Chandigarh, January 10:

Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal, State Information Commissioner of the Punjab State Information Commission, issued an order today imposing a one-year ban on Manjinder Singh, resident of  Kharar, District Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, from filing any further applications under the Punjab State Information Commission.

This order follows the instructions of the RTI Commission, in which on January 8, 2025, State Information Commissioner Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal was conducting hearing about 70 cases related to RTI appeals filed by Manjinder Singh under the second appeal category. During the hearing, it was revealed that Manjinder Singh had been using RTIs of a fabricated nature to blackmail government employees and officials, influencing government work through corrupt practices. The Commission had repeatedly questioned the use of these RTIs in public interest, but no response was provided by Manjinder Singh.

The Commission further stated that in light of previous decisions by various higher courts concerning similar cases, and after considering these facts, the State Information Commissioner has imposed the one-year ban on filing applications with the Commission. Additionally, the fines and compensations imposed on officials in different RTI cases have been cancelled. Public authorities have been advised that if any future applications filed by Manjinder Singh under Section 7(9) of the RTI Act, 2005, are repetitive or excessively burdensome on the office, they should be ignored.

Chandigarh, January 10

Dr. Baljit Kaur, the Minister for Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities, on Friday, chaired a special meeting with officials in Chandigarh to review various welfare schemes and initiatives being run by the department.

During the meeting, the Minister had an in-depth discussion with the Additional Chief Secretary of the department, Mr. Alok Shekhar and the Director, Mr. Sandeep Hans, regarding the functioning of the department and the outreach of its schemes to the public. The officials provided detailed information about the implementation of welfare schemes under the department.

The Minister discussed several key schemes during the meeting, including the Ashirwad Scheme, Post-Matric Scholarship, Adarsh Gram Yojana, Prime Minister’s Abhyudaya Yojana, hostel-related schemes, and the buildings of Dr. Ambedkar Bhawans. She directed the officials to ensure that Dr. Ambedkar Bhawans in districts be used for gyms and libraries to benefit the public.

The Minister also emphasized that schemes such as low-interest loans under self-employment programs, the N.B.C. Scheme, and N.M.D. Welfare Schemes are being implemented to improve the social and economic standards of Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes, Economically Weaker Sections, and minorities. She instructed that awareness camps be organized to ensure the direct benefit of these schemes reaches the people. Every citizen in the state should be made aware of these schemes to ensure they are not left behind.

The meeting was attended by the Director-cum-Joint Secretary of the Department of Social Justice, Empowerment, and Minorities, Raj Bahadur Singh, Deputy Director Ravinderpal Singh Sandhu, and other officials.

Chandigarh, January 10

Punjab Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO unveiled the 2025 calendars for Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) and Punjab State Transmission Corporation Limited (PSTCL) here today.

The PSPCL calendar showcases captivating image of the Sri Guru Amardas Thermal Plant, Goindwal Sahib, alongside picture of function organised to induct the newly appointed personnel within the corporation. Additionally, it features a striking solar tree, symbolizing the corporation’s dedication to renewable energy. The PSTCL calendar, on the other hand, spotlights innovative initiatives aimed at strengthening the state’s power transmission infrastructure.

while releasing these calendars, Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO extended congratulations to both PSPCL and PSTCL for their commendable initiative. He expressed unwavering confidence that each day represented in these 2025 calendars will serve as a testament to the relentless efforts and dedication of both corporations.

Power Minister said that the initiatives taken by PSPCL and PSTCL are not just about dates on a calendar, but about their ongoing commitment to the development and welfare of the people of Punjab. He praised the corporations for their continued pursuit of excellence and their pivotal role in advancing the state’s power sector, ensuring that every day brings tangible progress and benefits to the people of the state.

Principal Secretary (Power) Ajoy Kumar Sinha, CMD PSPCL Er. Baldev Singh Sran and Director Admin PSPCL Jasbir Singh Sursingh were also present on this occasion.

Chandigarh, January 10

Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema and Forest and Wildlife Preservation Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak held a detailed meeting today with the Janglat Workers Union. The meeting, chaired by Finance Minister Cheema, who is also the Chairman of the Cabinet Sub-Committee formed to address employee issues, focused on the pressing demands and challenges faced by the Janglat Workers and finding tangible solutions for the same.

During the discussions, Finance Minister Cheema directed the Forest Department to convene a subsequent meeting with the union to address their services related issues. He emphasized the need for a positive approach in resolving these issues and instructed that the case concerning financial obligations be forwarded to the Finance Department for further action. Finance Minister Cheema assured the union representatives that their legitimate demands would be addressed promptly, highlighting the government’s commitment to the welfare of its employees.

Additionally, Finance Minister Cheema directed the Forest Department to organize training programs for class four employees to enhance their skills and improve their work efficiency. This initiative is aimed at empowering the employees with better skill sets, thereby contributing to their professional development and overall job satisfaction.

Forest Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak echoed these sentiments, reiterating the government’s dedication to resolving the issues faced by the Janglat Workers Union. He assured the union that their concerns are being taken seriously and that the department is committed to finding sustainable solutions.

The Forest Workers Union delegation, comprising Makhan Singh Wahidpuri, Jaswinder Singh Sauja Patiala, Satnam Singh Sangrur, Amandeep Singh Chhat Bir, Ravikant Ropar, Sulakhan Singh Mohali, and Ravi Kumar Ludhiana, expressed gratitude to the Punjab government for the productive meeting. The Union enthusiastically welcomed the Finance Minister’s assurance to address their legitimate demands and the Forest Minister’s commitment to their welfare.

Chandigarh, Jan 10:

Cabinet Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond on Friday stated that celebrating ‘Dhiyan Di Lohri’ can significantly improve the sex ratio in the Punjab.

While presiding over the “Dhiyan Di Lohri” event at A.S College (Women), Khanna organized by the Tourism and Cultural Affairs Department, Sond emphasized the importance of such gatherings in supporting girl children to live their lives with dignity and pride. He highlighted that this, in turn, will contribute immensely to the socio-economic development of the state.

Sond described ‘Dhiyan Di Lohri’ as a vital initiative that can transform the destiny of girls in society. He underscored the necessity of holding such sustainable efforts throughout the year to effectively spread this message. He further stated that these functions align with the teachings of the great Sikh Gurus, who advocated for the respect and honour of women, as they give birth to kings and future leaders.

Sond noted that girls today are excelling in several fields including academics, medical, science, sports and etc. He remarked that the country is making progress, with more girls reaching new heights in their careers.

The Minister also mentioned that the Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is implementing numerous initiatives aimed at women’s empowerment. He added that efforts are underway to raise awareness about improving the gender ratio, with many girls currently holding top level government jobs and other prestigious positions.

Present at the event were Secretary Tourism and Cultural Affairs and Information and Public Relations, Malwinder Singh Jaggi, Director Tourism and Cultural Affairs Amrit Singh, senior district officials and other dignitaries.

Chandigarh, January 10:

In the Annual polls of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Press Gallery Committee 2025, journalist Ashwani Chawla (Sach Kahoon) today got elected as the President. During the course of polls, the entire journalist fraternity expressed unanimity on the name of Ashwani Chawla and decided to elect him as the President unopposed.

In the aftermath, the names of Mr. Amit Pandey and Mr. Deepak Sharma were proposed for election to the posts of Vice President and Secretary of the Press Gallery Committee, respectively. They too were declared elected unopposed as no other candidate came forward to contest against them. Hence, they were elected with unanimity.

The Vidhan Sabha Press Gallery Committee advises the Speaker of the State’s Vidhan Sabha to resolve any issues being faced by the journalists and facilitate them. On the advice rendered by the committee, the Speaker takes the decisions for the welfare of the journalist fraternity.

Chandigarh, January 9 – Haryana Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini said that the state’s double-engine government is consistently working towards the welfare of farmers. Our goal is to enhance farmers’ income and make them economically prosperous. He said that 70 percent of the state’s farmers own less land, necessitating a special strategy for their upliftment. The Chief Minister further said that the upcoming budget must include provisions aimed at increasing farmers’ profits to empower them economically.

The Chief Minister was addressing a pre-budget consultation meeting at Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University in Hisar today, where he took suggestions from progressive farmers regarding their upliftment. Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Sh. Shyam Singh Rana, Public Health Engineering Minister Sh. Ranbir Gangwa, MLA Sh Vinod Bhyana,and Sh. Randhir Panihar were also present.

During the discussion, the Chief Minister engaged in one-on-one interactions with the farmers. In the first session, over 52 suggestions were shared by the farmers. Along with progressive farmers, agricultural experts also participated in the session. In the second session, discussions were held with farmers associated with Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and members of the FPO federation also contributed their suggestions.

 *Government working to ensure good income for farmers with small landholdings*

The Chief Minister said that the suggestions shared during today’s discussions will be incorporated into the upcoming budget. He said that the state government is particularly focused on the welfare of farmers, with special attention being given to increasing their income and strengthening their position. He said that agriculture contributes 18 percent to Haryana’s GDP and expressed the government’s intention to implement measures that would ensure small landholding farmers can earn a good income. For this, initiatives like e-mandi and other options are being developed.

The Chief Minister further remarked that, in the past, transporting produce to the market was a significant challenge. However, under the leadership of Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi, the country’s road and rail connectivity network has been significantly strengthened, making it easier to transport crops across regions. He highlighted the progress made by the country over the last 10 years, particularly under the Prime Minister’s leadership. Today, the government is introducing new initiatives to benefit farmers, including the promotion of organic farming. The Chief Minister also praised the efforts of Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat in advancing organic farming practices.

*Farmers should adopt crop diversification*

The Chief Minister urged farmers to adopt crop diversification, encouraging them to move away from traditional farming practices. He said that diversification could significantly increase farmers’ income. He also encouraged farmers to focus on the production of coarse grains, adding that the Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi has made efforts to bring coarse grains to the global stage.

During his address, the Chief Minister highlighted the success of strawberry farming in village Syadhwa, Hisar, praising the hard work of local farmers in cultivating strawberries. He also mentioned the cultivation of Kinnow in Sirsa. He stressed that farmers must explore innovative approaches beyond traditional farming to improve their income and achieve sustainable growth.

*People can give suggestions online regarding Budget 2025*

The Chief Minister said that the state government has launched a portal for receiving suggestions related to the General Budget of Haryana for the year 2025-26. Through this portal, common citizens, progressive farmers, and representatives associated with Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) can submit their suggestions. He assured that these suggestions would be taken into account and incorporated into the budget.

Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Sh. Rajesh Khullar, Additional Chief Secretary Finance Department, Sh Anurag Rastogi, Additional Chief Secretary Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department, Sh. Raja Shekhar Vundru, Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Dr. Saket Kumar, Vice Chancellor of Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Prof. BR Kamboj and other dignitaries were present on this occasion.

Chandigarh, January 9:

While addressing the audience at the International Trade Promotion Council of India (TPCI)’s flagship food trade show, Indusfood, held in Noida, Punjab’s Minister for Tourism, Cultural Affairs, Industry & Commerce, and Investment Promotion, Tarunpreet Singh Sond, extended an open invitation to CEOs and delegates from national and international companies to visit Punjab. He emphasized that Punjab offers an ideal environment for business and industry.

Highlighting the peaceful, prosperous, and inclusive atmosphere of Punjab, Minister Sond described the state as an unparalleled destination for businesses and industries to thrive. He stated that Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and his team are working diligently and with utmost commitment to boost the state’s industrial growth.

Indusfood witnessed participation from nearly 3,500 exhibitors from 105 countries, representing the global food industry. As the Chief Guest, Minister Sond honored the CEOs and delegates of renowned companies and expressed his satisfaction at the opportunity to showcase Punjab’s industry-friendly policies to global business leaders under one roof.

While addressing the representatives of various companies, Sond announced that the Punjab Government plans to organize an International Food Festival in Punjab this November. This event will invite international companies working in the food and allied sectors to participate and explore investment opportunities.

The minister also shared insights into Punjab’s pro-business initiatives, including the single-window system facilitated by Invest Punjab to ease investment processes. He assured complete support and assistance to investors, emphasizing the government’s commitment to fostering industrial development.

Sond stressed that CM Bhagwant Singh Mann’s vision is to elevate Punjab’s food sector to a global level. To achieve this, the Punjab Government is making concerted efforts to establish state brands like Verka, Sohna, and Five Rivers on international platforms. He noted the growing global demand for Punjab’s products, which reflects the success of these initiatives.

Minister Sond held separate meetings with representatives of companies interested in investing in Punjab. He also congratulated TPCI Chairman Mohit Singla for organizing the international food trade show and suggested establishing a TPCI Punjab chapter to further strengthen trade ties.

Acknowledging the encouragement received from Punjab Food Commission Chairman Bal Mukund Sharma, Sond expressed his satisfaction at motivating numerous international companies and business leaders to consider investing in Punjab.

He extended special thanks to Monica Gaur, Director of the Union Ministry of Commerce, for her significant contributions to the event.

Chandigarh, January 9

The Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is is actively working to boost agricultural infrastructure. To fulfill this objective, under the guidance of Horticulture Minister Mr. Mohinder Bhagat, Punjab is continuously leading the nation by approving over 20,000 agricultural projects under the AIF scheme to further strengthen agricultural infrastructure.

Horticulture Minister Mohinder Bhagat shared that Punjab is leading the country in approving projects for agricultural infrastructure development. He highlighted that Punjab’s banks have approved 20,024 agricultural projects worth Rs.7,670 crore so far. In comparison, Madhya Pradesh has approved 11,135 projects, Maharashtra 9,611, Tamil Nadu 7,323, and Uttar Pradesh 7,058 projects.

He said that the Horticulture Department in Punjab is implementing the Central Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) Scheme in a significant manner to promote agricultural development and further strengthen the economy of farmers in the state.

He mentioned that the Horticulture Department of Punjab is functioning as the State Nodal Agency for implementing the AIF scheme. He added that to ensure the effective implementation of this scheme, the department has launched a WhatsApp helpline number 9056092906. He said that anyone can send a message to this number to receive detailed information about the scheme.

Chandigarh, January 9

The Chairman of the Punjab State Child Rights Protection Commission, Mr. Kanwardeep Singh, has recommended to the Punjab School Education Department that school timings be changed for the convenience of children due to the severe cold and dense fog.

Providing further details, Chairman Kanwardeep Singh stated that children in the state are currently facing significant challenges due to extreme cold and dense fog. Furthermore, younger children are hesitant to attend school because of the bad weather conditions. He recommended that the timings of both government and private schools be changed to start from 10 AM until January 31 to ensure the comfort and safety of students.

He also mentioned that there have been reports of accidents involving school buses over the past two days due to dense fog. To prevent any unfortunate incidents, the commission has decided to recommend this adjustment.