IEP Chandigarh, February 8

          The Punjab Government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will organize the first ever ‘Pehli Sarkar-Kisan Milni’ on February 12 at Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana.

          Disclosing this here today, Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Mr. Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal said that the main purpose of this meeting is to promote the cultivation water-saving crops by reducing the area under wheat-paddy, and to promote other agricultural allied occupations.

          Mr. Dhaliwal said that during this unique event being conducted by the Punjab government, there will be direct dialogue between the government and the farmers to make the new agricultural policy of the state. He said that during this meeting progressive farmers from all over Punjab would give their suggestions directly to the Chief Minister and discussions will be held through open dialogue between administration, departments, agricultural research institutes and farmers. He said that it would help to chalk out plans for diversifying the state’s agriculture, making it profitable besides carrying out agricultural reforms.

          The Minister further said that such 5 thousand farmers/entrepreneurs have been invited for this farmer-government meeting. He said that the participation of experienced farmers with extensive knowledge of various subjects related to agriculture and allied occupations has been ensured. Apart from this, members of various agricultural clubs, associations would participate in this meeting. He said that the participation of women farmers belonging to self-help groups, cooperative societies has been also ensured.

          Agriculture Minister said that 20 “Slaaah Mashwara Booths” for suggestions regarding production of vegetables, fruits, sugarcane, coarse grains, medicinal plants and aromatic plants, poultry farming, fish farming, goat farming, fodder and fodder, dairy, agricultural machinery, coastal areas, forestry, mushrooms and Beekeeping, Food Processing and Value Addition and Start Up, Organic Farming, Pulses and Oilseeds, Wheat, Paddy and Maize and Basmati etc. will be set up at the meeting venue. He said that subject experts will be present at these 20 different booths, who will give suggestions to the farmers besides addressing their queries.

          Mr. Dhaliwal said that 11 different departments including Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development, Fisheries, Mandi Board, Poultry, Soil and Water Conservation, Punjab Agro Industries, Millfed and Markfed will organize exhibitions on this occasion. He said that these exhibitions will be full of information to guide the farmers.

IEP Chandigarh February 8

          The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) has arrested one more absconding accused agent Gaurav Arora, resident of Central Town, Jalandhar who colluded with Motor Vehicle Inspector (MVI), Jalandhar Naresh Kaler in the vehicle fitness certificates scam. The VB has confiscated his mobile phone and SIM card which would be sent to data experts to gather more information about this scam.

          Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of the VB said the Bureau had conducted a surprise check in the office of MVI, Jalandhar and exposed an organized corruption scam in August 2022 for issuing/receiving fitness certificates without conducting inspections of commercial and private vehicles on a large scale in connivance with private agents.

          Giving details he further added that the VB on the basis of sufficient evidence registered a case FIR No 14 dated 23-08-2022 under sections 7, 7A of prevention of corruption act and 420, 120-B of IPC at VB police station Jalandhar. In this case total 13 accused had already been arrested and in the jail which includes Naresh Kaler, Rampal alias Radhe, Mohan Lal alias Kalu, Paramjit Singh Bedi, Surjit Singh, Harvinder Singh, Pankaj Dhingra @ Bholu, Brijpal Singh @ Ricky, Arvind Kumar @ Bindu, Varinder Singh @ Deepu, Sapna, Loveleen Singh Lavi and Rajesh Sahota (All private agents). Further investigation of this case was under progress and the remaining absconding accused would be arrested soon, he added.

IEP Chandigarh, February 6:

Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhawan, on Monday, inspected mid-day meal in a government elementary school of village Ratti Rori near Kotakpura.

Reached at the government primary school, Ratti Rori of Kotakpura constituency in the afternoon, S. Sandhwan took delight of mid day meal along with students and expressed satisfaction with the quality of food given to the students.

He said, the state government was committed to provide quality education and required facilities to the students, thus continuous checking of the schools is being conducted, adding that the prime motive of the state government was to further raise the standard of government schools.

During his visit to various government schools of district Faridkot, Speaker S. Sandhawan also handed over cheques worth Rs.8 lakh to four government schools. He gave cheques of Rs.2 lakh each to Government Primary School Dwareyana, Government High School Wada Daraka, Government Primary School Daggo Romana and Government Primary School Ratti Rori, besides handing over Rs.1 lakh cheque to Shaheed Bhagat Singh Welfare Club for procuring equipment.

During his address in schools, S. Sandhwan said that concerted efforts are being made at a large scale to raise the standard of the education in the state. Recently, the government has dispatched batch of 36 school principals for training at the International Teacher Training Center, Singapore for improving their teaching skills. These teachers, on their return, will be able to impart education to students with world-class methods.

The Speaker was accompanied by District Education Officer (Elementary) Ms. Neelam Rani, Block Primary Education Officer Jaskaran Singh, Mr. Manpreet Singh Dhaliwal PRO/Speaker, Mr. Sukhjit Singh Dhilwan Chairman Planning Board Faridkot, Mr. Mandeep Singh, Mr. Amandeep Singh Sandhu and other dignitaries.

IEP Chandigarh, February 6

          On the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Water Supply and Sanitation Department has organized first of its kind state-level online Janta Darbar, in which Water Supply and Sanitation Minister Bram Shanker Jimpa has redressed more than two dozen complaints.  Jimpa said that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has clearly instructed to provide clean potable water to the villages of Punjab and adequate sewage arrangements should be made.

          The online Janta Darbar was set up at the head office of Water Supply and Sanitation Department at Mohali. A total of 26 complaints were received from Ropar, Fazilka, Hoshiarpur, Bathinda, Mohali, Patiala, Mansa and Gurdaspur districts. Most of the complaints were related to water supply. The Water Supply and Sanitation Minister Jimpa directed the higher officials present in the Janta Darbar to resolve the complaints timely. Those complaints which can be resolved in a short time, Jimpa directed the officials accordigly. Regarding the rest of the complaints, the higher officials were asked to visit the spot and submit a report. He said that in next Janta Darbar after 15 days, he will first review today’s complaints status and will hear the rest of the complaints later.

          Out of the total complaints, 25 complaints were heard online and one complaint was placed before the minister by Gej  Kaur from village Fatehgarh Chhanna of Samana block, Patiala. The complainant said that due to continuous leakage in the water pipe, cracks are appearing in the walls of her house. Jimpa directed the concerned officials to inspect the situation and solve the problem immediately.

          Jimpa further said that if any village resident of Punjab has any complaint regarding drinking water supply and sewage, he/she can register the complaint online, through toll free number or email. All efforts would be made to solve every complaint. He said that the success of the first Janta Darbar has inspired every officer and employee of the Water Supply and Sanitation Department to work harder.

          Water Supply and Sanitation Department Principal Secretary D.K. Tiwari and HoD Mohammad Ishfaq assured the minister that every officer of the department is committed to solve citizen’s problems. They said that any resident of state’s village, panchayat or other concerned people who want to register their complaint related to the department can register their complaint without any hesitation through the online link, toll free number or email issued by the department.

          Tiwari said that if any person faces any problem in filing a online complaint, he/she can contact the nearest office of the Water Supply and Sanitation Department. The concerned office will help the complainant to raise his/her voice before the minister in online Janta Darbar.

          It is pertinent to mention that apart from the complaints received in the Janta Darbar, a total of 18,693 complaints have been received by the Water Supply and Sanitation Department since March 1, 2022 to till date, out of which 18,308 complaints have been resolved.

IEP Chandigarh, February 6

          Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led state government will bring a greater number of citizen services on its online platform to further strengthen the citizens’ services in Punjab as well as strengthen the deployment of IT personnel in the government.

This was decided in the 38th Meeting of the Executive Committee of the Punjab State eGovernance Society held under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary Vijay Kumar Janjua here today.

Giving further details, an Official spokesperson stated that Punjab Government as per the mandate given by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, PSeGS has been tasked with bringing major reforms in service delivery and will cover all the services notified under Punjab Transparency and Accountability Act.

While reviewing the work of the Sewa Kendras, it was pointed out that presently 430 services are being delivered from Sewa Kendras and 93 services are being delivered online from Connect portal. It was decided that more services must be brought onto the online portal as well as citizens should get their certificates on WhatsApp and using WhatsApp Chabot, citizens will be able to check their status and will be able to get more information on WhatsApp only. 

Chief Secretary Mr Janjua directed PSeGS to hire a third party agency for a performance audit and social impact of Sewa Kendras covering all aspects and stakeholders. The Society would also engage the services of 324 IT personnel to be deployed across different departments of the government for which Guru Nanak Dev University Amritsar would soon initiate the selection process.

The Executive Committee also decided to engage the services of a consultant on an outsourcing basis for bringing reforms in Government processes for the ease of citizens as well as to work on the reduction of compliance burden in line with directions given by the Government of India.

IEP Jalandhar, February 6

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann today said that the era of harassment of the industry is over and the state government will now act as a facilitator to the industrial sector.

The Chief Minister,  during an interactive session with the captains of industry here on Monday, said that unlike past no one will harass the industrialists rather the state government will make every effort to promote and encourage the industry. He said that the state government has already set the wheels in motion to provide single window system for facilitating the industry. Bhagwant Mann said that this is being implemented in real zeal to ensure comprehensive development of the industrial sector.

The Chief Minister said that the state government will make concerted efforts for safeguarding, promoting and expanding the existing industrial units in the state. He said that the industrialists have played a key role in socio-economic growth of the country. Bhagwant Mannn said that these industries have carved a niche for them across the globe and the state government will make every effort to ensure that their interests are safeguarded.

The Chief Minister said that  no stone will unturned to ensure that these existing units compete well with the other industries at the national and international level. He further said that the main motive of organising these interactive sessions across the state is to ensure maximum participation of the local industry in the progressive Punjab investors summit  slated to take place at Mohali on February 23-24. Bhagwant Mann said that the participation of the local industry is the need of hour to showcase the vast potential of state to the world.

Chief Minister reiterated that the local industry should become the brand ambassador of state  for emerging it as an industrial hub across the globe. He said that the state government has provided the most Conducive environment to the industry in the state. Bhagwant Mann said that a Punjabi is a born entrepreneur and everyone of us must make efforts to put state on high orbit of industrial growth trajectory.

The Chief Minister said that Punjabi entrepreneurs have proved their mettle across the globe and now they should focus on growth within the state. He said that this will open new vistas of employment for youth besides giving major push to industry.  Bhagwant Mann said that massive efforts are also afoot for starting domestic flights from Adampur, Halwara and Bhisiana airports to facilitate the industry.

The Chief Minister said that the major push to industry will create job opportunities for youth on one hand and immensely contribute in progress of state on the other. Bhagwant Mann said that every effort is being made to give a fillip to the industrial sector in the state. He said that the state government will soon set up 20 dedicated Rural Industrial Hubs across the state.

The Chief Minister said that these hubs will be equipped with state of the art infrastructure to facilitate the industrialists in setting up their units. Bhagwant Mann assured fulsome support and cooperation to the industrialists opting for setting up their units in these hubs adding that the state government is fully committed to accelerate industrialist development in Punjab. He said that his government is working untiringly for well being of every strata of society and no stone will ne left unturned for this noble cause.

The Chief Minister said that he had gone to Chennai, Hyderabad and Mumbai to invite the industrialists to the summit. He said that the industrial honchos in these metros were surprised to note the vast potential of industrial growth in the state. Bhagwant Mann said that due to strenuous efforts of the state government these industrialists are now ready to invest in Punjab.

The Chief Minister said that the state government has introduced the new industrial Policy for Punjab to give further impetus to Industry and commerce. He said that this policy has been framed after due consultations with all the stakeholders especially the industrialists. Bhagwant Mann said that further suggestions by the industrialists in this regard are also welcome to give fillip to the industry.

On the occasion, Cabinet Minister Anmol Gagan Mann also interacted with the industrialists and assured them full support from the state government.

Prominent amongst others present on the occasion included Cabinet Ministers Anmol Gagan Mann and Brahm Shankar Jimpa, MLAs Raman Arora, Shital Angural, Balkar Singh and Inderjit Kaur Mann, Principal Secretary Industries Dilip Kumar, CEO Invest Punjab KK Yadav, Special Principal Secretary to CM Ravi Bhagat, Additional CEO Invest Punjab Sandeep Hans, Deputy Commissioner Jaspreet Singh, Commissioner of Police Kuldeep Chahal and others.

IEP Chandigarh, February 6

Punjab Information and Public Relations Minister Mr. Aman Arora on Monday has expressed deep grief over the passing away of Smt. Parkash Kaur Sandhu (84), the mother of Mr. Jagdeep Singh Sandhu, senior journalist and CEO Daily Post Punjab Haryana Himachal channel.

She breathed her last today morning at a hospital in Gurdaspur after a brief illness. She is survived by her two sons and two daughters.

Expressing his heartfelt sympathies with bereaved family and relatives in this hour of grief, Mr. Aman Arora prayed to the Almighty to grant eternal peace to the departed soul and fortitude to the family to bear this irreparable loss.

Meanwhile, Principal Secretary Information and Public Relations Mr. Rahul Bhandari and Director Sonali Giri also expressed deep sorrow over the demise of Smt. Parkash Kaur Sandhu.

IEP Chandigarh/Longowal, February 6

A two-day long sporting extravaganza “Khedan Halqa Sunam Diyan” organised by Babu Bhagwan Dass Arora Memorial Foundation at Longowal village concluded on a very positive note on Sunday late evening, further paving way for rural sportspersons to shine at a national level and bring laurels to the Punjab. Punjab Information and Public Relations Minister Mr Aman Arora announced that the “Khedan Halqa Sunam Diyan” tournament would be organised every year.

Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s wife Dr. Gurpreet Kaur presided over the closing ceremony of Super Sports League and felicitated winning teams with cash prizes and specially designed trophies.

The team of Akbarpur village lifted the title trophy in Volleyball Shooting, Sheron and Sahpur Kalan secured 2nd and 3rd position, respectively. In Volleyball Smashing, Badrukhan clinched top position and Lakhmirwala finished 2nd and Bahadurpur remained at 3rd place.

Togawal team won the Tug of War competition in the senior wing, Sheron finished second and Bahadurpur third.

The Tug of War (junior wing) competition was won by A team of Government High School, Kularan, meanwhile, Government High School Kularan team B finished second and Government High School Togawal managed to secure third position.

Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan said that the main priority of CM Bhagwant Mann led Punjab government was to eradicate drugs especially ‘Chitta’ from Punjab and it could only be possible by channelising the energy of youth in right direction. He said that apart from weeding out drugs, every other malpractice will be ended soon within the state as the Punjab government has regularly been taking selfless initiatives contrary to previous regimes.

Punjab Information & Public Relations, Housing & Urban Development, New & Renewable Energy Sources and Printing & Stationery Minister Mr. Aman Arora said that no stone will be left unturned to provide world class facilities and infrastructure to the people of the state under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann. He said that following the footsteps of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, “Khedan Halqa Sunam Diyan”  were organised to take ‘Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan’ at village level to hone the skills of budding players of rural area. He added that it would be made an annual event to prepare international level sportspersons from Sunam, the land of revolutionary martyr Shaheed Udham Singh.

He also thanked the participants, coaches and constituency residents for turning a small initiative of his foundation into a big sporting festival with their overwhelming support.

Famous Sufi singer Kamal Khan also enthralled the audience with his songs during the closing ceremony.

Notably, ‘Khedan Halqa Sunam Diyan’ were organised in the memory of Late Punjab Minister Babu Bhagwan Dass Arora, father of Mr. Aman Arora, at Shaheed Bhai Mati Das Senior Secondary School, Longowal. The Foundation has been organising medical camps and carrying out other social works for the welfare of the public for over a decade.

On this occasion, MLA Lehra Barinder Goyal, MLA Sardulgarh Gurpreet Singh Banawali, MLA Dharamkot Devinderjeet Singh Laadi Dhose, Deputy Commissioner, Sangrur Mr Jitendra Jorwal, SSP Surendra Lamba, OSD to CM, Punjab Mr Manjit Singh Sidhu, OSD Professor Onkar Singh, cabinet minister Aman Arora’s mother Smt. Parmeshwari Devi, ADC Varjit Walia, MC Longowal president Parminder Kaur Brar, among several other dignitaries were also present.

IEP Chandigarh, February 5

 Under the direction of Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur, to follow the instructions issued by the Department of Social Justice on 3-11-2015 regarding reservation in outsource recruitment, a letter has been written to the Special Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary, Financial Commissioner, Principal Secretary, Administrative Secretary, Divisional Commissioners, head of all Departments, all Deputy Commissioners, Additional Deputy Commissioners (Development) and all Sub Divisional Magistrates.

 It has come to the notice of the Minister that these instructions are not being followed by many departments and institutions under them.  She said that the government has seriously considered this issue and has decided that as per the instructions issued by the Department of Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities dated 3-11-2015 reservation should be ensured in the recruitment done on outsources basis.  In view of the provisions of the Reservation Act-2006, implementation of reservation for Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes in recruitment through outsources method should be ensured.

 Dr. Baljit Kaur said that if any such complaint comes to her notice in future, action will be taken under Section 8 of the Punjab Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes (Reservation in Services) Act, 2006.

IEP Chandigarh, February 5

          Water Supply and Sanitation Minister Bram Shanker Jimpa informed that as per the instructions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the first state-level online ‘Janta Darbar’ will be organized on February 6 from 11.30 am to 2 pm. If the residents of state’s villages are facing any problem regarding the supply of clean water and sanitation or they want to file a complaint, they can register their complaints online, he added.

           In the ‘Janta Darbar’, grievances would be heard by Water Supply and Sanitation Minister Bram Shanker Jimpa. All senior officers of the department and district officers would also be present with the minister. Water Supply and Sanitation Department has already shared the online link for filing complaints.

          Citizens who want to lodge a complaint can connect online at the link  https://headdwss.my.webex.com/headdwss.my/j.php?MTID=mb93a5a19bb8a03372346bce9780ae495. Apart from this, they can also be connected through WebExMeeting number: 2642 015 6498 (Password: 1234). Those who want to convey their grievances before the Minister should register their grievances in advance so that the complaint can be properly resolved by the Minister after analyzing it before the meeting.

          Advance complaint can be lodged on toll free number- 1800-180-2468 or email dwsssnkhelpdesk@gmail.com or website dwss.punjab.gov.in/Citizen Corner Register Online Complaint. (If there is any technical problem while filing the complaint then it can be sent to the given email)

          It is pertinent to mention that the citizens will wait in their virtual waiting room during the ‘Janta Darbar’. Citizens will come one by one on the basis of the priority of the registered complaints and after listening to the complaints, the minister will make every effort to solve them on the spot. Only after solving the first complaint, the next complaint will be heard. If a complainant does not want to wait or if the meeting time runs out, he/she can lodge his complaint later on, at the toll free number/email/website.