Category Archives: Punjab

Chandigarh, Punjab

Punjab govt appoints Gaurav Yadav as Acting DGP

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INDIA E POST CHANDIGARH JULY 04, 2022

 Director General of Police (DGP). He was currently serving as the Special Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

Yadav’s appointment comes as the incumbent VK Bhawra has proceeded on a two-month leave, seeking the central deputation. It has been learnt that the Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab Government, facing severe criticism over deteriorating law and order situation, is not happy with Bhawra’s functioning.

As Bhawra’s appointment has been made by the union public service commission for a tenure of two years, the government cannot replace him, but only make a temporary appointment.

Notably, Bhawra has been in line of fire over the killing of renowned Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, whose security was withdrawn a day before the incident. Besides, the police faced several embarrassing moments in the investigation of the case and prevention of crimes. He had to clarify his statement on Moosewala’s killing, linking it to a gang war.

Interestingly, Yadav had cleared his Civil Services Examination in 1992, along with Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party’s national convener Arvind Kejriwal. While Yadav got selected in the Indian Police Service (IPS), Kejriwal went for the Indian Revenue Service (IRS).

Yadav had led the Punjab Police’’s 2014 international operation to apprehend one of the most wanted terrorists, Jagtar Singh Tara. Son-in-law of Punjab’s former DGP PC Dogra, Yadav has held a number of key positions, including acting as head of the Intelligence wing under the SAD-BJP government in 2016.

He was also SSP in Punjab for 10 years and Commissioner of Police for four years. He served as the Chandigarh SSP from 2002 to 2004.

Chandigarh, Punjab

GOVERNOR ADMINISTERS OATH TO FIVE NEW MINISTERS IN BHAGWANT MANN LED CABINET

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INDIA E POST CHANDIGARH JULY 04, 2022

The Punjab Governor and Administrator, UT, Chandigarh, Banwari Lal Purohit on Monday administered the oath of office and secrecy to five new Cabinet Ministers of the state in a brief but impressive ceremony here at Punjab Raj Bhawan in the presence of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

          Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that Chief Secretary Anirudh Tewari conducted the proceedings of the ceremony with the permission of the Governor.

          The Cabinet Ministers, who were sworn in the Guru Nanak Dev auditorium within the complex of Punjab Raj Bhawan, included Aman Arora (MLA Sunam), Inderbir Singh Nijjar (MLA Amritsar South), Fauja Singh (MLA Guru Har Sahai), Chetan Singh Joramajra (MLA Samana) and Anmol Gagan Mann (MLA Kharar) were administered the oath by the Governor during the ceremony. After being sworn in the new Ministers signed the oath, which was counter signed by the Governor.

          The prominent dignitaries who attended swearing in ceremony included Speaker Punjab Vidhan Sabha Kultar Singh Sandhwan, Deputy Speaker Punjab Vidhan Sabha Jai Kishan Rauri, Cabinet Ministers Harpal Singh Cheema, Dr. Baljit Kaur, Harbhajan Singh ETO, Lal Chand, Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer, Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, Laljit Singh Bhullar, Bram Shanker Jimpa and Harjot Singh Bains.

          Apart from these, AAP MLAs, senior party leaders, workers and volunteers from Punjab and dignitaries from different walks of life also graced the occasion. The function was attended by the senior officers of State Civil and Police Administration besides family members, relatives and friends of the newly sworn in Cabinet Ministers.

Chandigarh, Punjab

SIDHU MOOSEWALA MURDER CASE: PUNJAB POLICE GETS TRANSIT REMAND OF FOUR ACCUSED INCLUDING TWO SHOOTERS FROM DELHI’S PATIALA HOUSE COURT

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IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 04, 2022

Following the strenuous efforts made by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led Punjab Government, Punjab Police on Monday got transit remand of four persons including two shooters in Sidhu Moosewala murder case from Patiala House Court in Delhi. Sidhu Moosewala was shot dead  by some unidentified persons on May 29, 2022.

          The Police have got transit remand of accused persons identified as Priyabarat alias Fauzi (Main Shooter), Kashish alias Kuldeep (Shooter), Deepak alias Tinu (Close aide of Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and was brought by Delhi Police on Production Warrant) and Keshav Kumar (Provided vehicle and helped in escaping shooters). 

          Pertinently, an application has been filed by the Special Prosecutor to grant the transit remand to the accused persons, formally arrested by the IO in FIR no. 103/2022 PS City One Mansa, Punjab.

          The Hon’ble Court observed that as persons arrested have been accused of committing cognizable offence, thus, the transit remand of accused persons for one day is granted to produce them before the concerned court as early as possible.

          The order further stated that the Medical examination of the accused persons be conducted as per rules and guidelines laid down by Hon’ble Apex Court. If accused persons need any medical facility, IO is directed to ensure that the accused persons get the same within time, it further reads.

          Meanwhile, original order along with record is handed over to the Police. Jail Superintendents of Tihar and Rohini are also directed to hand over the custody of the above said accused to IO SP Dharamvir Singh/DSP Gobinder Singh.

Chandigarh, Chandigarh, Punjab

CM HAILS HIGH COURT VERDICT TO DISMISS APPEAL BY ACCUSED IN BEHBAL KALAN FIRING

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IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 04, 2022

The Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann today hailed the verdict of Punjab and Haryana High Court dismissing a bunch of petitions seeking the quashing of FIR and Investigation conducted into the Behbal Kalan firing.

The Chief Minister said that the verdict has paved way for the Government to seek strict punishment against the policeman accused of firing on innocent protestors at Behbal Kalan. Lashing out at his opponents, Bhagwant Mann said both Akalis and Congress have connived with each other to save the guilty of this case. He that while desecration of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji and firing on innocent protestors took place during the Akali regime, the Congress actively shielded the perpetrators of the crime by ineffectively defending the investigation conducted into the incidents of sacrilege in Kotkapura.

The Chief Minister said that as a result of this the challan presented in the case against political leaders and senior officials was quashed by the High Court. Bhagwant Mann further said that the Akali-Congress, nexus that was shielding the accused hitherto, has been broken with the AAP Government coming into power. He said that the verdict was a result of the firm commitment of the AAP Government to bring the guilty to book as the State Government effectively defended the investigation conducted into the Behbal Kalan firing case, whereas the Congress had failed to defend the  investigation into the Kotkapura desecration incidents.

Pertinently, in a significant judgement the Punjab and Haryana High Court today dismissed a bunch of petitions filed by the accused policemen in the Behbal Kalan firing case seeking quashing of the challan presented against them in the trial court. Accepting the contention of the Advocate General (AG), the court held that the charges could be framed even on strong suspicion. The court further directed a Special Investigation Team headed by Inspector General of Police Naunihal Singh, to conduct further investigation and submit their report under Section 173 Cr.P.C before the trial Court.

Chandigarh, Chandigarh, Haryana, Punjab

‘Sex Laws in India’ Book released in Chandigarh

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INDIA E POST CHANDIGARH JULY 04, 2022

Justice M.M. Kumar, former Chief Justice of J&K High Court and former President of National Company Law Tribunal and presently a Member of National Human Rights Commission released ‘Sex Laws in India’ Book at Press Club here on Sunday. Mr. Justice JC Verma (Retd.) former Judge Rajasthan HC , Mr. Justice Viney Mittal ( Retd.) former Judge Madhya Pradesh HC, Advocate Santokhwinder Singh Grewal (Nabha) the President of Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association were also present during occasion.

The book which is a critical assessment of sex laws for common man is co-authored by father-son duo of Sanjeev Jindal, Additional District & Sessions Judge (Retd.) and President of Distt. Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission and Abhishek Jindal an Advocate in Punjab & Haryana High Court, Chandigarh. It is published by Unistar Books Pvt Ltd.

This Book is primarily meant for the welfare of the common citizens of country and enlightens them with respect to their constitutional, fundamental and human rights so as to save them from the perversities and unnecessary harassment at the hands of the statutory law enforcement authorities especially certain unscrupulous police authorities.

Talking about book Sanjeev Jindal said that the critical assessment of the sex laws also enables the common people to shape their views and to smoothen their behavior vis-à-vis other members of the society. The beauty of this book is that it does not discuss the sex laws statute-wise and section-wise in a typical legal /academic manner but that it discusses them topic-wise in an interesting story-telling manner and in the process very smoothly encompasses all the laws on that topic and subject as embodied in different provisions of different statutes.

Abhishek Jindal said: “These topics are such with respect to whom common man come across in his routine life and which affects common man in his daily life. For example couples living in live-in relationship and adultery, run-away couples, rape, prostitution, members of third gender community i.e. gays, lesbians, bi-sexuals and transgender vis-à-vis Section 377 I.P.C., molestation and sexual harassment of women and Public obscenity etc.”

“It is also pertinent to mention here that this book has not been written to get any critical acclaims from legal luminaries or legal technical experts or legal scholars in the field of law but for the benefit of the common man in the street who does not know much about the laws especially about the sex laws, “ Abhishek maintained.

Sanjeev Jindal said that since this book meant for the benefit and understanding of the common man of ordinary prudence in the street so the language of this book has been kept very simple in English so that even a student of 10th standard or a person having a very simple knowledge of English, is able to understand the language of this book in its right perspective and the sex laws in India in its true spirit.

Not only that, this book while discussing socio-economic problems in implementing the sex laws also makes some concrete suggestions regarding future legislation thereby giving logic reasons as to on which lines the future legislation relating to sex laws should take place so that the sex laws should help and aid the common citizens to lead their lives peacefully and with dignity, he asserted.

Meanwhile JS Bedi former Additional Advocate General Haryana, Karan Nehra Vice President of Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association, Senior Advocate Sumeet Mahajan and Advocate Chander Mohan a leading publisher of Law Books were also present during the occasion.

Photos Caption: Mr. Justice MM Kumar ( in blue coat) former Chief Justice of J&K High Court presently a Member of National Human Rights Commission , Mr. Justice JC Verma ( in white shirt) former Judge Rajasthan HC , Mr. Justice Viney Mittal ( in grey coat) former Judge Madhya Pradesh HC, Advocate Santokhwinder Singh Grewal Nabha (2nd from left ) President of Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association  and book co-authors Sanjeev Jindal (in black coat and white shirt ), Additional District & Sessions Judge (Retd.) and Abhishek Jindal ( in black coat) Advocate in Punjab & Haryana High Court, Chandigarh during the release of ‘Sex Laws in India’ Book at Press Club in Chandigarh on Sunday.

About Authors:

Sanjeev Jindal a LL.B. (Professional) M.A.(Public Admn.)(Gold Medalist), PG Diploma in (Indus.Relations & Personnel Mgt.), Jyotish Vishard (1.C.A.S) Chennai, is an Ex-member HCS (JB) and Ex-member HSJS.  After passing LL.B (Professional) from Punjabi University Patiala in 1983, Sanjeev Jindal got enrolled as an Advocate in Punjab and Haryana High Court at Chandigarh. He became Assistant Administrative Officer Legal-Personnel in National Ins. Co. Ltd. in Western Regional Office at Bombay (now Mumbai) in 1986. In 1987 he joined as Sub- judge-cum- Judicial Magistrate 1st Class in Haryana Civil Services (Judicial Branch).Thereafter, he served as Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate and Chief Judicial Magistrate. In 2002 he was promoted to Haryana Superior Judicial Service as Addl. Distt. & Sessions Judge. During this tenure, he also served as Presiding Officer Labour Court and Industrial Tribunal and retired as Principal Judge Family Court Sonipat Haryana on superannuation after putting in 34 years of service as Judicial Officer. He has a flair for writing and has a knack for putting across the dense and abstract law very succinctly to the common man. His Court had remained as a learning school for the litigants as well as the advocates who appeared on behalf of their clients. This book is the result of his long judicial experience and his empathy towards the systemic unjustness faced by the victims of sexual laws.

Abhishek Jindal is a practicing advocate at the Punjab and Haryana High Court. He is an alumnus of Army Institute of Law Mohali. He attended a certificate course at King’s College London, Waterloo campuses in Criminology and Criminal Justice. He brings in his experience as a practicing advocate on the subject and puts across many new insights.

Chandigarh, Chandigarh, Punjab

Study Examined the Heavy Metal Pollution in Groundwater around a Coal Thermal Power Plant in Punjab

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IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 03, 2022

Coal thermal power plants are the leading cause of environmental pollution. The fly and bottom ash from thermal power plants contain various toxic heavy metals and contaminate the environment if not appropriately managed. It affects the groundwater quality by improper disposal of coal combustion products, mainly ash which is composed of numerous heavy metals. Considering this, a team comprising experts from Panjab University and the PGIMER assessed the impact of unscientific ash disposal on groundwater quality near a thermal power plant in Ropar, Punjab, India.

Dr. Suman Mor, Chairperson, Environment Studies Department, Panjab University Chandigarh, led the research team, along with Ph.D. research scholar Nitasha Vig and Dr. Ravindra Khaiwal from the Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, PGIMER, Chandigarh. The study  ‘Heavy metal pollution assessment of groundwater and associated health risks around coal thermal power plant, Punjab, India; recently published in the International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology being published by Springer Nature.

A total of fifty groundwater samples were collected from various depths ranging from 5 to 30 meters below ground level and varying distances from the thermal power plants during the pre and post-monsoon seasons. These samples were examined for specific heavy metals using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy. Various multivariate statistical models were computed to understed the geochemistry of groundwater, including the health risk assessment of metal pollution due to the consumption of contaminated groundwater.

The results show a relatively higher concentration of arsenic and lead in the groundwater around the thermal power plants. The increased levels of a few metals above the threshold limits during the post-monsoon season indicate the possible contamination of lower groundwater aquifers due to the leaching from ash ponds. The heavy metal pollution index of groundwater was also examined and found to be exceeding the critical levels. This indicates that groundwater consumption from the upper aquifer may pose health risks to the local inhabitant.

Dr. Suman Mor, Chairperson, Department of Environment Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh, mentioned that the power plant should adopt appropriate eco-friendly technologies to avoid unscientific disposal of fly ash. She added that the coal power industry should adopt innovations to minimize the leaching of toxins from ash ponds into groundwater.

Dr. Ravindra Khaiwal, Professor of Environmental Health, Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, PGIMER Chandigarh, highlighted that deepwater aquifer is currently being used for drinking and irrigation, which is safe for human and other ecological purposes. However, he stressed that we need to establish a system for routine groundwater monitoring for various toxic metals to avoid public health risks in the near future.

Chandigarh, Chandigarh, Punjab

Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan writes to Chief Minister for saving Mattewara forest

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IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 03, 2022

The Speaker, Punjab Vidhan Sabha Kultar Singh Sandhwan has written a letter to the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for saving the Mattewara forest on the banks of river Sutlej in Ludhiana District. He has favoured taking concrete steps for increasing the forest cover in Punjab from the present level of 3.67 percent to 33 percent which is at par with the other states.

In his letter the Speaker has said that Warrior Moms, Mothers for clean air and We support our farms, Bhai Ghanaiya Cancer Roko Sewa Society, Naroa Punjab Manch besides other social institutions have given very good suggestions for increasing the forest cover. These institutions are raising important issues connected with the environment and forwarding suggestions at regular intervals in order to sensitize the Government. The rationale forwarded by such institutions to save Mattewara forest were ignored by the previous Governments which is why the destruction of Mattewara forest near Ludhiana and pollution of Sutlej waters looks certain. The Speaker further said that although all the MLAs of Punjab have been raising the issues concerned with saving the environment, in the previous Vidhan Sabha but the previous Government didn’t took any constructive step on these issues.

Writing further, Sandhwan added that the Mattewara forest issue was raised in the recent session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha and the Chief Minister had assured that the chemical producing industries would not be allowed in this region. The different governments didn’t undertook any step to increase the Forest cover in the State. The degradation of the environment is having an adverse effect on people’s health too. So, it is very important to increase the security cover of trees near the industrial cities. Stemming the tide of diseases such as cancer, lung ailments, asthma etc. being caused due to the water, noise and air pollution, is the primary responsibility of the society and the Government.

Strongly recommending, the Speaker wrote that along side the raising of the issue in the Vidhan Sabha by the MLAs, in order to save the mattewara forest and save the river waters of Sutlej from being polluted apart from the new Government elected on people’s issues, strong steps are necessary to resolve the important issue at the earliest. This would lead to the common people being aware of the Government’s sensitivity towards the important issue related to the health of the masses and the Mattewara forest would be saved which is the security cover for the wild animals and the birds and keeping the environment of Ludhiana clean and green.

Chandigarh, Chandigarh, Punjab

16Kg HEROIN RECOVERED FROM GURDASPUR: J&K HAS EMERGED AS NEW ORIGIN FOR TRANSIT OF DRUGS THROUGH PUNJAB

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IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 03, 2022

A day after the big haul of 16Kg heroin recovered from Gurdaspur district, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Border Range Mohnish Chawla on Saturday said that following strict vigil at Indo-Pak Border in the state, Jammu and Kashmir has emerged as a new origin for transit of drugs through Punjab.

“The investigations into the 16kg heroin recovery from Gurdaspur revealed that arrested accused persons have used National Highway (connecting Jammu to Punjab) to bring this consignment from neighbouring state Jammu by concealing it in a specially designed compartments in two Toyota Innova Crysta cars,” he said, while addressing a virtual Press Conference.

          Notably, Gurdaspur district Police had arrested four suspects after recovering 16.80Kg heroin (packed in 16 packets) after intercepting two Innova Crysta cars coming from Jammu side. Those arrested have been identified as Manjinder singh alias Manna (28), Gurdit Singh alias Gitta (35) and Bhola Singh (32), trio residents of village Cheema Kalan in Tarn Taran, and Kuldeep Singh alias Givi alias Keepa (32) of Kazi Kot road in Tarn Taran. The police have also impounded both Innova Crysta cars bearing registration numbers PB13BF7613 and PB08CX2171. A case has been registered under sections 21C, 27-A, 25 and 29 of the NDPS Act at  Police Station Dinanagar.

          IGP Mohnish Chawla said that the Police have also booked the kingpin of this module identified as Malkit Singh of village Cheema Kalan in Tarn Taran, who had sent his four aides to Jammu to retrieve this 16Kg consignment. Malkit, who had earlier processed such consignments around five times in the past using the same kind of modus operandi, has already been facing three cases under NDPS act, he said, adding that the Police teams are on manhunt to arrest Malkit.

          The IGP said that investigation has revealed a modus operandi related to interstate smuggling prevalent in Punjab these days, where kingpin used virtual numbers to communicate with Jammu based Smugglers. “This is the third such case of drug smuggling from Jammu side to Punjab that has come to fore in less than one year wherein smugglers used the same modus operandi,” said IG Border Range.  

          Pertinently, the Pathankot Police had registered two such cases of heavy recovery of heroin in February this year, when around 12Kg of Heroin was recovered in the jurisdiction of Police Station Sujanpur. Similarly, Amritsar Rural Police had recovered Rs 1.9 crore of drug money along with 21Kg of Heroin from jurisdiction of Police Station Kathunangal in August last year.

 Meanwhile, the same kind of modus operandi was also noticed during the investigation of FIR no 76 dated August 16, 2022 registered in Police Station Sadar Gurdaspur where secret cavities were found fabricated in Creta car and Balck Mahindra Thar, allegedly to conceal drugs. The police had arrested three persons in this case and confiscated both the vehicles. However, no recovery was made.

Chandigarh, Chandigarh, Punjab

CM ANNOUNCES MAJOR RELIEF FOR MOONGI CULTIVATORS

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IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 03, 2022

In a path breaking initiative aimed at giving reprieve to Moong cultivators, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday announced to bear the gap, upto Rs 1000 per quintal, for Moong crop sold below MSP  to the farmers for Moongi crop.

Announcing the decision here on Saturday, the Chief Minister directed the Finance Department to yo ensure that no deviation from it takes place and every farmer is benefitted from it. He said that this incentive is being given to all the Moongi cultivators, including those who have already sold their crop. Bhagwant Mann said that necessary amendment in rules has been made in this regard.

The Chief Minister said that total arrival of Moong in the Year 2021-22 was 2.98 Lakh Quintal whereas after the state government has announced MSP on the crop the arrival of Moong in current season 2022-23 is expected to be 4 lakh quintals. He said that at present Moong is procured by MARKFED for the first time as per MSP worth Rs.7275 per quintal. However, Bhagwant Mann said that he had received reports that due to damage of crop, it was not being purchased on MSP.

The Chief Minister said that to bail out the farmers, who are not able to sell their grain on MSP, the state government is giving this incentive to them. Giving details, he said that for crop purchased on MSP no incentive will be there, but for the crop sold at Rs 7000 per quintal an additional support incentive worth Rs 275 per quintal is being given. Bhagwant Mann said that those farmers who sold Moongi at Rs.6,500 per quintal are being given Rs 775 as incentive and those who have sold the crop at Rs 6000 per quintal are entitled for incentive worth Rs 1000 per quintal.

Keeping in view the difficulties faced by the farmers to sell the crop, the Chief Minister said that he has already approved relaxation in existing specifications for purchase of damaged moong crop. He said that maximum limit tolerance of unripe, shriveled or immature Moongi has been enhanced to three to eight percent, that of damaged Moongi has been increased from three to six percent and that of slightly damaged Moongi has been relaxed from four to seven percent. Bhagwant Mann expressed hope that these initiatives will give much needed succour to the hard working and resilient farmers of the state who have made the country self reliant in food production by contributing immensely in national food kitty.

The Chief Minister said that more such steps will be taken in the coming times to make agriculture a profitable venture. Bhagwant Mann envisioned that these decisions will help in supplementing income of farmers on one hand and enhancing the soil health and saving precious water of state on the other.

Chandigarh, Chandigarh, Punjab

CM LAUNCHES HONEY COATED ‘CORN FLAKES’ PRODUCED BY MARKFED

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IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 03, 2022

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann today launched Honey coated ‘Corn Flakes’ produced by MARKFED.

Releasing the product on Cooperation Day here on Saturday, the Chief Minister described it as a historic and path breaking initiative by MARKFED to produce this high quality product in the state. He said that the products of Markfed were renowned all over the world, due its good quality and mouth watering taste.  Likewise, Bhagwant Mann said that continuing its spree to provide quality goods to the people the MARKFED has now launched the Honey coated Corn Flakes which will be beneficial both for farmers and consumers.

The Chief Minister said that it is good to note that realizing its brand patronage and tremendous potential Markfed was exploring all the possibilities to take such unique initiatives for giving  a major fillip to the economy of the state. He said that MARKFED, the public sector undertaking of the Punjab Government, has left an impeccable imprint in global market with its quality food products adding he hoped that this newly launched quality product will further satiate the quality food needs of Punjabis residing across the globe. Bhagwant Mann envisioned that these mouth watering will capture sizeable chunk of consumer market not only in the state but across the country and even abroad.

The Chief Minister complimented the officers of MARKFED for this initiative and said that it was a step forward towards strengthening the cooperative movement and agrarian economy of the state. He said that the products of MARKFED have already created a niche for themselves in the nationwide market adding that this product would help in consolidating its position.  Bhagwant Mann also said that this grown in Punjab, product of Punjab will soon become popular amongst the people like other ones.