Category Archives: Punjab

Chandigarh, Punjab

CM announces to spruce up government healthcare infrastructure across the state

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IEP Jagroan, November 1

 Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday announced to spruce up government healthcare infrastructure across the state for providing state of the art medical treatment and diagnostic services to people.

 “During the run up for elections we had promised guarantee of quality health care to the people and no stone is being left unturned for this noble cause” said the Chief Minister, while addressing after dedicating newly built mother and child care hospital here today.

 The Chief Minister said that strenuous efforts are being made to equip the government hospitals with the ultramodern facilities. Likewise, he said that a massive recruitment drive has been embarked to fill all the vacant lying government posts in the health department. Bhagwant Mann said that the sole purpose is to ensure that people get the best healthcare facilities in the state.

 The Chief Minister further said that along with upgrading the existing government hospitals with latest facilities due focus is also being laid on opening of new hospitals. He envisioned that Punjab will soon emerge as a hub of Healthcare and Medical education. Bhagwant Mann said that 16 new medical colleges will be constructed in the coming five years thereby enhancing the total tally of medical colleges to 25 thus transforming Punjab into a hub of medical education. 

 The Chief Minister envisioned that the newly constructed mother and child hospitals will act as a catalyst to impart quality health care to the pregnant women and newly born child. He said that the move is aimed to ensure that people get quality health services in these hospitals. Bhagwant Mann said that more such hospitals will be constructed across the state in coming days. 

 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 asserted that the entire process of ongoing procurement and lifting of the paddy crop will be completed within a week. Reiterating the firm commitment of the state government to procure every single grain of paddy, Bhagwant Mann said that he is personally monitoring the entire procurement process to ensure that farmers do not face any sort of inconvenience. He said that during the current procurement season not even a single complaint has been received from the farmers across the state.

 Listing the pro-people initiatives taken by the state government in the last seven months, the Chief Minister said that from July 1 onwards the Punjab government has provided 600 units of free power to people in every bill cycle. He said that as a result of this around 50 lakh households out of total 72.66 lakh, which was roughly 68.71 %of total) have got zero power bill in the month of September. Bhagwant Mann said that this initiative has given a major relief to the people of the state.

 Likewise, the Chief Minister said that the Punjab government has launched a major crackdown against the corrupt leaders who had plundered the wealth of the state. Bhagwant Mann said that his government has launched anti- corruption helpline after which around 250 corrupt elements have been put behind the bars. He said that only an honest and committed government can take such path breaking and pro-people initiatives.

 The Chief Minister further said that the state government has passed the historic ‘One MLA, One Pension’ bill which stipulates that each MLA will get only a single pension, instead of the earlier provision of permitting multiple pensions for every term. He said that similarly the state government has given more than 20,000 government jobs to the youth purely on merit basis. Bhagwant Maan said that the process to regularize 36,000 contractual employees in the state has also started and recently only the state government has issued notification for regularizing services of around 9000 employees.

 The Chief Minister also said that in order to provide quality and timely health services to the people 100 Aam Aadmi clinics have been dedicated to the people to mark 75th Independence Day. He said that these clinics are offering 41 health packages with nearly 100 clinical tests free of cost to the people. Bhagwant Mann envisaged that these clinics will act as the cornerstone in the revamp of the healthcare system in Punjab.

 Earlier, MLA Jagroan Sarvjit Kaur Manuke welcomed the Chief Minister and other dignitaries.

 Prominent among the present on occasion included Cabinet  Minister Chetan Singh Jauremajra, MLAs Sarvjit Kaur Manuke, Hakam Singh Thekedar, Madan Lal Bagga, Ashok Parashar Pappi, Hardeep Singh Mundian and Jiwan Singh Sangowal, Secretary health Ajoy Sharma, Special Principal Secretary to CM Ravi Bhagat, Chairman Punjab State Cooperative Agricultural Development Bank Suresh Goyal, Chairman Forest Development Corporation Navjot Singh Jarg, IG Ludhiana range SPS Parmar, DC Surabhi Malik, SSP Harjeet Singh and others.

Punjab

PEOPLE OF GUJARAT ARE EAGERLY WAITING FOR OUSTING HAUGHTY, TYRANT AND CORRUPT BJP LEADERS FROM STATE: ASSERTS CM

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IEP Navsari (Gujarat), October 29      

     Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann today said that people of Gujarat are eagerly waiting for ousting the haughty, tyrant and corrupt BJP leaders from state.          The Chief Minister, accompanied by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, said that people are fed up from the 27 year long rule of BJP and have made their mind to show door to them. He said that the day is not far when people will teach these leaders a lesson in the ensuing polls. Bhagwant Mann said that Gujrat will follow Punjab and Delhi to throw these parties out the state.          The Chief Minister said that the Congress and BJP have mercilessly plundered the assets of country. He said that while the Congress has started this malpractice, the BJP leaders have taken it to zenith. Bhagwant Mann said that winds of change are blowing in Gujrat and the day is not far when AAP will sweep elections in the state.          The Chief Minister called upon people to support AAP adding that even tree shed its leaves in every season. However, he said that it is surprising that people have not thrown out the BJP from last 27 years. Bhagwant Mann called upon people to support AAP for ushering in an era of peace, progress and prosperity in the state.          The Chief Minister said that this is unfortunate that Congress and BJP have connived with each other to make a mockery of the democratic values. He said that these leaders have plundered the money of country far more mercilessly than even what the Britishers had done. However, Bhagwant Mann categorically said that people are supreme in democracy and they will not tolerate this.          The Chief Minister said that the huge attendance in rallies of the party symbolises that people are fed up from the incumbent government. He said that the people want change from this ineffective, tyrant and corrupt government. Bhagwant Mann said that they are not selling fake dreams but people are supporting for a change in system.          The Chief Minister said that the country has been blessed with number of natural resources. However, he bemoaned that the leaders have ruined the country with their corrupt deeds. Bhagwant Mann said that the countrymen should come forward for ousting these corrupt leaders.

Chandigarh, Punjab

Govt honours enterprising farmers of Punjab who do not burn stubble

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IEP Chandigarh/ SAS Nagar October 29

Punjab Government and the Punjab Pollution Control Board today honoured 150 progressive farmers from across the state who did not set fire to stubble for the last five years in an impressive function organised at Kisan Vikas Chamber, SAS Nagar here today.

Speaker Punjab Vidhan Sabha Mr. Kultar Singh Sandhawan said that when people come forward to stop any bad practice then the result comes out.  He said that the farmer heroes who came to the event proved that farming can be done even following the teachings of Baba Nanak. He appealed to the farmers not to set the stubble on fire so that the environment of Punjab can be made clean and pollution free. He informed that burning of crop residue causes damage to other micro-organisms present in the upper layer of the soil as well as its organic quality. Due to the loss of ‘friendly’ pests, the wrath of ‘enemy’ pests has increased and as a result, crops are more prone to disease.

While addressing the event on this occasion, Mr.  Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer, Cabinet Minister, said that it is a matter of happiness that farmers are giving up stubble burning, accepting the message being given by the Punjab government. He said that due to pollution, not only the lungs are damaged, many other types of health diseases affect the human being.  He also expressed his happiness that the young generation is becoming aware and under the green campaign, they are now participating more in the planting campaign and trees are being planted in large quantities.  He said that due to the campaign of the Punjab government, Mini Forests are being set up at various places in Punjab

In this ceremony, the experts of the Agriculture Department sensitize the public present in function about ill effects of stubble burning, its alternative methods and about the efforts being made by the government to control the same. In this ceremony, a Nukad Natak was performed by the artists illustrating the effects of pollution caused by the burning of stubble on our health and the environment. During the function, the progressive farmers also shared their experiences with the audience regarding the benefits of not burning the residue to paddy like increased fertility of soil and less requirement of fertilizers etc.  Among them, Gurpreet Singh Chandbaja Surjit Singh Sadhugarh, Ranjit Singh Basi Pathans Ghumandgarh, Kabal Singh Chugawan told the farmers how they did farming without burning the stubble residue and where the fertility of the land was maintained and  their income has also increased significantly.

In this function, Sh. Rahul Tiwari, IAS, Secretary, Department of Science, Technology and Environment, Punjab, Prof. (Dr.) Adarsh Pal Vig, Chairman, Punjab Pollution Control Board, Dr Sukhpal Singh, Farmers’ Commission’s Chairman, Mr. Karunesh Garg, Member Secretary, Punjab Pollution Control Board, Mr. Umendra Dutt, Executive Director of Kheti Virasat Mission,Mrs. Avneet Kaur, Additional Deputy Commissioner, SAS Nagar, Mr. Lavneet Kumar Dubey, Senior Environmental Engineer, Punjab Pollution Control Board, Mr. Gursharan Das Garg, Environmental Engineer, Punjab Pollution Control Board, other officials and employees of the Punjab Pollution Control Board were present to grace the occasion.

Chandigarh, Punjab

Government schools should publish magazines to bring out artistic skills of students, directs Harjot Singh Bains

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IEP Chandigarh, October 29

Punjab State School Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains has directed the heads of the all government schools of the state to publish their own magazines to bring out the hidden artistic subtleties and skills of the students.

S. Bains said, during my recent visits to the government schools, I found that the students have distinguish and unique artistic, creative and literary skills, which is required to be given a platform to further promote it, and the magazine will play an important role in this direction. He informed that a letter has already been issued by the Director SCERT to all the schools to publish the magazine.

S. Bains said, all the heads of schools have been directed to prepare school’s own magazine in the handwritten or printed form on the occasion of Children’s Day on November 14 besides holding an event with maximum participation of dignitaries and parents so as to ensure the access of the magazine to the maximum number.

The School Education Minister urged the teachers and principals to participate more actively in this unique initiative and also motivate the students for publishing their creations.

Chandigarh, Punjab

TWO ASSAILANTS OF UTTRAKHAND MINING TRADER AMONG FOUR SHOOTERS OF BAMBIHA GANG HELD FROM PUNJAB

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IEP CHANDIGARH, October 28

The ongoing war against anti-social elements launched on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann got a major breakthrough after Punjab Police have arrested four shooters of Davinder Bambiha gang including two assailants of Uttrakhand Mining Trader from village Chhat in SAS Nagar, said Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav here on Friday. Mining Trader Mehal Singh (70) was shot dead outside his house at Kundeshwari village in Kashipur on October 13.The operation was jointly carried out by Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF), Counter Intelligence (CI) Punjab,  District Police Udham Singh Nagar Uttarakhand, Special Cell Delhi and District Police SAS Nagar.The DGP identified the arrested persons as Sadhu Singh, Jagdish Singh alias Disha, Manpreet Singh alias Mani alias Chuchi, Jaspreet Singh alias Lock, all resident of District Mansa.The Police teams have also recovered one .30 caliber pistol along with two magazines and seven live cartridges; one 9 mm pistol along with one magazine; and one Turkey-made 9 mm machine-pistol along with three magazines including one magazine of 31 cartridges capacity and 19 live cartridges and one Apache motorcycle from their possession, he said.DGP Gaurav Yadav said that during investigations it has come to light that accused Sadhu Singh and Manpreet Singh along with their associates killed Mining Trader Mehal Singh on the directions of gangsters-turned-terrorists Arshdeep Singh alias Arsh Dalla and Sukhdool Singh alias Sukha Duneke, while other two arrested persons have provided them weapons, logistics support and conducted recce of deceased’s house.He said that the arrested persons were further hatching conspiracy to commit heinous crimes in the area of Punjab and neighbouring states. Investigations are on, he said.Meanwhile, a case FIR No 441, dated 28-10-2022 has been registered under sections  392, 384, 473, 120B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and sections 25(7) and (8) of the Arms Act, PS Zirakpur  Distt SAS Nagar has been registered against them.

Chandigarh, Punjab

VIGILANCE REGISTERS BRIBERY CASE ON ONLINE COMPLAINANT AGAINST HEAD CONSTABLE FOR DEMANDING BRIBE RS ONE LAKH

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IEP Chandigarh, October 28

The Punjab Vigilance Bureau during its ongoing campaign against corruption on Saturday registered a bribery case against Head Constable (HC) Harmanjeet Singh (No. 1310/Sangrur) posted at Police Post, Kalajhar, under police station Bhwanigarh, Sangrur district for demanding bribe Rs 1,00,000.          Disclosing this here today, an official spokesperson of the Vigilance Bureau (VB) said HC Harmanjeet Singh was booked on the basis of an online complaint lodged by complainant Pappu Singh resident of Bagrian, Malerkotla district. He has complained to the VB that the above said police official was demanded bribe to help him in a police case.         The spokesperson further informed that after verification of the facts and the material evidence a bribery case under section 7 of prevention of corruption act has been registered against the accused police cop at VB police station, Patiala and further investigation is under progress.

Chandigarh, Punjab

Aman Arora lays foundation stone of Udyog Seva Kendra at Dera Bassi

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IEP SAS Nagar, October 26

Punjab Government led by Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Mann is striving hard to promote industry in the state for generating more employment opportunities for the youth of the state, said Housing & Urban Development and Information & Public Relations Minister Mr Aman Arora, who laid a foundation stone of Udyog Seva Kendra at Dera Bassi Today.

Mr. Aman Arora, while addressing the members of Dera Bassi Industries Association, said that the industrialists of this region will get great benefits with this Udyog Seva Kendra. He said that Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Mann was pushing to promote Ease of Doing Business and establishing new industry in the state, which is the backbone of the economy as in the progress of any country or state, industry plays a major role.

He said that he has been hearing about the difficulties faced by the Dera Bassi industrialists. The industry of this area was neglected by the previous governments. Now, the state government led by S. Bhagwant Mann was not leaving any stone left unturned in providing the required facilities to the industry. 

He informed that the Housing and Urban Development department has delegated powers for approval of Building Plans and grant of Completion Certificate of standalone industries including compounding of standalone industries, outside MC Limit, to Director of Factories so that the industrialist need not to apply at two separate departments for getting the Building Plans of their factories approved.

Many other significant decisions have been made regarding setting up industries in the state, with which Punjab was emerging as a preferred destination for industries across the country. On this occasion, he also lent sympathetic ear to problems being faced by industrialists and assured them to resolve their problems at the earliest.  

Earlier, MLA Mr. Kuljit Singh Randhawa felicitated the Cabinet Minister and apprised him the difficulties faced by the industry of Dera Bassi. On this occasion, SDM Dera Bassi Mr. Himanshu Gupta, President of Dera Bassi Industries Association Mr Vijay Mittal, Secretary Rakesh R. Agarwal and other office bearers and industrialists were also present.

Chandigarh, Punjab

Punjab CM pays tribute to lord vishwakarma at state level function in ludhiana

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IEP Ludhiana, October 25      

    Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann today said that following the footsteps of Lord Vishwakarma, the Aam Aadmi Government will overhaul the entire system in the state to ensure its progress and prosperity of people.          The Chief Minister, while presiding over a state level function to mark Vishwakarma Day here at local Ramgarhia College, said that Lord Vishwakarma ji was the founder of the creativity, engineering, architecture and technology in the universe. He said that the earlier governments had mercilessly plundered the wealth of the state during which they had caused irreparable damage to it. Bhagwant Mann said that now with the blessings of Lord Vishwakarma he is trying to repair the damage done to the state by ensuring its complete revamp.          The Chief Minister said that the industrial and infrastructure growth across the globe that we observe today was only due to the blessings of Lord Vishwakarma. Bhagwant Mann said that since ages Lord Vishwakarma, the divine architect of the entire universe, is believed to be the master of all machinery and equipment being used by the people in all the industrial activities. Bhagwant Mann said that this great deity of all craftsmen and architects has inspired our artisans, workers and labour class to work hard for the development of the nation besides inculcating a feeling of dignity of labour and a sense of pride in them.          Exhorting the workers and craftsmen to make concerted efforts for strengthening the infrastructure of the state and the Nation, the Chief Minister said that it will be a real and befitting tribute to Lord Vishwakarma. Bhagwant Mann said that in line with the ideology and teachings of Lord Vishwakarma, the Punjab government is laying thrust on imparting skill training to the youth across the state so they could live a life with dignity and self respect. He further said that the promotion of skill training across the state is the need of the hour.          The Chief Minister said that his government strives to make the youth of Punjab to job providers instead of job seekers. He asserted that Punjabis are blessed with the qualities of entrepreneurship and leadership. Bhagwant Mann said that due to these qualities the Punjabis have carved a niche for themselves across the globe.          The Chief Minister lamented that divisive forces are trying to create a wedge between people on lines of caste, religion, language and others in the country. He said that this is not in the interest of our nation for which the ethos of communal harmony, brotherhood and fraternity must be strengthened. Bhagwant Mann also bemoaned the irreparable damage being caused to federal structure of the country by those at helms of affairs at the centre by usurping the rights of the states.          The Chief Minister said that this is against the basic spirit of democracy and cannot be tolerated at any cost. Citing the example of Mughal Gardens in Rashtrapati Bhawan, Bhagwant Mann said that it has a variety of flowers which soothes the eyes of everyone due to which people throng to see it adding that the democracy with diverse ideas and views is always a successful one. In the same manner, Bhagwant Mann said that in democracy opposition and treasury benches are also important adding that in a democratic set up the views of everyone should be taken into consideration.          The Chief Minister said that as Lord Vishwakarma has created the entire universe by joining brick by brick so now the time has come when we must build our nation by strengthening the basic social fabric of the country. He said that for this all of us have to join hands and ensure that the country is put on a path of progress and prosperity. Bhagwant Mann solicited the support of people for this noble cause and in the larger interests of the country.          Striking an emotional chord with the city of Ludhiana, the Chief Minister described it as his Karam bhoomi whereas Satauj village was his janambhoomi. Bhagwant Mann said that he has been fortunate enough to have got the opportunity to serve Punjab and its people. He said that the state government is already making strenuous efforts to restore the pristine glory of the state adding that this can be ensured only with proactive support of people.

Chandigarh, Punjab

PUNJAB WITNESSED REDUCED LEVELS OF POLLUTION THIS DIWALI: MEET HAYER

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IEP Chandigarh, October 25

          Punjab has observed the Average Air Quality Index (AQI) reduction of 16.4% from the last year and 31.7% as comparative to 2020.

          The Environment Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer while divulging the details stated that due to constant efforts of the Punjab Pollution Control Board and appealed by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, this year’s air quality improved as compare to last years on the day of Diwali.

          Pointing out further, the Environment Minister said that last year as well as in 2020 no city remained in the moderate category of AQI whereas this year 2 cities (Khanna & Mandi Gobindgarh) remained in the Moderate category of AQI.

          Overall all the 6 Cities of Punjab have observed a reduction in the AQI during this year’s Diwali (2022) as compared to last year’s Diwali days (2020 & 2021), said the Minister adding the Average AQI of Punjab this year Diwali was 224 (Poor) as compared to 268 (Poor) in 2021and 328 (very Poor) in 2020.

          The Maximum AQI was recorded at Amritsar this year with AQI Category 262 (Poor). However, in the last year Maximum value of AQI 327 (Very Poor) was observed in Jalandhar & in 2020 Maximum value of AQI 386 (Very Poor) was observed in Amritsar. The minimum AQI for this year was recorded in Mandi Gobindgarh with AQI of 188 (Moderate) against the last year value of 220 (Poor) and also in 2020 with AQI value of 262 (Poor). Last year AQI of the 02 Cities (Amritsar & Jalandhar) remained in Very Poor Category whereas in 2020, 04 cities namely Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana & Patiala remained in Very Poor category. However, no city remained in very poor category of AQI this year. The Maximum AQI reduction in this year was observed in Jalandhar (31.2%) and Minimum was observed in Patiala(7.0%), said the Minister.

          Meanwhile, the Chairman PPCB Prof.  Adarsh Paul Vig thanked the people of State of Punjab for following the advisory issued with respect to time period fixed for bursting of fire crackers and using the green crackers for celebrations of Diwali festival, resulting in overall improvement in Air Quality as compared to last year and 2020 also.

          The Member Secretary PPCB Karunesh Garg said that the Punjab Pollution Control Board has installed Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) in 06 cities of Punjab namely Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Khanna, MandiGobindgarh and Patiala to monitor the ambient air quality on real time basis.

Chandigarh, Punjab

FOLLOW PATH SHOWN BY LORD VISHWAKARMA TO MAKE PUNJAB A FRONTRUNNER STATE IN THE COUNTRY: CM EXHORTS PEOPLE

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IEP Dhuri (Sangrur), October 25         

   Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday exhorted the people to follow the path shown by Lord Vishwakarma to make Punjab a frontrunner state in the country.          Addressing the gathering here during a function to mark Vishwakarma Day here today, the Chief Minister, while paying tributes to Lord Vishwakarma, said that he was divine architect of the entire universe, who is believed to be the master of all machinery and equipments being used by the people in the industrial activities. He called on the people to follow the footsteps of this great Deity of all craftsmen and architects. Bhagwant Mann said that Lord Vishwakarma has ever inspired the artisans, workers and labour class to work hard with utmost dedication and commitment to develop the nation.          The Chief Minister said that in line with the ideology and teachings of Lord Vishwakarma, Punjabis across the globe have proved their mettle by contributing tremendously in socio-economic growth of various countries. He impressed upon the industrialists to make a solemn pledge of making whole hearted efforts for promoting skill training as it will be a real tribute to Lord Vishwakarma. Bhagwant Mann said that it will not only help in generating employment for the youth but would also play a pivotal role in putting the state on a high growth trajectory.          The Chief Minister, while allaying the fear of global recession, said that wherever Punjabis are working this economic slowdown will never come. He said that Punjabis are hard working and are blessed with tremendous unbounded energy and enormous capabilities to excel in every field. Bhagwant Mann said that with these traits, Punjabis work very hard and ensure that no slowdown comes in any field.          Listing the several path breaking initiatives of the Aam Aadmi Government in Punjab, the Chief Minister said that from July 1 onwards the Punjab government has provided 600 units of free power to people in every bill cycle. He said that as a result of this around 50 lakh households out of total 72.66 lakh) have got zero power bill in the month of September. Bhagwant Mann said that this has given major reprieve to the people from every section of the society.          The Chief Minister further said that in a historic decision aimed at the well being of the government employees, the state government has restored the old age pension scheme for the employees of the Punjab. He said that the Old Pension Scheme was discontinued in 2004 and ever since then the employees are being given New Pension Scheme. Bhagwant Mann said that keeping in view the well being of the lakhs of employees the Old Pension scheme in the state has been restored which will ensure security to lakh of employees.          The Chief Minister said that 16 new Medical colleges will be constructed in the coming five years thereby enhancing the total tally of medical colleges to 25 thus transforming Punjab into a hub of medical education. He said 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 the focus of his government is that every district must be touched by a medical college.          The Chief Minister said that Punjab government is committed to restore the pristine glory of the state and no stone is being left unturned for this noble cause. He said that the state government has taken several pro-people and development oriented steps in this regard. Bhagwant Mann said that in the coming days too more such path breaking initiatives will be taken.          The Chief Minister also announced to give facelift to Hospitals at Dhuri and Sangrur to impart quality health services to people. He also said that driving test centre for heavy licenses will also be operational soon at Dhuri to avoid inconvenience caused to people while visiting Mahuana centre for same purpose. Bhagwant Mann also announced that work on construction of Railway Overbridge at Dhuri will also be started soon by the Railways.