IEP Chandigarh, November 21

Punjab Government has nominated Sucha Singh Khatra, Prof. Bhim Inder Singh and Anand Prakash Sharma as the members of Academic Council of the Punjab School Education Board. A notification in this regard has been issued.Sucha Singh Khatra, the retired Social Science teacher of Government High School Dasgrain in Anandpur Sahib block of Rupnagar district, served as the General Secretary of Government Teachers Union Punjab, Vice Chairman of the All India State Government Employees Union and Review Committee Member of ‘Padho Punjab’ scheme of the Education Department Punjab.Similarly, Prof. Bhim Inder Singh is serving as the Head of the Department of Punjabi Literature Studies at Punjabi University and the Chairman of Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabhai chair. Associated with education field for a long time, Prof Singh did his Ph.D. on political consciousness of Punjabis. He has a deep grasp on the Marxist method of criticism.Likewise, Anand Prakash Sharma, who has been associated with the education sector for past 30 years, is serving as the Director of Kundan Vidya Mandir. He has received many national level awards for his contribution in education field such as CBSE Award, UNESCO and Delhi Women Commission Awards, Presidential Award for contribution in education sector. He also participated in more than 300 workshops and worked as an expert in ‘Design Thinking’ in the Willem De Kooning Academy Netherlands and MIT, USA.

IEP SAS Nagar November 19

The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) has arrested Vinod Mahajan, one of the accused directors of Golden Projects Private Limited Jharmari, Tehsil Derabassi, who has been absconding since 2002.

Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the state VB said the above mentioned non banking financial entity was registered as a firm with the government in the year 1996 by four directors which included Rakesh Kant Syal from Panchkula, his wife Bimla Syal, Mrs Rumila Sinha from Panchkula and Vinod Mahajan resident of village Arifwala, Kapurthala, now residing at Panchkula.

Giving details of this case he informed that these directors had purchased 530 acres of agricultural land in tehsil Nurpur Bedi, Rupnagar district by misleading the investors to provide them ownerships in the said land. In addition to this, the above mentioned accused had assured the investors to provide them good returns in lieu of money collected from them. 

He further added that the accused directors had not even developed the said land and not provided ownership rights to the investors. Besides this, investors have not be given post dated cheques as assured in the agreements with them.

The spokesperson further added that in this regard a case under section 406, 420, 467, 468, 471, 120-B of IPC and 7(2), 13(1), 13(2) of Prevention of Corruption Act had been registered at VB police station Patiala against the above mentioned four directors of the company.

He informed that the above accused Vinod Mahajan had been declared proclaimed offender by the competent court in the year 2002 and was evading arrest since then. The accused would be produced in the court. Further investigation in this case was under progress.

IEP Chandigarh, November 17

The Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led State Government had made a firm commitment to all the stakeholders viz. Farmers, Labourers, Millers and Arhtiyas before the start of paddy procurement season about ensuring the uninterrupted procurement. That the Government has fully lived up to its commitment is proved by the fact that during the current season, 180 Lakh Metric Tonne (LMT) paddy stands procured out of the target of 184 LMT. The procurement has been made at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs. 2060 per quintal fixed by the Government of India. The rest of the procurement would also be completed by today evening.

Interacting with the mediapersons at the Anaj Bhawan here today in connection with the paddy procurement season, the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Mr. Lal Chand Kataruchak said that this time no problem was encountered by the farmers in the mandis and procurement as well as lifting was done on time. Within mere 4 hours of the procurement, the payments were credited into the bank accounts of the farmers.

Giving more details, the Minister said that the State Government had set up 1806 traditional purchase centres in the mandis besides declaring as many as 583 public places and 37 rice mills as interim purchase centers for the facilitation of farmers and then the allotments were made. Divulging more, he said that the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department has so far credited Rs. 34263.40 crore into the accounts of the farmers for the paddy procured by the agencies of the State. He also informed that the Government procurement is being ended in most of the Districts of the State and the procurement process would be completed in the few remaining pockets by today evening.

The Minister lauded the yeoman’s role played by the Department apart from the Mandi Board in ensuring hassle free procurement. Besides, he also appreciated the contribution of the Punjab Police in effectively stonewalling the illegal paddy coming from the other States by putting up Nakas at the interstate barriers.

Coming to the other issues, Mr. Kataruchak said that the verification of the blue cards would be completed by the November 30th so as to make sure that only the eligible beneficiaries are facilitated. He also expressed satisfaction that the custom milling policy of the State Government has garnered praise from the Government of India which has asked the State Government to share its expertise with the other States.

Among others present on the occasion included the Principal Secretary Mr. Rahul Bhandari, Director Mr. Ghanshyam Thori and other officers of the department.

IEP Chandigarh, November 17       

    The Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is continuously working to provide basic facilities and clean environment to the people of the state.  Taking another step forward in this direction,  Local Government Minister Dr.Inderbir Singh Nijjar said that the Punjab government has decided to spend Approximately Rs.11.65 crores for development works related to water supply and sewerage at Patiala and Fatehgarh Sahib in Samana, Bhadson and Mandi Gobindgarh.  The department has started the tender process for these works. Diviluing more details , Local Government Minister Dr. Inderbir Singh Nijjar said that the Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board will be  spend Rs 5.98 crores for laying a new sewerage line from the main road Patran to the sewerage treatment plant in Samana of Patiala and  all also other works related to sewerage will be done.  Similarly, approximately Rs.1.44 crore will be spent on Providing and Laying sewerage and other related works at Bhadson.Dr. Nijjar said that apart from this, Rs. 4.23 Crores will also be spent  at Mandi Gobindgarh of Fatehgarh Sahib for sewerage related works and Providing and Laying of different sizes of water supply lines and all the works related to water supply and Sewerage will be done.          He also said that apart from this, Local Government Department  has also published e-tenders for many other works related to water supply and sewerage.  Through these tenders, rates have been sought for carrying out various works.The Cabinet Minister  said that the Punjab government led by Bhagwant Mann is trying hard to provide basic facilities and clean environment to the people of the state so that the life of the common people of the state can be easy and healthy.He further said that local government department has already e-published tenders for these works on the website www.eproc.punjab.gov.in.  If any amendment is made in these tenders, the details thereof will also be available on this website.          The Cabinet Minister also said that the state government wants to provide corruption free administration to the people of the state. He has directed the officials of the Water Supply and Sewerage Board to ensure transparency and quality in these works.

IEP Chandigarh, November 17

Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) on Thursday organized a one-day workshop in association with Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), Ministry of Power GoI on Signing of MoUs with 14 identified Industries and a technical session on “Adoption of ISO 50001:2018 Standards” at PEDA Auditorium here.Welcoming all the participants, Chief Executive PEDA Dr. Sumeet K. Jarangal encouraged industries to implement energy efficiency measures to achieve the global mission for saving energy, environment, and climate. There were a total 40 Designated Consumers (DCs) notified by the Ministry of Power under PAT Scheme in the State of Punjab and out of 40 DCs, two industries namely NFL Bathinda and Ropar from the fertilizer sector have signed MoU with BEE for implementation of ISO 50001:2018 standards, he added.Meanwhile, Chairman PEDA Mr. H.S. Hanspal, the Chief Guest of the Workshop, deliberated upon the importance and involvement of industries & MSMEs for implementation of energy efficiency projects in the State which would further boost the economy. He suggested that financial institutions shall provide required support for implementation of such projects in the State.Director BEE Mr. S.K. Khandare has emphasized upon the importance of energy efficiency & implementation of new and innovative energy efficient technologies in Industries & MSME at the Central & State level. He also stressed on the importance of investment potential in Industries & MSMEs which could enhance the infrastructure at the state level.The dynamics of industry, transport, buildings and agriculture sectors were bringing new opportunities, said he, while mentioning that energy was slowly transitioning to be demand driven rather than supply driven. He further deliberated upon the importance of bridging the communication and knowledge gap between project implementers and funding agencies for the implementation of energy efficient activities in Industries & MSMEs.Director PEDA Mr. M.P. Singh said that PEDA has been making concerted efforts to translate energy sector strategies into actionable low-carbon solutions to increase the utilization of clean and green energy. He said that PEDA has been planning to assess potential of latest technologies such as electric vehicles (EV) and utilization of hydrogen that could invariably impact the energy demand in the transport and industry sectors, which would contribute significantly in reducing the GreenHouse Gases emission. He thanked all the participants for attending the event.Additional Director PEDA Mr. Jaspal Singh, Project Engineer BEE Mr. Ravinder Yadav and representatives of various industries and MSMEs across India also attended the workshop.

IEP Ludhiana, November 17

With the promise to meet again next year, the around three months long sporting extravaganza ‘Khedan Watan Punjab Dian’ culminated here on Thursday at the local Guru Nanak Stadium as the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann vowed to restore the pristine glory of the state.Addressing the gathering after digitally transferring cash amount worth Rs 6.85 crore in the bank accounts of 9961 players who had bagged Gold, Silver and Bronze medal at the state level during games, the Chief Minister congratulated all the players for their stupendous success. He said that Rs 10,000 cash award has been transferred in account of winner of Gold medal, Rs 7000 in account of silver medal winner and Rs 5000 has been transferred in account of bronze medal winner. Bhagwant Mann said that these games will be held every year to promote sporting activity in every nook and corner of state.The Chief Minister also felicitated the teams of Patiala, Ludhiana and SAS Nagar for bagging first, second and third position in the state level games with 202, 133 and 123 gold medals respectively. He also honoured nine districts including Amritsar, Barnala, Faridkot, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Patiala, Roopnagar, SAS Nagar and Sangrur for successfully organising state level games well in their districts. Bhagwant Mann also congratulated the Sports Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer for successful completion of these games.Announcing the culmination of this around three months long gala sporting event, the Chief Minister said that it is a matter of great pride and satisfaction that in this mega event more than three lakh players have participated in different six age groups. He said that these players have participated in various competitions from block to the state level in 28 sports categories. Bhagwant Mann also announced that the state government will give top priority to recruit the outstanding players in various government departments.Congratulating the players who had won medals in the games, the Chief Minister urged them not to feel proud of their victory but to stay humble and work hard for more success. He said that the games have got overwhelming response across the state and youth have participated in them with huge enthusiasm. Bhagwant Mann said that he is elated to share that even in some events three generations of families have participated in these games.The Chief Minister said that he is an avid sports lover due to which he is making strenuous efforts for promotion of sports. He said that his government had felicitated the commonwealth contingent as soon as they had returned from the games. Bhagwant Mann envisioned that the day is not far when all the first three slots in every game will be bagged by Punjabis both at national and international level.The Chief Minister said that in a path breaking initiative his government has resumed Shaheed Bhagat Singh youth award, which will be bestowed to 46 youth every year for their outstanding contribution in several fields. He said that the award winners will get cash money worth Rs 51,000 along with appreciation certificate. Bhagwant Mann bemoaned that this award was stopped around seven years back but will be resumed now.The Chief Minister also vowed to make Punjab as the front runner state in the country. He said that his government is already making all out efforts for this noble cause. Bhagwant Mann envisioned that the concerted efforts will give desired results and an era of unprecedented progress and prosperity will be ushered in state.The Chief Minister further said that the prestigious G-20 summit, scheduled to be held in the holy city of Amritsar in March-2023, will promote Punjab as a preferred destination for business on the international level. He said that the summit will also provide a stage to the government to showcase its achievements and facilities for setting up new businesses. Bhagwant Mann said that this is a golden opportunity when Punjab can be highlighted as a land of best opportunities adding that the state is fortunate to have got this opportunity to host this event, in which leading countries from around the world will discuss education and labour and other crucial issues.The Chief Minister said that the state government has been making all out efforts for promoting sports across the state to channelize the unbounded energy of youth in a positive manner.  He said that these games were a right step towards this direction as it has provided platform to the players for showcasing their latent. Bhagwant Mann asserted that these games will also help the state government to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the players which will be beneficial for grooming them for the national and international events in future.The Chief Minister further said that the state government is leaving no stone unturned to popularize sports in the state as it can be play a key role in progress of the state and prosperity of its people. He asserted that it is the need of hour to encourage more budding players to excel in field of sports. Bhagwant Mann said that Aam Aadmi government is working on an aggressive campaign to produce maximum number of trained sportspersons so that Punjab can contribute more players in the Indian contingent for international events.The Chief Minister said that Punjab has abundant sports talent and Punjab government will leave no stone unturned to tap their potential and enable them to participate and excel in international events. Bhagwant Mann said that Punjab and sports have a strong and inseparable bond adding that the youth of the state have an inherited talent but the successive governments have failed to provide requisite infrastructure to them. He asserted that now the players will be provided the state of art infrastructure and world class facilities.Earlier, Sports Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer welcomed the Chief Minister and other dignitaries on the occasion. He also lauded the role played by the entire government machinery to make this sporting event a huge success. Meet Hayer said that these games have scripted a new success story in history of the state.Meanwhile, Commonwealth silver medalist weightlifter Vikas Thakur handed over the games flag to Chief Minister.  Bhagwant Mann gave the flag to Sports department for organising the games annually.During the closing ceremony, cultural performances by artist troupes mesmerised the audience with their dazzling performances. Leading Punjabi singers Kulwinder Billa, Pari Pandher and Armaan Dhillon entertained the audience with their songs.On the occasion an impressive video about the sporting extravaganza accompanied by magnificent traditional dance ‘Giddha’ and ‘Bhangra’ enthralled the audience and forced them to tap their feet. The gathering also gave standing ovation to the dazzling firework show on the occasion.

IEP Chandigarh, November 17

Punjab Chief Secretary Sh. V.K. Janjua reviewed the various projects underway by the J-PAL South Asia Partnership for institutionalization of data and evidence-based approach to policies during a high-level meeting here today.

J-PAL South Asia Partnership is running projects on prevention of opioid use in Punjab, Pani Bachao Paisa Kamao Scheme, Using machine learning tool to detect bogus firms in GST ecosystem for improving tax collection, Punjab market based system for environmental regulations (emissions trading scheme), while improving job matching for youth in Punjab is in pipeline. Apart from this, there is a proposal for Gender Sensitive Police Scoping Study project.

Chief Secretary gave the consent for new Gender Sensitive Policing Scoping Study project. Gender Sensitive Policing Scoping Study is related to community outreach and engagement for gender – responsive policing besides enhancing the gender sensitivity and responsiveness of female officers. Role of the counseling and impact on women’s security and relationship between counseling and legal case will also be studied. The objective is to study the functioning and gender responsiveness of counseling.

Mr. Janjua expressed his satisfaction on  the ongoing projects of  prevention of opioid use in Punjab, Pani Bachao Paisa Kamao Scheme, Using machine learning tool to detect bogus firms in GST ecosystem for improving tax collection, and Punjab market based system for environmental regulations (emissions trading scheme).

In the meeting Additional Chief Secretary to Chief Minister; A. Venu Prasad, Principal Secretary Planning ;Vikas Pratap, Principal Secretary; Tejveer Singh, Principal Secretary; Dilip Kumar, Secretary; Kamal Kishore Yadav, Secretary Rahul Tiwari, Secretary; Gurpreet Kaur Sapra were present.

IEP CHANDIGARH, November 17

          As part of the ongoing drive to make Punjab a crime-free state launched on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Punjab Police on Thursday arrested three persons, including two main shooters, involved in the targeted killing of Pardeep Singh, who was killed by six-shooters outside his shop in Kotkapura on November 10, 2022.

          Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav identified the two arrested shooters as Manpreet Singh alias Mani (26) and Bhupinder Singh alias Goldy (22), both resident of Faridkot, while, the third arrested accused has been identified as Baljit Singh alias Manna, a resident of Sri Muktsar Sahib. 

          The DGP said that the Punjab Police had established the identity of two of the main shooters— Manpreet Mani and Bhupinder Goldy— on the very first day and an extensive manhunt was launched by the Police in this regard. “In an intelligence-led joint operation, Counter Intelligence Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur Police and Faridkot Police nabbed both the shooters from the outskirts of the Hoshiarpur district, when they were waiting to catch a bus to flee to Himachal Pradesh,” he said.

          He said that both the arrested shooters have criminal cases, pertaining to extortion and other crimes, pending against them and their interrogation is expected to unravel the entire conspiracy hatched by the Canada-based terrorist Goldy Brar and his network of associates, who have acted as facilitators in this crime.

          In another success, DGP Gaurav Yadav said that Faridkot Police, in a simultaneous operation, has also arrested Baljit Manna from the Jaito area in Faridkot for providing logistic support to the three Haryana-based shooters including two minors and one identified as Jatinder Jeetu. The trio Haryana-based shooters were arrested by the Delhi Special Cell a few days back.

          SSP Faridkot Rajpal Singh said that after the Court of Judicial Magistrate 1st Class (JMIC) granted police custody of children in conflict with law (CCL) for five days, the Police have brought both the minor accused for questioning and further investigations are on.

An FIR No 228 dated 10.11.2022 had been registered under sections 302, 307, 148, 149 and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and 25/54/59 of the Arms Act at Police Station City Kotkapura.

IEP Chandigarh, November 16

In a bid to ensure potable piped water supply in all rural households in the state, Punjab Chief Secretary Mr. Vijay Kumar Janjua on Wednesday directed Water Supply and Sanitation Department to cover all the remaining 2230 households in quality affected villages on the priority within this financial year.

          Chairing the 3rd meeting of Apex Committee of State Water and Sanitation Mission (SWSM) at his office, Punjab Civil Secretariat-1, here, the Chief Secretary reviewed the progress of ongoing projects of Water Supply and Sanitation. He directed the concerned officials to ensure 100 per cent coverage  of the rural households with Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTC) at the earliest as Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Mann led Punjab government is committed to provide potable water to each rural household of the state.

          He also directed Rural Development and Water Supply and Sanitation department officials to submit a road map within a week for achievement of targets under Swachh  Bharat Gramin.

          The Chief Secretary was apprised that the state has already covered 99.94 per cent (34.24 lacs out of 34.26 lacs) households with piped water supply. All the remaining 2230 households in quality affected villages will be provided with potable water supply in 2022-23. The department has already ensured 100 per cent saturation of households in terms of piped water supply through FHTCs in 11931 villages, 146 blocks and 20 districts of the state besides ensuring ‘Har Ghar Jal’ certification through special Gram Sabha in 11867 saturated villages, 133 blocks and in 16 districts.

          Discussing the Annual Action Plan 2022-23, the Chief Secretary asked the officials to ensure coverage of remaining households (including aspirational districts Ferozepur and Moga) with piped water supply to ensure Har Ghar Jal status in state, remaining 824 Water Quality affected villages with mitigation measures to ensure availability of potable piped water supply and remaining GP buildings and health centres with piped water supply should be ensured under this plan.

          He also directed to ensure regular testing of water samples through water testing labs and FTK. It was stated that out of reported coverage of households in State, 12.18 lac rural households are having Private sources. The Chief Secretary directed that all these private sources should be tested for chemical and other contaminants. In case of any quality issue, Water Supply and Sanitation department must ensure supply of potable piped water to these households from piped water supply schemes so that quality water is available to every households in State.

          Financial Commissioner Rural Development and Panchayats Mr. K Siva Prasad, Principal Secretary Planning Mr. Vikas Pratap, Principal Secretary Water Supply and Sanitation Mr. DK Tiwari, Secretary Finance Ms. Garima Singh, HoD of DWSS Mr. Vipul Ujwal, Director Information and Public Relations Ms. Sonali Giri, Special Secretary Education Mr Varinder Kumar Sharma and other senior officials were also present in the meeting.

IEP Chandigarh, November 16

 The Punjab Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is fully committed to expand the forest cover in the State which stands proved by the fact that the target with regard to planting 1.20 crore saplings has been completed by the Forest and Wildlife Preservation Department.

 This was disclosed by the Forest and Wildlife Preservation Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak while presiding over a review meeting of the department with the DFOs at the forest complex in Sector-68, Mohali.

 The Minister was apprised that the target for next year has been fixed at 3 crore saplings for which the department would leave no stone unturned. Besides, in comparison to the Rs. 36 crore income of the Punjab Forest Development Corporation pertaining during the previous year, the corporation is richer by Rs. 29 crore during the first 7 months of the present year and is all set to surpass the previous year mark. Also, the training program of the nursery in charges across the State would commence from November 17^th at Hoshiarpur with the incharges of nurseries in hilly areas being priority.

 The Minister emphasized implementing various initiatives such as ‘Pavitar Van’(Planting of saplings in 1 or 2 Hectare area), Nanak Bagichi, and Shaheed Bhagat Singh Haryaval Lehar with renewed vigour so as to increase the green cover thus paving the way for a clean and green environment.

 Strongly advocating the development of Sadabrast forest in Ropar and Keshopur Chhamb in Gurdaspur, the Minister batted for providing facilities in these areas to become centres of attraction. Rooting for employees of the department donning uniforms, Mr. Kataruchak said that while on one hand this would accord a new look to the department on the other this would also lead to the increasing self confidence amongst the personnel. Directing the proper upkeep of the planted saplings, the Minister said that tree guards should be set up around them apart from painting them in the departmental colours of yellow and green. He also said that certain areas such as the Phagwara-Chandigarh road must be beautified with saplings of different kind with strict monitoring mechanism in place. The Minister also asked the officers of the department to adopt a tough stance against the illegal mining.

 Among others present on the occasion included the ACS cum Financial Commissioner (Forests and Wildlife Preservation) Raji P. Srivastava, PCCF R.K. Mishra, and APCCF (Admn.) Dharminder Sharma.