IEP Chandigarh January 23

Aiming to curb the menace of corruption in the state, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) on Tuesday arrested Bikramjit Singh, a Collection Manger, of IDFC Bank, at Feroze Gandhi Market, Ludhiana for demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 40,000.

Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the state VB said this case has been registered against the above mentioned employee of a private bank on a complaint lodged by Ravinder Kumar, a resident of Sarabha Nagar, Ludhiana.

He further added that the complainant has approached the VB range Ludhiana and recorded his statement that he is running a readymade garments shop named Silver Mod Fashions at Pakhowal road, Ludhiana. The complainant had taken a loan of Rs 13,32,379 for 4 years on 30.9.20 from the above said IDFC Bank under Grand Emergency Credit Line (GECL) scheme of RBI. He approached the said collection manager to close his loan account by clearing all remaining amount/instalments. After discussions he repaid all the loan amount but his loan account was not closed. When he met the said Collection Manager in this regard, he demanded Rs 40,000 as a bribe for getting the loan account closed from senior officers of the bank.

The spokesperson further informed that since the accused Collection Manager is a bank official and as per section 46-A of Banking Regulation Act 1946, he is deemed to be a public servant under prevention of corruption act. After a preliminary investigation of this complaint, the VB range Ludhiana laid a trap and the accused bank official has been arrested while accepting a bribe of Rs 40,000 from the complainant in his shop in the presence of two official witnesses. In this regard a case under prevention of corruption act has been registered at VB police station Ludhiana range against the accused Collection Manger Bikramjit Singh. Further investigation is under progress and the accused would be produced in the competent court tomorrow, he added.

IEP Chandigarh, January 23

Punjab Horticulture Minister S. Chetan Singh Jauramajra, on Tuesday, met a high-level delegation from Israel to explore opportunities for collaboration in advancing agricultural technologies in Punjab. Building on the existing partnership in horticulture projects, the meeting emphasized the need for a digital revolution in farming.

During the meeting with Ms. Hadas Bakst, Political Domestic Advisor Embassy of Israel New Delhi, at his office here at Punjab Civil Secretariat, Cabinet Minister S. Chetan Singh Jauramajra stated that the underground water in Punjab is depleting rapidly, a critical issue that needs urgent attention. He asked the Israel delegation to provide high-yielding and disease/virus-free horticultural varieties requiring less water. The Cabinet Minister also called for providing farm-to-market technology to facilitate the marketing of all Kinnow produce in the event of a bumper crop in the state.

He highlighted key areas for collaboration, including digital solutions for pest control, climate and soil monitoring systems, AI for crop yields, decision support systems, drones for harvesting and sprays, as well as precision farming software solutions. The discussion also touched upon the potential of year-round cultivation in greenhouses and hydroponic farming to address the increasing demand for food.

The Horticulture Minister, while emphasizing the introducing high-tech agricultural machinery, harvesting machines, tree shakers, cultivators, rotary mulchers and special field robots, focused on extending to sensor technology-based irrigation systems and innovative storage solutions for efficient and sustainable farming.

Addressing the need for advancements in citrus cultivation, S. Chetan Singh Jauramajra proposed the integration of By-Product Technologies to manage bio-waste effectively.  He said that on an average a single piece of Kinnow mandarin fruit contains 45-50% juice and the rest of the percentage is occupied by peel, rag and seeds, which so far of no use. So introduction of new machinery at processing units for management of bio-waste of citrus such as extraction of limonin, peel oil etc. will help a lot.

He also asked to introduce new patented citrus varieties, rootstocks resistant to pests and the cultivation of new crops like Dragon Fruit and Raspberries.

In the vegetable sector, the Minister advocated for the introduction of Parthenocarpic (seedless) varieties of melons, single-picking varieties of peas and tomatoes suitable for mechanization and brinjal varieties resistant to fruit and shoot borers. He stressed the importance of vegetables grafting with rootstock resistant to pests and diseases, as well as the development of processing varieties of vegetables, especially tomatoes.

The Cabinet Minister underlined the need for biodegradable and slow-release fertilizer technology in horticulture, along with the utilization of bio-pesticide technology to control pests and diseases. He proposed the incorporation of instant sensor-based technologies to detect nutrient deficiencies in horticultural crops.

Looking towards the future, the Minister expressed interest in adopting global trends in agricultural extension systems. Besides this, he conveyed the intention to send a delegation of 10 to 20 officers to Israel to witness firsthand the innovative technologies that could be implemented in Punjab, ultimately enhancing the livelihoods of farmers in the region.

Director Horticulture Mrs. Shailender Kaur also emphasized on integrated value chain Center of Excellence establishment in Punjab in collaboration with Israel technology to reduce Post harvest losses in horticulture crops.

Ms. Hadas Bakst said that Israel is keen to enhance technological collaboration in agriculture and horticulture sectors with the state of Punjab. She mentioned that experts level meetings will be held in February and March, which will focus on delivering the latest technology and introducing new horticultural varieties to address the state’s depleting groundwater issues. Besides this, Ms. Hadas highlighted the ongoing operation of two centers of excellence in Punjab by government of Israel, emphasizing the continued sharing of agricultural technologies.

Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included; Director Horticulture Mrs. Shailender Kaur, Assistant Director Horticulture Dr. Harpreet Singh, Dr. Daljit Singh and Dr. Balwinder Singh, Horticulture Development Officer Mrs. Balwinderjit Kaur and other officials.

IEP Chandigarh January 23

The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB), during its ongoing campaign against corruption in the state, has registered a corruption case against five accused including a doctor and his assistant for taking bribe  in lieu of issuing a false medico legal report (MLR). In this case an accused employee of civil hospital Ferozepur has been arrested.

Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the state VB said in this case five accused have been booked  under section 7, 7-A of prevention of corruption act and 193, 465, 466, 471, 120-B of IPC which included Dr Shashi Bhushan, posted at civil hospital Ferozepur and his assistant Ram Prasad alias Chotu, a class-IV employee in the hospital besides three private persons namely Rekha, her father Shammi and mother Asha, all residents of Khateek Mandi, Ferozepur Cantonment.

He further informed that during the investigation of a complaint in this regard, it was found that the complainant Tarsem had a quarrel with his wife Rekha in which his right hand bone and left leg bone were broken by his in-laws on 09.07.2020. In this regard a case in police station, Ferozepur city had been registered against his wife Rekha, mother-in-law Asha, father-in-law Sammi, and brother-in-law Sonu.

The complainant informed the VB that It on 24.02.2021, he had checked through his mobile phone application, that his wife Rekha and her family members were giving bribe to the above mentioned class-4 employee Ram Prasad alias Chhotu which was to be handed over to Dr. Shashi Bhushan for issuing a false MLR so as to register a forged case against the complainant Tarsem. Chhotu was playing the role of middleman in the negotiations for accepting and further passing the bribe to accused doctor.

The spokesperson further added that on the basis of this false MLR a police case was registered against the said Tarsem and his father Rafiq. During the probe the said MLR was found to be a false according to the records obtained from the Civil Hospital Ferozepur. The complainant submitted a CD to the VB as an evidence against above said family members of his in-laws including Ram Prasad and Dr. Shashi Bhushan which established the falseness of issuing a fake medical certificate in lieu of taking a huge bribe from the said accused.

He further informed that on basis of investigation by VB range Ferozepur, this case has been registered against all the accused and arrested an employee Ram Prasad. The VB is on the hunt to arrest the remaining accused. Further investigation into this case was under progress, he said.

IEP Chandigarh, January 19

          Ahead of the General Elections to Lok Sabha 2024, a nationwide awareness programme on Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) is underway to provide citizens with a firsthand experience of the voting process and familiarity with the machines.

          Divulging the details, a spokesperson said that the awareness programme which is organised ahead of every General Election to Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assembly focuses on imparting knowledge about the basic features of EVMs and VVPATs, elucidating the step-by-step procedure of casting votes, and educating voters on how to verify their choices through the VVPAT slip. Awareness through physical demonstration fosters deeper understanding of EVM & VVPAT functionality and is instrumental in dispelling misconceptions, boosting voter confidence and ensuring a more informed and participative electorate.

          He further said that the programme includes outreach and awareness activities in 3464 Assembly Constituencies spread across 613 Districts in 31 States/UTs (other than 5 states that went for polls recently). Over 3500 demonstration centres and around 4250 mobile vans have been set up to physically demonstrate EVM/VVPAT functionality to the public. CEOs and DEOs are also sharing the updates on social media platforms to enhance the outreach of this awareness programme.

IEP Chandigarh, January 19

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday expressed profound grief and sorrow over the martyrdom of 23 years old Army Jawan Ajay Singh, who attained martyrdom while performing his duty.

In a statement issued here, the Chief Minister said that Agniveer Ajay Singh, who hailed from village Ramgarh Sardaran near Khanna, attained martyrdom in a landmine blast. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that brave jawan laid his life while performing duty at Jammu and Kashmir. He said that it is an irreparable loss for the country in general and for the distressed family in particular.

The Chief Minister extended his sympathies with the bereaved family of the brave martyr and said that the Punjab government is with the family of Agniveer in this hour of grave crisis. He said that this martyr displayed utmost dedication to perform his duty valiantly adding that the supreme sacrifice of the martyr will ever inspire youngsters. Bhagwant Singh Mann also informed that monetary assistance to be extended to the bereaved family according to the policy of the state government.

IEP Chandigarh, January 19

 Balkar Singh, Local Government Minister, distributed trophies and certificates to the winners at a State Level ceremony held at Punjab Municipal Bhawan, Sector 35, Chandigarh. He expressed his satisfaction with the quality of entries and announced that more initiatives would be taken to encourage and recognize the transformative efforts made by cities and wards across the State in creating beautiful, innovative, and inclusive public spaces.

Local Government Minister Balkar Singh said that The Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, Government of India, organized the City Beauty Competition, wherein Municipal Corporations and Councils from various cities participated. A total of 46 entries from Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in the State qualified for the competition. The competition focused on judging wards and public spaces against five key pillars: Accessibility, Amenities, Activities, Aesthetics, and Ecology. Aesthetics held the maximum weightage of 50%.

Balkar Singh further added that after a thorough evaluation by a jury consisting of Town Planners, Heritage, Environment, and Fine Arts Experts, the top five entries in different categories were selected. The winners include UBDC Canal Waterfront Project in Amritsar for the Waterfront category, goal Bagh Amrit Project for the Park category, Sarabha Nagar Ward in Ludhiana for the Ward category, Phase-3B2 Market in SAS Nagar for the Commercial Space category, and the Redevelopment of Walled City Project near Golden Temple in Amritsar for the Heritage category.

          Minister Balkar Singh recommended these five winning entries to the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, Government of India, for participation in the National Level City Beauty Competition. This signifies the commitment of the State towards fostering aesthetically pleasing and sustainable urban environments.

IEP Chandigarh, January 17

          Punjab Sports Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer has expressed deep grief over the sad demise of legendary Kabaddi player and coach Devi Dayal. Kabaddi legend, who was 76 years old, passed away last evening.

          In his condolence message, Meet Hayer said that Devi Dayal’s contributions to the Kabaddi game cannot be forgotten. He took the Kabaddi to the international level. He said that the memorial services performed by Devi Dayal in the sports field will always be remembered with respect.

          The Sports Minister said that after making a name as a player in the country and abroad, Devi Dayal also served the Kabaddi game for a long time as a coach and sports officer in the sports department. He retired as a Senior Kabaddi Coach from the Sports Department in 2005.

          Meet Hayer prayed to Almighty to grant eternal peace to the departed soul and to grant strength to the entire sports field including the family to bear the loss.

IEP Chandigarh, January 17

Unfazed by threats of some radical forces to his life, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday categorically said that he is the custodian of peace, progress and prosperity of the state and intimidations cannot stop him from this noble task.

Interacting with the media persons here on the sidelines of a function to hand over job letters to youth, the Chief Minister said that such threats are a natural outcome of the zero tolerance policy adopted by the state government to foil the nefarious designs of anti-Punjab forces. He said that these people are trying to disturb the hard earned peace of the state but his government will not allow these fissiparous forces to succeed in their evil designs. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Punjab being a border state is hostile to such challenges both from within and outside the state adding that they will face it valiantly by not succumbing to such threats.

The Chief Minister said that the masterminds of such anti-Punjab stances have taken shelter in countries abroad but we are trying to bring them back and punish them for their sins. He said that the countries that are haven to such dreaded criminals should also send these hardcore criminals back to the state in the larger interest of world peace. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Indian government should also take steps to bring such dreaded anti-national criminals back to the country and punish them as per the law of land.

Taking a jibe over Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu, the Chief Minister described him as a ‘fugitive’ who ran away from discharging duty when he was offered the charge of Power minister. He said that now when the state government has started a reverse trend by purchasing a private Thermal Power Plant, Sidhu is making baseless and misleading statements. Bhagwant Singh Mann reminded the Congress leader that ‘little knowledge is dangerous’ adding that the former MP must verify his facts before giving any statement.

The Chief Minister reiterated that Punjab will emerge as a lighthouse by giving all the 13 seats of Lok Sabha to them in the coming general polls. He said that the state government has done marvelous work for the welfare of the people, so the masses will once again stand with them. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that history will be created in the state by 13-0, where 13 seats will be verdict in favor of pro-people policies of the state government and the opposition will be badly renounced by people for their anti-Punjab stance.

IEP New Delhi/ Chandigarh

Due to concerted efforts of the state government led by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Ambassadors of the various countries on Wednesday evinced keen interest in making huge investments in the state.

During the meetings with the Ambassadors, the Chief Minister showcased Punjab as a land of opportunities and invited them to encourage the companies of their respective countries to invest in the state. He said that companies will be immensely benefited by investing in the state, which is rapidly emerging as the industrial hub of the country. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Punjab has complete communal harmony, peace and amity, which are mainly responsible for overall development and prosperity in the state.

The Chief Minister said that the foreign companies should make optimum use of this congenial atmosphere backed by excellent infrastructure, power, skilled human resources and best industrial and work culture to spread their business. Extending a red carpet welcome to the companies, he said that the state government was always open for new ideas and innovations to boost up the industrial growth in Punjab. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the day is not far away when Punjab will emerge as the industrial hub of the country.

In a meeting with Australian Ambassador Phillip Green, the Chief Minister underlined the need for mutual cooperation in varied fields to further boost economy of Australia as well as that of Punjab. He said that there is a huge potential of investment in agriculture, sports industry, cattle feed, education and others in Punjab. Bhagwant Singh Mann invited the Australian companies to invest in the state adding that it will be mutually beneficial for Australia and Punjab.

During meeting with Ambassador of United Kingdom Alex Ellis, the Chief Minister said that there was a huge scope of mutual growth between Punjab and UK in Agri-Food Processing sector in terms of Processing for poultry, pork, value added dairy products, fruit Juice concentrate manufacturing, potato Processing, food Packaging and ready to Eat/Confectionary Items. Likewise, he said that both UK and Punjab can also be benefitted from strategic tie ups in Pharmaceuticals, Engineering, Information Technology and Chemical sectors adding he invited the UK universities to set up their campuses in Punjab. Bhagwant Singh Mann also reminded the Ambassador about the pivotal role being played by Punjabis in socio-economic development of United Kingdom adding he also flagged the issue of providing Direct flight connectivity between UK and Punjab to facilitate the passengers.

In a meeting with Ambassador of Brazil Kenneth H. da Nobrega, the Chief Minister said that there was a huge scope of investment by the Brazilian companies especially in sectors like Agro Food Processing, New and Renewable Source of Energy, Logistics, Information and Technology and Chemicals. He said that Brazilian companies can be immensely benefitted by investing in the state as apart from fertile land the state has a pool of skilled and hard working manpower which can be of immense use for them. Bhagwant Singh Mann assured that the state will provide fulsome support and cooperation to the Brazalian companies desirous of investing in the state.

During deliberations with Ambassador of Spain José María Ridao, the Chief Minister apprised him that Punjab exports major products like basmati rice, bulk drugs, products of steel and iron, auto components, agro-chemicals, cotton fabrics, madeups and others to Spain and the total value of these exports was Rs 510.35 crores. He said that there is further a huge scope of investment in sectors of Agro food processing, Aerospace and Defence, New and Renewable Source of Energy, Information and Technology and Auto/ Automobile components. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that Spain is the 16th largest Foreign Direct Investor (FDI) in India and Punjab can also be immensely benefitted from it.

In a meeting with Malaysian Ambassador Dato Muzafar Shah Mustafa, the Chief Minister apprised him that Punjab has emerged as a most preferred Tourist destination and state government is already promoting tourism on a large scale. He said that strategic tie up between Punjab and Malaysia especially in Tourism and diaspora can be immensely beneficial for both. Likewise, he also said that there is a huge scope of investment in the state in sectors like Manufacturing, Information and technology, Energy and Agriculture and Food Processing.

During a meeting with Ambassador of Netherlands Mrs. Marie Louisa Gerards, the Chief Minister said that it is heartening to know that Netherlands is the fourth largest Foreign Direct Investor (FDI) in India. He said that companies from Netherlands have already invested in Punjab and he had also performed the groundbreaking ceremony of De Heus factory at Vividha Industrial Park, Rajpura in October 2023. Likewise, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Centre of Excellence for Potato crop is an Indo-Dutch Project is running successfully and the Dutch government, in collaboration with Dutch organizations Solidaridad, PUM (an organization founded by VNO-NCW and Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs) is working with textile finishing cluster in Ludhiana adding he said that there is a huge scope of investment in several other sectors like Food Processing, Logistics, Alloys and Steels, Pharmaceuticals and Information Technology.