IEP Chandigarh, January 22

Local Government Minister Dr. Inderbir Singh Nijjar on Sunday emphasised on the production of Millet crop while inaugurating the Eat Right Millet Fair organized by the Foods and Drug Administration Punjab (FDA) in collaboration with the district administration at Company Bagh, Amritsar.

Addressing the farmers, food experts, students and general public present at the event, Dr Nijjar said that we should do natural farming to save our land from poison. He said that we have completely forgotten about coarse grains, which mainly include millet, kangni, kodra, jowar, kuttaki, samwan, and ragi, while their consumption is very important for our physical and mental well-being. He said that use of water and fertiliser can be reduced  adopting natural farming.

Dr. Nijjar said that once coarse grains were an important part of our diet, but due to major changes in our lifestyle, it has disappeared from our plate. As a result of this, we are suffering from many terrible diseases, he added.

He further said that due to the high amount of gluten in wheat, we are getting sick and we are also damaging our soil by using chemicals to produce these crops.

On this occasion Dr. Nijjar visited the various stalls set up in the fair for the promotion of organic farming and coarse grains and appreciated the organizers of the fair for their initiatives. Dr. Nijjar also felicitated the participating children.

In this fair, Food and Drug Commissioner Punjab Dr. Abhinav Trikha, Assistant Food Commissioner Mr. Rajinder Singh, Food Safety Officers Mr. Satnam Singh, Kamaljit Kaur, Karan Sachdeva, Mr. Surjit Anand, Dr. Rakesh Sharma, O.S.D. Manpreet Singh, PA Maninderpal Singh, and a large number of people were present.

IEP Chandigarh/Sunam Udham Singh Wala, January 22

Punjab Information and Public Relations, New & Renewable Energy Sources, Housing & Urban Development and Printing & Stationery Minister Aman Arora today conducted surprise inspection at the construction site of Rehari Fadhi Market (modern street vending zone) being developed at the cost of Rs. 1 crore at Old Vegetable Market in Sunam city.

During the inspection, Cabinet Minister Aman Arora meticulously observed the ongoing construction work of the sewerage manhole chamber and found that old bricks were being used in some places. Taking serious notice of this, Mr. Aman Arora said that the misuse of government funds, released for the multi-faceted development works by the Punjab Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Punjab Bhagwant Mann, will not be tolerated.

In view of those irregularities, the concerned contractor and departmental officials were directed strictly to maintain the standards of the works. The Cabinet Minister said that any kind of negligence will not be tolerated in the ongoing development works on the land of Shaheed Udham Singh. He said that the concerned officials should perform their duties properly. He said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, it is the main goal of the Punjab government that people’s money should be utilised 101 percent honestly and properly.

Living up to his commitment to serve the people of Sunam, the Cabinet Minister Aman Arora, in the beginning of January of this year,  had laid the foundation stone of the street vending zone at the old vegetable market of the city, which would prove as a boon for the vegetable and fruit vendors in the city in coming future. The cabinet minister also instructed the officials to complete this vending zone within three months.

IEP Chandigarh, January 22

In a crackdown against gangster-terrorist nexus amidst the ongoing drive to make Punjab a crime-free state as per the vision of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Punjab Police on Sunday launched massive raids on suspected hideouts of persons linked with Gangster turned Terrorist Lakhbir Singh alias Landa. The simultaneous raids were conducted at the residential and other premises linked to Lakhbir landa of Harike village of Tarn Taran district, in all the districts of Punjab in the ongoing cases. The operation was aimed at disrupting the nexus between terrorists, gangsters and drug smugglers based in India and Abroad.Divulging details, Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav said that 334 persons linked with Landa were raided in a day long operation by 142 parties of Punjab Police involving about 800 police personnel. In district Tarn Taran alone 65 Police parties raided premises of 171 persons linked with Lakhbir landa, he said.”Today’s searches were planned after the questioning of several persons in the recently busted modules backed by Lakhbir Landa, besides, to infuse fear among the anti-social elements and instil a sense of safety and security among the common people,” he said.Sharing more details, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Law and Order Arpit Shukla said that several persons have been detained for further verification and incriminating material has been seized from their possession, which is being further examined.He said that the data collected during the search operation is being examined further.Notably, Canada-based gangster turned terrorist Lakhbir Singh alias Landa, involved in various criminal activities in Punjab and Abroad, is most wanted criminal by the Punjab Police. He is a Category-A gangster who after committing various crimes fled to Canada in 2017. Sitting in Canada, he runs a network of gangsters involved in extortion, killings and other terror crimes in Punjab. He has been indulging in these crimes in association with his other associates based in different countries. He is close associate of Harwinder Singh alias Rinda based in Pakistan and actively supported by ISI of Pakistan.He was mastermind in recent RPG attacks on intelligence Headquarters and Police Station building of Sarhali. He has been facing as many as 31 FIRs pertaining to murder, NDPS act, extortions, ransom and spreading terror, registered against him.

IEP Chandigarh/Barnala, January 21

Dedicating projects of irrigation worth crores to the people of Barnala, the Minister for Water Resources Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer today said that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led Punjab government was committed towards meeting with all demands of farmers and ensuring their interests.

The Minister laid foundation stone of work of laying underground water pipes as well as lining the tributary at village Kothe Rajinder Pura. He said that this project is being constructed at a cost of Rs 43 lakhs and on the completion of this project 174 hectares acres of land will be irrigated. At the completion of this 2511 meters pipe Line network, the villages lying at the tail end of tributary will be highly benefitted.

There after the Minister inaugurated Rs 85 lakh worth project at village Uppli near Dangarh minor which lies in around 7.70 km of area. The water carrying capacity of the structural has been increased by 20% after the concrete lining. Minister meet here said that with the completion of this project villages of Kattu, Dangarh, Upli , Dhanaula and nearby areas are getting benefit. The water carrying capacity of this minor is around 7.70 to 8.43 cusecs which is enough to irrigate around 2800 acres of land.

At village Harigarh near Dhanaula Badbar main road on the Joga distributary the Minister inaugurated Rs 26.91 crore project of upgradation under which 4.75 km of concrete lining work has been completed.

He added that the capacity of this distributary is around 301.32 cusecs to 327.74 cusecs, which irrigates around 108000 acres of land. This covers the villages of Harigarh, Attar Singh Wala, Dhanaula, Bhure, Kubbe, Aspal Kalan, Aspal Khurd, Badra, Bhaini Fatta and Dhurkot. He added that with the concrete lining not only seepage has reduced instead the water carrying capacity of water bodies have increased by 20%.

IEP SAS Nagar (Mohali), January 21

Describing the ‘Schools of Eminence’ as a revolutionary step for ensuring golden future of the students, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann today said that it was a giant leap forward towards becoming a real frontrunner in field of education. 

The Chief Minister, while addressing the gathering during opening of School of Eminence here today, said that during the stints of previous governments Punjab was shown front ranking state in education only on paper. However, he said that now the state will really lead the country in imparting quality education to the students. Bhagwant Mann bemoaned that the Government schools were striving for basic infrastructure and manpower but the previous governments misled the people by presenting forged figures. 

The Chief Minister said that as these governments ignored an important sector like education so the state behind in this field. He said that several students were forced to leave their education in between thereby ruining their bright future. Bhagwant Mann said that due to lack of resources and laxity of previous governments girls were not able to pursue their education.

The Chief Minister said that unfortunately those who presented the fake figures were not from other states but were the politicians hailing from Punjab only. Bhagwant Mann asserted that his government has made a firm commitment to impart world class education to the students. He said that the day is not far when the students from state will scale new heights across the globe after getting education from these Government schools.

The Chief Minister said that these leaders wanted to give a push to their political career that too at the cost of compromising with the future of the students from weaker and underprivileged sections of society. He said that due to regressive policies of these leaders the state has lagged behind in fields of health and education thereby jeopardising the progress of youth. Bhagwant Mann said that wise people of state had understood the bad intentions of these politicians due to which they have been routed out and chance has been given to fresh faces. 

The Chief Minister said that baffled over their humiliating defeat these leaders are resorting to various tantrums to defame the Government. He said that these leaders are leaving no stone unturned for criticising the government over non issues. Bhagwant Mann said that the real problem is that the state government has acted sternly against mafia and illegal activities patronised by these leaders adding he said that people had given a whopping mandate to his party and he will upheld faith of people at all costs. 

The Chief Minister said that these 117 schools of eminence being set up in 23 districts of state are temples of quality education. He said that the purpose of setting up these schools is to give wings to the dreams of the bright students of government schools. Bhagwant Mann envisioned that these schools will enable the students to compete with their convent educated peers in various competitive exams across the country.  

The Chief Minister said that these schools are being set up to cherish the aspirations of our great freedom fighters. He also announced that to name these schools on great martyrs and national leaders who had laid down their lives at altar of their motherland. Bhagwant Mann said that this initiative will be a real tribute to these iconic leaders who steered the country to freedom. 

The Chief Minister emphasised that these schools will groom the students for futuristic needs and emerge Punjab as role model in education sector across the country. He envisioned that the day is not far when these government schools will provide better education than the private schools. Bhagwant Mann said that the parents of students will now prefer to send their children in these schools than the private schools. 

The Chief Minister said that such schools have already revolutionised the education sector in Delhi. He said that now it is the turn of Punjab where this model will be implemented successfully. Bhagwant Mann expressed hope that these schools will transform the education sector in Punjab and open new avenues for students. 

Describing the teachers as ‘nation builders’, the Chief Minister said that they have a huge responsibility on their shoulders. He said that the teachers have to play a pivotal role in bringing qualitative change in education sector. Bhagwant Mann exhorted the teachers to discharge their duties with utmost professional commitment to give a major push to education sector. 

The Chief Minister said that the teachers will be the foot soldiers to usher in a new era of education reforms in the state. He said that his government has decided to send 36 teachers from state to Singapore for updating their expertise. Bhagwant Mann said that the motive is to ensure that teachers are able to learn about the advanced practices prevailing across the globe in education sector. 

Addressing the gathering, Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said that this is the dream project of the Chief Minister. He said that with every passing day Punjab is witnessing new reforms in education sector. Bains said that these schools will help in opening the doors of competitive world for the students of Government schools.

On the occasion Cabinet Minister Anmol Gagan Mann and others were also present.

IEP Chandigarh, January 20

          The Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is continuously working for the welfare of families suffering from atrocities.  Therefore, under the Prevention of Atrocities Act, 1989, an amount of 7.65 crores has been released for the year 2022-23 to compensate the families which are victims of atrocities.

Giving information in this regard, Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur said that Centrally sponsored scheme under the Protection of Civil Rights Act 1955 and Prevention of Atrocities Act 1989 has released the amount as part of the budget provision of the state during the year 2022-23.  Due to this, approval has been given to release an amount of Rs 7.65 crore as the state’s share.

She instructed the officials of the department to speed up the process of giving compensation to the families of the victims under Act 1989.

IEP Chandigarh, January 20

Punjab Government has been appointed S. Kanwardeep Singh as the Chairman of State Child Rights Protection Commission Punjab.

Social Security, Women & Child Development Department spokesperson said that the tenure of the chairman will be for three years.  The terms and conditions will be applicable as per the rules notified by the State Government under the Commission for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005.

In this regard, Punjab Government Social Security, Women & Child Development Department has issued a notification on Januray 19, 2023.

IEP Abohar (Fazilka), January 20

          Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday said that the traditional political parties are envious of him because they are not able to digest that the son of a common man is governing the state effectively.

          The Chief Minister, while addressing the gathering after disbursing compensation to the flood affected residents here during a function, said that the people of the state have lost their faith in the traditional political parties because of their anti-people and anti-Punjab stance. He said that the wise and brave people of the state had ousted these parties during the 2022 assembly polls due to which they are frustrated now. Bhagwant Mann said that the leaders of these parties are now ganging up with each other to mislead the people.    

          The Chief Minister quipped that these leaders were first welcomed with garlands but now people greet them with defeat wherever they go. He said that the people of state have elected the sons and daughters of common man as their representatives, who were performing their duties zealously. Bhagwant Mann said that on the contrary these traditional parties have failed in their duty miserably when they were in power.

          The Chief Minister said that these leaders plundered the resources of the state for their vested political interests. Bhagwant Mann said that while the state was facing challenges in form of unemployment, brain drain, corruption and others, these leaders were busy minting the money illegally. He said that these leaders had built their own palaces and empires of business at the cost of the people and the state. 

          The Chief Minister said that these leaders have sown thorns before the Punjab and its younger generations by derailing the progress and prosperity of the state. He said that for the sake of their vested interests these selfish political leaders have prepared distress for the state. Bhagwant Mann said that the hands of these leaders are drenched with this crime against state and history will never forgive them for backstabbing Punjab.

          Taking the former Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal to cudgels, the Chief Minister said that in his long stint as the incharge of Finances of state he had always claimed that the exchequer of the state is empty. He said that after failing to perform his duty as the Finance Minister to ensure the well being of the state, Manpreet Badal has now joined the BJP. However, Bhagwant Mann said that except reciting a few couplets in Urdu, the former Finance Minister will not do anything for betterment of state and even for BJP.

          The Chief Minister unequivocally said that any person who has looted even a single penny of the public will be made accountable to people. Bhagwant Mann said that he will expose all such plunderers and severe action will be taken against them, as per the law. He said that it is the firm commitment of his government that a corrupt leader or officer, however affluent he may be, will be brought to book and made accountable for his sins.

          Training his guns against the traditional political parties, the Chief Minister said that they were shedding crocodile tears by raking up non issues. He asked them why they were mum when people of state had given them power to serve the state. Bhagwant Mann said that these leaders are just making hue and cry to mislead the people on various issues pertaining to the state.

          The Chief Minister also slammed the Congress and Akalis for patronizing the gangsters in the state for their vested political interests. He unequivocally said that these gangsters have not mushroomed up after his government has assumed charge of office. But, Bhagwant Mann said that as a fact of matter these gangsters have been patronized by the Congress and Akali leaders during their government as these leaders and parties used these youth for their vested interests by handing over guns to them.

          The Chief Minister bemoaned that it is unfortunate that the flood fury had created a whopping loss in the Fazilka district in 2020 but except lip service the then government had done nothing to give relief to people. He said that floods had caused major damage in the district but instead of extending a helping hand to flood affected people the then state government had been delaying the matter to further aggrieve the situation of the people in distress. He asserted that the apathetic attitude of the then government was visible from the fact that not even a single penny was given as compensation to the people.

IEP Chandigarh/Sangrur, January 20

The Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann organized a state-level concluding ceremony of ‘Dhiyan di Lohri’ week today here at village Bhalwan in Sangrur district. In this program, Punjab Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur, wife of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann Dr. Gurpreet Kaur and MLA Sangrur Narinder Kaur Bharaj felicitated newborn and other girls who excelled in the field of education and sports. Speaking on this occasion, Cabinet Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur said that the daughters of Punjab were emerging as leaders in every field and the state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was standing firm to protect the rights of women.

Cabinet Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur said that as per the vision of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, concrete efforts were being made to boost the morale of the daughters of Punjab in every field and these efforts have been started by celebrating ‘Dhiyan di Lohri’. She said that due to the negligence of the previous governments, the sex ratio rate in the state was very low and efforts were being made seriously to raise it. She said that the society does not celebrate the birth of female children and to change this malpractice, Punjab government has decided to celebrate ‘Dhiyan di Lohri’. She said that since centuries, women have made their unique contribution in the progress of the society and have proved their mettle in every field.

Dr. Baljit Kaur said that it was a matter of great concern for a state with a glorious history that tragic incidents like feticide took place here and the Punjab government has now taken the noble initiative to celebrate ‘Dhiyan di Lohri’ week. She said that now onwards, not only the birth of daughters but every stage of life would be celebrated by the state government.

On this occasion, MLA from Sangrur Narinder Kaur Bharaj congratulate Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for taking such a big initiative for daughters and said that if the girls get an open and constructive environment at home, then they can hone their skills in every field.

During the event, the team of Lok Kala Manch Zira staged a play with a message to stop female feticide. Apart from this, the girl students of Adarsh School presented a cultural program. On this occasion, parents of 51 new born daughters were honored with certificates and special kits by the key personalities and women of 11 self help groups and 20 meritorious female students were also honored.

On this occasion Deputy Commissioner Jitendra Jorwal, SSP Surendra Lamba, Chief Minister’s OSD Onkar Singh, Chairman District Planning Committee Gurmail Singh Gharachon, Chairman Gau Sewa Commission Ashok Kumar Singla, Additional Deputy Commissioner Varjit Walia, Assistant Commissioner (UT) Nitesh Jain, SDM Dhuri Amit Gupta, District Program Officer Gagandeep Singh, District Social Security Officer Loveleen Kaur, District Child Protection Officer Navneet Kaur, District Education Officer Sanjeev Kumar and a large number of other dignitaries and local residents were present.

IEP Chandigarh, January 20:

The Punjab Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann stands totally committed to ensuring a clean and transparent governance to the people of the State. That makes it important for the officers of the department to pay field visits in order to keep track of the functioning at the ground level with a view to make further refinements to ensure smooth functioning. These views were expressed by the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Mr. Lal Chand Kataruchak while presiding over a review meeting of the department at the Anaj Bhawan in Sector 39 today. 

The Minister exhorted the District Food Supply Controllers (DFSCs) to also plant saplings in their offices so as to increase area under greenery besides according a beautified look to the office premises. 

Advocating the acceleration of the work pertaining to verification of Atta Dal cards, the Minister said no eligible beneficiary should be left out. Inspiring the officers to adopt a fully devoted approach with regard to their work, Mr. Kataruchak made it clear that negligence in the discharge of duties would not be tolerated at any cost.

The Minister was apprised that in order to ensure uninterrupted and hassle free functioning the DFSC Ludhiana (East) and West wings have been ordered to be separated. Apart from this, the DFSCs have also been directed to visit FRK (Fortified Rice Kernel) plants once a month. The Minister was further informed about the steps being initiated by the Department towards maintaining the stock of wheat and ensuring its quality.

The Principal Secretary of the department, Rahul Bhandari assured the Minister that a completely transparent mechanism is being adopted for carrying the flagship schemes of the department to the people besides ensuring smooth functioning of the department. 

Among others present on the occasion included the Director Ghanshyam Thori, AMD Pungrain Parampal Kaur Sidhu, Joint Directors Dr. Anjuman Bhaskar & Ajayveer Singh Sarao and the DFSCs from across the districts.