Category Archives: Punjab

Chandigarh, Punjab

CBG PLANT TO BE SET UP IN LUDHIANA: AMAN ARORA

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IEP Chandigarh, September 26

          Punjab Government led by Chief Minister S Bhagwant Mann will set up an additional Compressed Biogas (CBG) plant at Haibowal Dairy Complex in Ludhiana for scientific disposal of the waste produced from the dairy complex.

          Revealing this, Punjab New & Renewable Energy Sources Minister Mr. Aman Arora said that Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) has started the process to set up an additional Compressed Biogas (CBG) Plant with a capacity of 12000 raw biogas (about 4.8 ton CBG) at Haibowal Dairy Complex on Build Operate and Own (BOO) basis. One CBG plant with a capacity to consume 225 ton raw material has already been operational at the dairy complex.

          This project is a part of Buddah Nullah Rejuvenation Project, informed the Minister while adding that the Punjab Government will not leave any stone unturned to generate enviornment friendly fuel from waste and concerted efforts are being made in this direction to ensure clean and green environment to the residents of Punjab.

          The Cabinet Minister said that under this project cattle dung would be collected from the dairy complex. Any shortfall of cattle dung will be met by using vegetable or mandi waste, municipal segregated green waste, agro-waste or other types of biodegradable waste.

          PEDA has invited an e-tender for setting up the CBG plant. The closing date of bid is 26th October, 2022 (till 5 pm). The interested companies can log on to the website eproc.punjab.gov.in for more details. Notably, PEDA is the state nodal agency for promotion and development of renewable energy programmes/projects and energy conservation programmes in Punjab.

Punjab

CM ASSAILS OPPOSITION PARTIES AS ‘CHRONIC LIARS

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IEP Faridkot, September 24

Slamming the opposition parties as ‘chronic liars’, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday said that instead of working for the well being of people these leaders are habitual of finding faults in every pro-people initiative of the state government.

The Chief Minister, while addressing the gathering after paying obeisance at Tilla Baba Sheikh Farid, said that these leaders have no other work except criticizing the several citizen centric decisions taken by the state government. He said that in dearth of any concrete issue these leaders are criticizing the state government only for the sake of criticism. Bhagwant Mann said that undeterred by it the state government will continue to work for the well being of the people and development of the state.

The Chief Minister announced that the state government will leave no stone unturned for making Punjab free from corruption, drugs, unemployment and other maladies. He solicited fulsome support and cooperation of people for this noble cause adding that this work cannot be accomplished without their support. Bhagwant Mann said that the entire government mechanism is with the people of the state to get rid of these maladies, which have made deep inroads during the regimes of previous governments.

The Chief Minister asserted that the previous governments have plundered the public wealth mercilessly. He said that the successive governments in the state have even surpassed Britishers in looting the taxpayers money. However, Bhagwant Mann said that his government will recover every single penny from these corrupt leaders and optimally utilize it for the welfare of people. 

The Chief Minister, while listing several path breaking initiatives of his government, said that the Aam Aadmi government is providing corruption free governance to the people adding that pilferages in the public money have been plugged and now that money is being used for the state and its people. He said that his government has passed the historic ‘One MLA, One Pension’ scheme to ensure judicious utilization of public funds. Likewise, Bhagwant Mann said that around 100 Aam Aadmi Clinics have been dedicated across the state to people for imparting quality health services.

The Chief Minister said that till date more than two lakh patients have availed free treatment in these clinics and more than 30,000 blood tests have been conducted so far, that too without any cost, in these clinics. Bhagwant Mann said that apart from ensuring quality health facilities to people, this has also reduced extra burden on big hospitals. Similarly, he said that 600 units of free power are being provided to lakhs of households across the state.

The Chief Minister further said that on one hand the process for new recruitment has been started and on the other wheels have also been set in motion to regularize the jobs of contractual employees. Likewise, he said that the state government will soon embark on a scheme to provide Atta Dal to the beneficiaries at their doorsteps. Bhagwant Mann also said that pensions will also be disbursed to the eligible beneficiaries at their homes. 

The Chief Minister further said that the state government is organizing ‘Khedan Watan Punjab Dian’ to promote sports culture in the state. Describing fairs as a tradition of Punjab, Bhagwant Mann said that this legacy must be kept alive to restore the pristine glory of the state. He said that these fairs provide a platform to individuals to get knowledge about the cultures, traditions and talents of the other states.

Paying glowing tributes to Baba Sheikh Farid ji , the Chief Minister described him as one of the greatest spiritual ambassadors, poet prophet and founder of ‘Sufi’ tradition in India. He said that Baba Farid ji’s philosophy of humanism and spirituality based on the principles of love, compassion, equality, humility, brotherhood and freedom reigned supreme and was all pervasive. Bhagwant Mann further said that the life and philosophy of Baba Farid ji was very much relevant in today’s materialistic society.

The Chief Minister also said that the teachings of Baba Farid ji were a source of inspiration for the coming generations to serve humanity with utmost zeal, humility and dedication. Exhorting the people to follow the footsteps of Baba Farid ji, he said that it will help in cementing the ethos of communal harmony, peace and brotherhood in the society. Bhagwant Mann announced that every effort will be made to give a major push to development of Faridkot district. 

Earlier, in his address, Speaker of Punjab Vidhan Sabha Kultar Singh Sandhwan welcomed the Chief Minister to the district. He also lauded the Chief Minister for taking several path breaking initiatives to ensure comprehensive development of the state.

In her address Cabinet Minister Dr Baljit Kaur also congratulated the people on this auspicious occasion. She also said that the state government led by the Chief Minister is working tirelessly for the well being of people. 

On the occasion, the Chief Minister also felicitated several eminent personalities from Faridkot district.

Prominent amongst others present on the occasion included Speaker of Punjab Vidhan Sabha Kultar Singh Sandhwan, Cabinet Minister Dr Baljit Kaur, Lok Sabha MP Mohammed Saddique, MLAs Gurditt Singh, Amolak Singh, Ranbir Singh Bhullar and Kaka Brar, former MP Prof. Sadhu Singh, Additional Chief Secretary to CM A Venuprasad and others.

Chandigarh, Punjab

CHANDIGARH UNIVERSITY CASE: PUNJAB POLICE ARRESTS ARMY PERSONNEL FROM ARUNACHAL PRADESH

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PRADESHIEP CHANDIGARH/SAS Nagar, September 24

Making fourth arrest in the Chandigarh University case, Punjab Police on Saturday arrested an Army Personnel  posted in Arunachal Pradesh, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here.The arrested accused has been identified as Sanjeev Singh, who is suspected of blackmailing the accused girl student.The development came days after Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann ordered a high-level probe into the matter for which a three-member all-woman Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the overall supervision of ADGP Community Affairs Division and Women Affairs Gurpreet Kaur Deo was constituted.DGP Gaurav Yadav apprised that based on forensic and digital evidence, the Police team from SAS Nagar was dispatched to Arunachal Pradesh to arrest the accused.He said that the accused Army Personnel was arrested from Sela Pass in Arunachal Pradesh with the support of Arunachal Pradesh Police, Assam Police and Army authorities in Arunachal Pradesh. The SAS Nagar Police have also obtained a two-days transit remand of the accused from the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Bomdila to produce him before the Magistrate in SAS Nagar, he added.The SAS Nagar Police has already arrested three people including the girl student and two others from Himachal Pradesh and some electronic devices were seized from their possession.Pertinently, the SIT headed by SP Counter Intelligence Ludhiana Rupinder Kaur Bhatti along with two members including DSP Kharar-1 Rupinder Kaur and DSP AGTF Deepika Singh has been conducting speedy investigations in the case. “The guilty in this case will not be spared and justice will prevail,” said DGP Punjab.Meanwhile, the FIR no 194 dated 18.09.2022 had been registered under sections 354C of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and section 66E of the IT act at Sadar Kharar Police Station, SAS Nagar. 

Punjab

Punjab ready for crop diversification but provide assured remunerative prices to farmers: CM urges Centre

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IEP Ludhiana, September 23

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann today said that the state is fully ready to adopt crop diversification but the Government of India must provide assured mechanism to give remunerative prices for these crops.

“The centre must take this step for ensuring that farmers of the state shift from water guzzling crops to less water consuming crops”, said the Chief Minister while addressing a gathering after inaugurating the Kisan Mela here at Punjab Agriculture University and Pashu Palan Mela at Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University.

The Chief Minister said that instead of paddy, the farmer of the state is ready to sow sunflower, maize and pulses but for that they must get adequate and assured price. He said that this will help in checking the depleting water table in the state on one hand and making agriculture a profitable venture on the other. Bhagwant Mann said that this is the need of hour to avert water crisis in the state.

          The Chief Minister said that the farmers of the state are really worried about the depleting water table and pollution of environment due to paddy straw burning.  However, he said that they are not able to come out of rut of wheat/ paddy cycle as they don’t want to loose assured price mechanism associated with it. Bhagwant Mann said that Punjab is blessed with fertile land where anything can germinate but efforts must be made to save this fertile land and it’s water.

However, the Chief Minister said that the crisis of water can never be ignored as we are pumping out water at the same depth in which Gulf countries are taking oil, which is alarming for us. He said that rice is not our staple food but for producing one kilogram of rice we are using 4000 litres of water due to which we have to adopt alternative crops. Bhagwant Mann said that the state government is already making sincere efforts in this regard.

          Recalling the immense contribution of Punjab in making country self reliant in food grain production, the Chief Minister said that the hard working and resilient farmers of the state had provided food security to country in testing times. However, he said that for this they had to over exploit their only available natural resources in terms of fertile land and water. Bhagwant Mann bemoaned that now when few more states are producing are paddy so attempts are being made to deprive farmers of Punjab from MSP, which is completely unfair.

          The Chief Minister said that Union government imports pulses worth Rs 120 billion dollar annually from Other countries whereas it is not ready to provide Minimum Support price to farmers of the state who are ready to cultivate it. He said that in coming days an important decision will be taken to get rid of the menace of paddy straw burning. Bhagwant Mann said that it was duty of Union government to find solution for it as farmers produce rice for the country.

The Chief Minister said that paddy goes in national food kitty but centre asks states to tighten noose around farmers to prevent paddy straw burning.  He asked the experts of PAU to reach out to the farmers to acquaint them with new technology in agriculture sector.  Bhagwant Mann said that farmers work hard in fields and have no time for upgrading their expertise adding that experts must reach out to the farmers to make agriculture a profitable venture.

The Chief Minister also asked PAU to intensify research and bring a new revolution in agriculture through technical interventions. He further said that to promote Dairy the Punjab government is promoting Verka, which is renowned globally, to supplement income of farmers. Bhagwant Mann also said that thrust is also being laid on proper marketing of Pathankot’s Litchi and Kinnow of Abohar.

The Chief Minister also called on the farmers to reduce the expenditure on marriages as it poses huge economic burden on the families whereas marriages must be solemnised in simple way.  He reiterated the firm commitment of his government to make Punjab a drug free state. Bhagwant Mann said that the state government is taking strict action in this regard.

          On the occasion Agriculture Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal recalled stellar role of PAU in agriculture sector. He also appealed the  farmers to refrain from burning paddy straw.

          The Chief Minister also felicitated the progressive farmers on the occasion. The Vice Chancellor of PAU Dr Satbir Singh Gosal and Vice Chancellor of Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University Dr Inderjeet Singh honoured the Chief Minister.

          Prominent amongst others present on the occasion included Animal Husbandary Minister Laljeet Singh Bhullar, Additional Chief Secretary to CM A Venuprasad, Additional Chief Secretary Agriculture Sarvjeet Singh and others.

Chandigarh, Punjab

Vigilance Bureau arrests Clerk for taking bribe to provide land record

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IEP Chandigarh, September 22

The Punjab Vigilance Bureau, during its campaign against corruption from the state, on Thursday arrested Manjit Singh Junior Assistant, posted in the office of Sadar Kanungo Branch, in office of Deputy Commissioner, Gurdaspur for accepting bribe of Rs.1,000.

            Giving information in this regard, a spokesperson of the Vigilance Bureau (VB) said the above said accused Manjit Singh has been arrested in a bribery case on the basis of complaint lodged by complainant Jermanjit Singh on the anti-corruption helpline of Bureau.

            He further added that the complainant has alleged in his online complaint that the said clerk was demanding Rs. 1000 to provide land record pertaining to his land. On the basis of the evidence on record and facts obtained by the Bureau, the alleged charges were found to be true. After this, the VB registered a case under section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act at Police Station VB, Amritsar and the accused Manjit Singh was arrested. Further investigation in this case is under progress.

Chandigarh, Punjab

Chief Secretary directs all DCs to ensure complete ban on stubble burning in Punjab

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IEP Chandigarh, September 22

Punjab Chief Secretary Vijay Kumar Janjua has directed all the Deputy Commissioners to make proper arrangements in their respective districts to prevent stubble burning by all means.

He said that special efforts are being made by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to make farmers sensitise about this menace. Financial assistance is also being provided to the farmers for purchase of happy seeder and other such tools for further reduction of stubble and for stubble management.

Presiding over a meeting with all Deputy Commissioners and senior officials of Punjab, the Chief Secretary said that the state government is taking special initiative to promote management of stubble instead of burning it to save the environment from pollution.

He asked officials to make farmers  aware that if a farmer who burns stubble, will get a red entry in his revenue record, then he may be deprived of many government schemes. He said that due to the increase in pollution levels in North India due to stubble burning, Punjab has to face embarrassment at national level in the last so farmers should be made aware of stubble management instead of burning it.

He said that although there is a law regarding non-burning of straw, but despite this, incidents of burning of straw were reported from many places. While reviewing the stubble management and distribution of machines/tools in each district, the Chief Secretary said that the district administration should make the farmers aware of environmental protection through various means and explain to them how much damage is caused by stubble and paddy burning.

The Chief Secretary said that in the villages where there have been cases of stubble burning, the administration should be more vigilant. He said that the farmers should also be made aware through the students about burning the stubble that it will give the children a ‘dirty and polluted’ future. Giving instructions to the Deputy Commissioners, the Chief Secretary said that this year the cases of stubble burning should be stopped in all circumstances and no negligence will be tolerated in this regard.

Apart from all Deputy Commissioners, senior officials of Agriculture Department, Rural Development Department, Revenue Department and Pollution Board were present in the meeting

Chandigarh, Punjab

PUNJAB RELEASES Rs 646 CRORE FOR MAJOR SCHEMES: CHEEMA

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IEP Chandigarh, September 21

Punjab Finance, Planning, Excise and Taxation Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema said on Wednesday that the Finance Department has released a funds amounting to Rs. 646 Crore for major schemes.

Revealing this in a statement issued here, Harpal Singh Cheema said that now there was no pendency under any Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) or its respective state’s share with the Treasury after the release of Rs. 345 crore today to this effect. He also directed the concerned departments to utilize these funds in a time bound manner rather than waiting for the end of the financial year. He said that any lapse of funds due to non-utilisation shall be viewed serious by the Department of Finance.

Giving details of the funds released for the various other schemes, Cheema said that the Finance Department has released Rs 240 crore under Major Works head. He further added that the Department has also released Rs 36 crore to Milkfed and Rs 25 crore to Health and Family Welfare Department for Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojana. Reiterating the commitment of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led Punjab Government to ensure overall development of the State, Cheema said that the Finance department has been putting in every effort to improve the fiscal health of the state besides ensuring the judicious utilization of the available resources.

Punjab

BAINS HANDS OVER JOB LETTERS TO 27 CANDIDATES ON COMPASSIONATE GROUND IN EDUCATION DEPT

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IEP SAS Nagar, September 21

Following the instructions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to clear all job cases on compassionate ground, Punjab School Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains today handed over appointment letters to 27 such candidates. Congratulating the newly appointed employees, the Education Minister urged them to work deligently with utmost dedication and honesty. He said that education is very important to build a strong nation and bright future. Education is the wisest way to serve the society.  He urged the newly appointed employees to make honesty an integral part of their lives.Bains said that all of you have lost your dear ones and by getting a government job in their place you have huge responsibility to serve the people with the same dedication.  He said that we all have to work together as a family to take the school education department to new heights. On this occasion, one candidate received appointment letter as Math Mistress, 6 as Clerk, 3 as S.L.A. , 12 as Peon , 4 as Chowkidar and 1 as Cleaning Worker. DPI Kuljit Singh Mahi and other officials of School Education Department were also present on this occasion.

Chandigarh, Punjab

PUNJAB COLLABORATING WITH WORLD BANK UNDER $215 MILLION BFAIR PROJECT: CHEEMA

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IEP Chandigarh, September 21

Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Wednesday said that the state has collaborated with World Bank under a $215 million Building Fiscal and Institutional Resilience for growth (BFAIR) project in which the contribution of the state will be $65 million. He said that unlike other loans this is a reform based project targetted at bring about reforms in the systems and processes of five administrative departments.

Disclosing this in a statement issued here, Finance Minister said that the project will improve systems in Finance, Planning, Governance Reforms, Local Government and Women and Child Development. He further added that the project will significantly improve delivery of the services at local level.

“The project will be implemented over a period of 5 years to bring in process and policy-based institutional reforms to enhance resilience and fiscal sustainability”, said Cheema. He also informed that $150 million assistance from the World Bank will  be available in the form of a very low cost loan wherein repayment will begin shortly during the course of the project. 

“The Punjab Government’s contribution of $65 million in this project will introduce an overarching framework by strengthening of the institutional capabilities and accountability; supporting better public service delivery and other reform measures for good governance”, said Cheema.

Chandigarh, Punjab

Meet Hayer directs Deputy Commissioners to ensure use of self-declaration instead of affidavits

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IEP Chandigarh, September 21, 2022

          Punjab Governance Reforms Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer on Friday directed all Deputy Commissioners of Punjab to ensure use of Self declaration instead of Affidavits while processing cases of public service delivery.

          Meet Hayer further informed that State Government had already adopted Self declaration instead of taking attested affidavits. Instructions were already issued in 2010 but it was only on papers and not implemented and was not followed by offices. During review of Sewa Kendras, it has been observed that a lot of people are coming to Sewa Kendras for Affidavit Attestations.

          From January 2022, Total 4,38,058 affidavits prepared and attested from Sewa Kendras. More than 2100 citizens are visiting daily at Sewa Kendras only for Affidavit attestations. An Officer at rank of Executive Magistrate is being deputed by districts to attest these Affidavits. During interaction with citizens, it has come to notice that at the district level including Government/Private offices and school/colleges are still demanding affidavits for various reasons like admissions, certificates, scholarships, Meter Connections, Tubewell Connections, recruitments, NOC etc.  This is not only costs money to Citizens but also involves wastage of time of the citizens as well as Government officials.

He said that the government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has clear vision to provide public services to common citizen in a hassle free manner and this step will save both time and money of the citizen of Punjab.