Category Archives: Punjab

Chandigarh, Punjab

Cheema writes to Sitharaman, seeks her personal intervention in taking into account reversal of Input Tax Credit for IGST settlement

Leave a comment

IEP CHANDIGARH AUGUST 24, 2022

Punjab Finance, Planning, Excise and Taxation Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Tuesday sought personal intervention of Union Minister of Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman in taking into account the reversal of Input Tax Credit by the taxpayers registered within the state for the IGST settlement.

In a letter to Union Finance Minister, Harpal Singh Cheema said that It has been observed that although the taxpayers registered within the State have carried out reversal of huge amount of Input Tax Credit but the same has not been considered for the IGST settlement.

“Particular instance has been identified of M/s HPCL Mittal Energy Limited (GSTIN 03AABCG5231FIZ8) which has reversed ITC to the tune of Rs. 223 crores in financial year 2018-19, Rs. 230 Crores in FY 2019-20 and Rs. 227 crores in financial year 2020-21 respectively”, said Cheema.

He further added that the said amount has not been taken into account while undertaking the process of IGST settlement for the said period thereby depriving the State of its rightful share of rrevenue “I have been informed that this issue has been consistently and constantly raised by my officers with the Government of India but no solution has emerged till now” said Cheema.

Referring to the grave importance of the issue for the revenue of the state, Cheema urged the Union Minister that her personal intervention is of much importance for the resolution of this matter as early as possible. He said that the significance of this issue resonates more strongly in light of the expiry of the GST compensation regime.

Chandigarh, Punjab

PSPCL successfully meets all time highest ever peak power demand of 14295 MW: Harbhajan Singh

Leave a comment

IEP CHANDIGARH AUGUST 24, 2022

Under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited has successfully met its all-time highest ever power peak demand of 14,295 MW on August-22, 2022 thereby surpassing its previous  demand achievement of 14,207 MW recorded on June-29, 2022.

Overall increase in energy supplied is also up by 12.87 % from April till date as against 2021. –  33,242 MUs viz-a-viz 29,452 MUs.

          Disclosing these details, Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO, said that peak demand of PSPCL is observed during the end of June month or start of July month due to high temperatures and initial high irrigation demand of paddy plantation. But this year due to prevalence of comparatively dry weather conditions, the peak demand in the state has continued till end August.

He further said that in August till 22.8.2022, PSPCL has successfully met a rise of 6.57% in power demand viz-a-viz last year i.e 6,316 MUs against 5,927 MUs during the same period.

          PSPCL has also made additional arrangements of power through more banking from other states and allocation of 1300 MW additional power from Central sector. During the month of June & July, PSPCL has arranged 2,836 MUs through banking from other states which is 130 % more in comparison to last year i.e 1,234 MUs. He said that this year with the optimum utilization of the available resources and close monitoring of the energy generated from the generating stations, Hydro Generation of PSPCL has been increased by 3% from last i.e 1715 MUs viz-a-viz 1664 MUs. Notably, Ranjit Sagar Hydro Power Project has achieved its all-time maximum generation of 149.55 LUs in a single day on 22-08-2022 which surpasses its previous maximum generation of 149.02 LUs on 28-08-2019 since the date of its commissioning.

He said that PSPCL is supplying regular 8 hour supply to Agriculture Tubewells without imposing any power cut on any other category of consumers.

Chandigarh, Punjab

PUNJAB BECOMES FIRST STATE TO CONDUCT A NATIONAL WORKSHOP FOR MAKING PANCHAYATS SELF-RELIANT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF VILLAGES

Leave a comment

IEP CHANDIGARH AUGUST 22, 2022

Punjab Rural Development Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal and Union Minister of State Panchayati Raj Kapil Moreshwar Patil on Monday inaugurated a two-day National Workshop on Localization of Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs) in Panchayats through Thematic Approaches on Village with Self-Sufficient Infrastructure at the Central Panchayat Center in Crystal Resort near Zirakpur, Chandigarh.

            Speaking on this occasion, Minister for Rural Development, Agriculture and NRI Affairs of Punjab, Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal said that Punjab has fought many battles for the country, be it guarding the borders or filling the country’s food reserves to feed the people. But today Punjab is facing a financial crisis and the union government should provide special financial packages to the state to improve the fiscal situation of the state. He said that 63 percent of the population of Punjab lives in rural areas and comprehensive development of the villages is possible only if the centre government allocates maximum funds for health facilities, drinking water, sports facilities, and maintenance of ponds in the villages.

            The Cabinet Minister stressed that it is also the duty of the centre government to extend helping hand to Punjab as Punjab gives a large share as GST to the center in lieu of tax. Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal further said that the government in Punjab led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has taken many initiatives to remove illegal encroachment from panchayat lands in the state. He said that during the last five months, about 9000 panchayat lands have been freed from illegally encroachers. He also said that it kis for the first time that Garm Sabha Sessions were held in 12000 villages out of total 13000 villages in Punjab.

            Speaking on this occasion, Union Panchayati Raj State Minister Kapil Moreshwar Patil praised Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and said that Punjab has become the first state to hold a national conference for development of villages and the state government has made very good arrangements for the two-day national conference. He assured that the necessary funds will be released for whatever proposals are sent by the Punjab government according to the central schemes. He also assured that the funds that were stopped due to technical flaws in some schemes will be released soon. He stressed that the Panchayats will have to work hard to increase their income from their own resources to become self-reliant so that they do not have to depend on the government for development. Making an important announcement on this occasion, the Union Minister said that a program will be started in which panchayats will be sent to other states to show the good work of panchayats of different states.

            On this occasion, Union Minister Kapil Moreshwar Patil, Punjab Rural Development Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal and the other guests present also launched Panchayati Raj Information Mapping and Evaluation System, Prime APP, SDG website and Punjab State Livelihood Mission website.

            Speaking on this occasion, the cabinet ministers of the state, Lal Chand Kataruchak, Harbhajan Singh ETO, Dr. Baljit Kaur, Brahm Shankar Jimpa, Anmol Gagan Mann and Chetan Singh Joudemajra said that it is necessary for the all-round development of the village only if the funds are spent on development works in a transparent manner without any discrimination, the real picture of village development can emerge.

Earlier, Chief Secretary of Punjab Vijay Kumar Janjua and Secretary of Central Panchayati Raj Ministry Sunil shared information and said that during this workshop, emphasis will be placed on theme 6 – village with self-reliant infrastructure. The main objective is to demonstrate capacity building and training, exemplary strategies, visions, coherent actions and innovative models in terms of best practices for promoting and adapting LSDG themes in the Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP).

The national workshop will provide a forum for panchayats to learn together on various models for institutionalizing the LSDG process through a grassroots lens thematic perspective. In addition, it will provide an opportunity for exchange of information/ideas through exchange programs in international organizations and local governance. About 1300 elected representatives of Panchayati Raj institutions from 34 states and union territories across the country are participating in this national workshop.

The workshop will provide a platform for panchayats to showcase and share their experiences and innovative models, strategies, approaches to institutionalize the theme of villages with self-reliant infrastructure at grassroots level, which includes roads, potable water, sanitation by developing self-sustainable infrastructure in the areas of street lights, schools, primary health centers and dispensaries, common service centers, local markets, anganwadi centers, livestock support centers and community centers.

During this two-day national workshop, representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions from States and Union Territories will showcase and share their experiences and innovative models, strategies and approaches for institutionalizing the Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs) at the grassroots level in various disciplines. . The Panchayati Raj Ministry will also give a detailed presentation on the revised National Panchayat Awards.

Cabinet Ministers Lal Chand Kataruchak, Harbhajan Singh ETO, Dr. Baljit Kaur, Brahm Shankar Jimpa, Anmol Gagan Mann and Chetan Singh Jouramajra besides Shri Sunil Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Smt. Vini Mahajan, Secretary, Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Shri Vijay Kumar Janjua, Chief Secretary to the Government of Punjab, Shri K. Siva Prasad, Financial Commissioner, Rural Development and Panchayats, Government of Punjab and Smt. Rekha Yadav, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India will also be present on the occasion.

Chandigarh, Punjab

2000 litres Extra Neutral Alcohol seized, Major tregedy averted

Leave a comment

IEP CHANDIGARH AUGUST 22, 2022

In a major joint operation on Monday, the Excise team from Ludhiana along with CIA  Police Khanna seized 2000 litres of Extra Neutral Alcohol (ENA) near Doraha.

Disclosing this here, an official spokesperson of Excise department said that ENA is the raw material from which liquor is made and incase any uncontrolled toxicity creeps in, it could result in a major tragedy like the one which happened two years ago in district Tarantaran, which claimed  a number of  lives.

Giving the details of operation, the spokesperson said that a naka was erected at Ludhaiana-Chandigarh road near Doraha on the basis of a secret information. “The vehical number Pb09 N 9001 fled away from Naka and was then chased till Doraha, Ludhiana. Two persons Gurvinder Singh and Sukhdev Singh, both residents of village-Chiddan, Amritsar are arrested on the spot”, he added.

The Spokesperson fuether added that 8 big drums (200 liters each ) and 6  cans (30 liters each) ie total 2000 litres extra neutral alcohol (ENA) was recovered from their possession.

He said that vehicle number PB 09 N 9001has been detained and FIR would be registered after further investigation

Chandigarh, Punjab

Union Panchayati Raj State Minister Kapil Moreshwar Patil and Punjab Rural Development Minister Kuldeep Dhaliwal visited Sirsini model village of SAS Nagar

Leave a comment

IEP CHANDIGARH AUGUST 22, 2022

Union Panchayati Raj State Minister Kapil Moreshwar Patil and Punjab Rural Development Minister Kuldeep Dhaliwal who were here to inaugurate the two-day national workshop being conducted for sustainable development of villages, made a visit the model village Sirsini which falls in Derabassi block of SAS Nagar district.

The Panchayat of this village has developed a lake in the village on 4 acre land, in which rainwater is collected and further used for irrigation purposes. Efforts are being made to raise this as a future income asset and plans are being made to convert it into a tourist destination due to its prime location.

The Panchayat Ghar has been constructed at a cost of Rs 25 lakhs with basic facilities like kitchen, separate washrooms for men and women, and a spacious meeting hall which can seat 100 persons in the village.

A mid-day meal kitchen shed was constructed by the Panchayat at Government Primary Smart School.

A project is being run in the village to collect various wastes from house to house. Each house pays Rs.50/- as remuneration to the waste collector. The wet waste is disposed of in honey comb pits, where it is converted into compost in 45 days. The compost is used to plant plants. The waste collector generates his income by selling the dry waste. .

A Nanak Bagichi has been created in the village and about 15000 saplings have been planted in cremation ground, parks and roadsides besides a Mini Jungle.

Chandigarh, Punjab

Punjab approves reservation for posts of law officers :  Dr. Baljit Kaur

Leave a comment

IEP CHANDIGARH AUGUST 22, 2022

Candidates belonging to SC category can apply for the reserved category posts of Law Officers in Advocate General Branch of the Punjab Government by 13th September 2022. This was stated today by Punjab Minister of Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities, Dr. Baljit Kaur.

She said that the candidates can apply online by 13 September 2022. They may apply at http://Punjab.gov.in and send their documents at e-mail-ID pblorec@punjab.gov.in.

The cabinet minister said that these posts have been advertised for the first time in Punjab. She said that the state government led by the Bhagwant Mann is committed for the welfare of Scheduled Castes and is constantly striving to give them their rights as per law.

Chandigarh, Chandigarh, Punjab

EXPERIENCE CLAUSE ABOLISHED TO ENCOURAGE NEW ENTERPRENEURS

Leave a comment

IEP CHANDIGARH AUGUST 22, 2022

Acting on the directions of the Chief Minister, Bhagwant Mann for revamping the various policies/procedures in the Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, the Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak today gave approval to the revised Tender specifications for purchase of Tarpaulins used to protect paddy stocks against inclement weather.  

The revised tender Terms and Conditions have now been brought broadly in sync with the Terms and Conditions approved by the FCI for its own purchases across the country. 

In order to encourage new entrepreneurs, the policy has now done away with the experience clause, opening the doors for new industrial units to bid for the tenders. Further, in order to encourage wider participation, suppliers, who are authorised by the Principal Manufacturers, have also been allowed to participate in the tender process.  This is expected to increase the competition since it was felt that manufacturers, who are located far away, often did not participate in the tender process. 

The minimum quantity of tarpaulins to be offered by the bidder has  been reduced in order to encourage smaller industries to participate in the tender process. The tenders shall continue to be called on the e-tendering website of Punjab Government to ensure complete transparency. 

Comprehensive inspection protocols have also been introduced to check the quality of the Tarpaulins being supplied. These include inspections in both factory premises as well as delivery point, making these protocols even more stringent than those adopted by FCI.

Recognising the monetary benefit of the existing specifications for Tarpaulins, which provide for usage of 2 years,, the state specifications have been retained. It may be noted that for the past many years, the Punjab Government has it’s own specifications for Tarpaulins, which offer a significant financial saving to the Government over Tarpaulins purchased with FCI specifications, which having a life span of only one year. 

Herein it may be noted that a few months back, the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had, in a meeting to review the working of the Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, directed the department to comprehensively review and revamp the existing policies and purchase procedures existing within the department to make these more transparent and competitive. He had also directed that the Department should encourage new entrepreneurs, wherever possible, in order to encourage new industry. In compliance with these directions, the Department has already revised the Custom Milling Policy, which has introduced landmark initiatives, and was subsequently approved by the Cabinet. The Department has also revised its Labour Policy and the Transportation Policy, both of which are due to be placed before the Cabinet in its next meeting for approval.

Chandigarh, Punjab

Over 210 persons arrested for corruption since AAP forms government in Punjab

Leave a comment

IEP CHANDIGARH AUGUST 22, 2022

The Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s war against corruption has met with unprecedented success in only five months since the Aam Admi Party (AAP) government came to power in Punjab.

The Vigilance Bureau has arrested as many as 135 government officials including 25 gazetted officers for accepting illegal gratification, said an official spokesperson.

Some of those who are arrested include top ministers of the AAP and the previous Congress government. A top IAS officer, a IFS officer and over 50 police officials.

From sacking and subsequent arrest of AAP’s health minister Vijay Singla on charges of corruption, the Mann government has also cracked the  whip on big sharks including arresting former Congress minister Sadhu Singh Dharamsot in a corruption case, 2008-batch IAS officer Sanjay Popli, who was posted as director pensions and Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Vishal Chauhan and many others. In addition, services of two government officials were terminated by their administrative departments.

As the pace of work in the Anti-Corruption campaign picked up, in the month of July alone, eight government employees were arrested for accepting bribes in five different cases. The accused included two employees of the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) and three employees of the Ludhiana Improvement Trust. The Bureau had registered 14 criminal cases in which 20 accused were involved in corruption. In these criminal cases, among others four police personnel, two revenue officials and six employees of Improvement Trust Ludhiana including its former chairman Raman Bala Subramanyam was booked by the VB for further investigations. Subramanyam has been identified as a powerful official under whose supervision the scam took place.

The Vigilance bureau has also nabbed around 80 private individuals. Data revealed that in seven cases, convictions were handed down by various courts in which eight government officials and a private person were involved.

A fresh case has been registered against former Minister of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Bharat Bhushan Ashu on Friday in the scam of allotting transportation tenders on fake registration numbers of vehicles. An enquiry is underway and more officials of the Food and Supplies department are under the scanner.

The  chief minister’s anti-graft helpline is leading the way in exposing corruption and corrupt officials as people are coming forward to use this tool effectively to expose those who are blocking good clean governance in the state. Complaints in the helpline alone led to the arrest of 61 persons  and registration of 40 FIRs, since its inception on March 23 this year. The government received 4135 complaints with audio / video recordings on the given  number and after verifying genuine complaints.

Reiterating the AAP government’s avowed policy of “zero tolerance for corruption” CM Bhagwant Mann said that after assuming charge of his office, he had promised to deliver a corruption-free, transparent and clean administration to the people for which a number of initiatives have already been taken, including launching an anti-corruption helpline number in bid to annihilate corruption from Punjab.

CM said that departmental inquiries are going on and many more scams would be unearthed soon without any bias. All perpetrators who have looted the public money whether they are senior officers or politicians will be taken to task.

Chandigarh, Punjab

Major reforms initiated in higher education to make youth employable : Meet Hayer

Leave a comment

IEP CHANDIGARH AUGUST 21, 2022

Major reforms have been initiated in the higher education sector in order to make the youth of Punjab employable within the country.  Stating this here today, Higher Education Minister, Punjab, Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer today said that under the leadership of  Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, school,  medical and technical education sectors are being focused upon to ensure a robust educational structure.

The minister was speaking during a state-level seminar on Higher Education in Punjab and New State Government: Hopes, Aspirations, Visions, and the Road Ahead at Rayat Bahra University, Mohali organised by Association of Unaided College Teachers (AUCT), Punjab and Chandigarh. The seminar was attended by around 400 unaided teachers from colleges across the state and the UT.

Meet Hayer said that with the reforms initiated by the State Government, not only will the exploitation of teachers end, but higher education will be made affordable, and skill-based thus making the teachers employable in the country with provision of jobs. Career oriented higher education is the great need of the present time, said the Minister adding that a committee will be formed to identify and resolve the issues of higher education institutions of Punjab.

The minister called upon the students of colleges and universities to actively participate in the ‘Khedan Watan Punjab Deya’ a two day sporting extravaganza being organized by the state government from August 29th. .

Renowned educationist Dr. Piyara Lal Garg delivered the key-note address while  Former Advocate General Anmol Rattan Singh Sidhu, Senior Journalist Jatinder Pannu and Vice Chancellor Rayat Bahra University Dr. Parvinder Singh also participated in the deliberations. The vote of thanks was presented by spokesperson of the AUCT Prof. Tarun Ghai.

The objective of the seminar was to bring the academia, intelligentsia and the government on a common platform to discuss and deliberate upon the burning issues concerning higher education in Punjab and devise a roadmap for its upliftment.

Chandigarh, Chandigarh, Haryana, Punjab

UT Police arrest six from Rajasthan, Haryana for running sextortion racket

Leave a comment

IEP CHANDIGARH AUGUST 22, 2022

The Operations Cell of the UT Chandigarh Police arrested six members of a sextortion gang from Rajasthan and Haryana. The accused have been identified as Ali Sher (24), native of Bharatpur Rajasthan; Altaf (19), native of Palwal, Haryana; Shazid (19), native of Kathumar, Rajasthan; Talah (20), native of Bharatpur, Rajasthan; Sahib (19), native of Bharatpur, Rajasthan and Satish (24), native of Bhaaratpur, Rajasthan.

Police officer said that these accused were nabbed from Rajasthan by a team led by Inspector Amanjot Singh, in-charge of the Operations Cell. Police recovered three laptops, 13 Mobile Phones, one          Pay tm Card, one Swipe Machine, one Finger Print impression on plastic device, 19 Pass Books, seven PAN Cards, two Cheque Books, 22 Adhaar Card, 13 SIMs, two ATM Cards and cash Rs 66000 from their possession.

Earlier, the victim, a resident of Sector 19, had complained that he received a WhatsApp message from a suspect, who claimed to be government school teacher. The suspect had candid conversation with the victim. He later received a video call in which there was a girl on the other side who lured the victim and asked him to remove his clothes. The victim then received threats in which the suspect asked him to deposit Rs 25,000 or else his objections videos will be uploaded on social networking sites.

Later, the victim received a call from another number and the suspect introduced himself as some SHO calling from the DC office, Chandigarh. The suspect told the victim that a complaint had been received against him at the DC office and they were going to take action against him. The suspect then asked the victim to pay him money to reach a compromise.

The suspect gave him a mobile number of some Anmol Sharma and asked him to make payment on Google Pay, following which he transferred Rs 3,120. However, the suspect kept on demanding more money, following which the police were informed.

During the course of investigation, the raiding party of the Operations Cell, Sector 26, Chandigarh, went to Kaithwara, Bharatpur district, Rajasthan and Palwal and nabbed six suspects. During interrogation, accused revealed that they were running a sextortion gang and had targeted people in Chandigarh and other states by recording their objectionable videos.

In course of investigation, it was revealed that there are around 25-30 members in the gang who have used over 2,000 SIM cards in the past one year to cheat and extort money from people. Bank details of the three accused revealed that they were extorting around Rs 50 lakh per month through sextortion racket and a majority of their money was invested in real estate.