessions. So far, 172 communication officers of Haryana Police have been trained through these training sessions.

Providing information about this, Director General of Police Shatrujeet Kapur said that the training program has been designed in such a way that the communication officers can effectively understand and respond to the calls received on Haryana 112. Apart from this, the communication officers are trained to focus on the clarity of the message between the communication officer and the caller during the call. He said that during this time, they are told how to quickly and accurately collect information from the person calling and what and how to ask questions so that the person can be helped immediately. If the person is very upset or nervous, they are told how to reassure the victim in such a situation. Along with this, they are also taught to practice reducing the stress of the person during the call. Various activities are conducted in the training program emphasizing the importance of quick response time.

Additional Director General of Police (ERSS) Hardeep Doon said that the training emphasizes the importance of clear language and pronunciation to ensure effective communication. The training emphasizes the ability to listen effectively and communicate clearly with callers. He said that the training program develops skills to provide emotional support and reassurance to callers. During this time, techniques for handling stressful situations calmly and efficiently are also taught. They were trained to ask only relevant questions to quickly gather the necessary information from the callers. He said that these training sessions will significantly increase the performance and effectiveness of Haryana-112 communication officers.

Milkfed further strengthens due to strenuous efforts of CM

Chandigarh, December 28

Under the visionary leadership of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann leading cooperative of the state-Milkfed further got strengthened during the year 2024.

The massive efforts of state government to give remunerative price to milk producers, expansion of Verka mill plants and launch of new products strengthened the Milkfed. The Chief Minister, who is holds the portfolio of Cooperation, has sanctioned big ticket projects to Milkfed to supplement the income of farmers through milk production on one hand and to make dairy farming a profitable venture on the other. For bailing out the milk producers the state government has enhanced fat per kilogram in milk to Rs 25 during April 1 to October 31.

At present the milk was being purchased at Rs 840 per kg fat and at present there were 6000 cooperative societies in state which have five lakh milk producers registered with them. The Chief Minister has also dedicated an ultra odern Verka Dairy milk plant at Ludhiana with capacity to process nine lakh litre milk daily. This plant also has capacity of catering 10 metric ton butter.

Likewise the Chief Minister has also dedicated upgraded Ferozepur milk plant to the masses with the capacity of processing and packaging one lakh litre milk daily. Bhagwant Singh Mann has also taken an important initiative to expand units involved in milk processing. The Chief Minister has also dedicated ultra odern project at Jalandhar for processing and packaging of fermented products.   

The Chief Minister has made every effort to supplement the income of farmers by augmenting the infrastructure for sale and supply of milk. Milkfed had registered an increase of 9.5% by purchasing more than 20 lakh litres milk daily. In this year only Milkfed also started the sale of sugar free kheer, milk cake and other products on demand of people. Despite of strict competition the Milkfed sold 12.66 lakh litre packets of milk which was 5% more than last year when 12.01 lakh litre of milk was sold.