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.

IEP Chandigarh, January 13

          In line with the directives of Rural Development & Panchayat Minister S. Laljit Singh Bhullar, the department has suspended the services of Mamdot’s Block Development and Panchayat Officer (BDPO) Sarabjit Singh with immediate effect. Sarabjit Singh was apprehended by the Vigilance Bureau yesterday for accepting bribe from sarpanches.

          During the suspension period, the employee’s headquarters will be at the office of the District Development and Panchayat Officer, Ferozepur.

          Meanwhile, asserting the commitment to ensuring corruption-free governance, Rural Development and Panchayat Minister S. Laljit Singh Bhullar reiterated that Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann-led government will not tolerate any form of corruption. He affirmed that action against corrupt officials will be pursued to a logical conclusion.

IEP Chandigarh, January 13

Punjab Sports Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer on Saturday has congratulated the Faridkot based Shooter Sift Kaur Samra for winning the Gold and Silver Medal at the Asian Championship being held in Jakarta. Sift won gold in the team event and silver in the individual event.

Meet Hayer said that Sift Kaur Samra has made the name of the state and the country bright with her continuous good performance. Sift won Gold and Silver medals in the Asian Games last year with a World record. She also Won a bronze medal in the World Cup. She also qualified for the Paris Olympic Games.

The Sports Minister said that the Punjab Government led by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is fully committed to uplifting the standard of sports in the State to make it regain its pristine glory on the world stage. Under the new sports policy, while cash prizes are being given to the players, cash prizes are also being given for the preparation of sports competitions.

Meet Hayer has also congratulated Sift Kaur Samra’s parents and coach for her achievements. In the ongoing Asian Championship-2024 (Rifle/Pistol) held in Jakarta, Sift Kaur Samra won the Silver medal in the individual category by scoring 460.6 points while the Gold Medal winner Korea’s Eunseo Lee scored 462.5 points. Sift won a Gold medal in the team category.

IEP Chandigarh, January 11

The Punjab government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is working for the interests of all sections and is committed to the welfare of the employees.

Taking a step forward in this direction, Social Security, Women, and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur, in a meeting with the All Punjab Supervisors Association at her office in the Punjab Civil Secretariat, Chandigarh today, instructed officials that promotion cases of CDPOs from supervisors should be cleared as soon as possible.

This meeting was held in a very comfortable environment. Dr. Baljit Kaur mentioned that various demands of the All Supervisors Association were discussed in detail.

The Minister carefully listened to the demands of the representatives of the Supervisors Association including filling up vacant supervisor posts, reducing the probationary period of supervisors from 3 years to one year and promoting CDPOs from supervisors.

After carefully considering the demands of the association, Dr. Baljit Kaur assured the association that their legitimate demands would be accepted soon.

Deputy Director of Social Security, Women and Child Development Department Sukhdeep Singh Jhajj was especially present on this occasion.

IEP Chandigarh, January 11

          Following the commitment of the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to provide government jobs to the youth of the state, Social Security, Women, and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur today handed over appointment letters to 5 clerks at her office in the Punjab Civil Secretariat, Chandigarh.

          On this occasion, the Cabinet Minister congratulated the newly appointed employees and urged them to work honestly. She mentioned that this department works for the welfare of people from different sections of society. Therefore, it is the duty of the employees to always perform their duties with a service spirit.

          Dr. Baljit Kaur stated that the Chief Minister, Bhagwant Singh Mann’s government in Punjab, is providing new employment opportunities as promised to Punjabis so that the youth do not have to go abroad to fulfill their dreams.

          Highlighting the dream of the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Dr. Baljit Kaur said that our state government is working towards making Punjab “Rangala Punjab,” due to which the Punjab government has provided employment to around 40 thousand youth during its tenure.

          On this occasion, Deputy Director of Social Security, Women and Child Development Department Sukhdeep Singh Jhajj was specially present.

IEP Chandigarh, January 11

Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan will hoist the national flag on January 26, 2024 at Rupnagar on the occasion of Republic Day.

The spokesperson of the Punjab government, while giving this information, said that according to the change made in the earlier program, Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan will hoist the national flag hoisting ceremony at Rupnagar instead of Bathinda on the occasion of Republic Day.

The spokesperson Further stated that according to the revised program, Minister of Power and Public Works Punjab S. Harbhajan Singh ETO now the national flag will be hoisted at Bathinda Instead of Rupnagar.

IEP Chandigarh, January 11

Punjab Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar on Thursday said that the state government is committed to regularize the contractual drivers and conductors of Punjab Roadways/Punbus.

The Transport Minister gave this assurance while presiding over a meeting with the employees of Punjab Roadways/Punbus State Transport Workers Union and Punjab Government Transport Workers Union at his office in Punjab Civil Secretariat. He said that the case of regularization of contract based drivers and conductors in Punjab Roadways/ Punbus is being considered symptomatically by the three-member sub-committee constituted on the directions of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann.

Cabinet Minister asked the Secretary Transport S. Dilraj Singh Sandhawalia to speed up the process of promotions in the department. He also ordered that action should be expedited regarding compassionate appointments in Punjab Roadways/Punbus so that the heirs of the deceased employees do not have to suffer. He said that it is the primary duty of the government to secure the future of the family of the deceased employees.

The Transport Minister also instructed the officials not to delay the process of passing of government buses.

Seeking report from officials regarding the buses plying illegally, the Transport Minister asked them to make personal visits to make sure that not even a single illegal bus on road. He said that the complaints regarding the time-table of the buses should also be resolved at the earliest.

Lending a sympathetic ear to the demand of the employees, Cabinet Minister S. Laljit Singh Bhullar said that the department will consider the deployment of drivers and conductors, who appointed faraway places, to near their homes. He instructed the officials that immediate planning should be done regarding this matter. He also ordered to give a report regarding the condition of the buildings and workshops of the department. Wherever necessary, repairs should be done immediately, he added.

Secretary Transport S. Dilraj Singh Sandhawalia, Director State Transport Ms. Amandeep Kaur and other officials were also present in the meeting.

IEP Chandigarh, January 11

Punjab Horticulture Minister S. Chetan Singh Jauramajra, on Thursday, assured the representatives of the Punjab Potato Grower Association of the state of all possible assistance.

Presiding over a meeting in his office here at the Punjab Civil Secretariat, the Cabinet Minister, sympathetically responded to the main demand of providing subsidy on potato diggers, and directed Mrs. Shailender Kaur, Director, Horticulture, to formulate a comprehensive scheme under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY). Emphasizing the importance of embracing cutting-edge technology, the Cabinet Minister mandated the consideration of latest and efficient methods for potato digging.

Considering another demand of the association of setting up of Disease Testing Lab at the Dhogri Indo Dutch Centre for Excellence for potatoes, S. Chetan Singh Jauramajra tasked the Director Horticulture to thoroughly examine the feasibility of this proposition. The Director apprised the Horticulture Minister that a lab is coming up at this Centre.

During the deliberations, the potato growers informed that the revenue generated is one-third of the total acreage in the economy through potato seeds. The potato growers asked for the notification of seed potato areas, which was agreed by the Cabinet Minister. He mentioned that a draft proposal would be sent to prevent the circulation of spurious seed potatoes, causing huge loss to Seed potato.

IEP Bhagraul (Dirba), January 11

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Thursday visited the house of Havildar Jaspal Singh, who attained martyrdom during line of duty, and handed over a cheque of Rs 1 crore to his family as a mark of respect.

Expressing profound grief and sorrow over the martyrdom of martyr Havildar Jaspal Singh, who was posted in 9 Mahar, the Chief Minister said the country would always remain indebted to martyr for laying down his life in service of nation. He said that though it is an irreparable loss for the country in general and for the distressed family in particular and it cannot be repaid at any cost, the government has made a humble effort in honour of the martyr. Bhagwant Singh Mann emphasized that martyrs belong not only to a single family or state but to the entire nation.

The Chief Minister said the state government stands by the family in this hour of grief and would leave no stone unturned to provide all possible assistance. He said that the people of the country will always remain indebted to the sacrifice of Havildar Jaspal Singh. Paying tributes to the martyred, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he has brought laurels to the country and especially Punjab by displaying his bravery, commitment and courage in the line of duty.