Category Archives: Punjab

Chandigarh, Punjab

GRAND FINALE OF “UJJWAL BHARAT UJJWAL BHAVISHYA-POWER @2047” PROGRAMME TO BE DEDICATED TO SHAHEED UDHAM SINGH: HARBHAJAN SINGH URGED UNION GOVERNMENT

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IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 24, 2022

Punjab Public Works and Power Minister S. Harbhajan Singh has urged the union government that the grand finale of the scheduled programme “Ujjwal Bharat Ujjwal Bhavishya-Power @2047”, which is being celebrated under “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” from July 25-31, 2022, should be dedicated to Shaheed Udham Singh Ji, who sacrificed his life for the India’s independence.

In a letter to union minister for Power & NRE Mr. R.K. Singh, the Cabinet Minister said that it would be a befitting tribute to the great revolutionary and son of soil. The letter reads that India is celebrating “Ujjwal Bharat, Ujjawal Bhavishya-Power @2047”, wherein achievements of Central and State Governments in the transformation of power sector including renewable energy sector will be showcased thorugh the celebrations in all the districts of the country.

“I had earlier requested you to commemorate the grand finale of these celebrations in the memory of the great martyr and freedom fighter Shaheed Udham Singh Ji, whose Martyrdom Day is observed on 31st July every year”, requested the Cabinet Minister quoting July 21st meeting with the union minister. He urged that commemorating legendary martyr’s great contribution and sacrifice in the cause of India’s independence through these programmes, would be a befitting tribute, if the grand finale of these programmes is dedicated as a tribute to Shaheed Udham Singh Ji.

Chandigarh, Punjab

AMAN ARORA TO REVIEW WORKING OF ALL URBAN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITIES ACROSS PUNJAB

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IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 24, 2022

With an aim to put a full-stop on haphazard development in the state, Housing & Urban Development Minister Mr. Aman Arora, on Sunday, said that he will visit all the Urban Development Authorities to assess development being carried out in urban areas at ground level besides streamlining and improving the functioning of the department.

The Minister said that he has held threadbare meetings with the senior officials of the Housing & Urban Development department recently, “Now, I will start the Punjab tour this week onwards as the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Mann led state government has mandated for ensuring balanced growth in urban areas and planned development of residential, commercial & industrial spaces using ultra-modern technology in Punjab.”

As per the schedule, the cabinet minister will visit Patiala Development Authority (PDA) this week.

To feel the pulse, he will also hold meetings with Residents Welfare Associations, Real Estate Developers and other stakeholders to bring them on board to propel the Punjab on a path of sustainable development, said the Cabinet Minister, reiterating that the previous governments’ lackadaisical approach towards illegal colonies and failed to bring new planned townships are the main reasons behind the haphazard urban development in the state but Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Mann government will not leave any stone unturned to ensure the best possible basic civic amenities in the approved colonies, besides bringing new planned townships in urban areas of the state.

A comprehensive mechanism is now being put into place to stop the unauthorised colonies and to ensure the planned development of residential, commercial & industrial spaces using state-of-the-art technology, he added.

Chandigarh, Punjab

CM ASKS WATER SUPPLY AND SANITATION DEPARTMENT TO EXPEDITE PROCESS FOR SETTING UP SOLAR POWERED WATER SUPPLY SCHEMES IN STATE

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IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 24, 2022

The Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has asked the Water Supply and Sanitation Department to expedite the process for setting up Solar Powered water supply schemes in the state.

Chairing a meeting here to review the functioning of the department, the Chief Minister said that tapping of solar energy for water supply schemes will be very beneficial for the state. He said that this initiative will go a long way in saving electricity on one hand and ensuring regular water supply in the villages on the other. The Chief Minister was informed that through this innovation department is mulling to install Solar-powered schemes in 1,508 villages to achieve sustainability and self-sufficiency by generating 8708 kW capacity at a cost of Rs. 60.50 crore.

Dwelling on another agenda, the Chief Minister also gave nod for digital adaptation in 1,731 villages where schemes will be linked with Internet of Things (IoT) and remote monitoring and operation of water supply will be done. He approved launching of this Pilot Project worth Rs. 106 crore in 93 villages and 100% coverage in 23 blocks. Bhagwant Mann also asked Department to roll on digital initiative, mGram Seva – an application which was launched as pilot project in 100 villages to ensure transparency and accountability in revenue collection and financial management.

The Chief Minister was informed that 99.63 % of rural households have tap water connections under Jal Jeevan Mission and 20 out of 23 district have achieved 100% coverage whereas on sanitation side also state is open defecation free. He said that as state is facing water quality issues such as heavy metals, arsenic, fluoride, iron, uranium, TDS and others, Large Surface water projects coming up in Patiala, Amritsar, TarnTaran, Gurdaspur, Ferozepur, Fazilka, Hoshiarpur, Sri Anandpur Sahib at cost of Rs. 2,081 crore covering over 1,800 villages should be accomplished and operationalised soon. Bhagwant Mann said that Special Mitigation works for Arsenic and Fluoride affected areas should also be accorded top priority for ensuring potable supply of water to people.

The Chief Minister also said that works being executed for community sanitary complexes in rural areas/ compost pits/ storage for plastic waste/renovation of village ponds and construction of soak pits at a cost of Rs. 145 crore should also be expedited. He also directed the officers to finish the ongoing projects at the earliest so that public can be benefited from them. Bhagwant Mann said that safe water supply is directly linked to the health of people and their economic upliftment.

On the occasion Cabinet Minister Brahm Shankar Jimpa, Principal Secretary Water Supply and Sanitation DK Tiwari and others were also present.

Chandigarh, Punjab

OPIUM RECOVERY FROM AMBULANCE: DIG ROPAR RANGE TO TAKE UP MATTER WITH HEALTH, CIVIL AUTHORITIES

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IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 24, 2022

Taking a cognisance of the matter related to arrest of three persons misusing an Ambulance to smuggle drugs, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Ropar Range Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said that he will take up this issue with Civil, Health and concerned regulatory authorities.

Pertinently, amid the ongoing war against drugs on the directions of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the Mohali Police on Sunday have busted an inter-state drug smuggling racket after recovering 8Kg opium concealed in a pillow placed under the head of a fake patient lying in an Ambulance during a special Nakabandi on Ambala-Chandigarh Highway near village Dapper. The arrested accused have been identified as Ravi Shrivastav (28) of Rampur, (UP), presently residing at Ram Darbar in Chandigarh; Harinder Sharma (47) of village Naya Gaon in SAS Nagar; and Ankush (27) of village Khudda Ali Sher in Chandigarh.

The DIG said that as the Punjab Police have strict directions from the Chief Minister to root out drug menace from the state, the Mohali Police have busted an inter-state module which has raised serious concern about misuse of emergency services. “This has come to the fore during the investigation that how accused persons had purchased a second hand Ambulance and started using it for smuggling of drugs,” he said. This was at least for the 10-12th time accused persons have used the Ambulance to smuggle opium from Bareilly, reveals the investigations.

Besides taking up matter with all the concerned authorities, DIG Bhullar said that he has also asked all the three SSPs in the range to hold meeting with representatives of all the Hospitals and NGOs in their concerned districts and get the list of Ambulances assigned to them, so that the police could provide safe passage to genuine patients, while nabbing the anti-social elements using the Emergency Services for criminal activities.

          He also suggested using a special beacon on top of the ambulance which could signify whether there was a patient in the Ambulance or not.

          Divulging more details about the drugs recoveries in his Range since April 1, 2022, the DIG said that they have recovered a total of 2.41Kg Heroin, 20.42 Kg Opium, 2.10 quintal poppy husk, 200grams charas, 7.29Kg Ganja, 40945 intoxicant injections, 870590 intoxicant tablets besides seizing drug money worth Rs 8.08 lakhs. He said that the Police have registered a total of 211 FIRs including 14 commercial after arresting 307 drug smugglers/suppliers. The Police have also arrested 11 Proclaimed Offenders, he added.

          Meanwhile, DIG Bhullar said that the War against drugs waged by Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann will continue till drug menace is not wiped out from the state.

Chandigarh, Chandigarh, Punjab

CM FELICITATES PLAYERS FOR BRINGING LAURELS FOR STATE

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IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 24, 2022

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday felicitated the promising players of state who have recently brought laurels for the country.

In a simple but impressive function here at his official residence, the Chief Minister honoured Arjun Babuta, who bagged two gold medals in World Shooting Championship, Anjum Moudgill, who bagged two bronze medals in World Shooting Championship, Sifat Kaur Samra, who bagged one bronze medal in World Shooting Championship and Thomas cup winner of Badminton Dhruv Kapila.

The Chief Minister, while interacting with the players, said that the state government is making strenuous efforts for boosting up Sporting activity in the state. He envisioned that Punjab will be soon a front runner state in field of sports across the country. Bhagwant Mann also extended best wishes to player for the upcoming sporting events at the national and international arena.

The Chief Minister also exhorted the players to pull up their socks for performing well in Asian Games slated next year and Paris Olympics scheduled to take place in 2024. Bhagwant Mann assured them of fulsome support and cooperation by the state government.

On the occasion Sports Minister Meet Hayer and others were also present.

Chandigarh, Punjab

CM PAYS OBEISANCE AT GURUDWARA SRI FATEHGARH SAHIB

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IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 23,2022

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann today paid obeisance at Gurdwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib and prayed for the peace, progress and prosperity in the state.

The Chief Minister said that this sacred land is a source of inspiration for not only Sikhs but the entire humanity. Bhagwant Mann said that martyrdom of Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh along with Mata Gujri ji at this pious land had since ages inspired Punjabis to fight against injustice, tyranny and oppression . He said that the supreme sacrifice made by the younger Sahibzadas at a tender age hardly finds any parallel in the world history.

Bhagwant Mann said that he prayed to Almighty that his government’s every action should be aimed at making Punjab a front runner state in the country. The Chief Minister also prayed that the ethos of communal harmony, peace and brotherhood are strengthened in the state with every passing day. He said that people of state have given such a whopping mandate to his government, so he had paid reverence at this holy place to seek blessings of the almighty to fulfil all the aspirations of people.

Later on interacting with the media, the Chief Minister said that as every year lakhs of pilgrims visit this place during the Shaheedi Sabha so the state government will give a complete facelift to this town. He said that a viable mechanism will be put in place to ensure that no pilgrim faces any sort of problem during their visit.

Chandigarh, Punjab

Punjab Government fulfills a major pre poll guarantee

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IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 23,2022

The Punjab Government led by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann today fulfilled a major pre-poll guarantee about the waiver of 300 units of electricity per month thus making it free 600 units every two months. The circular to the effect was issued today by the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL).

Disclosing this, the Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO said that the circular entails granting free 600 units of electricity bimonthly / 300 units of electricity monthly for all domestic consumers, using electricity for residential purpose only (excluding all the other consumers covered under Schedule of Tariff for Domestic Supply viz Government Hospitals/Government Dispensaries, all places of worship, Government Sports Institutions, Sainik Rest Houses, Government/Government Aided Educational Institutions & attached hostels). This concession has already came into effect from July 1, 2022.

As per the circular,  in case of Bimonthly Consumption up to 600 units/Monthly Consumption up to 300 units, there would be Zero Bill for all domestic consumers using electricity for residential purpose only i.e. no energy charges, fixed charges, meter rent and Govt. levies/taxes shall be charged to these consumers.

In case bimonthly consumption exceeds 600 units or monthly consumption exceeds 300 units, the SC, BC, Non-SC/BC BPL and Freedom Fighters of Punjab along with their successors (up to grandchildren) who fulfill the conditions as per the Self-Declaration shall pay energy charges only for the units consumed in excess of 600 units bimonthly/300 units monthly, along with fixed charges, meter rentals and government levies/taxes. As free 600 units bimonthly/300 units monthly shall pertain to initial slabs of tariff, therefore, the electricity consumption in excess of 600 units bimonthly/300 units monthly shall be billed as per the applicable slabs of monthly tariff above 300 units.

All the other domestic consumers (except those covered above) shall pay energy charges for their entire consumption as per applicable tariff issued by the PSERC from time to time, along with fixed charges, meter rentals & Government levies/taxes, in case their consumption is more than 600 units bimonthly / 300 units monthly.

In case of Rooftop Solar Domestic Prosumers, the Monthly Import Consumption up to 300 units would entail zero monthly bill for such consumers. If the Monthly Import Consumption is more than 300 units then Monthly billing system would be applied as per existing instructions issued vide CC 22/2015  dt. June 8, 2015 and CC No. 36/2021 dt.  October 5, 2021.

It is noteworthy that at the end of settlement period, all the rooftop solar domestic prosumers shall pay bill as per existing instructions issued vide CC No. 22/2015 dt. June 8, 2015 and CC No. 36/2021 dt. October 5, 2021 apart from monthly bill.

In case of the PSPCL Employees eligible for electricity concession, the Bimonthly Consumption up to 600 units/Monthly Consumption up to 300 units would result in zero bill. However, if the Bimonthly consumption is more than 600 units / Monthly consumption more than 300 units then the PSPCL employees except SC, BC, Non-SC/BC BPL and Freedom Fighters of Punjab along with their successors (up to grandchildren) shall pay as per existing instructions issued vide Finance Circular No. 19/2011 dt. January 07, 2011.

Also, the Subsidy of Rs. 3 per unit (including Government levies) up to 7 KW for domestic consumers using electricity for residential purpose only and having sanctioned load up to 7 KW in various slabs of tariff, shall continue as per instructions issued vide Commercial Circular No. 41/2021 dt. November 23, 2021.

Subsidy for the above said concession of free electricity and reduction in tariff would be compensated by Punjab Government to PSPCL.

This circular can be downloaded from the PSPCL Website (www.pspcl.in), added the Minister.

Chandigarh, Punjab

STATE-WIDE SPECIAL VEHICLE CHECKING OPERATION: DGP GAURAV YADAV CONDUCTS SURPRISE CHECKING AT NAKAS IN ROPAR

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INDIA E POST CHANDIGARH, JULY 23, 2022

In yet another move aimed at giving loud and clear message of the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to anti-social elements that they have no place in the state, Punjab Police, on Saturday, have conducted a Special Vehicle Checking Operations in all the 28 Police districts. Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav has himself gone in the field to conduct random checking of different Naka Points in Ropar Range.

Over 800 well-coordinated Nakas— including 56 Inter-State, 250 Inter-District, 53 Hi-Tech and 427 City sealing, involving over 10000 Police Personnel, were set-up in the state with an aim to make Punjab free from Drugs and Gangsters.

The operation was conducted in a synchronised manner from 4pm to 7pm across the state and ADGP/IGP/DIG rank officers from Punjab Police Headquarters were deputed in each Police district to personally supervise the operation. All the CPs/SSPs were asked to mobilise a maximum number of officers and manpower for this operation to lay strong ‘nakas’ at district/city sealing points under the supervision of Gazetted officers/SHOs. 

The DGP said that during an operation, a thorough search of suspected vehicles/persons was ensured while ensuring minimum inconvenience was caused to the general public. “We had strictly instructed all the Police Personnel to deal with every commuter in a friendly and polite manner while checking their vehicle during the course of this operation,” he added.

DGP Gaurav Yadav, who had joined ADGP Law and Order Naresh Arora and SSP Ropar Sandeep Garg in Ropar to personally supervise the checking of vehicles, said that they have strict directions from Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to root out all the anti-social elements from the state to make Punjab a crime-free state. “Such operations would continue till the menace of drugs and Gangsters wiped out from Punjab,” he said.

He reiterated his warning to all the anti-social elements to voluntarily leave the state otherwise the Punjab Police will not spare them at any cost. These types of operations are part of the basic policing which includes keeping vigil in vulnerable spots and advance preparation to tackle any untoward situation, he added.

Meanwhile, such operations will also help in showing the police presence in the field and boost confidence among common people.

Chandigarh, Punjab

FORMULATE POLICY TO BOOST TOURISM & PROMOTE PUNJABI HERITAGE GLOBALLY: ANMOL GAGAN MAAN

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IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 22, 2022

In order to fulfill the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann’s dream to promote Punjab’s heritage, cousines and life-style globally, Punjab Tourism & Cultural Affairs Minister Anmol Gagan Maan has directed to formulate an effective policy to boost tourism in the state and promote Punjabi culture worldwide.

            Presiding over the review meeting of the tourism & cultural affairs department here, the Cabinet Minister asked the department officials to ensure proper publicity to the museums and other heritage buildings to promote rich cultural heritage at large scale.

            Emphasizing to assess feasibility for generation of revenue from the heritage sites, the cabinet minister categorically said that conservation and protection of Punjab’s rich heritage should be the priority.  

            She directed officials to prepare an all-out strategy to promote Punjabi culture and tourism through electronic & social media and other communication means to attract foreign tourists for visiting the heritage sites of the state.

             Anmol Gagan Maan assured that necessary measures will be taken to establish a world-class theme park in Punjab, besides reviving the disappearing historical relics/traditions of the state such as traditional costumes, folklore, folk dance, folk songs, traditional games and Punjabi cuisines to bring these to the global stage.

            Principal Secretary Tejveer Singh and Director Karnesh Sharma apprised the Minister about various departmental institutions, heritage buildings, museums and various under-construction projects protected by the department.

            “I will soon inspect all the heritage and traditional properties in and outside the state and prepare a strategy for generating resources of income from them”, said the Cabinet Minister, directing the officials to take all possible steps to make “Pind Babe Nanak Da” project at Sultanpur Lodhi as a world class heritage site. 

            Reiterating promise to take Punjab tourism to new heights, Anmol Gagan Maan assured officials to extend all possible support to resolve their problems.

Chandigarh, Punjab

Punjab Health Department official  issues advisory to beware of fake & baseless news

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IEP Chandigarh July 22, 2022

Out rightly rejecting a news item published in a prominent vernacular newspaper today, Civil Surgeon Dr. Adarshpal Kaur and epidemiologist Dr. Harmandeep Kaur said that no case of Monkeypox has been reported in the district Mohali. Notably, it was stated in the news that some positive cases of Monkeypox have been reported among the students of a school in the city.

          Health officials said that the concerned news item is completely baseless and sans facts. They clarified that three students of the concerned school had some symptoms of hand-foot and mouth disease, whose samples were sent to a lab for testing. According to the report of one sample, one student has hand, foot and mouth disease while the report of the other two samples will come out soon. They said, as of now, there are two cases of Monkeypox in the country and not a single case has been reported in the state.

          Officials said that hand foot & mouth disease usually affects children under 10 years of age. The main symptoms include ulcers in the mouth and red rashes on the hands and feet. They said that there is no need to panic about this disease because it is a self limiting viral disease which is not related to monkey disease in any way.