IEP Chandigarh/Amritsar, December 25

          Striking a major blow to the trans-border narcotic smuggling networks amidst the ongoing war against drugs launched on the directions of Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann, Punjab Police have busted an elaborated drug smuggling cartel with the arrest of its two kingpins after recovering 10Kg heroin and one sophisticated drone from their possession, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Sunday.

            The arrested smugglers identified as Dalbir and Jagdish, both residents of Gharinda in Amritsar, were engaged in drug trafficking for the last three years and have no criminal case registered against them.

          DGP Gaurav Yadav said that the Amritsar Rural Police led by SSP Swapan Sharma in an intelligence-based operation has successfully busted this drug smuggling cartel, which had been smuggling contraband to states including Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh after importing them from cross-border using drones.

          He said that the USA made sophisticated drone recovered from the duo smugglers, is a DJI series drone, worth Rs 20 lakhs, having hi-tech features including long-lasting battery back up and infrared-based night vision camera. This is the fifth such drone recovered in less than a month, he added.

          Divulging more details, SSP Swapan Sharma said that both the smugglers have been evading arrest by using altered modus operandi to carry out smuggling of contraband.

          These big fish had a well oiled distribution network in the neighbouring states, which has been identified, he said, adding that the Police teams have been conducting raids at 12 locations in Haryana and Delhi, and more contraband seizures will follow.

An FIR No. 224 dated 25/12/2022 has been registered under sections 21 and 23 of the NDPS Act Police Station Gharinda.

          Pertinently, Amritsar Rural Police have successfully seized 39Kg heroin in the last five months. Tight vigil along the second line of defence and close coordination with the BSF authorities has resulted in these huge seizures.

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Five drones recovered in a month

1–On November 29: A hexacopter drone carrying six packets of heroin, weighing 6.68 kg, was recovered in the jurisdiction of Border Outpost (BOP) Harbhajan in Khemkaran, Tarn Taran.

2–November 30: A broken quadcopter drone was recovered from the area of village Van Tara Singh in Khalra, Tarn Taran

3–December 2: A hexacopter drone carrying five packets of heroin, weighing 5.60 kg, was recovered from the Khemkaran area in Tarn Taran

4–December 4: A quadcopter drone loaded with three packets of heroin, weighing 3.06Kg, was recovered from area of Border Outpost (BOP) Kalia in Tarn Taran

5–December 25: A DJI series USA made Hi-tech drone, worth Rs 20 lakhs, recovered along with 10Kg heroin by the Amritsar Rural Police

IEP Patiala, December 24

Buoyed over participation of more than 15 lakh parents in mega PTM organised across 20,000 government schools in state, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday envisioned that the state of the art government schools of state will produce the leaders in every sphere that take the country to zenith.          Addressing the gathering here during the mega PTM organised by the state government, the Chief Minister said that the state government schools of the state are imparting quality education to the students thereby enabling them to excel in every field. He said that the students getting education from here will be the builders of the country in the coming times. Bhagwant Mann said that the day is not far when these students will bring laurels for the state and country by their hard work and success.          The Chief mInister further said that these students are blessed with enormous capabilities and capacities. He said that the state government is making concerted efforts to channelise their unbounded energy and make them partners in social-economic growth of the country. Bhagwant Mann said that the day is not far when these youngsters will script a new success story for the country.          The Chief Minister said that these government schools speak a lot about the success stories of Punjab. He said that the students studying in these schools have a dream to excel in the form of bureaucrats, technocrats, Doctors, Engineers and others. Bhagwant Mann said that the state government is committed to provide wings to their dreams for which no stone will be left unturned.          The Chief Minister said that these youngsters possess inherent qualities to excel in every field. He said that these students are planes and the state government will provide them Launchpad to go ahead in life. Bhagwant Mann unequivocally said that he won’t rest until the students of Punjab don’t achieve their desired goals.          The Chief Minister said that his government is already roping in a number of industrial tycoons to set up their units in Punjab. He said that these industries will bring number of employment opportunities for the youth. Bhagwant Mann said that the day is not far when these students will run the big industrial units to be set up in the state.          The Chief Minister quipped that earlier the industries used to sign MoUs with families in power but ever since he has assumed charge of government the agreements are signed for the state. He said that earlier the Maharajas or Badals used to get benefit of these agreements but now Punjabis will enjoy its fruits. Bhagwant Mann said that this is because his government is working untiringly for the well being of every strata of society.          Training his guns against the opposition, the Chief Minister said that due to his pro- Punjab stance opposition leaders don’t miss any chance to target him. He said that this criticism is totally irrational and based on their whims and fancies. Bhagwant Mann categorically said that this won’t deter him from performing his duty well.          Earlier, the Chief Minister, accompanied by Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Education Minister Punjab Harjit Singh Bains had detailed interaction with the students in the PTM. He asked the students about their goals in life and extended best wishes to them for their future. Bhagwant Mann said that this exercise of organising the mega PTM will immensely benefit the students.          Meanwhile, giving an affirmative response to the exercise organised by the state government, parents of the students lauded the Chief Minister for this initiative. They said that this initiative will help the students to groom well for the coming times. They said that it has also enabled them to know a lot about the interests of their child.They also hailed the quality of study being imparted in the Government school. They said that the study imparted in these schools is much better than that of the private schools. Rather they said that the study imparted here has enabled their kids to compete with their convent educated peers. 

IEP Chandigarh, December 24

Punjab Revenue and Water Supply & Sanitation Minister Bram Shanker Jimpa on Saturday exuded confidence that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s visit to Chennai and Hyderabad will further accelerate industrial development in the state.          He said that the CM Mann’s back to back meetings with big industrialists during the two-day tour will surely benefit Punjab immensely in the nearby future. He said that due to a transparent and honest government in Punjab, the state is emerging as the first and best choice of investors across the country.          As the CM Mann-led Punjab government has been working painstakingly to develop the state as an industrial hub, the Cabinet Minister said that Punjab would get major investment during the investment summit being to be held at SAS, Nagar, Mohali on February 23-24 next year.          Jimpa said that all possible efforts were being made by the Punjab Government to take the state to the highest level of industrial development. He said that Punjab is a land of immense opportunities and is the most conducive state for investment and expansion of business.          Jimpa said the Chief Minister’s visit to major industrial sites in the country would not only boost the industrial development of the state but also open up new opportunities of employment for the youth of Punjab.          Notably, the Chief Minister has assured to provide a conducive environment to the new industries and investors setting up their businesses in Punjab. Jimpa expressed the confidence that the Punjab CM’s visit would prove to be a milestone in giving a major boost to the industrial development of the state.

IEP Chandigarh, December 24

Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan honoured the eminent body builder Mandeep Singh with a appreciation letter and a memento.

According to a spokesperson of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Mandeep Singh had recently won a gold medal in the FIF International Bodybuilding Competition. Recoganizeing the excellent services of head constable Mandeep Singh in the field of sports, the Punjab Police gave him the local rank of ASI. S. S Sandhwan honored the athlete in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha for encouraging him. It may be mentioned, that India won 12 gold, 5 silver and 7 bronze medals in the FIF International Bodybuilding Competition earlier this month.

Wishing Mandeep Singh a bright future, S. Sandhavan expressed hope that he will continue to excel in sports and make the country proud. On this occasion Secretary of Speaker Mr. Ram Lok Khatana, Private Secretary Surinder Singh Moti and  Manpreet Singh were also present.

IEP Chandigarh, December 21

Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the School Education Department will hold Parents-Teachers meeting named Inspire 2.0 at government schools across Punjab on 24th December The department had expected to involve more than 10 lakh parents in this meet.Divulging this, Punjab School Education Minister Harjot Bains said that during this program, which will organised from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, teachers, students and their parents, school management committees and other renowned persons will sit together and discuss ways to improve the education system. He said that exhibitions showcasing the works done in schools, library Langars and academic achievements to be the center of attraction of this program.Mr. Bains urged the people to ensure their participation in this historic event. He asked the officials to reserve the entire day of December 24 to encourage teachers and students so that the dream of making Punjab’s school education system world-class could be realized.

IEP CHANDIGARH, December 23

Punjab Congress today launched a scathing attack on the Aam Aamdi Party government in the state over appointing two rank outsiders to two important positions in the Real Estate Regulatory Authority, Punjab. 

“While Aam Aadmi Party is acting like East India Company, its supremo Arvind Kejriwal is treating Punjab as an occupied colony and rehabilitating his favourite non-Punjabis in the state”, Warring said in a statement, while reacting to appointments of Satya Gopal and Rakesh Goel in RERA.

He wondered why the AAP was not able to find any Punjabi worth and competent to hold important positions in the government. He pointed out, earlier the AAP nominated mostly non-Punjabis and non-politicians to the Rajya Sabha and now it had started the process to “infiltrate” outsiders into the state administration.  

“Didn’t you find any Punjabi worth the chairmanship or membership of RERA that you had to bring in people from outside?” Warring asked Kejriwal while feeling sorry for prominent and competent people in AAP Punjab who have not only been ignored but humiliated. 

“This is a harsh judgement on the credibility and competence of all those Punjabis who worked hard to install AAP government in Punjab but are being scornfully ignored when time had come to reward and compensate them for hardwork”, he remarked, while expressing full sympathies with and telling them it is still not too late to correct the mistake they committed by supporting the AAP.

IEP Chandigarh, December 23

Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan has paid tribute to the Sahabzadas and Mata Gujri ji.

 Sahibzadas of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, Ajit Singh (18 years) and Jujhar Singh (14 years) were martyred in Chamkaur Sahib on the morning of December 22 while fighting a unique war with a large number of Mughal forces while Sahibzada Zorawar Singh (seven years and eleven months) ) and Sahibzada Fateh Singh (five years and ten months) were martyred at Sirhind. S. Sandhwan said that the martyrdom of Sahabzadas is an expression of determination towards their beliefs. He appealed to the people to remain firm in their belief and asked them to take guidance from the great sacrifice of the Sahabzadas.   

IEP Chandigarh, December 23

The Lokpal Punjab, Justice (Retd) Vinod Kumar Sharma has appealed to the artists to adopt highest standards of art so that the intellectual level of the people can be raised further.

Addressing a musical function organized by Sargam Society of Indian Music and Art (Reg.) and Aryan Group of Colleges to pay tribute to former Prime Minister Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his birthday last evening at Punjab Kala Bhavan, Justice Sharma said that literature and art played an important role in the intellectual growth of human being. Due to this, the responsibility of the writers and artists to make available the best art to the people increases even more. While paying tribute to Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Justice Sharma said that he was a great orator who is also remembered for his poetry. Lokpal Punjab also appreciated the efforts of Sargam Society in organizing this musical evening.

While paying tribute Additional Solicitor General, Govt. Of India, Satya Pal Jain said that Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee devoted his life towards making India stronger and developed.

On this occasion  Mrs. Shashi Prabha, IPS, ADGP, Punjab & Sh. S. K Panigrahi, Field General Manager, Punjab National Bank. Dr. Anshu Kataria, President, Sargam Society & Chairman, Aryans Group of Colleges, Rajpura were also present.

IEP Chandigarh, December 23

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday said that due to the pro-industry environment and ease of doing business policies, an investment of Rs 30,000 crore has been firmed up in the state in the last nine months, which will create new employment opportunities for thousands of youngsters.

“Big industry houses like Tata Steel, Verbio, Freudenberg, Sanathan Textiles have entered into agreements to invest by reposing faith in our industrial policies, which will provide jobs to our youth,” the Chief Minister said while handing over appointment letters to the newly recruited candidates at Markfed and launching new products at the Municipal Bhawan here today.

Referring to the recent meetings with industrialists in Hyderabad, Bhagwant Mann said that the entrepreneurs associated with food processing and agriculture have shown keen interest in investing in Punjab, which will further strengthen the industrial sector of the state. He said that Where there is a will there’s a way as now the industrialists do not have to face the corrupt and intricate process to invest in the state. Bhagwant Mann said that subsequently, the industrialists are coming to Punjab as We have eliminated corruption, provided uninterrupted power supply to the industry and a conducive environment and now our efforts are bearing fruit.

On the other hand, the Chief Minister said that in order to set up industries during the previous regimes, industrialists had to negotiate with the families of political clout an face massive torment. He said that earlier the agreements were made with families but now industrialists are signing MoU with state. Bhagwant Mann envisioned that with strenuous efforts of government Punjab will soon emerge as industrial hub of the country.

Lashing out at the opposition for making a hue and cry over the alleged deteriorating atmosphere in Punjab, the Chief Minister said the leaders of the opposition parties were deliberately defaming him in Parliament or in public functions as his government has exposed the designs of the previous governments to loot the state. Bhagwant Mann said that he was being opposed as he was not like his predecessors who had plundered the wealth of state. He said that throughout his life he had worked for well being of Punjab and it’s people.

The Chief Minister stated that the successive governments patronised gangsterism, sand mafia, transport mafia and others. However, he said that his government has wiped out these mafias and ushered an era of new politics to deliver a transparent and honest government to common man. Bhagwant Mann said that the thrust of his government is to ensure progress of state and prosperity of its people.

Fulfilling its promise of providing ’employment to deserving youth’, the state government had given appointment letters of government jobs to 21,404 youths in nine months and more were being recruited, the Chief Minister said. He said that the entire recruitment process has been done on the basis of merit. Sharing another milestone, Bhagwant Mann said appointment letters to be distributed to over 3,000 youth of the master cadre on the occasion of the New Year, which would further strengthen our school education system.

The Chief Minister said that for the first time, a historic decision has been taken to recruit 1800 constables and 300 sub-inspectors every year in the police department and the dates of examinations have also been fixed, which will now give time to the youth to prepare dedicatedly to secure the job. Stating that education was a top priority, he said that for the first time in the state, a teacher-parent meet was being organised in government schools on December 24, which would give parents an opportunity to get their child’s feedback in detail from the teachers. Bhagwant Mann  invited all the parents to actively participate in the meet.

The Chief Minister said that with the ‘School of Eminence’ being set up in the state, students studying in classes IX and X would be prepared to choose their preferred occupations in the future. Referring to the free treatment being provided to the common man through the 100 Aam Aadmi Clinics set up in the state, he said that by January 26, 2023, the number of these clinics was being increased to 350 and by March 31, 2023, 750 Aam Aadmi Clinics would be set up, which would provide free and top-class treatment to the people of Punjab near their doorsteps. Terming Markfed and Verka as the hubs of the state’s cooperation, Bhagwant Mann said that the state government was planning to increase the business of these establishments in foreign nations as NRIs love the products made in their state.

The Chief Minister also launched products manufactured by Markfed, including laundry soap and surf, bathing soap, handwash.

On this occasion, Markfed Chairman Amandeep Singh Mohi, Additional Chief Secretary Cooperation Anurag Aggarwal and MD Markfed Ramvir were also present.

IEP Chandigarh, December 23

Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema led cabinet sub-committee on Friday held a meeting with the representatives of truck operators of the state and discussed their issues in detail.

During the meeting which was attended by Food & Civil Supplies Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak and Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar, the Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema gave assurance to the truck operators that Mann government was committed to the welfare of every section of the society; hence their demands would be considered sympathetically.

Meanwhile, Advocate Cheema constituted a committee headed by the Secretary of the Transport department and directed that it would discuss all aspects in detail with the Industry department, truck operators and other stakeholders, and submit its report by January 31. He also asked the truck operators to form an action committee that can discuss their concerns with the committee.

To solve the issues of truck operators related to the Food and Civil Supply department, Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema asked Food & Civil Supplies Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak to organize meetings with the truck operators to seek their suggestions for formulating an adequate transportation policy of the department.

10-member committee formed to settle GOGs issues

During another meeting, the Cabinet Sub-Committee also constituted 10-member committee to resolve the issues of GOGs. Finance Minister Advocate Cheema said that the Secretary and Director of Defense Services, a representative of the Finance Department and 7 members from GOGs would discuss the issues and submit a report within 30 days.