IEP Chandigarh/Tarn Taran, December 4:

Striking yet another blow to the cross-border smuggling amidst the ongoing war against drugs launched on the directions of Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann, Punjab Police have recovered one more Quadcopter drone loaded with three packets of heroin, weighing 3.06Kg, during a search operation launched at border area of Border Outpost (BOP) Kalia in Tarn Taran on the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday. The operation was carried out with the support of the Border Security Force (BSF).

Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav said that this is the fourth such drone recovered by the Tarn Taran Police in less than a week.

Notably, a hexacopter drone carrying six packets of heroin, weighing 6.68 kg, was recovered in the jurisdiction of Border Outpost (BOP) Harbhajan in Khemkaran on Tuesday. On the very next day, a broken quadcopter drone was recovered from the area of village Van Tara Singh in Khalra. Similarly, another hexacopter drone carrying five packets of heroin, weighing 5.60 kg, was recovered from the Khemkaran area in Tarn Taran on Friday.

DGP Gaurav Yadav said that after noticing the drone movement in Indo-Pak border on the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday, Police teams from Tarn Taran district immediately shared the pin-pointed inputs with the BSF and jointly conducted an intensive search operation in the area of Village Kalia District Tarn Taran, which was just 2kms away from the Indo-Pak border.

He said that the combing operation resulted in the recovery of a Drone model No. DJI MATRICE 300RTX loaded with three packets of Heroin.

Sharing more details, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Tarn Taran Sukhminder Singh Mann said that investigations are on to ascertain the identity of the Pak smugglers, who sent the consignment via drone, and also their Indian associates, who were to receive this air-dropped consignment of heroin.

Meanwhile, a case FIR No. 92 Dated 04.12.2022 has been registered under sections 21-C, 23, 27-A and 29 of the NDPS Act and sections 10, 11 and 12 of the Aircraft Act at Valtoha Police Station in Tarn Taran.

IEP Chandigarh, December 4

 The Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is making every possible effort to provide basic amenities to the people of the state. Under this series, Development works across the State is being carried out. Taking one more step forward in this direction,  Local Government Minister Dr. Inderbir Singh Nijjar said that the Punjab government has decided to spend approximately Rs 7.29 crores on improving water supply/ sewerage system and other development works in Jalandhar city. Diviluing more details in this regard, Local Government Minister Dr.Inderbir Singh Nijjar said that Laying DIK-7 water supply pipes, Construction of Sluice valve haudies, Including house connections, Fire hydrants and other related works will be done to improve the water supply system in Jalandhar. For these works Approximately Rs 6.34 crores will be spent.Cabinet Minister, Dr.Nijjar said that similarly, approximately Rs 26.93 lakh will be spent on laying water supply GI pipe line  and Sewerage line at Ward No. 8 and 9 at Phillaur in Jalandhar.Local Government Minister Dr. Nijjar further said that apart from this, various parks will be developed in the city of Jalandhar and also Services of various posts will be hired so that smoothly works of the Improvement Trust and cleanliness of the city. For these works  approximately Rs 68.29 lakh will be spent, he said.The Minister further said that the department has started process to improve the water supply/sewerage system and other development works of Jalandhar city.The cabinet Minister said that the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is giving top priority to provide basic amenities and clean environment to the people of the state.The Minister has directed the officials of the department to ensure transparency and quality in the department works so that the dream of Mann government to provide corruption free administration to the people of the State can be fulfill. 

IEP Chandigarh: December 04

In line with the commitment of Bhagwant Mann led government, Punjab has made leaping progress in terms of reduction in the Maternal Mortality rate. Disclosing more about this achievement Health and Family Welfare Minister Chetan Singh Jauramajra informed this as per the latest data released by the Registrar General of India. The maternal mortality in Punjab has come down significantly from 129 to 105 which is a 13.93 percentage reduction.

It is pertinent to mention here that the death of a woman while she is pregnant or within 42 days of termination of her pregnancy is considered as Maternal Mortality.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Chetan Singh Jauramajra stated that MMR is a key indicator of state’s health and socio economic development and Punjab is amongst the achievers. This is in sync with the trend of progressive reduction in the MMR over the years. With this persistent decline, we are on track to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of 70 per lakh live births by 2030.

It is due to the tremendous efforts being made under the able leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to improve the state’s health infrastructure.

Jauramajra while underlining the causes of Maternal deaths stated that there are various reasons for the death of women during their reproductive age (18 to 39 years) such as anaemia, post partum haemorrhage, multiple pregnancies, less birth spacing, and poor family planning practices but he applauded the Health and Family Welfare Department Punjab for the successful implementation of various health improvement measures in the field of Maternal and child care such as the operationalization of 34 dedicated Mother and Child hospitals, high percentage of institutional deliveries in Punjab, Anaemia Mukt Bharat (AMB), Surakshit Matritva Ashwasan (SUMAN), Labour Room Quality Improvement Initiative (LaQshya),Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY),Janani Shishu Suraksha Karaykram (JSSK), Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA).

Elaborating on the future steps by Punjab Health Department Jauramajra stated Punjab will strive to further reduce maternal mortality in line with SDG goals. He said that to promote normal deliveries in place of deliveries through caesarean section,  Punjab is also bringing in a new cadre – the Nurse Practitioner in Midwifery (NPM). For this  National Midwifery Training Institute (NMTI) has been commissioned at the Mata Kaushalya School of Nursing at Patiala where International Midwifery Educators from New Zealand, England and Kenya have also been brought in by the State Government in collaboration with United Nations Population Fund to teach the first batch of Midwifery Educators. Punjab is the third state to start this prestigious institution amongst 16 states selected for this purpose. Moreover, Punjab is successfully implementing the extended Pardhan Mantri Surakshit Matritav Abhiyan (PMSMA) through which all high risk pregnant women are being tracked and they are being provided with additional three ANCs which are done by Medical Officer at the nearest health institution.Each high risk pregnant woman is provided with a transport assistance of 100 rupees per visit.

Health Minister appealed to the general public to completely shun home deliveries or delivery by untrained dais etc.,infact they must opt for a government health institution where they are provided with free delivery services, nutrition support and free transport facilities.

IEP Chandigarh, December 4

          Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday announced to expand the ambit of Military Literature Festival (MLF) by hosting it at district and University level across the state.

          The Chief Minister, while chairing the felicitation ceremony of the Military Literature Festival here today, congratulated the organizing committee for holding this mega event every year. He said that in the future, the state government will hold this festival at district and university level to apprise the youth about the rich legacy of our Armed Forces, and rekindle the motivating spirit for joining the Army in them. Bhagwant Mann said that this is the need of hour to imbibe a feeling of nationalism and patriotism amongst youth thereby inspiring them to join the Armed forces.

          Lauding the pivotal role of Armed forces in making India the biggest and successful democracy of the world, the Chief Minister said that democracy had thrived in India successfully because the Armed forces have played a key role in safeguarding its ethos. He said that apart from safeguarding the borders of the country the Armed forces have also upheld the unity, integrity and sovereignty of the nation. Bhagwant Mann said that due to this only India has today emerged as the most successful democracy across the globe.

          Citing the example of Pakistan, the Chief Minister said that democracy has never survived there as the Army has toppled the elected governments in the neighboring country a number of times. However, he said that on the contrary in India democracy has been a successful phenomenon due to the active role of the Armed forces. Bhagwant Mann said that due to this only a common man like him has today became Chief Minister of the state.

          The Chief Minister also hailed the Indian Army for its dedication, commitment and patriotism. Likewise, he said that bravery and heroism of the Indian army finds no parallel in the world. Bhagwant Mann said that the Indian armed forces have scripted several inspirational stories with their valour.

          The Chief Minister further said that every countrymen is indebted to Indian armed forces for their unparalleled contribution towards service of nation. He said that when each one of us is sleeping soundly with our families the Armed forces are protecting our borders by braving scorching heat and freezing cold weather conditions. Bhagwant Mann said that as a humble tribute to the brave soldiers who had laid their lives for safeguarding borders of the country and maintaining law and order, the state government has enhanced honorarium given to the families of martyred soldiers to Rs. 1 Crore.

          The Chief Minister said that this was a humble initiative on part of the state government to pay tribute to these valiant  soldiers who attain martyrdom during line of duty. Bhagwant Mann said that this step is aimed at giving huge relief to the distressed family of the martyr soldier. He further said that the state government is duty bound to help the families of the soldiers who sacrifice their life at the altar of the motherland.

          The Chief Minister also recalled his strong ties with the Army veterans and armed forces. He said that one of his uncles (Mama ji) had served in the Indian army. Likewise, Bhagwant Mann also said that he was fortunate to have a decorated war veteran officer as his neighbour in SAS Nagar (Mohali).

          On the occasion the Chief Minister also released books and felicitated eminent persons who had participated in the fest.

IEP SAS Nagar/Chandigarh, December

Providing urban facilities to the villages of Punjab is the priority of the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Maan and the Panch/Sarpanch of the state and the villagers to rise above politics and factionalism to ensure the development of the village. This was expressed by Punjab Rural Development and Panchayat Minister. Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal inaugurated a special two-day training program for the elected representatives of the General Assembly and Panchayati Raj at Vikas Bhavan SAS Nagar here today.

Mr. Dhaliwal, while launching the ‘Mera Pind Meri Rooh’ campaign under the General Assembly of the Gram Sabha, said that the villagers and the elected representatives should decide for themselves what they want to develop in their village. He said that the General Assembly is required to be held twice a year during Rabi season (June) and Kharif season (December), in which the Gram Sabha passes the budget estimate of income and expenditure of its Gram Panchayat for the next financial year and the annual plan of the development program for the next financial year. He said that the department is also going to set up a special control room, through which panches/sarpanches will be provided with the outstanding amount and other information through mobile phone on the expenditure of the grant of their village.

Expressing grief, Mr. Dhaliwal said that the previous governments did not understand the importance of the general assembly and left no stone unturned to destroy the village councils. He said that even if the sarpanch is associated with any political party, the Hon’ble government wants to develop the villages. He said that during the last 8 months, the department has freed illegal encroachments on more than 10,000 acres of Panchayat lands and this campaign will continue. He said that the Punjab government will not tolerate corruption at any cost and Special attention is being paid to the amount being spent by the Panchayats.

On this occasion, elected representatives of Panchayati Raj, officials, and employees, employees of line departments, SHG,  two-day training program was also initiated for the members, Anganwadi workers and Asha workers. He said that by dividing the sustainable development goals into 9 thematic areas, emphasis is being placed on the development of villages by the state government.He said that in these 9 themes poverty-free and advanced livelihood village, healthy village, child-friendly village, water-rich village, clean and green village, village with self-sustaining infrastructure, social justice and socially safe village, Well-administered village and unkul village of women etc. are included. He said that two-day training programs will be organized at the block level across the state on different days, in which the sarpanches and panches will be told about their rights, about various schemes for development. He said that during this training program, information will be given in detail about various schemes for the development of villages, with which Sarpanch and Panch will be able to write a new example of development in their villages.

On this occasion, Director Rural Development and Panchayats Department Mr. Gurpreet Singh Khaira, Joint Development Commissioner Mr. Amit Kumar, Joint Director Mr. Sanjeev Garg, Deputy Director Jatinder Singh Brar, SIDR State Resource Person Training  Mr. Gurmel Singh Dhillon, Apart from a large number of Panchs and Sarpanchs were present. Besides, BDPOs of blocks across the state, panchayat secretaries and panches and sarpanches across Punjab were involved through video conferencing.

IEP Chandigarh, November 27

While paying obeisance on the martyrdom day of the ninth Sikh Guru Sri Guru Teg Bahadur ji, Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan has called on people to follow the path of peace, harmony, secularism and co-existence shown by Guru ji.

S. Sandhwan said that Guru Teg Bahadur ji has devoted his life for the freedom of religion. Guru Ji’s concept of ‘Sarbat Da Bhala’ teaches us to create an egalitarian society where people can live together in peace and harmony without discrimination of colour, caste, race and religion. He said that following the teachings of Guru ji we can create a solid and better society. He said that in the existing materialistic society it has become more important to adopt these teachings.

IEP Chandigarh, November 27

Punjab Vidhan Sabha Sapeaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan expressed deep grief over the sad demise of Sardarni Kartar Kaur, mother of Amolak Singh, MLA from Jaito constituency. Sardarni Kartar Kaur will be cremated on Monday, November 28 at 12 noon at Ram Bagh Kotakpura.

In his condolence message, the Vidhan Sabha Speaker said, “I am deeply saddened to learn of the demise of Sardarni Kartar Kaur, who was a source of inspiration and energy for her family.”

Meanwhile, S. Sandhwan also prayed to the Almighty to grant eternal peace to the departed soul and give strength to the bereaved family members, relatives and friends to bear this irreparable loss in this hour of grief.

IEP Chandigarh, November 27

Terming that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led Punjab government is the government of common people and farmers, Punjab’s agriculture and farmers Welfare Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal on Sunday said the state government has been taking all decisions in the public interest and will continue to do so in the future. The Punjab Government won’t let any farmer suffer losses.          Mr. Dhaliwal has issued orders to withdraw the red entries ordered by the central government to the farmers of the state for stubble burning and a notification has been issued in this regard. He said that the orders to make red entry against Khasra Number of revenue record issued by the central institution National Green of the land concerned Tribunal (NGT) in it’s letter issued on October 4, 2022, have been withdrawn. Instructions have been issued, he said.          Mr. Dhaliwal said that the red entry in the land record is not in the interest of the farmers of the state. He said that due to the red entry, the farmers would have been deprived of taking loans, government facilities and subsidies etc.          The Agriculture Minister emphasized on the need for farmers to adopt alternative methods for stubble management and this is the need of the hour that farmers support the government in making the state pollution free. He said that environmental pollution is a major global problem in today’s era and this is high-time to take steps in this regard.          Talking about alternative methods of stubble management, the Cabinet Minister further said that the Indian Agricultural Research Institute has developed a radical solution for stubble burning in the form of a bio-enzyme called Pusa. He said that when sprayed, this enzyme, in 20-25 days it destroys the stubble and turns it into compost, further it also helps in improving the soil quality. He said that the practice of stubble burning, which has been going on for many years, in which stubble is set on fire to clear the fields before planting the next crop, should be stopped by adopting alternative methods.          The Agriculture Minister further said that the Punjab government is already serious about this and in the current year till now 19393 machines have been given to the farmers on subsidy for stubble management, while in last four years 90433 machines were given to the farmers. He said that a total of 109815 machines are available with the farmers of the state. He said that according to the satellite information of November 26, 2022, during the years 2020, 2021 and 2022, from September 15 to November 26, 76619, 71122 and 49876 cases of stubble burning have been registered respectively, which is 30 percent less than last year. He said that if the central government gives assistance to the farmers equal to the expenditure incurred on stubble management, then it will be possible to get rid of this problem permanently. 

IEP Chandigarh, November 27

Punjab Government has today approved the operation of Golden Sandhar Mills Limited, Phagwara till February 20, 2023. The approval has been given after receiving the nod from the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

Disclosing this, the Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Mr. Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal said that in the interests of the farmers, it has been decided to run this sugar mill with conditions.

He said that inter-departmental committee has also been formed to ensure payment of farmers. In this committee SDM Phagwara, Project Officer (Cane) Jalandhar, Assistant Commissioner Excise Kapurthala Range, DCFA. (Internal Investigation Organisation) Kapurthala, Assistant Sugarcane Development Officer Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Mr. Satnam Singh Sahni Kisan Leader Bharati Kisan Union Doaba and Mr. Kripal Singh Musapur Bharati Kisan Union Doaba were included.

Mr. Dhaliwal said that the committee would maintain complete supervision on the sugarcane coming to the sugar mill, sugar recovery and sale of the products, and would submit a report to the cane commissioner regarding the payment of sugarcane to the farmers within 15 days.

He said that the cane commissioner will report to the state government in this regard and if the mill failed to make the payment on time as per the agreement, the license of the mill would be canceled and the sugarcane will be allotted to other mills.

IEP Kapurthala, November 27

          Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday reiterated the firm commitment of his government to emerge state as a hub of ‘Medical Education’across the globe.   

          The Chief Minister, who was here to inspect the site of the upcoming medical college in the district, said that this medical college will be named after Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. He said that the location of this college and all the designs have already been finalized adding that work on this ambitious project will start soon. Bhagwant Mann said that the medical college will come up over an area of 20 acres and the total cost of the project will be Rs 428.69 crore.

          The Chief Minister envisioned that the new Medical college will give a major boost to treatment and diagnostic facilities. He said that since a large number of students from other states will also come to this college, a state of the art hostel facility along with a 300 bed ultra modern Civil Hospital having 10-12 floors will also be constructed along with the college. Bhagwant Mann said that this college will open new vistas of employment for the local youth.

          The Chief Minister further said that in a major push to Medical education in Punjab, the state government has decided to construct 16 new Medical colleges in the coming five years that will enhance the total tally of medical colleges in the state to 25 thereby ensuring that every district of the state touches a medical college. He said that the foundation stone of Sant Attar Singh State Institute of Medical Sciences at Mastuana Sahib in Sangrur had already been laid by him. Bhagwant Mann further said that work on two other medical colleges at Kapurthala and Hoshiapur will also commence soon.

          The Chief Minister envisioned that the students aspiring to pursue medical education will no longer have to go to countries like Ukraine as they will be provided quality medical education in these medical colleges. Bhagwant Mann said that earlier governments have not paid any attention towards it but his government is laying major thrust on it. He said that health, education, power and clean water are the major thrust areas of his government.

          The Chief Minister further said that with the active support and cooperation of people, the state government has taken several pro-people initiatives. He said that the government is providing 600 units of free electricity to the people in every cycle adding that for the first time in the state 86 percent of the households have received zero electricity bill. Bhagwant Mann asserted that more than 95 percent of households will benefit from free electricity in the coming months.

          The Chief Minister reiterated that the state government is fully committed to preserve the hard earned peace in Punjab. He said that the strenuous efforts are already being made to discourage the gun culture in the state. Bhagwant Mann said that the officers have been directed that no one should be spared who is involved in hate speeches aimed at disrupting the peace and tranquility in the state. 

          The Chief Minister further said Aam Aadmi clinics opened by the state government are getting overwhelming response from people. He said that these clinics are acting as a catalyst to impart quality health services to people adding that more such clinics will be opened in the coming days. Bhagwant Mann said that it is a  matter of great pride and satisfaction that even the Government of India (GoI) had lauded the role of these clinics in providing effective healthcare services to people.

          The Chief Minister said that ever since assuming the charge of office the state government has handed over 20557 letters of government jobs to eligible youth. He said that more jobs are in the pipeline and staff scarcity in all the government departments will be overcome soon. Bhagwant Mann categorically said that merit has been the sole criteria of the government recruitment in the state.

          Later, the Chief Minister also inspected the site of the Medical college at Hoshiarpur to be named after legendary martyr Shaheed Udham Singh.He said that this Medical College will come up over an area of around 23 acres of land and the total cost of the project will be Rs 418.3 crore. Bhagwant Mann said that the location of this college and all the designs have already been finalized adding that work on this ambitious project will start soon.

          On the occasion, Additional Chief Secretary to CM A Venuprasad and others were also present.