IEP Chandigarh, December 13

Trials for the selection of Punjab State teams for Basketball and Kho-Kho events of the Khelo India Youth Games will be held on December 16, 2022.

Disclosing this, an official spokesperson of the department said, Khelo India youth games are scheduled from January 31 to February 11, 2023 in Madhya Pradesh.

          The spokesperson further said that the trials for the selection of the Basketball boys and girls team will be held at Guru Nanak Stadium, Ludhiana on December 16, 2022 at 10:00 AM.

          Similarly, the trials for the Kho-Kho girl’s team will be held at the Polo Ground, Patiala on December 16, 2022 at 10:00 AM.

          Aspiring players born on or after 1st January 2004, can participate in selection trials by reaching the designated time and place.

IEP Chandigarh, December 13    

      Taking another important decision to root out the private bus mafia from the state, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led Punjab Government has ended the monopoly of private buses owned by Badal family and other private bus mafia on the inter-state routes.          Punjab Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar, while confirming the development, informed that the ‘Punjab Transport Scheme-2018’, which was formulated by the Congress Government to give benefits to Badal family and other private bus mafia, has been amended. Under this scheme, the entry of private Volvo buses into Chandigarh was made intact, which led to the sheer loot of the state exchequer at a large scale.          “The Badal family during its government’s two tenures from 2007 to 2017, created various schemes to fulfill their personal interests, in which the Congress government also helped the Badals in running their transport  businesses smoothly, including one of inter-state movement of their AC buses to Chandigarh”, said Laljit Singh Bhullar.          The Transport Minister said, “Punjab Transport Scheme-2018” has been amended to “Punjab Transport (Amendment) Scheme-2022”. With the amendment of Serial No: B in Clause No-3 of the scheme, now only state transport undertaking buses can enter in Chandigarh with their 100% share. The insertion titled with “Inter-State Route” in the Gazette notification reads, “With the seating capacity of 39 or more, with the further condition that air-conditioned stage carriages shall be run only by the State Transport Undertakings only out of their overall share in each category.”          Cabinet Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar, while training guns at Badal family for plundering the state exchequer for their personal gain and providing benefits illegitimately to their associates by forming Schemes arbitrarily,  asserted that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led government will not allow to fulfill the vested interests of Badals and their powerful associates at the sake of state exchequer. 

IEP Chandigarh, December 13

The Punjab government has decided to establish educational parks in government schools of the state in consonance with the it’s commitment to recuperate the school education system from roots.

          Dwelling the details here on Tuesday, School Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said that under this initiative of the government, educational parks are being built in school campuses to bolster the creativity of students studying in government schools, in which discussion forums and Idea Sharing Points will be set up to hone the skills of the students.

          Mr. Bains informed that a grant of Rs. 11.79 crore has already been issued to government primary, middle, high and senior secondary schools to start the project with missionary zeal. He divulged in detail that a grant of Rs 7.39 crore has been issued to 7392 government primary & middle schools and a grant of Rs 4.49 crore to 3783 high and senior secondary schools to realise the project on ground in letter and spirit.

          Talking about the project in comprehensive manner, the Cabinet Minister said that geographical, scientific and mathematical perspective of the students will increase through these educational parks. The models developed in these educational parks will be purely based on the curriculum and students will be able to easily learn the principles of various educational methods through their first hand activities. An idea box also be kept at one place in these educational parks in which students will collect and note down their ideas after discussing on the idea forum.

IEP Chandigarh, December 13

          Punjab Revenue Minister Bram Shanker Jimpa has said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, there has been a massive transformation in the functioning of the revenue department to ensure timely services to the common people. During the previous governments, the general public was very dissatisfied with the working methods of the revenue department, but since Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann took over the reins of the state, people’s work is being done without recommendation and without bribes.

          Jimpa said that there was a shortage of patwaris in the revenue department for a long time due to which work got affected and people faced nuisance. But recently, the Punjab Cabinet has given approval to fill 710 new posts of Patwaris. Even before this, the recruitment of 1090 Patwaris has been completed. He said that with this, maintenance of old records will be done in a more smooth and transparent manners. Apart from this, various services related to the revenue department will be provided to the common people on time.

          Jimpa said that many more initiatives have been taken by the Punjab government to revamp the revenue department, which has benefited the common people. He said that the facility of e-stamp paper has been started to simplify the purchase of stamp papers. Under this, stamp papers of all prices are being issued. Likewise, a website www.eservices.punjab.gov.in has been launched to make the process of Khangi Taksim effective.

          The revenue minister said that 7520 village Cadastral maps and 46861 Mussavi Sheets of Punjab have been digitized. He said that efforts are on to make the services of the revenue department more people-friendly and simple so that more people can avail government services without any hassle.

IEP Chandigarh, December 13

Punjab Government led by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has distributed Rs. 16161.31 crore of amount to 19646 beneficiaries of scheduled castes and 12090 beneficiaries of backward classes and economically weaker sections under the Ashirwad scheme during current financial year.Social justice, Empowerment & Minorities Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur said that under the Ashirwad scheme, financial assistance of up to Rs. 51,000 is given by the State Government for the marriage of girls belonging to low-income families in the state.           Dr. Baljit Kaur pointed out that in order to avail the Ashirwad scheme, the applicant should be a permanent resident of Punjab state, family should fall in BPL category, the applicant should belong to Scheduled Caste, Backward Classes and other economically weaker families and all the family members’ annual income from all sources is less than Rs. 32,790. Two daughters of such a family are eligible to avail the benefit of this scheme.Punjab Government is committed to the welfare of people of scheduled castes, backward classes and economically weaker sections.The Minister added that the financial assistance is credited directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries, which are being linked with Aadhaar. 

IEP Chandigarh, December 13

Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan has expressed profound grief over the sad demise of veteran political leader and former cabinet minister  Ranjit Singh Brahmpura.

S. Sandhwan said that Brahmpura played an important role in politics of Punjab for a long time and served the people . He extend his heartfelt sympathies with the bereaved family, relatives and friends of the deceased, S. Sandhwan prayed to the Almighty to give them strength to bear this irreparable loss and grant eternal peace to the departed soul.

IEP Patiala, December 12    

      Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday said that the state government will take severe action against the educational institutions found discouraging the use of Punjabi language in their campuses.          Addressing the gathering during the concluding day of the inter-university youth festival here at Punjabi University, the Chief Minister said that it has come to his notice that some educational institutions are imposing fine on students for using Punjabi language as a means of communication within the school campus. He said that this is unwarranted and undesirable as Punjabi was the mother tongue of Punjabis residing in the state. Bhagwant Mann warned such institutions of strict punitive action if any such fine was imposed.          Exhorting the youth to play a proactive role and support the state government to make Punjab a frontrunner state across the globe, the Chief Minister said that the youth of the state have been blessed with unbounded energy and talent that had always acted as a catalyst in bringing positive change in the society. He said that the time has come when the youth must contribute positively in socio-economic development of the state and the society. Bhagwant Mann said that the state government is committed for the well being and progress of the state adding that no stone will be left unturned for this noble cause.          The Chief Minister said that Punjab is the land of great gurus, saints, seers and prophets who have always taught the Punjabis to fight against tyranny, oppression and injustice.  He said that Punjab has always emerged strong after every crisis and has scripted a new success story. Bhagwant Mann said that the day is not far away when with the strenuous efforts of the state government the pristine glory of the state will be soon restored.             The Chief Minister unequivocally said that the state government is according top priority to the education sector. He said that Education is key for the success of every individual and no stone will be left unturned to ensure quality education to every youth of the state. Bhagwant Mann said that the state government has ample funds for strengthening and rejuvenating the education system in the state.          The Chief Minister said that the state government is making concerted efforts for providing jobs to the youth. He said that the state government has already started recruitment processes in various departments of the state. Bhagwant Mann said that more than 20,000 government job letters have been given to the youth of the state adding that more such jobs are in the pipeline.          The Chief Minister said that to open new vistas of employment for youth the state government is making massive efforts to develop the state as an industrial hub. He said that earlier Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was made with families of the ruling class but now these agreements are being made with the state government for the wellbeing of Punjab and Punajbis. Bhagwant Mann said that due to the efforts of the state government, big industrial giants are now making a beeline in the state to set up their projects.           The Chief Minister said that the motive of the state government is to make the youth of the state job providers and not the job seekers. He said that due focus is being accorded on imparting skill education to the youth so as to provide a pool of skilled labour to the industrialists. Bhagwant Mann said that the state government has taken several  out of the box measures for generating employment for the youth.          The Chief Minister said that the state was fortunate to have got two sessions of G-20, first in March 15, 16 and 17 on Education and then in the month of June 22-23 on Labour. He said that the state is renowned all over the world for its warm hospitality and no stone will be left unturned for welcoming the guests from participating nations during these events. Bhagwant Mann said that these sessions will be held at the sacred land of Amritsar where lakhs of devotees daily pay obeisance at Sri Darbar Sahib, Durgiana Mandir, Sri Ram Tirath, Jallianwala Bagh and others.          The Chief Minister said that the state government will make elaborate arrangements for the comfortable stay of the dignitaries participating in the summit. He said that apart from assuring their cozy stay in state, the guests will be offered the traditional Punjabi food adding that they will also be given a glimpse of rich Punjabi culture during the cultural events in the evening. Bhagwant Mann said that if the dignitaries wish to visit other districts of state like sports hub Jalandhar then adequate arrangements will also be made for their journey.          On the occasion Cabinet Ministers Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer and Chetan Singh Jauremajra, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Kumar Amit, Vice Chancellor of University Prof. Arvind and others were also present.

IEP Chandigarh December 12

The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its anti-corruption campaign on Monday, has arrested an Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI), Karmjit Singh (219/SBS Nagar), posted at city police station Balachor, SBS Nagar for demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 1,000.

Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of the VB said the above accused ASI has been arrested after investigation of an online complaint lodged at the Chief Minister’s anti-corruption helpline.

Giving details he added that the complainant Mrs Diksha resident of Balachor has alleged that the above said police official has demanded Rs 5,000 as a bribe to take action on her police complaint lodged at the police station and accepted Rs 1,000 from her mother in this regard. The complainant has recorded the conversation in this regard.

The spokesperson added that the VB has investigated the allegations levelled in the complaint and registered a corruption case at VB police station Jalandhar against the above mentioned police official after finding him guilty for demanding and accepting a bribe money. In this regard the VB has arrested the ASI under Prevention of Corruption Act and further investigation in this case was under progress.

IEP Chandigarh December 12

The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) on Monday submitted the charge-sheet (Challan) before the competent court at SAS Nagar against accused former minister Sunder Sham Arora on completion of partial investigation in a bribery case. The supplementary charge-sheet would be presented in due course as further investigation is being conducted in this case.               Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of the VB said a bribery case was registered against the former minister of Punjab on the complainant of Manmohan Kumar, posted as Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police, Vigilance Bureau, Flying Squad-1, Punjab, SAS Nagar. He was arrested while offering a bribe to the AIG and a case under FIR No. 19 dated 15-10-2022 under section 8 of prevention of corruption act was registered at VB police station, flying squad-1, Punjab at SAS Nagar.          Giving details of the case he informed that AIG Manmohan Kumar gave a complaint to the Chief Director, Vigilance Bureau, Punjab, stating that on 14-10-2022 he received a WhatsApp call from Sundar Sham Arora. He introduced himself as the complainant’s old known and further told about his wife’s passing away. Thereafter, Arora requested the complainant that he wants to share his joys and sorrows after coming to his house.Afterwards, the accused former minister arrived at the house of the complainant and started discussing the matter pending against him in the VB. To get help on this matter he offered a bribe amounting to Rs. 1,00,00,000 (Rs. one crore). The accused further offered the complainant to pay half amount of Rs. 50,00,000/- (Rs. fifty lakhs) as advance bribe on next day i.e. 15-10-2022 and the remaining to be paid later on.The spokesperson further added that the complainant did not expected it from Sunder Sham Arora, so he kept silent and wanted to take legal action against such a person who is spreading corruption in the society. After verifying the facts, the statement of complainant Manmohan Kumar AIG/Vigilance Bureau was recorded and a case was registered against the former minister. The accused Sunder Sham Arora was trapped/arrested by the team of VB in the presence of two independent government witnesses, while he was handing over a bag containing bribe money Rs. 50,00,000 He is in jail under judicial custody.

IEP Chandigarh, December 12:

 Punjab Education Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains on Monday hosted lunch for bronze medal winner Bhajanpreet Kaur, who has been student of Shaheed Gurdas Ram Memorial Kanya Senior Secondary School, Zira and brought laurels for the Government Schools as well as for Punjab with her remarkable performance during International Innovation & Invention Expo-2022 held at Goa.

          The Minister also lauded the research work of student Bhajanpreet Kaur, which was highly commended during the international event, where around 300 researchers and delegates participated. S. Harjot Singh Bains also expressed immense satisfaction over this rare achievement as Bhajanpreet Kaur made striking presence of Government Schools of Punjab. Having humble background the student of Shaheed Gurdas Ram Memorial Kanya Senior Secondary School, said the Minister, exhibited the ways to eradicate the menace of stubble burning during the international event. Bhajanpreet not only expressed views to utilize stubble as manure but also elaborated that how farmers could supplement their income by extracting silicon from the stubble.

          Describing this achievement a rare feat, the Education Minister mentioned it was a matter of great pride that daughter of Punjab registered a magnificent presentation at such a international expo and secured bronze medal in the category of junior level.

          Pertinently, Bhajanpreet Kaur daughter of Bhai Jagsir Singh and Gagandeep Kaur has been the student of Government School had won bronze medal during the international conference on ways to tackle the menace of stubble burning. She made her research under the able guidance of Principal Rakesh Sharma and Chemistry teacher Sukhdeep Singh when she was student of class-XII. Now, Bhajanpreet Kaur is pursuing her B.Sc. from Guru Nanak Dev University.