Chandigarh, December 29

The Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is actively working to expand the horticulture sector in the state and strengthen farmers economically. Under the guidance of Horticulture Minister Shri Mohinder Bhagat, the horticulture department remained committed to providing comprehensive support to farmers in adopting crop diversification and took various initiatives in 2024.

The Minister Bhagat highlighted significant achievements, underscoring the government’s dedication to rural empowerment and agricultural innovation. He informed that Punjab has achieved the top position in the country under the Agricultural Infrastructure Fund (AIF) with 19,408 projects and ₹4,478 crore in term loans sanctioned, showcasing its dedication to agricultural development.

Mr.Bhagat shared that, with a strong emphasis on crop diversification, Punjab has expanded its horticulture area from 4,39,210 to 4,81,616 hectares.

Another key achievement added by the Minister was Punjab’s recognition at the Skoch National Awards 2024, where the state won the Silver Award for its sericulture project, Women Empowerment and Socio-Economic Growth through Sericulture.

He informed that Punjab has achieved a significant milestone by exporting litchi from the sub-mountainous districts of Pathankot, Gurdaspur and Hoshiarpur to England (UK). This remarkable achievement, facilitated by the Horticulture Department in collaboration with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), underscores the state’s efforts to promote its horticultural produce on the global stage. With litchi cultivation spanning 3,250 hectares and producing approximately 13,000 metric tons annually, this step is set to boost farmers’ incomes and open new avenues for future exports.

Mr. Bhagat added that three new horticultural estates have been established in Punjab to help farmers and improve agriculture. These new estates include a pear estate in Amritsar, a guava estate in Patiala, and a litchi estate in Pathankot.

The Minister stated that under the National Horticulture Mission, farmers are being provided financial assistance for various activities, including planting new orchards, cultivating vegetables and flowers, mushroom farming, beekeeping, adopting safe farming practices, and implementing post-harvest management

He also informed that several Centres of Excellence have been established to promote vegetable and fruit farming across various districts. These include the Centre of Excellence for Vegetables in Kartarpur, Jalandhar, the Hi-Tech Vegetable Seed Centre in Bir Charik, Moga, the Centre of Excellence for Fruits (Nimbu) in Khanaura, Hoshiarpur, the Centre of Excellence for Potato in Dhogri, Jalandhar and the Centre of Excellence for Onion at Kheri village in Sangrur district have been established.

The Minister shared remarkable progress in sericulture, revealing that the price of cocoons has risen from ₹550 to ₹1,250 per kilogram. This increase ensures better earnings for farmers, especially women, who constitute over 60% of the workforce in this sector.

Regarding infrastructure development, Minister Bhagat stated that annual cocoon production has reached 29,000 kilograms. He added that government has reactivated the Silk Seed Production Centre in Dalhousie to provide high-quality silk seeds at nominal prices to farmers, fostering self-reliance and growth.

Mr.Bhagat also highlighted the inaugural Silk Mark Expo 2024 in Chandigarh, which showcased exceptional silk craftsmanship and bolstered the silk trade. “Events like these not only promote regional artisans and traders but also underscore Punjab’s pivotal role in uplifting rural communities through sericulture and horticulture,” he remarked.

Looking to the future, Minister Bhagat outlined plans to establish an exclusive Punjab Silk brand and set up silk reeling units to enhance value addition and increase farmer incomes. “Our government remains steadfast in its mission to expand silk farming,empower rural communities, and elevate Punjab’s horticulture and sericulture sectors to new heights,” he concluded.

CHANDIGARH/BATALA, December 29:

          In a major breakthrough, Punjab Police has busted yet another Pakistan-ISI backed terror-module being operated by Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) being operated by foreign-based Harpreet Singh alias Happy Passia and Shamsher alias Honey with the arrest of its five members including mastermind Abhijot Singh involved in lobbing hand-grenade at two police establishments in Batala and Gurdaspur, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Sunday.

          “By successfully busting this module, Punjab Police has solved all the incidents of attacks on Police Establishments in the state,” said the DGP.

          Other arrested four persons have been identified as Kuljit Singh, Rohit alias Ghessi, Shubham and Gurjinder Singh alias Raja, all residents of Qila Lal Singh in Batala. Police teams have also recovered two pistols including one sophisticated 9MM glock pistol and one .32 bore pistol from their possession.

          The development came days after some persons hurled hand grenade at Ghaniae Ke Bangar Police Station in Batala on December 12 at around 10.20pm, followed by attack on the Wadala Bangar Police Post in Gurdaspur on December 20 at around 9.30pm. Following the incidents, terrorist organisation BKI had used social media platform to claim the responsibility for these terror acts using separate social media posts.

          DGP Gaurav Yadav said that the accused persons Abhijot Singh and Kuljit Singh have sustained bullet injuries, when both were taken for the recovery and they attacked police team to evade custody, in response the police acted in self-defense. Both the accused persons have been admitted to the Civil Hospital in Batala, where they are reported to be in stable condition, he added.

          The DGP said that investigations are in progress to establish forward and backward linkages in this case and unveil the entire terror module.

          Sharing more details, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Border Range Satinder Singh said that following the attack at police establishments, Batala Police has launched a special operation to trace the perpetrators.

          Following the technical and human-based intels, Police teams under the supervision of SSP Batala Suhail Qasim Mir managed to track down all the accused persons and apprehend them, he added.

          SSP Suhail Qasim Mir said that further investigation is on and more arrests and recoveries are likely in coming days.

Ludhiana/Chandigarh, December 29

Reiterating the commitment of Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Singh Mann led state government to clean ‘Buddha Dariya’, Local bodies minister Dr Ravjot Singh and Rajya Sabha MP Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal visited ‘Buddha Dariya’ site and 225 mld Jamalpur sewerage treatment plant (STP) on Tajpur road on Sunday.

Ludhiana East MLA Daljit Singh Bhola Grewal, Ludhiana North MLA Madan Lal Bagga, Ludhiana West MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi, Ludhiana Central MLA Ashok Prashar Pappi;

Additional Chief Secretary, Local bodies department, Tejveer Singh; Director, Local bodies department Gurpreet Singh Khaira; MC Commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal, Chief Engineer Ravinder Garg, Ludhiana Chief Engineer of PPCB RK Rattra, Engineer in Chief of Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board (PWSSB) Mukesh Garg among other officials were present during the visit.

For dealing with the problem of cow dung being dumped in ‘Buddha Dariya’, Local bodies minister Dr Ravjot Singh and MP Seechewal directed the PEDA officials to speed up the projects for establishing biogas plants in Haibowal and Tajpur road dairy complexes for proper disposal of cow dung. One biogas plant is already operational in Haibowal dairy plant and one additional plant has to be established in Haibowal dairy complex wherein cow dung would be used for generating biogas.

Further the civic body officials have been directed to hire private players for lifting cow dung from dairy complexes and dump the same at designated points until biogas plants are made functional by PEDA. Civic body officials stated that machinery and man power has already been deployed for lifting cow dung from dairy units and dumping the same at two designated points. Tenders would now be floated for hiring contractors for the same.

Further cabinet minister Dr Ravjot Singh and MP Seechewal directed the Punjab Pollution Control (PPCB) officials to keep a regular check on working  of dyeing industry CETPs and STPs. The PPCB officials have also been directed to take steps and ensure that the waste of electroplating industry is not dumped in sewer lines.

Further the sewerage board officials and contractor working on ‘Buddha Dariya’ project have been directed to make temporary arrangements for pumping sewerage waste from Gaushala point to STP Jamalpur until Intermediate pumping station (IPS) is established at the Gaushala site. The project to establish Gaushala IPS is pending due to an ongoing court case. The contractor has also been directed to properly tap the connections of dairy units in both dairy complexes to ensure that dairy waste does not get into the ‘Buddha Dariya’.

Cabinet Minister Dr Ravjot Singh and MP Sant Seechewal said that they are not against the industry or any other sector, but no one can be allowed to pollute ‘Buddha Dariya’. The state government is monitoring the project to clean the ‘Buddha Dariya’ on a regular basis. People should also support the government and stop dumping waste in the ‘Buddha Dariya’.

MP Seechewal said that they have already initiated the second phase of ‘Kar Sewa’ for rejuvenating ‘Buddha Dariya’ and illegal sewer connections of a few dairy units have also been snapped in the recent past.

MP Seechewal has pitched a tent at ‘Buddha Dariya’ site for the ‘Kar Sewa’. MP Seechewal appealed the public to step forward and become a part of this movement which has been initiated for cleaning Buddha Dariya, which also has historic and religious importance.

Chandigarh:

The JRS Eastman Group, a Ludhiana-based conglomerate has announced a pilot initiative to expand its environmental and social responsibility endeavour in Punjab. While addressing a press conference at Chandigarh Press Club, Group’s Chairman Jagdish Rai Singal shared plans to rejuvenate urban wastelands using the Miyawaki forest method, a concept inspired by PM Narendra Modi’s address on “Mann Ki Baat” in June 2023. The initiative aims to transform a 5500 yards of wasteland into a thriving green forest, followed by the development of an additional two acres in association with Ludhiana Municipal Corporation (LMC). A total of Rs one crore are being spent in two phases for this transformation.

The group had  also approached the LMC to rehabilitate abandoned parks using the Miyawaki method. This project aligns with the group’s broader commitment to sustainability and carbon neutrality, showcasing its dedication to enhancing environmental health and creating a greener future.In addition to its environmental endeavors, the Group has planned to provide employment opportunities to retired Agniveers under the Govt’s Agniveer scheme. This program, launched in June 2022, recruits young individuals for short-term service in the armed forces.

While 25% of these recruits are absorbed into the defence line, the remaining individuals face the challenge of reintegration into civilian life. Responding to PM Modi’s call for industries to support retired Agniveers, the group has decided to reserve five percent of its future recruitment for them, with a goal to employ 250 Agniveers in the near future. Singal emphasized that Agniveers’ discipline and training would be valuable assets for the company, which currently employs 5,145 workers and aims to reach 10,000 employees by 2029.

Singal urged other industrialists and citizens to contribute to these efforts, stressing the importance of collaborative solutions to societal and environmental challenges. He highlighted the need for private initiatives to complement government programs, stating that the responsibility of creating a sustainable and inclusive future lies with all stakeholders. Singal expressed pride in his company’s dual focus on environmental restoration and social welfare, viewing it as a meaningful way to give back to the nation and future generations. The announcement reaffirms the group’s commitment to creating positive change while setting a benchmark for corporate social responsibility in India.

Chandigarh, December 28:

Haryana Cabinet, which met under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini here today approved several key decisions aimed at improving the welfare of citizens, enhancing the state’s administrative framework, and promoting economic growth.

Key Decisions Taken:

*Revised Ex-Gratia for Families of Martyrs*: The Cabinet approved an increase in the Ex-Gratia amount for the families of battle casualties of Union Armed Forces personnel and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel. The amount will now be raised from the existing Rs. 50 lakh to Rs. 1 crore, fulfilling a promise made by Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini in his 2024-25 Budget speech. This move acknowledges the sacrifices of martyrs and their families.

*Enhanced Pension for Matribhasha Satyagrahis*: The Cabinet approved an increase in the monthly pension for Matribhasha Satyagrahis of the Hindi Aandolan-1957 from Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 20,000, effective immediately.

*Land Allocation for Family of Shaheed Sub-Inspector*: A 200-square-yard plot will be allocated to Smt. Kamlesh Sharma, wife of Shaheed Sub-Inspector Sh. Jai Bhagwan, in recognition of his ultimate sacrifice during a counter-insurgency operation in 1995. The plot will provide much-needed residential accommodation for her family.

*Mukhya Mantri Parivar Samridhi Yojana (MMPSY) SOP*: The Cabinet approved the Standing Operating Procedure (SOP) for the implementation of MMPSY from 2024-25. Under this scheme, instead of reimbursing premiums for various schemes, Rs. 1,000 per eligible family per year will be transferred to the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Antyodaya Parivar Suraksha Yojana (DAYALU) for compensation payments to families with an income of up to Rs. 1.80 lakh annually.

*Revision of External Development Charges (EDC)*: The Cabinet approved the revision of the Indexation Policy for calculating EDC rates. The Indexation Policy was based on EDC rates for the year 2015 and these had not been increased for last 8 years till date. Prior to the Indexation Policy, the EDC rates were increased by 10 per cent every year. Accordingly, the Cabinet has approved the proposal to increase EDC rates by 10 percent every year, hereafter. A consultant will be engaged to determine future base EDC rates.

*Upgradation of Development Zones*: The Cabinet approved the upgradation of Pataudi-Haily Mandi and Farrukhnagar in Gurugram from Low Potential  Zone to Medium Potential Zones, aimed at boosting economic growth of these areas and contributing to the state’s revenue.

*Extension of Haryana Logistics, Warehousing & Retail Policy*: The Cabinet approved the extension of the 2019 Haryana Logistics, Warehousing & Retail Policy and associated schemes until the new policy is notified, supporting industrial growth in the state.

*Cabinet nod to Mandatory Aadhaar Authentication for HPSC Exams*: Aadhaar authentication will now be mandatory for candidates appearing for Group A and B posts in the Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) exams. This move is aimed at ensuring the integrity of the recruitment process and preventing fraudulent applications.

*Amendment to Health Department Service Rules*: The Cabinet approved an amendment to the Haryana Health Department Multipurpose Health Supervisors and Multipurpose Health Workers Group ‘C’ Service Rules, 1984.  As per the amendment, the educational qualification for the posts of Multipurpose Health Worker (Male) and Multipurpose Health Worker (Female) will now be 10+2 in any stream. Under the existing departmental service rules, the educational qualifications for recruitment to the MPHW post required 10+2 with science stream.

*Increase in Death-cum-Retirement Gratuity*: The Cabinet approved a 25% increase in the maximum limit of Death-cum-Retirement Gratuity for state government employees and Judicial Officers, raising the limit from Rs. 20 lakh to Rs. 25 lakh, effective from January 1, 2024.

*Panchkula Metropolitan Development Authority Act Amendment*: The Cabinet approved amendments to the Panchkula Metropolitan Development Authority Act, 2021, to enable the Chief Executive Officer to exercise powers under the Haryana New Capital (Periphery) Control Act, 1952, and update provisions regarding the area falling within the Municipal Council of Kalka.

*Haryana Human Resources Management System (e-HRMS 2.0) Policy*: The Cabinet approved the draft Haryana Human Resources Management System (Administration) Policy, 2024. This policy will update and streamline human resource management across all Haryana government departments, with e-HRMS 2.0 serving as a centralized platform for managing placements, transfers, and service conditions etc.

*Amendment to Haryana Contractual Employees Act*: The Cabinet approved to bring an ordinance to amend the Haryana Contractual Employees (Security of Service) Act, 2024. Under this amendment, the phrase “in a calendar year” will be replaced with “during a period of one year of contractual service.” This amendment is being introduced to address request raised by contractual employees regarding the calculation of their service days.

*State Government Guarantees for UHBVNL Capex Loans*: The Cabinet granted ex-post facto approval for providing a state government guarantee of Rs. 800 crore to Canara Bank and Rs. 400 crore to Bank of India, for fresh Capex loans to Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited (UHBVNL) to meet its capital expenditure requirements for the financial year 2024-25.

Chandigarh, December 28

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said the Deputy Commissioners of all those districts where there is a possibility of damage to crops due to the recent rain and hailstorm have been instructed to send a report on this matter.

Talking to journalists after the Cabinet meeting here, the Chief Minister said the Cabinet members expressed concern in the meeting over the rain and hailstorm that has been happening for the last two days in the state. He said at present, reports of damage due to rain and hailstorm have been received in Assembly constituencies of Tosham, Bawani Khera, Loharu, Fatehabad block, Ratia town, Bhattu Kalan, Narnaund, Hansi, Guhla, Kalayat, Kaithal, Siwan, along with areas in Mahendragarh, Kanina Assembly, Hathin block and Bawal block.

Instructions have been given to Deputy Commissioners of the concerned districts to send the report of crop damage. Farmers will be able to file report of their losses on the e-reimbursement portal themselves. Instructions have been given to reopen this portal.