IEP Chandigarh, January 9

In a New Year gift to the youth of the state, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann today handed over appointment letters to 520 newly recruited Clerks cum Data Entry Operators in the Punjab State Cooperative Bank.

Addressing the gathering here at Tagore Theatre after handing over the appointment letters, the Chief Minister said that this is not a first function as the state government has handed over job letters to more then 40,000 youth in the state. He said that the state government is making strenuous efforts for restoring the pristine glory of Punjab by making youth a partner in this noble cause. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Punjab is a blessed land as every second village of the state has footprints of great Gurus and the state has produced valiant sons who had laid their lives for the country.

The Chief Minister said that Punjabis are born entrepreneurs and leaders due to which they have proved their mettle across the globe. He said that the hard work and resilience of the Punjabis is unmatched owing to which they excel in every sphere. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this spirit of Punjabis can be duly used for taking the state ahead adding that the state government is fully committed to it.

The Chief Minister said that the brave and determined Punjabis had made enormous sacrifices to remove the shackles of foreign imperialism. He said that it is on record that more than 90% of the great patriots who laid down their lives or were subjected to British tyranny in one form or another were Punjabis. Bhagwant Singh Mann asserted that even today Punjabis are at forefront to safeguard the borders of the country and make the country self-reliant in food production.

The Chief Minister said that as the head of the state his every action is aimed at ensuring the progress of the state and prosperity of its people. He said that unfortunately his predecessors were never bothered about the state but they were more concerned about their vested political interests. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that in dearth of any tangible issue against him, the rejected leaders of the state are baselessly criticizing him daily without any halt.

The Chief Minister said that the state has created history by purchasing Goindwal power plant owned by a private company GVK Power. He said that for the first time this reverse trend has started that the government has purchased any private power plant whereas in the past the state governments used to sell their assets to the favorite individuals at ‘throw away’ prices. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that as coal from Pachwara coal mine can be used only for government power plants so with purchase of this power plant this coal can be aptly utilized for producing power to provide it to every sector of the state.

The Chief Minister said that now complete transformation is being witnessed in hospitals, schools and new medical colleges are coming up for the well being of the common man.  He said that these decisions are being taken only by those who are aware about the problems of the people at grass root levels. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the traditional political parties have ruined the state and now they are shamelessly making huge talks of morality.

The Chief Minister asserted that due to massive efforts made by the state government, Punjab is witnessing a massive Industrial Revolution in the state. He said that during the last 18 months some of the biggest companies like Tata Steel and others had made a beeline to invest in the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this is a step forward for making Punjab a frontrunner state and carving out Rangla Punjab.

Likewise, the Chief Minister said that due to concerted efforts of the state government Punjab has emerged as the most preferred investment destination in the country. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Punjab has so far attracted Investment of more than Rs 55000 crore which will create 2.95 lakh jobs for youngsters.  He said that more investments will be roped in during the coming days to give a boost to economic activity in the state.

The Chief Minister said that while in the last 75 years the youth were yearning for even a single job now they have got even three jobs within a year. He said that the earlier rulers had never bothered about the welfare of the state or its progress but the incumbent government is leaving no stone unturned for it. Bhagwant Singh Mann in the last 25 years only two people had ruled the state and exploited its resources for their vested personal interests.

Quoting verse ‘Pawan Guru, Paani Pitaah, Mata Dharat Mahat’ from Gurbani, the Chief Minister said that the great Gurus have equated air (pawan) with teacher, water (paani) with father and land (dharat) with mother. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that now the time has come when we must imbibe the teachings of Gurbani in our lives for restoring the pristine glory of the state by resolving to save the environment of the state. He said that the state government will leave no stone unturned for this noble cause but for it the youth must play an important role.

The Chief Minister urged the youth not to feel proud of their achievement but to stay humble and work hard for more success. He said that confidence and a positive approach should be basic traits of everyone’s personality but there should be no pride in it. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this is the key to success for charting the success in every field adding that this should be implemented in right earnest.

The Chief Minister said that this spree of giving jobs will not stop and on January 18, more job letters to 590 youth will be given. He said that the motive is to make youth an equal partner in the social and economic progress of the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government is committed for the well being of the youth of the state along with other sections of the society.

The Chief Minister exhorted the new recruits to judiciously use their post for the welfare of the people and securing justice for them rather than harassing them. He said that the state government is committed for ensuring the well being of the people for which stupendous efforts are being made. Reiterating the firm commitment of his government to ensure welfare of the state, Bhagwant Singh Mann no stone will be left unturned for this noble cause.

Quipping on the remark made by state BJP Chief regarding tableau of state, the Chief Minister said that misinformed leaders like Sunil Jakhar are becoming a stumbling block in the progress of the state. He said these leaders have ruined two generations of the state due to which they didn’t even turn up for the debate on November 1, last year. However, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the wise people of the state have ousted these leaders from the political arena and sent them to oblivion.

The Chief Minister said that the traditional parties are envious of him because he hails from a common family and is working tirelessly to ensure welfare of people. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that these leaders had always believed that they have divine right to rule the state due to which they are not able to digest that a common man is running the state efficiently. He said that these leaders have befooled the people for a long time but now people are not getting swayed by their misleading propaganda.

The Chief Minister said that gone are the days when the head of the state was confined to big rooms of their palaces whereas now he is always amongst the people. He said that all the promises made with the people by his government are being fulfilled in the right earnest to give boost to development of the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he is easily accessible to all due to which every issue of the state is now resolved promptly to the satisfaction of people.

The Chief Minister said that the Union government has insulted the great martyrs including Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Shaheed Rajguru, Shaheed Sukhdev, Lala Lajpat Rai, Shaheed Udham Singh, Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha, Mai Bhago, Ghadri Baabe and others by rejecting the tableau of the state. He said that the union government is trying to belittle their contribution and sacrifice of these heroes by not including their tableaus in the Republic Day parade. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this cannot be tolerated as it is the grave insult of these great patriots and national leaders adding that these leaders don’t need certificate nationalism from the BJP led Union government.

Earlier, Special Chief Secretary to CM VK Singh welcomed the Chief Minister and exhorted the newly inducted clerks to perform their duty meticulously for the well being of common man. He said that there is a huge potential of the bank in giving a major push to the industrial development of the state for which these clerks can play a pivotal role. VK Singh said that the youth of the state can act as a catalyst in strengthening the cooperative sector in the state.

IEP Chandigarh, January 9

Swift action is being taken to complete the backlog of divyang persons. This was expressed by Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister, Dr. Baljit Kaur, during a meeting with representatives of the Divyang persons today.

The Cabinet Minister stated that the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is committed to capacitate Divyang persons in the state. Today under the same initiative, Minister Discussions took place with to complete the backlog of divyang persons vacancies Special Chief Secretary of Social Security, Women and Child Development Mrs. Raji P. Srivastava and Deputy Director Amarjit Singh Bhullar.

Representatives of divyang persons raised demands about filling backlog posts, increasing travel allowance, providing free education facilities, hostel accommodations for college-going girls in Jamalpur, arranging free writer, increasing pensions, divyang sportspersons and reserve seats in government buses.

Dr. Baljit Kaur assured the representatives that their legitimate demands would be addressed soon. She mentioned that the Punjab government is diligently working to fill the backlog of posts reserved for the Divyang persons in various departments. The Minister instructed officials of Social Security, Women and Child Development Department to coordinate with the Department of Employment Generation and Training to organize a special job fair, so that expediting the process related to the backlog of divyang posts.

She directed officials to conduct regular meetings with all departments and take actions regarding the backlog.

IEP Chandigarh, January 9

The cabinet sub-committee comprising Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema and NRI Affairs Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal on Tuesday assured the transporters of the state that the State Government would share their concerns regarding provision contained in the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) prescribing punishment for causing death in a hit and run cases with the Union Government.

During a meeting with the representatives of truck and taxi unions of the state here at Punjab Bhavan, the Cabinet Sub-Committee discussed in detail the provision of punishment under Section 106 (2) of BNS for causing death due to rash and negligent driving, and escaping without reporting it to a police officer or a Magistrate soon after the incident. The main concern of the representatives of the transport unions was the manhandling of the driver of the commercial vehicle and damaging the vehicle by the mob after the accident.

The Cabinet Sub-Committee assured the unions that while sharing their concerns with the Union Government regarding this law, the Punjab government would pressurize to make necessary arrangements to ensure the safety of the driver in such cases. He also directed the state police department to ensure that action should taken against the culprits in the cases of beating up a driver by the mob after the accidents.

Regarding the demand made by the Union to take strict action against the commercial use of illegal vehicles involved in commercial activities, the Cabinet Sub-Committee directed the transport and the police department to take strict action against such vehicles immediately. Apart from this, the cabinet sub-committee also asked the transport department to give its suggestions after studying the demand of the representatives of the taxi unions regarding bringing change in the tax system according to the sitting capacity of the vehicle.

Secretary (Transport) Dilraj Singh, State Transport Commissioner Monish Kumar, ADGP (Intelligence) Jaskaran Singh, other senior officials of Transport and Police Department, and representatives of various transport and taxi unions of the state were present in the meeting.

IEP CHANDIGARH/AMRITSAR, January 8

          Following a vigorous follow-up investigation in a 19-kg heroin recovery case carried out as part of the decisive war against drugs launched on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab Police on Monday arrested three more members of Mannu Mahawa cartel and recovered an additional chunk 3.5kg heroin, taking the total recovery to 22.5 kg in this case.

          Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav has identified the arrested persons as Balraj Singh alias Kaka of village Lahorimal in Amritsar, Anmol Singh alias Laalu and Sarabjit Singh, both residents of Ranjhe di Haveli in Amritsar. With the arrest of these three more accused persons in this case, the total arrests have reached 10, he added.

          He said that apart from recovering heroin, Police teams have also recovered 10 live cartridges of .30 Bore and 9 live cartridges of 9 MM along with one car Safari from their possession.

          The development came a little over a week after the Commissionerate Police Amritsar had busted a cross-border drug and arms smuggling racket being operated by USA-based smuggler Manpreet alias Mannu Mahawa with the arrest of its two key persons and recovered 19kg heroin, Rs 23 lakh drug money, 7 pistols including one 9mm Glock and drone parts.

          Sharing more details, Commissioner of Police (CP) Amritsar Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said that following reliable inputs that wanted accused Anmol Singh alias Laalu along with his accomplices were spotted in area of Sultanwind, Police teams of CIA Staff-3 under supervision of DCP Harpreet Singh Mandher, ADCP CITY-3 Abhimanyu Rana, ACP Sarabjit Singh Bajwa conducted a special nakabandi and arrested three accused persons.

          He said that as per preliminary investigations, the accused were directly in touch with Pakistan-based smuggler Shah and USA-based Manu Mahawa, and were supplying Drugs and Arms-Ammunition across the state after smuggling from Pakistan via Drones. This consignment was also sent by Pak-based smugglers, he added.

          CP Bhullar said that further investigations are being conducted to probe the backward linkages and unearth the whole network of drug suppliers, dealers and their buyers.

          An FIR No 298 dated 31/12/2023 had already been registered under sections 21 and 29 of the NDPS Act and section 25 of the Arms Act at Police Station Islamabad.

IEP Chandigarh, January 8

          On the directions of the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Water Supply and Sanitation Minister Bram Shanker Jimpa visited Talwara Surface Water Project last evening. This project will provide clean and drinkable water to 197 villages of Talwara, Hajipur, Bhunga and Dasuya blocks. The project is scheduled to be completed by next year. It is pertinent to mention that through this project, a pipeline of about 231 km long is to be laid from Shah Canal Barrage.

          Jimpa said that the total cost of this project is Rs. 258.73 crore. After the completion of this project, the drinking water problem of the people of Kandi area will be solved.  Jimpa also issued directions for timely completion of the project and instructed that the work should be of high standard.

          He further said that the government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is dedicatedly working towards making the state ‘Rangla Punjab.’ For this purpose, all necessary facilities should be prioritized for villages. He said that the villages in which the ground water is not drinkable are being connected with canal water projects.

          On the occasion, MLA Karamvir Singh Ghumman, SE Vijay Kumar, Executive Engineer Anuj Sharma and other officers and employees of the department were present.

IEP Chandigarh, January 8

Punjab School Education Department under the guidance of Secretary, School Education Kamal Kishor Yadav is piloting a training of School Management Committee (SMC) members. This training is for SMCs of 117 Schools of Eminence, 10 Meritorious Schools and 8 Senior Secondary Girls Schools in the state and commenced today (8th January) and till 12th January.

          In the pilot, the capacity building sessions will be conducted in 145 schools for 600+ SMC members. This will guide the approach to training of 2.8 lakh SMC members across the state. The sessions are aimed at orienting the SMC members towards their roles and responsibilities in supporting the school and identifying and resolving the needs of the school. This initiative aims to build a strong sense of responsibility and ownership in SMCs and support the implementation of schemes in the schools. In an innovative step, the Department of School Education has made a documentary for SMC members and a Booklet, which will be used as a training resource.

          Towards bringing the Education Revolution in Punjab, parents and community members play a key role in their child’s learning and school’s development by being a part of SMCs. Only an aware, informed and invested SMC can truly actively participate in partnering with the school to enable change. Bringing schools and communities closer through SMCs and encouraging them to partner can be an uphill task- one which requires insight and initiative. Through this SMC capacity-building initiative, the Department of School Education, Punjab has taken great strides towards fostering partnerships between schools and communities.

          The Punjab model of transforming school education can be considered an example of the role of vision, leadership and governance in development. In recent times, government schools of Punjab have shown impressive performance in the state-wise evaluation of the National Achievement Survey. Initiatives such as the establishment of Schools of Eminence, Mission 100%, Mission Saksham, Mission Samrath and Edusat have significantly contributed to the improvement of school education in Punjab.

          One of the key focus areas for the government of Punjab has been building strong relationships with parents and community. In that regard, the Department of School Education, Punjab conducted initiatives such as Mega PTM and a statewide School Management Committee (SMC) formation process in May 2023, in which SMCs were formed across around 19000 government schools in the state. In a landmark move during the SMC formation process, the Department of School Education, Punjab mandated the inclusion of a student in all SMCs across the state.

          Mr. Churchil Kumar, IFS Special Secretary, School Education said that under section 21 of the Right to Education (RTE) Act mandates the constitution of School Management Committees (SMCs) in every government school across the country. SMCs are a platform for parents, students, teachers, school leaders and local government representatives to come together and work on issues for the welfare of the school.

IEP Chandigarh, January 8

          As part of the ongoing drive to make Punjab a drug-free state as per the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab Police on Monday conducted a massive state-level Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) at identified drug hotspots and vulnerable areas in all the 28 Police districts of the state. The operation was conducted on the directions of Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav.

          The operation was conducted from 8am to 2pm simultaneously across the state and Spl DGP/ADGP/IGP/DIG rank officers from Punjab Police Headquarters were deputed in each Police district to personally supervise the operation.

          The CPs/SSPs were told to plan this operation in a meticulous manner by identifying drug Hotspots— the points of sale of drugs and psychotropic substances in their respective districts or certain areas which have become shelter/safe haven for drug peddlers, to carry out this operation amid massive deployment of the police force.

          Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla, who joined Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ravjot Kaur Grewal in Fatehgarh Sahib, said that the state government has enforced a three-pronged strategy— Enforcement, Prevention and Rehabilitation— to eradicate drugs from the state.

          He said that the Punjab Police has not been leaving any stone unturned to make Punjab free from drugs. “These kinds of CASOs at a mass-scale level not only help in infusing fear among anti-social elements but also boost public confidence and increase the presence of the cops in the field,” he said.

          The Special DGP said that over 600 Police teams, comprising over 9000 police personnel, have cordoned off as many as 268 drug hotspots and as many as 5505 suspicious persons were frisked.

          During the operation, the Police registered 202 first information reports (FIRs) after arresting 48 persons, besides, apprehending 21 Proclaimed Offenders (POs), he said.

          Sharing outcomes, Spl DGP Arpit Shukla said that Police teams have recovered 1.9-Kg Heroin, ₹6.80 lakh drug money, 1.1-kg opium, 87.5kg poppy husk, 10125 intoxicant tablets, 18 injections, 885 litres of illicit liquor and 12350 litres lahan, besides, impounding 16 motorcycles and one car.

          Meanwhile, the operation was conducted after the identification of drug hotspots through data analysis by district police forces.

IEP Chandigarh, January 6

          On the directives of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann special camps were held on Saturday in all Tehsils and Sub-Tehsils across the State to resolve the pending cases of mutation.

 Revenue Minister Bram Shanker Jimpa said that these camps got massive response of people as more than 31538 pending mutation cases were resolved in these camps. This is the new record that in a single day such a large number of mutation cases were sorted out, said Jimpa adding that he personally visited the camp sites at Hoshiarpur, Phagwara, Phillaur, Ludhiana West, Ludhiana East and Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar Tehsils to inspect the  progress. He also interacted with the people to inspect the functioning of camps. He said that people also brought various petty problems being faced by them in offices and he directed the officials on the spot to resolve all said issues within short span of time.

Giving information about the special camps, the Minister said people got their pending mutations done on the spot. CM Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government is making all out efforts to minimise the hassle of people by providing requisite services in offices. He also urged the people if they face any issue for getting their works done in revenue office at any level they should WhatsApp their written complaint on helpline no. 8184900002 while the NRIs could send complaints on given number 9464100168.

 Pertinently, the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is making surprise visits in Tehsil Offices to inspect the functioning of revenue offices so people should not face any problem.

 The Minister also urged that people should not hesitate to register complaint against any officials, in case of demanded bribe, so that requisite action could ne initiate to maintain transparent administration across the state.

 As per reports received maximum mutations were done in Ludhiana districts with 6265 number followed by Gurdaspur with 2806 mutations. Similarly as many as 1818 cases of mutations were done in district Patiala, 2686 in Hoshiarpur, 883 in Kapurthala, 667 in Fathegarh Sahib, 693 in Taran Tarn, 1043 in Bathinda, 525 in Faridkot, 971 in Ferozpur, 838 in Moga, 1718 in Jalandhar,  646 in Mansa, 1324 in Amritsar, 537 in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, 814 in Pathankot, 768 in Sri Mukatsar Sahib, 1943 in Shahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, 567 in Barnala, 1326 in Roopnagar, 713 in Malerkotla, 1093 in Sangrur and 894 mutations were done in Fazilka district.

 IEP Chandigarh, January 6

 Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday announced that no parade of Republic Day will be held in any ground, with synthetic track, across the state.

 In a statement issued here today, the Chief Minister said that during the functions to commemorate Republic Day on January 26, the parades will be organised only on the grounds or stadiums without synthetic athletic tracks. He said that during the parade a number of tableaus and other events are organised to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the state and country. Bhagwant Singh Mann said said that during the functions the movement of vehicles and other machinery during the parade cause damage to the track.

 The Chief Minister further said that the  damage caused to track causes lot of inconvenience to the players which is not justifiable. He said that to avoid this the state government has consciously taken a decision to not hold the Republic Day parade in any stadium with the synthetic parade. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it will help in promotion of sporting activity in the state.

 The Chief Minister said that as per this only the function slated to be held at Ludhiana on Republic Day will also be held at the PAU. He said that the state government is committed for promotion of sports in the state and any sort of loss to players or sporting infrastructure is unimaginable. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Punjab government is committed to perpetuate the glorious legacy of the state to the coming generations and these functions will be organised with this spirit only.

IEP Chandigarh January 6

The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) on Saturday, has arrested Vishal Sharma, a resident of Amritsar, posted as Accountant, Amritsar Improvement Trust (AIT), for demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 8 lakh. In this case accused  AIT law officer Gautam Majithia, a resident of Green Field, Majitha Road, Amritsar, has already been arrested.

          Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of the VB said the above mentioned accountant and law officer of AIT have been arrested on the complaint of Jatinder Singh, a resident of Partap Avenue, Amritsar who have lodged a complaint on the Chief Minister’s Anti Corruption Action Line in this regard.

          Giving more details he added that the complainant has alleged in his online complaint that the above said law officer and accountant had taken Rs  8 lakh in lieu of release of 20 percent compensation more for acquisition of his land on the directions of district court amounting to Rs 20 lakh. The complainant has recorded the conversation with the above said advocate regarding payment of bribe money which was submitted to the VB as an evidence.

          The spokesperson informed that during the investigation of this case the said law officer has revealed that he had handed over cheques to accountant Vishal Sharma, amounting to Rs 8 lakh, which was proved to be true as it was recorded in the audio-video conversation with the complainant. In addition to this, the accountant has signed the estimate for providing enhanced compensation to the complainant which justified the in connivance of both the accused for taking bribe money from the complainant.

          The spokesperson informed that on the basis of probe, the VB range Amritsar has also arrested the said co-accused accountant after finding him guilty for taking a bribe of Rs 8 lakh from the complainant. Further investigation in this case was under progress.