Category Archives: Punjab

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

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.

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

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.

Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilizers, visited PGIMER Satellite Centre, Sangrur

INDIAEPOST CHANDIGARH AUGUST 21, 2022

Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilizers, visited PGIMER Satellite Centre, Sangrur and reviewed its progress today.  

Expressing satisfaction at the pace of the execution of the Project, the Hon’ble Minister stated, “With the pace at which the work is being executed, including procurement of medical devices and equipment, the Satellite Centre will be fully functional by January, 2023 and will provide a huge relief not only for the local population but for those far and wide.”   Updating about the success of the ‘free precaution vaccination drive’ launched by Hon’ble Prime Minister on 15th July for 75 days to mark Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, the Hon’ble Union Health Minister shared, “Already over 13 crore people have leveraged this facility by getting vaccinated under this initiative in one month and three days till date.”

The Minister urged the people of Punjab and country in general, especially the vulnerable population, to get vaccinated in the balance of 75 days and equip themselves to face the COVID crisis.” Lauding healthcare workers for their commendable role in containing the COVID crisis, the Hon’ble Minister stated, “Our country has been appreciated across the globe for two things; for COVID management by adhering to the guidelines and vaccination drive by crossing the mark of over 200 crore doses.”  

Endorsing the need for ‘affordable health for all’, the Hon’ble Minister shared about the initiatives by the Govt. to promote generic medicines which include over 8500 Jan Aushadhi Kendras across the country which are visited over 20 lakh people daily in the country, awareness campaign by engaging with National Medical Council and launch of an app ‘Jan Aushadhi Sugam’ to make people aware about the salt in the medicine to enable them make considered choice between generic and branded medicine. The Hon’ble Minister also shared that ‘a Jan Aushadhi Kendra will also be opened in the Satellite Centre , Sangrur.’   Earlier, the Minister was accorded a warm welcome by Director PGIMER Prof. Vivek Lal, Deputy Director(Admin), Kumar Gaurav Dhawan, IRS, Sh.Jitendra Jorwal, IAS, DC Sangrur, Medicsl Superintendent, Prof. Vipin Koushal amongst others. The Hon’ble Minister chaired a meeting which was attended by Prof. Vivek Lal, Director PGIMER, senior faculty members and senior administrative officers including Sh. Dhawan (IRS), DDA, Prof. Vipin Koushal, MS, Sh.Kumar Abhay, FA, Prof. Ashok Kumar, Addl.

Medical Superintendent, PGIMER & Nodal Officer, Satellite Centre, Sangrur.A detailed presentation was made before the Hon’ble Minister wherein the dignitary was apprised that the Satellite Centre, comprising a 300 bed hospital, was envisaged with an intent to reduce the overcrowding in PGIMER, Chandigarh and reduce travel time of patients.Prof. Vivek Lal informed “Spread over a land of 25 acres, the project cost of this Satellite Centre is Rs. 449.00 crores. The phase 1 has already been executed with the construction of Temporary OPD, Guest House and Boundary Wall and Phase 2 of the execution is being  fast tracked.

The Satellite Centre is expected to be fully functional early next year.”Detailing the Minister about the patient care at Satellite Centre, Prof. Vivek Lal further shared that with a temporary OPD being functional since October 2016in the Satellite Centre, 2,78,416 patients have already been examined in these OPD facilities till date.” Later the Hon’ble Minister visited the Temporary OPD  where he interacted with doctors, paramedics and patients and enquired about the facilities being provided to patients there.

AFRICAN SWINE FEVER DETECTED IN SWINE SAMPLES OF PATIALA; PUNJAB DECLARED ‘CONTROLLED AREA’

IEP CHANDIGARH AUGUST 20, 2022

Punjab Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Dairy Development Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar, on Friday, informed that after ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases, Bhopal has confirmed African swine fever in swine samples of district Patiala, the whole state of Punjab is declared as “Controlled Area” with the object of preventing, controlling, eradicating scheduled disease-African Swine Fever (ASF), exercising the powers u/s 6 of Chapter III of “The Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act, 2009.”

He said that a notification has been issued is this regard and it has come into force with immediate effect.

The Cabinet Minister said that a village Bilaspur and Sanauri Adda in District Patiala are hereby notified as “Epicenter” of the disease, adhering to the u/s 20 of Chapter III of the same Act.”

Mr. Bhullar further said that in compliance to Chapters 7 & 8 of “National Action Plan for Control, Containment and Eradication of African Swine Fever (June 2020)” of Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India; these areas are hereby declared “Infected Zone” (0-1 Km area around epicenter of disease) and “Surveillance Zone” (1-10 Km area around epicenter of disease). No live/dead Pig (including feral or wild pigs), unprocessed Pig Meat, Feed or any material/goods from the piggery farm/backyard piggery shall be taken out of or brought into the Infected Zone and no person shall bring or attempt to bring into market any pig or pig products which is known to be infected with the scheduled disease, said the Minister quoting notification, while adding that inter-state movement of any pig or its belongings should be strictly ban.

Jigyasa IAS Institute Launches A New Centre in Mohali

IEP CHANDIGARH AUGUST 20,2022

Delhi-based Jigyasa IAS, a premier IAS/PCS Coaching Academy based in the hub of IAS Coaching, Rajendra Nagar, has launched its Regional Centre in Industrial Area, S.A.S Nagar, Mohali. It is one of the highly-acclaimed institutes in Delhi with an experience of more than 5 years and it’s commitment in delivering results. 

The launching ceremony of the regional centre of Jigyasa IAS took place on 20th August, 2022 at F-469, Phase VIII B, Industrial Area, S.A.S Nagar, Mohali. The ceremony was graced by the presence of Sh Amit Talwar, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, S.A.S. Nagar as the Chief Guest and other distinguished guests including Dr. Sandeep Singh Kaura, Chancellor, Lamrin Tech Skills University, Sh Lalit Sharma, Founder, Jigyasa IAS, Sh Rakesh Kumar from Chitkara University, Sh Suraj from Degraphics Agency, Sh Gaurav Sharma & Smt Paramjeet. Addressing the gathering, Sh Amit Talwar said, “When you join the Civil services, one gets the opportunity to work for the welfare of the society. It becomes your utmost duty to provide accountable and responsible administration to the people. I am glad that Jigyasa IAS is opening in Mohali to produce more responsible administrators who will work for the betterment of the country.”

While imparting some words of encouragement, Dr. Sandeep Singh Kaura said, “I am delighted that Jigyasa IAS which has already made its name in Delhi will now be helping the IAS and Civil Services aspirants of the region. There are a lot of things that one needs to focus on while preparing for UPSC which is why it becomes important to get the right guidance.” Jigyasa IAS is well-known for its experienced faculty, highly-enriched content, guidance by field and subject experts, domain knowledge experts and having serving and retired officers on its various panels for interviews and other interaction programmes. 

Mr Lalit Sharma, Founder & Director, Jigyasa IAS added, “Integrity is our value. We deliver the promises we make. We make sure that the students of Jigyasa IAS get the right guidance, infrastructure and an amazing learning environment.” Jigyasa IAS is the producer of 30+ success stories and is aiming for more in UPSC 2023 with its new branch in Mohali. Apart from the UPSC preparations, the centre will also concentrate on the State specific PCS exams and other govt exams. 

Sh Amit Talwar said, “I am glad that Jigyasa IAS is expanding its horizons so that more and more students get closer to their dream of cracking UPSC. I hope that all it’s students do well and work for the welfare of the nation.”

After everyone’s address, momentoes were distributed to the distinguished guests. The ceremony was concluded with high tea and group interaction. The batches start from 27th August onwards….

AMAN ARORA PAYS GLOWING TRIBUTES TO SHAHEED SANT HARCHAND SINGH LONGOWAL BY DONATING BLOOD ON HIS 37th DEATH ANNIVERSARY

IEP CHANDIGARH AUGUST 20, 2022

Punjab Information and Public Relations, Housing and Urban Development and New and Renewable Energy Sources Minister Mr Aman Arora today donated blood to pay glowing tribute to Shaheed Sant Harchand Singh Longowal during a mega blood donation camp organized at Anaj Mandi, Longowal to mark his 37th death anniversary.

While addressing people on this occasion, the Cabinet Minister said that the Punjab government under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Mann, a mega blood donation camp has been organised which is a befitting tribute to the martyrdom of Sant Harchand Singh Longowal. He added that the blood donated by the donors will be used to save the precious lives of the needy who will be fighting for life in hospitals.

The Minister, while paying tribute to Sant Harchand Singh Longowal, said that the martyrdom of those who sacrificed their lives for the service of humanity should never be forgotten. He said that the purpose of this blood donation camp organised by district administration and the district Red Cross Society was also to serve the humanity as every single drop of donated blood will be helpful in saving precious lives.

On this occasion, Mr. Aman Arora said that CM Bhagwant Mann led Punjab government has started several initiatives for the all-round development of Sunam Udham Singh Wala assembly constituency and the results would be visible soon on the ground. Longowal town will also be revamped as the development works would be accelerated here too, he added.

During the blood donation camp held at Anaj Mandi Longowal, Mr. Aman Arora also distributed certificates to the blood donating volunteers and encouraged them for the noble cause.

On this occasion, Deputy Commissioner Jitendra Jorwal, Additional Deputy Commissioner Anmol Singh Dhaliwal, SDM Navreet Kaur Sekhon, freedom fighter Bibi Shaminder Kaur Longowal, Civil Surgeon Dr. Parminder Kaur, Secretary Red Cross Society Krishna Kumar Mittal along with a large number of volunteers, leaders, workers and dignitaries also offered floral tributes remembering Sant Harchand Singh Longowal.

PATIALA DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY CONDUCTING E-AUCTION OF RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL SITES

IEP CHANDIGARH AUGUST 20, 2022

Patiala Development Authority (PDA) is conducting e-auction of residential and commercial sites situated in different cities i.e. Patiala, Sangrur, Nabha and Amargarh. The auction commenced on 15th August, and  bidding will end at 3 pm on August 25.

Giving this information, an official spokesperson of the Housing and Urban Development Department said that this is an opportunity to own a house or start a business in these cities.

Details of the properties and process to participate in the e- auction is available on the e-auction portal www.puda.e-auctions.in, he added.

He informed that total of 280 properties have been put up for the e-auction. Out of this, commercial properties available for bidding include 58 shops, 55 booths, 33 SCOs, 6 single storey shops and 3 Shop-cum-Flats, besides 124 residential plots and one house.

1494.76 crore rupees pension amount has been distributed to 20.78 lakh elderly beneficiaries till the month of July: Dr. Baljit Kaur

IEP CHANDIGARH AUGUST 20,2022

Chief Minister Punjab Bhagwant Singh Mann’s government has distributed Rs 1494.76 crore of old age pension to pensioners till the month of July.

Giving more information in this regard, Minister of Social Security, Women and Child Development Department Dr. Baljit Kaur said that the government is committed to the welfare of people of all classes. She said that there are a total of 30,67,927 beneficiaries of various categories that  includes the elderly, disabled, widows and destitute women and dependent children.

The Cabinet Minister said that there are a total of 20,78,886 senior beneficiaries in the state, to whom 1494.76 crores of pension amount has been distributed till the month of July.

She said that the state government has reserved a total budget of Rs 4647.82 crore for various pension schemes, out of which a budget of Rs 3100.27 crore has been provided for old age pension during the current year.

The Cabinet Minister said that  men aged 65 or above and women aged 58 or above, whose annual income does not exceed Rs 60,000, are eligible to avail the benefit of this scheme.

The minister said that the financial assistance is paid directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries, which are being linked with Aadhaar. She said, so far 96 percent of the bank accounts have been linked with Aadhaar.

Meet Hayer calls sports department and associations to work together to make Punjab a leading state in sports

IEP CHANDIGARH AUGUST 20, 2022

Punjab Sports Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer on Saturday called the sports department and sports associations to work together to make Punjab again a leading state in sports. 

He said this during a meeting with office bearers of Punjab Olympic Association at Punjab Olympic Bhawan, Mohali today. 

The Sports Minister said that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has also a keen interest in the sports and he is leaving no stone unturned to make Punjab the number one state again.

Best wishing the sports contingent of Punjab in the 36th National Games to be held in Gujarat next month, Sports Minister handed over a check of Rs 50 lakh for National Games and assured to take up the matter with CM Mann for further assistance. 

The Sports Minister said that the state government is formulating a new sports policy in which emphasis will be given on giving cash prizes to sportsmen, providing jobs, encouraging young sportsmen. Under the commitment, ‘Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan’ is being organized by the Sports Department, which will be inaugurated by the Chief Minister at Jalandhar on August 29. About 5 lakh players will participate in these sports competitions, after which the pool of winning players of the state level tournament will be formed who will go on to compete at the national and international level. 

He also extended an invitation letter to the Punjab Olympic Association and all sports associations.

Meet Hayer said that Punjab was number one in national sports in 2001 but then the state continued to lag behind. The state government will now formulate a new sports policies and 220 coaches are being recruited and more posts of coaches will be created and posted at the village, block and sub division level to booster sports department. 

He further said that there is no shortage of talent in Punjab, only skills need to be polished. Sports budget is being increased by the state government. Priority will be given to providing sports equipment. 

A review is being done to see the sports structure at the ground level. He said that the solution to the drug problem will be only by creating a sports environment. The sports  department is paying special attention to channelize the energy of the youth towards sports. The players who win medals at the national and international level will be given permanent employment. The diet is being increased. If necessary, the sports department will take the services of foreign coaches.

Earlier, the president of Punjab Olympic Association Brahm Mahindra announced that Sports Minister Meet Hayer will be made the pattern of the association, after which the sports minister was honored by the association. The executive of the association passed an unanimous resolution on this.

The Senior Vice President of the Association, Rajdeep Singh Gill, praised the Sports Minister, Meet Hayer, for personally encouraging the players and showing interest in sports and spoke of taking efforts together with the Sports Department and the Association to take Punjab forward in sports.

Punjab Olympic Association Secretary General Raja KS Sidhu welcomed the Sports Minister by thanking him on his arrival at the Olympic Bhawan.

On this occasion, Vice President of Punjab Olympic Association Sikandar Singh Maluka, Treasurer Karamveer Singh Sidhu, Executive Member Teja Singh Dhaliwal, Arjuna Awardee Surinder Singh Sodhi, Kushaldeep Singh Kikki Dhillon, K.P.S. Brar, Santosh Dutta, Prabhjot Singh, Maninder Kaur Virak, Ashok Rouni, RK Bali, Arjuna Awardee Jagjit Singh, Principal Secretary, Sports Department Raj Kamal Chaudhary, Director Rajesh Dhiman and District Sports Officer Gurdeep Kaur were also present.

37th National Workshop on Clinical Pharmacology by Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Department Of Pharmacology, PGIMER to begin from Monday  

IEP CHANDIGARH AUGUST 20, 2022

The Department of Pharmacology, PGIMER is organizing the 37th Annual NationalWorkshop on Clinical Pharmacology from 22nd to 27th August, 2022. The workshop will be attended by more than 100 participants that include faculty and postgraduate students from the academic institutions and clinical research personnel from the industry. The workshop intends to equip the delegates with the various skills across the discipline of Clinical Pharmacology through a hands-on approach. 

Eminent speakers from academic institutions and pharmaceutical industry will be addressing the delegates. Renowned speakers such as Dr.NilimaKshirsagar(ICMR), Prof. P. L. Sharma, Professor Emeritus (PGIMER), Prof. YK Gupta (President, AIIMS Bhopal & AIIMS Jammu), Dr. Monika Tandon (Glenmark Pharma), Dr.Rajan Mittal (Dr. Reddy Laboratories) and International speakers such as Prof.EsmitaCharani, Imperial College, London and Dr. Vijay Ivaturi (Pumas-AI Co-founder) will be sharing their knowledge and experience with the congregation. Along with lectures, participants will be given a thorough practical demonstration of various techniques employed during drug research, dose optimisation and analysis of medical data. In addition, group work will be conducted to build a rapport amongst delegates and the organising team.

Department of Pharmacology, PGIMER has been hosting this prestigious conference every year for more than three decades now. Delegates from all parts of the country will be joining us in this