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.

IEP Chandigarh, January 10

Punjab Transport Minister S. Laljit Singh Bhullar, on Wednesday, urged all the owners/drivers to affix HSRPs on their vehicles on priority.

In a press communiqué issued here, the Transport Minister said that as per the orders of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India and notification of Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, affixation of High Security Registration Plates (HSRPs) is mandatory for all vehicles. These directives make it necessary for all vehicles registered in the State of Punjab to have High Security Registration Plates.

S. Bhullar mentioned various measures undertaken by the state government such as opening of additional fitment centers and offering the option of house fitment etc. to simplify the process of affixing HSRPs.

The Cabinet Minister informed that in the past, awareness campaigns conducted across various media platforms to sensitize individuals about the necessity of HSRPs, resulting in many complying already. S. Bhullar once again appealed to all the motor vehicle owners and drivers to affix HSRPs on their vehicles, as the violation of the same will lead to heavy penalty.

IEP Chandigarh, January 10

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday announced the formal culmination of the second season of the biggest sporting extravaganza of the state Khedan Watan Punjab Dian.

The Chief Minister said that more than 4.5 lakh players had participated in these games held across the state. He said that cash awards worth Rs 8.30 crore have been digitally transferred in the bank accounts of around 11,000 players who had bagged Gold, Silver and Bronze medals at the state level during games. Bhagwant Singh Mann congratulated all the players for their stupendous success adding he hoped that these players will continue to bring laurels for the state in sporting competition at national and international level.

The Chief Minister said that this year 35 competitions were held in eight age groups adding that for the first time Rugby, Cycling, Horse Riding, Wushu and Shooting Volleyball have been introduced in the games. He said that the competitions were held in the age groups of under 14, under 17, Under 21, 21-30 years, 31-40 years, 41-55 years, 56-65 years and above 65 years age group. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that players were given cash prizes worth Rs 8.30 crore including RS 10,000 for gold, Rs 7000 for silver and Rs 5000 for bronze medal winners.

The Chief Minister further said that these games are a right step towards this direction as they are providing a platform to the players for showcasing their talent. Bhagwant Singh Mann asserted that these games will also help the state government to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the players which will be beneficial for grooming them for the national and international events in future. He further said that the state government is leaving no stone unturned to popularize sports in the state as it can play a key role in progress of the state and prosperity of its people.