IEP Chandigarh, November 10

A high-level review meeting was held by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) through video conferencing with Punjab Chief Secretary Vijay Kumar Janjua and state government officials on Thursday. Adopting a strict attitude regarding increasing pollution, the NHRC took a detailed report on the stubble burning cases in Punjab. The NHRC expressed strong concern over stubble burning cases in North India, especially in Punjab as the air quality has turned ‘severe’ in many cities and has been affecting healthy of the people as well as putting seriously impact on those with existing illnesses.The commission said that incidents of stubble burning should be strictly curtailed. He said that if the situation was not improved, a heavy penalty would be imposed on the Punjab.          On this occasion, the Commission meticulously reviewed the cases related to stubble management in Punjab from the Chief Secretary and also sought some data in this regard. The Chief Secretary said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the entire machinery of the state is sincerely putting efforts to reduce the incidence of stubble burning this year and farmers are being encouraged and made aware not to burn stubble. The stubble management machines were provided to the farmers on time and all the Deputy Commissioners have also reduced the incidence of stubble burning by adopting effective methods.          The Chief Secretary said that every week a meeting is being held with all Deputy Commissioners and higher officials of Punjab for stubble management so that effective measures can be taken to prevent stubble burning.The Chief Secretary said that more focus has been given by the authorities on those hot-spots in the villages where the cases of farm fires were detected in the previous years. Apart from this, a senior IAS officer has been placed in-charge of each 23 districts of the state and they have been directed to work at grass root level to closely review the stubble management and prevent stubble burning cases, the Chief Secretary said.          The Chief Secretary said that to encourage farmers, Punjab government is honouring farmers those are not burning the stubble burning. He said that the farmers were also sensitized through various awarneness campaigns including enrolling children studying in schools about burning menace.Apart from this, awareness appears are being made through religious places. The Chief Secretary appealed to the farmers not to burn stubble under any circumstances for the healthy future of children and youth and to cooperate with the government for its management.

IEP Chandigarh, November 10

          Minister of Social Security, Women and Child Development of Punjab, Dr. Baljit Kaur today said that “Udariyan-Bal Vikas Mela Week” will be celebrated in Anganwari Centers of villages across the state from 14 to 20 November 2022.

Different programs will organised in Anganwadi centers for overall development of children with special focus on kids living in remote and rural areas.

          Divulging more details the minister said that this program will be held on all days during this period of celebration. On November 14th and 15th local NGOs will make the public aware about child nutrition and on November 16th a special message from the government will be shared after which Vikas Mela activities will begin in all Anganwaris. Poshan Day will also be celebrated on November 17 and Dada-Dadi, Nana-Nani Day on November 18. She further informed that Child Sarpanch Day will be celebrated on November 19 and Positive Parenting Day on November 20.

          The Child Development Week will be celebrated with great enthusiasm by the Social Security Department with the help of the child’s parents, grandparents and general public. She said that activities related to child nutrition, play and story based development, safety and tools and positive parenting will be conducted in this program. Every child’s development will be encouraged by improving the child’s environment by meeting the basic needs of the children throughout the week.

IEP Chandigarh, 10 November    

          Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday said that the state government will not allow any anti-social element to disturb the hard-earned peace and communal harmony of the state at any cost.

          The Chief Minister, while chairing a high-level meeting with the senior officers of state administration and Punjab police, directed the Senior Police Officers that none of the culprits responsible for the killing of Dera follower should be spared and the accused must be given stern punishment as per law. During the meeting, the Police Officers briefed the Chief Minister about the incident.

          The Chief Minister said that this sensitive matter should be thoroughly being investigated by the police from every aspect and the case will be taken to a legal conclusion without any bias. He asserted that no criminal incident can be viewed with the narrow aspect of caste or religion and the perpetrators of this crime will not be spared at any cost. Bhagwant Mann unequivocally said, “These unfortunate incidents are being carried out with nefarious designs to dent the strong bonds of our decade-old brotherhood, communal harmony, mutual love and unity”.

          The Chief Minister said that the state government is firmly committed to maintaining a law and order situation in Punjab and no one will be allowed to disturb the hard-earned peace at any cost. He said that these forces will be given a befitting reply.  During the meeting, the Chief Minister also ordered the officers to conduct a review of licensed firearms across the state to find out the use of firearms in such criminal activities.

          To further strengthen the law and order situation, the Chief Minister directed the officers to train the police force on modern lines to make them more competent to deal with criminals. Expressing confidence in the efficiency of the Punjab police, Bhagwant Mann said that the police force of the state has a glorious tradition of combatting the fissiparous forces adding that it had bravely combatted the dark period of terrorism. He also said that Punjab Police had solved many sensitive cases in the past through their professional intelligence and competence.

          The Chief Minister asked the Police to enhance vigil across the state by organising special checking. He said that no one should be allowed to his disturb law and order in the state. Bhagwant Mann further said that the police force will deal sternly with those who are attempting to disturb the peaceful environment of the state.

IEP Chandigarh, November 10

The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its campaign against corruption in the State registered a bribery case against Sarpanch Harjeet Singh Gullu, gram panchayat Mattran, SAS Nagar for taking bribe in the name of police officials.

Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of the VB said this case has been registered on a complainant filed by Sarbjeet Kaur of village Barouli, Tehsil Derabassi against the above said Sarpanch on the Chief Minister anti-corruption helpline.

He informed that during the investigation of this complaint and the evidence submitted in this regard, it was found that the above mentioned Sarpanch has received Rs 10,000 from the complainant to pay the money as a bribe to police officials to get her justice in a complaint case which under investigation in police station Sohana, SAS Nagar.

The spokesperson further informed that during the probe the allegations were found to be true and a corruption case under FIR no. 23 dated 09-11-2022 under section 7-A of Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered against the said Sarpanch at the Vigilance Bureau flying squad-1, Police Station, SAS Nagar. Further investigation in this case was under progress.

IEP Chandigarh, November 10

The Punjab government led by Chief Minister Mr. Bhagwant Mann is striving to provide basic facilities and a clean environment to the people of the state. Working in this direction, Rs.127.99 crore are being spent by the Punjab government to provide sewerage facility for Batala town.Local Government Minister Dr. Inderbir Singh Nijjar reviewed the work of the project and directed the officials of Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board to complete this work within the stipulated time.Giving more information in this regard, Dr. Nijjar said that almost 160 kms area of Batala town will be covered under sewerage network. Apart from this, sewerage treatment plant with a capacity of 30 MLD and the main pumping station will also be covered under this project. He said that under this project, the large population of Batala town will get the benefit of the sewerage system.The cabinet minister said that Main Dera Baba Nanak Road, Maan Nagar, Dumbiwal, Hassanpura, Punder, Murgi Mohalla, Shukarpura, Sunder Nagar, Main Aliwal Road, Katchakot Telianwal, Jujhar Nagar, Jawahar Nagar, Khatib, Allowal Village, Amritsar Road, Dhir Road, Jalandhar Byepass Road will be covered.Apart from this, Adjoining areas of Armaan Resort, Malawey Di Kothi, Bodey Di Khuee, Main Jalandhar Road, Navroop Nagar, Narayan Nagar, Backside of Guru Nanak College, backside of Guru Nanak Academy, Sri Hargobindpur Road, Along Kahnuwan Road Areas, Jharianwal, Prem Nagar, Shanti Nagar, Basant Nagar, Preet Nagar, Model Town, Kala Nangle Road, Dashmesh Nagar, Kartar Nagar etc. areas will be covered under batala town sewerage project.The Minister said that the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Mr. Bhagwant Mann is committed to provide corruption free administration to the people of the state. Therefore, they have given instructions to the officials to ensure transparency in the work and to complete the work within the stipulated time.

IEP Chandigarh, November 10 

Punjab School Education Department is going to organise co-curricular activities and educational competitions on the account of Bal Diwas on November 14 in the Government Schools. While divulging details Punjab School Education Minister Mr. Harjot Singh Bains said that this initiative is being taken to nurture the skills of the students. He added that on this day, the students will reach schools without their bags and will only participate in the co-curricular activities and competitions as the schedule has already been released by the department.The minister informed that on this occasion, debate, calligraphy, poem recitation and Punjabi reading competitions will be organised for primary classes and upper primary classes. He added that apart from these, competitions regarding slogan writing in Punjabi, describing meanings of Punjabi language words, General knowledge about Punjabi, language literature and culture, idioms and proverbs, Punjabi essay writing and competitions from ‘today’s word’ will also be organised. He said that apart from all this, special competitions would also be organised for the students of pre-primary classes as per their ability.

IEP SAS Nagar,November 10

A continuing medical education (CME) program on management of Snake Bite was organized by the Department of Medicine at District Hospital at Mohali and the associated Dr BR Ambedkar State Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS). Senior Professors, Dr Ashish Bhalla from PGIMER and Dr SS Lehl from GMCH, Sector 32 at Chandigarh led the discussions around the management of venomous snake bites. The incidence of snake bites has assumed greater importance owing to the rapid redevelopment that has been happening in the region. Dr Ranjeet Ghotra, Director Health Services (DHS) emphasized the importance of addressing this neglected tropical disease and Dr Adarshpal Kaur, Civil Surgeon hailed the initiative of the department of Medicine at AIMS. Dr Bhavneet Bharti, Director Principal, Dr HS Cheema, SMO and Dr Vijay Bhagat, SMO were the other senior doctors present at the program. Participants in the CME included practicing doctors from several hospitals in Delhi including Lady Hardinge, Guru Teg Bahadur hospital, RML Hospital, Safdarjang Hospital and University College of Medical Sciences besides doctors from medical institutions in Chandigarh, Patiala, Faridkot and Jalandhar.

IEP Chandigarh

Punjab Engineering College (Deemed to be University) Chandigarh, started its week long orientation programme for the new batch 2022-26 of Bachelor of Technology. The programme included around 800+ students enrolled in various B.Tech programmes. The campus for the first time post covid-19 is conducting its offline orientation programme. The Orientation programme is envisaged to help students transition into their new academic environment & role and align expectations to the values that PEC upholds as an Institute.The event started with lighting of the ceremonial lamp by Prof. Baldev Setia, Director PEC. He apprised the students about the rich legacy and glorious past of PEC and complemented them for choosing PEC for their bright future. He assured the students that they will learn from the best of sources as PEC has faculty of International repute. He gave a very warm welcome to the newly enrolled students and encouraged them to keep up the rich legacy of the institute with their hard work and achievements.Dr. Siby John, Deputy Director, PEC motivated students to be vocal and encouraged them to become their best versions as they have entered this new phase of their lives. He gave a warm welcome to the students and assured that the institute in all manner will help them flourish. Prof Rajesh Kumar Bhatia, Dean Academic Affairs apprised students about the academic curriculum for the session. He shared PEC’s journey of more than a century and how it has established itself as one of the forerunners in technical education. Prof. Divya Bansal, Dean Alumni, Corporate & International Affairs PEC informed the students about the strong alumni linkages around the world and how PEC provides a platform to its students to interact and learn from the best. Dr. JD Sharma, Head CDGC apprised the students about the role of Career Development and Guidance Centre and its overwhelming placement records. The  session progressed with students being Introduced to the Heads, Deans, Registrar of Punjab Engineering College followed by presentations by various heads of the departments of the institute. The students were also shown the PEC Campus Documentary to inform them about the yearlong activities, various clubs, technical societies and the achievements of students and faculties. 

IEP Chandigarh

Punjab Engineering College (Deemed to be University) Chandigarh, today celebrated its 102-foundation day in the presence of Shri Dharam Pal, IAS, Advisor to the Administrator, Chandigarh. Ms. Hargunjit Kaur, IAS, Secretary Industries, Chandigarh Administration and Shri Amandeep Singh Bhatti, Additional Secretary, Technical Education also graced the occasion with their presence.

The event started with Prof. Baldev Setia, Director, PEC, welcoming all the esteemed guests and offering all the members present and to all the PEC family around the world a very warm congratulations on completing such glorious years of education rooted in creativity, values and intellectual curiosity.

Shri Dharam Pal, Advisor to the Administrator congratulated all the members present on the 102 Foundation Day of Punjab Engineering College (Deemed to be University) Chandigarh, on this momentous day he launched the new Tagline “TRADITION WE TRUST, EXCELLENCE WE ENVISION” of PEC followed by a cake cutting ceremony.

The session progressed with a detailed presentation on “PEC Upgradation to CFTI Indian Institute of Engineering, Science and Technology” by Prof. Baldev Setia, Director PEC. He apprised the audience of the rich history of PEC, its role in nation building and the need to upgrade PEC to a CFTI.  He mentioned that PEC is one of the oldest engineering institutes in the country and has a proud legacy of a great institution. He also highlighted that all states of India have at least one CFTI, Chandigarh being the largest UT also needs a CFTI and that can be PEC. The presentation concluded with a proposal for a befitting conversion of PEC  into a CFTI/Institution of National Importance as the Institution already fulfils all the measures. He focused on the fact that conversion of PEC into a CFTI will add to its brand value, give more financial autonomy, enhance research outcomes both quantitatively and qualitatively and above all increase its global presence.

Shri Dharam Pal, Advisor to the Administrator considering the rich legacy of PEC and the fact that it is a national brand of technical education, extended full support from UT Administration to upgrade PEC into a CFTI. He mentioned that PEC and UT administration are on the same page to convert PEC into a CFTI/Institution of National Importance. 

IEP Chandigarh, November 9

          The Punjab Government led by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has distributed Rs. 10.40 crore to the pregnant women and lactating mothers to improve the nutrition and health status.

          Giving more information in this regard, Minister of Social Security, Women and Child Development Department Dr. Baljit Kaur said that the government is continuously working to improve the nutrition and health status of pregnant women and lactating mothers. She said that under this scheme, there are a total of 60912 women beneficiaries in the state, to whom 10.40 crores have been distributed so far and the state government has reserved a budget of 36.60 crores for this scheme.

          Dr. Baljit Kaur further said that earlier benefit of Rs. 5000/- was given in three installments (Rs. 1000+2000+2000) to women aged 19 years and above on the birth of their first living child Under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana. But April 2022 will be given in two installments of five thousand rupees under maternity benefit to women belonging to socially and economically weaker sections of the society. This assistance is given to pregnant women and lactating mothers to uplift their nutritional and health status subject to fulfillment of special conditions.

Dr.  Baljit Kaur said that under this scheme earlier benefit of 5000 rupees was given in three installments, which after April 2022 will be given in two installments of five thousand rupees under maternity benefit to women belonging to socially and economically backward sections of the society.  First installment Rs.3000/- on registration of pregnancy and at least Anganwadi before birth a check-up at the Center (AWC) within 6 months from the date of LMP on identification of health facilities approved by the State/UT and second installment of Rs.2000/- on birth of child.  Registration is eligible when the child receives the first dose of BCG, OPV, DPT and Hepatitis-B or equivalent.

          The Minister added that the financial assistance is credited directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries, which were being linked with Aadhaar