IEP Chandigarh, March 9       

    Minister of Social Security, Women and Child Development Dr. Baljit Kaur said that increase in pension for senior citizens, widows and destitute women, dependent children and disabled persons will be done soon in future.  She said this in response to a question raised by Shiromani Akali Dal MLA Ganieve Kaur Majithia.          Dr.  Baljit Kaur said that first the Government is streamlining it by removing the previous irregularities.          Dr.  Baljit Kaur further said that the state Government led by Bhagwant Mann found out the real beneficiaries and found that 90248 deceased were getting benefits.  Of which 95 percent i.e. 23.94 crore rupees has been recovered.  She said that the previous Government had also conducted a survey and 70137 were found to be ineligible, for which a recovery of Rs 162.35 crore was made.  But only one crore rupees was recovered.          Cabinet Minister said that the Government will benefit the real beneficiaries by correcting the irregularities.  Our Government is committed to fulfilling every guarantee.

IEP Amritsar/Chandigarh, March 9

President Droupadi Murmu, during her day-long visit to the holy city of Amritsar on Thursday, paid obeisance at the Golden Temple, Durgiana Temple and Bhagwan Valmiki Ram Tirath Sthal, besides paying tributes to the martyrs at Jallianwala Bagh memorial.

Tight security arrangements were made in the city for the President’s day-long visit, while Amritsar was also declared a no-fly zone for over four hours.

On reaching Amritsar’s Sri Guru Ramdass ji International Airport in the afternoon, President Murmu received a warm welcome from the Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Union Minister Som Prakash, Congress MP from Amritsar Gurjeet Singh Aujla, among other dignitaries.

Welcoming the President during her visit to Punjab, Chief Minister Mann apprised her that this is the land of great Gurus, saints, seers and prophets; and “Punjab is the cradle of civilization and inherits a rich culture which can be observed only by visiting this pious land”.

The Chief Minister expressed hope that during her visit, the President will have a feel of the state’s glorious cultural heritage besides enjoying the warm hospitality of the Punjabis. “It is a momentous occasion for all of us and entire Punjab is giving a red carpet welcome to the country’s President during her visit to the state. The State Government is honored to welcome the country’s President on this blessed land,” he said.

The Chief Minister accompanied the President to pay obeisance at Sri Harmandir Sahib, Jallianwala Bagh, Durgiana Mandir, and Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath.

On her first visit to the city after becoming the President, Murmu was accompanied by Chief Minister Mann and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami at the Golden Temple — taking rounds of the ‘parikrama’ under the tight security cover before offering prayers at the sanctum sanctorum. She also offered ‘karah parshad’ and sat for a few minutes for the gurbani-kirtan.

After paying obeisance, she went to the “langar hall” (community kitchen), and partook langar while sitting on the floor. She also visited the area where utensils are washed.

Afterward, she went to the Information Centre of the Golden Temple where she was presented a robe of honour, a set of Sikh religious books, a replica of the Golden Temple, and a set of woolen shawls.

In the visitor’s book at the Golden Temple, the President wrote, “I am happy to visit Sri Harmandar Sahib and pay obeisance at the holy temple. This holy place with beautiful architecture and divine serenity around it evokes feelings of calmness and harmony. I prayed for peace, progress and prosperity of the country. It was great to see the volunteers working tirelessly in the spirit of service and devotion specially during Langar. May the teachings of Sikh Gurus continue to inspire us to practice brotherhood and unity”.

IEP Amritsar, March 9

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday extended a heartiest welcome to the President of India Mrs Draupadi Murmu during her visit to the holy city.

The Chief Minister received the President here at Sri Guru Ramdass ji International Airport during her one day visit to the city and offered her a bouquet of flowers. Welcoming the President during her visit to Punjab, Bhagwant Mann apprised her that this is the land of great Gurus, saints, seers and prophets. He informed Mrs Murmu that Punjab is the cradle of civilization and inherits a rich culture which can be observed only by visiting this pious land.

 The Chief Minister expressed hope that during her visit, the President of India will have a feel of the glorious cultural heritage of the state besides enjoying the warm hospitality of the Punjabis. Bhagwant Mann said that it is a momentous occasion for all of us and the entire Punjab is giving a red carpet welcome to the country’s President during her visit to the state. He said that the state government is honored to welcome the country’s President on this blessed land.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister accompanied the President to pay obeisance at Sri Harmandir Sahib, Jallianwala Bagh, Durgiana Mandir and Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath.

IEP CHANDIGARH, March 9     

     The Punjab Assembly on Thursday unanimously passed a non-official resolution to take up the matter of fleecing common man by fixing Maximum Retail Price (MRP) of medicines at exorbitant prices, with the central government. The non-official resolution was moved by MLA Dr Charanjit Singh during the ongoing budget session of 16th Vidhan Sabha here.          After the reply presented by the Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh, all the members present in the house passed the non-official resolution to recommend this matter to the Central Government.          During his reply, Dr Balbir Singh appreciated the resolution moved by MLA Dr Charanjit Singh and said that the issue was already in his mind. He said that, even, he had recently brought this matter into the notice of Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, who visited Patiala a few days back. He said that cancer drugs have already been regulated by the government, but non-scheduled drugs and e-pharmacy are yet to be regulated.            He said that till these drugs get regulated, the easiest way to provide affordable medicines to common people is by opening maximum ‘Jan Aushadhi Kendras’ in the state. He said that there is 25 Jan Aushadhi Kendras in the state and 16 more have been approved, which will be opened soon. He also urged all the MLAs to maximum exhort people to open these Kendras in their constituencies, which will not only provide affordable medicines to the common people, but will also help in generating employment.          “Health is fundamental right of every person and it is the duty of the state and the central government to provide world-class quality healthcare managed and funded by the government,” said Dr Balbir Singh, while adding that the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led Punjab Government is committed to provide the holistic healthcare facilities in the state.          He also pledged in the Assembly to present his ‘Annual Report’ on what he has done— whether its recruitment of doctors and staff or new medical projects— during every Budget Session. He informed the assembly that there are 504 Aam Aadmi Clinics (AACs) made functional in the state, of which, 353 clinics, which is over 70%, are established in villages.          Terming the drug menace as the most crucial issue of the state, the Health Minister called upon all the house members to show concern on this and join hands with the Government to root out this menace, which is not only the reason for many fatal diseases including Cancer, HIV-AIDS, Hepatitis, impotency, etc, but also a reason for crimes happening in the state.          Meanwhile, the Health Minister said that the Punjab Government has been working on bringing reforms in the healthcare, wherein, instead of prescribing medicines, patients would be asked to join Yogshalas and exercise in the Government Hospitals to treat them naturally.

IEP Chandigarh, March 1    

      Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is continuously striving to provide basic facilities, clean and pollution free environment to the people of the state.          Reiterating this commitment, Local Government Minister Dr. Inderbir Singh Nijjar said that taking another step in this direction the Punjab government has decided to spend about Rs 7.45 crore to improve the water supply system besides providing clean environment in Jalandhar.          Disclosing further,  Dr. Nijjar said that approximately Rs 2.12 cr. would be spent on operation, maintenance and electrical repair of 74 tubewells in zone-2 and 103 tubewells in Zone-3 of Jalandhar.          Apart from this, approximately Rs.1.69 and Rs 1.80 crore would be spent on operation, maintenance and electrical repair of 118 tubewells in Zone-4 and 104 tubewells in Zone-6.          Minister further said that about Rs 1.84 Cr will be spent for the annual maintenance of water supply & sewer lines in various wards and hiring services on out sources basis to smoothly run the work of Municipal Corporation Jalandhar.          The Minister said that the office process for these works has already been started by the local government department. He said that the Local Government Department has uploaded the e-tenders for these works on the Punjab Government website www.eproc.punjab.gov.in. If any kind of amendment would be required in these tenders the same information would be made available on this website.          He said that the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is committed to provide corruption free administration to the people of the state. Therefore, any official or employee caught committing corruption would not be spared.          The Minister directed the officials to ensure quality and transparency in the work of the department.

IEP Chandigarh, March 1

          Punjab Government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is making continuous efforts to provide employment opportunities in Punjab. Under this series, applications have been called for filling up the post of Chairman of Punjab Public Service Commission.

          Spokesperson of the Punjab Government Personnel Department said that eminent persons having impeccable integrity, high calibre and administrative experience can apply for the post of Punjab Public Service Commission Chairman. The last date to apply for this post is March 22, 2023.

          Divulging in this regard, he said that a search committee headed by the Chief Secretary has been formed which will be considered by the High Empowered Committee chaired by the Chief Minister of Punjab after shortlisting the names from the applications received.

IEP Chandigarh, 1 March

          Punjab Public Works and Power Minister Mr. Harbhajan Singh ETO has termed the decision taken by the Hon’ble Supreme Court to convene the Punjab budget session from March 3 as a victory for democracy.

          Through a press statement issued from here today, the Cabinet Minister said that the Hon’ble Supreme Court has approved the decision of the Punjab Cabinet regarding convening of the Punjab Budget Session from March 3. He said that this decision is in favor of 3 crore Punjabis.

          Mr. Harbhajan Singh said that India is the largest democracy in the world. He said that this democracy can survive only by working according to the constitution made by Babasaheb Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar. He said that the governors appointed by the central government in the states should not act as spokespersons of the central government but should discharge their responsibilities as per the will and advice of the government elected by the people and in the interest of the people of the state.

          The cabinet minister said that the decision given by the Supreme Court in favor of the Punjab government confirmed that the governor cannot, under any circumstances, reject the proposal sent by the government to convene the session. He said that ignoring constitutional values by the Governor of Punjab and not allowing the government to convene a budget session is a violation of democratic traditions.

          He further said that the state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is continuously working for the progress of Punjab and Punjabis.

IEP Chandigarh, March 1

          The Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will soon present the challan in the court pertaining to the Behbal Kalan firing case.

          A decision to this effect was taken in a meeting held between the state government and representatives of the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha. In the meeting Cabinet Ministers Harpal Singh Cheema and Aman Arora held discussions with leaders of Qaumi Insaaf Morcha including Advocate Amar Singh Chahal, Pal Singh France and Balwinder Singh.  During the meeting the Ministers apprised the delegation that the state government will soon present challan in the court regarding Behbal Kalan firing incident.

          The Ministers also apprised the delegation that the state government has already flagged the issue of making stringent provisions in existing laws of IPC related to sacrilege with the Union Home Minister. They said that the matter is already under the active consideration of the state government. They said that soon this issue will be raised before the President of India.

          On the issue of prisoners languishing in jails across the country, the Ministers said that for the release of Gurdeep Singh Khaira and Davinder Pal Singh Bhullar, the state government will soon contact the Delhi and Karnataka governments. It was also decided that the government will accept the pleas of the families of Gurmeet Singh, Lakhwinder Singh and Shamsher for their early release and start the process accordingly. It was also decided that the remaining demands regarding this will be considered in the second phase.

          They also assured that the government will take legal advice on the plea of shifting all the cases related to Jagtar Singh Hawara to Mohali court.  It was decided that the decision on this will be taken before March 31. In view of the inconvenience being caused to people, the morcha agreed to postpone the March by 31 members of morcha towards residence of the Chief Minister.

          During discussion regarding Bapu Surat Singh it was agreed that after he was discharged from the DMC Hospital, the state government will take care of his health. It was also decided that the morcha will ensure that Bapu Surat Singh will not participate in the protest for atleast a fortnight.

IEP Chandigarh, March 1      

    The Punjab Government led by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is fully dedicated since day one to improve the living standard of common man with its pro people decisions. As part of this, the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak presided over a review meeting of the PUNSUP at Sector 34.          In the meeting with the General Managers of the Headquarters and District Managers, the Minister said that the process to provide various services to the people must be transparent and accelerated. Also, in accordance with today’s era, a robust working mechanism should be developed in place of the time worn traditional practices. Modern times are an era of fierce competition hence the department needs to concentrate on innovative techniques to further improve the functioning.          Divulging further, the Minister said that focus is being placed on the core areas of employment, power, health and education by the Punjab Government.          The initiative of PUNSUP pertaining to running the LPG agencies in Amritsar, Bathinda, Ludhiana, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Barnala, Jalandhar and Kharar (Mohali) to augment the income also came in for praise from Mr. Kataruchak.          The Minister also directed to call a meeting of the Inspector rank officers sooner besides laying stress on the proper maintenance of the foodgrains stored in the godowns as the farmers toil day in and day out to produce the foodgrains.          On the occasion, the MD, PUNSUP Amrit Kaur Gill expressed gratitude to the Minister for the State Government’s gesture of paying off Rs. 350 crore debt related to the Union Bank of India incurred by PUNSUP on effective implementation of the Atta Dal scheme thus providing a huge Financial relief.          The Chairman of PUNSUP Balbir Singh Pannu was also among those present.

IEP Chandigarh/ New Delhi, March 1  

        Punjab NRIs Affairs Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal on Wednesday demanded to include both the Amritsar and Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport (Mohali) for direct flights connectivity to Canada, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Seattle and San Francisco (USA) etc underlying that the commencement of these direct flights would ensure great facility to large number of travellers for both sides.           Calling on Union Minister of Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya M. Scindia here, Punjab NRIs Affairs Minister apprised that large number of Punjabis and Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card holders had been living in Canada and USA since long. He requested on behalf of the Government of Punjab to include both the Airports of Amritsar and Mohali for direct flights connectivity to airports namely Vancouver, Toronto, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Seattle and San Francisco (USA) to redress this long pending demand of the Punjabi Diaspora living in these countries. He apprised the Union Minister that during the NRI Sammelans organised by Punjab Government in December last year the Punjabi NRIs emphasized for commencement of these flights.           The Minister pointed out that there had been a persistent demand for providing direct air connectivity between Amritsar and Canada. Citing that it is of utmost significant to make direct flights operational from Amritsar to Canadian cities, said the Minister adding that presently travelers both from Amritsar and Canadian cities are hugely inconvenienced, as they have to travel to or from New Delhi or other cities in India to reach their destinations.           Emphasizing that there is enough volume of travelers from Amritsar, Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal informed the Union Minister that this volume of travellers could cater to at least five flights in a week of wide bodied aircrafts to Canada. The recent bilateral Air Services agreement between India and Canada includes other Indian cities but has excluded Amritsar in the list of cities for direct flight operations, said the Minister adding that the Amritsar should had also been included in these cities.          On behalf of large number of Punjabi travelers of this region and the State Government, Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal also requested the Union Minister to revisit the agreement by including the city of Amritsar and Mohali for direct flight connectivity. He said that this direct air connectivity would be of great benefit to Punjabis besides addressing long pending issue of the people of the region.          Mr. Dhaliwal revealed that Mr. Scindia assured to consider this demand on priority and to do sincere efforts for solving this issue.