IEP CHANDIGARH, July 19    

      Amidst the ongoing anti-corruption drive, Punjab Vigilance Bureau on Wednesday arrested a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Sushil Kumar for taking a bribe of Rs 20 lakhs for re-nominating a person— who was given a clean chit, in a 2019 murder case of Mahant Dayal Das. The latter was shot dead by two unknown persons at Dera Baba Harka Das in village Kotsukhia in Kotkapura on November 7, 2019.          Following this, the murder case was registered at Police Station Sadar Kotkapura against two unknown persons and Sant Jarnail Das Kapurewale and others on the complaint of Sant Gagan Das, who is a disciple of Sant Baba Haridas. Later, accused Sant Jarnail Das was given a clean chit by DSP HQs Moga Ravinder Singh.          Divulging details, a official Spokesperson of the VB said that Punjab and Haryana High Court summoned IGP Faridkot Range Pardeep Kumar Yadav to file affidavit in this case. Thereafter, the IGP had constituted a special investigation team (SIT) headed by SP (D) Faridkot Gagnesh Kumar comprising members including DSP Faridkot Sushil Kumar, DSP Baghapurana Jasjot Singh and SI Khem Chand.          He said that in November 2022, SP Gagnesh Kumar, DSP Sushil Kumar and SI Khem Chand had demanded Rs 50 lakh as a bribe from Sant Gagan Das to re-nominate and arrest Sant Jarnail Das Kapurewale and to help him (Gagan Das) in this case. The deal was settled at Rs 35 lakh and the said officers had already taken Rs 20 lakh in two instalments— Rs 15 lakh and Rs 5 lakh on November 9, 2022 and November 22, 2022.          The spokesperson said that following the investigations, the Police teams from Vigilance Bureau Ferozepur Range have arrested DSP Sushil Kumar, who is presently posted at 3 IRB, Ludhiana. The accused DSP will be produced before the Court on Thursday, he added.

IEP Chandigarh, July 19     

     In less than two months after the Punjab Employment Generation, Skill Development and Training Minister Mr Aman Arora inaugurated the ‘Center of Excellence’ (CoE) in Phagwara, as many as 140 candidates, including 32 girls have already enrolled themselves at the centre and undergoing training in different job roles.          President World Bank Mr Ajay Banga along with officials of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) on Wednesday reviewed the functioning of the CoE. Punjab was among the four states, which were chosen to showcase the functioning of COE before the World Bank President. Other three states were Karnataka, Orissa and Maharashtra.          This CoE was established under the World Bank funded SANKALP scheme to provide skill training to the youth of Punjab. Punjab Skill Development Mission (PSDM) had inked an MoU with Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) for setting up of a Centre of Excellence (CoE) at Phagwara on February 9, 2023 and the Centre was inaugurated on May 26.          During the meeting, Mr Ajay Banga also interacted with the female candidates undergoing training at the CoE.          The CoE was set up with an aim to make the youth of Punjab skilful and employable as desired by Chief Minister S Bhagwant Mann.          Pertinently, the Centre of Excellence has been running successfully with a total of 140 candidates, including 32 girls, have been undergoing training in job roles including Automotive Machine Operator, Fitter Electrical and Electronic Assembly. A Total of 2000 candidates will be provided training in the Centre of Excellence.           Meanwhile, the CoE is focused on women empowerment and aims to provide skill training to female candidates in Non-Traditional sectors. 

IEP Chandigarh, July 19      

    Punjab Vigilance Bureau on Wednesday nabbed an Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) Sukhdev Singh   posted at Police Station Bhawanigarh while taking a bribe of Rs 8000.          The accused Police Official has been arrested on the complaint of Hardam Singh resident of Village Rampura in district Sangrur.          An official spokesperson of the VB said that the complainant lodged a complaint that the above mentioned ASI was demanding bribe of Rs. 10,000 for taking action on the complaint filed by him at Police Station Bhawanigarh against Malkit Singh resident of the same village, who had beaten the complainant. The accused ASI demanded bribe of Rs 10000 and took Rs 2000 as bribe on Monday. Today he demanded the remaining amount of Rs. 8000.           After preliminary investigation of the complaint, a team of VB laid a trap and arrested the accused ASI while accepting the bribe of Rs 8000 from the complainant in the presence of official witnesses. In this regard, FIR has been registered against ASI Sukhdev Singh at PS Vigilance  Bureau, Patiala Range and further investigation is in progress.

IEP CHANDIGARH, July 19     

     As part of the ongoing anti-corruption campaign launched on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) on Wednesday arrested a Station House Officer (SHO) of Police Station Killiawali in District Sri Muktsar Sahib while accepting a bribe of Rs 10,000. The arrested SHO has been identified as Iqbal Singh.          Divulging details, the official spokesperson of the Vigilance Bureau said that the accused SHO has been arrested on the complaint lodged by Bhim Singh, a resident of village in Sirsa, Haryana.          He said that the complainant Bhim Singh approached the VB, alleging that the accused SHO had demanded Rs 20,000 as a bribe to abolish the false complaint against his son. The deal was settled at Rs 15,000, he said.          The spokesperson said that following the preliminary investigation, the VB Bathinda Unit laid a trap and arrested the accused SHO red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 10000 in the presence of two official witnesses.          In this regard, a case under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered against the accused SHO at Bathinda Range Police Station of the Vigilance Bureau and further investigations are on.

IEP Chandigarh, July 18      

    Punjab Government released Rs 183 crore in the  SNA account of scheme Under Post Matric Scholarship Scheme for Shedule Cast Students.          Divulging in this regard, Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur said that the post matric scholarship scheme for SC the amount was released under the scheme only till 2016-17. She said that due to non-disbursement of scholarship amount from the year 2017-18 to 2019-20 by the central government, many students had to face difficulties.          Dr. Baljit Kaur further said that considering the problems faced by the students, the state government has decided to release 40%  of the fees of private and government-aided institutions for the years  2017-18 to 2019-2020.          Cabinet Minister stated that according to the guidelines of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, about 1900 institutions were audited by the Finance Department and after conducting the audit, 40% is being paid to these institutions after deducting the objectionable amount.          She mentioned that the reports regarding the payments of some institutions are ready, but as the institutions have not uploaded the undertaking as per the instructions issued by the department, the payment is being delayed. Therefore, the Minister appealed to all organizations to upload the undertaking on the Dr. Ambedkar portal according to the instructions issued by the department, so that the payment can be made to these institutions accordingly.

IEP Chandigarh, July 18     

     The Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, is taking concrete steps to provide basic facilities at Anganwadi Centres in the state, ensuring the all-round development of children.          Highlighting various schemes and programs of Anganwadi Centers, Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit kaur, stated that the state government is continuously working to enhance the infrastructure of Anganwadi centres. She mentioned that Anganwadi centres offer services such as supplementary nutrition, vaccination, health education, health and nutrition education, referral services, and non-formal pre-school education for children aged 3-6 years, as well as for children up to 6 years of age, pregnant women, and lactating women.          Cabinet minister mentioned that the department is collaborating with the Rural Development Department to renovate one thousand buildings of Anganwadi Centres, and with the Water Supply and Sanitation Department for the construction of toilets in these centres.          She said to the District Program Officers and Child Development Project Officers to make special efforts to seek assistance from competent individuals and organizations in acquiring buildings for Anganwadi Centres, providing wall paintings, children’s furniture, toys, swings, and necessary equipment for pre-school education.          Cabinet Minister appealed to the general public, welfare organizations, Panchayats, and NRI’s to contribute towards providing necessary items and facilities in the Anganwadi Centres across the state, there by ensuring the holistic development of children.          Mrs. Madhvi Kataria, Director of the Social Security, Women and Child Development Department, stated that the department officials will select the best-performing Anganwadi Centres at the district level by August 7, 2023. Three Anganwadi Centres from the top-performing district will be chosen, and the Anganwadi workers, helpers, supervisors, and CDPO’s will be honored on August 15. The district program officers are instructed to submit their reports by August 10. Additionally, the entire staff of 10 Anganwadi centres at the state level will honored on August 15 through a live event on Facebook. 

IEP Chandigarh, July 18

          Punjab Information and Public Relations Minister S. Chetan Singh Jauramajra, on Tuesday, undertook a visit to the flood-hit villages of the Samana constituency. The Minister’s visit of village Wazidpur, Jahlan, Bishanpur Chhanna, Kourjiwala, Kalayan, Uchcha Gaon, Inderpura, Dharamkot, Kheri Mania, Dughat and Dadhera etc, was aimed to assess the extent of damage caused by the recent floods, particularly to the crops and other infrastructures in the region.

          S. Chetan Singh Jauramajra, accompanied by a team of district officials, personally inspected the affected areas and interacted with the locals to gain firsthand insights into the challenges they are facing due to the devastating floods. The floods have caused significant damage to standing crops, livestock and homes, leaving the people in distress.

          During his visit, S. Jauramajra empathized with the affected villagers and assured them of the Punjab Government’s full support in their time of need. He informed that he has conveyed their concerns to the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Mann, urging him to expedite the relief and rehabilitation efforts.

          Addressing the media, S. Chetan Singh Jauramajra stated, “the floods have caused immense distress to people in the area. Our government under the able leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Mann is committed to assisting the affected people in every possible way. We will ensure that the impact of this natural disaster is mitigated and the affected families are provided with necessary relief and assistance at the earliest.”

          The Cabinet Minister S. Jauramajra also highlighted that Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Mann has directed the immediate commencement of a Special Girdawari to accurately assess the extent of crop loss and other damages caused by the floodwaters. He said that Special Girdawari will help the government to formulate effective relief measures and disburse aid to the affected farmers and residents promptly.

          While sharing the future strategy for flood prevention, the Cabinet Minister said, the Jhambo drain in the region, which was blocked due to falling trees and other debris would be cleaned properly, and besides widening the drain, its embankments would be strengthened and new pipes would be laid where the need arrises. He said that the natural flow of water has been blocked at many places due to the closure of the siphons built in the past, and by restoring these barriers, new siphons will also be built on the roads as per requirement so that the natural flow of water could be ensured.

          He said that Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Mann led government is fully dedicated to the welfare of its people and committed to providing all necessary support and resources to help the flood-affected area recover and rebuild.

          The Information and Public Relations Minister also urged the people to remain courageous during this difficult time and assured them that the government is working tirelessly to bring normalcy back to their lives.

          The minister was accompanied by Gurdev Singh Tiwana, Balkar Singh Gajjumajra, SDM Dr. Ismat Vijay Singh, Naib Tehsildar Pawandip Singh and other officials.

IEP Chandigarh, July 18       

    Providing yet another relief to the farmers affected by floods, Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department has set up a control-room to provide paddy saplings at free of cost to farmers, whose crop has been damaged by the floods in the state. Such farmers can dial “77106-65725” from 8am to 9.30pm to register their demand for free paddy saplings, said Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Mr Gurmeet Singh Khudian here on Tuesday.           He said that Punjab Government has been striving hard to help out farmers from this natural calamity as per the commitment of the Chief Minister S Bhagwant Mann.           The Agriculture Minister will kick start the paddy sowing on over 22 acres in Sangrur district on Wednesday, and over 3500 quintal paddy seeds is being sown by the department to provide free paddy saplings to farmers.           Asking farmers to need not to worry as the state government is standing by them, Mr Gurmeet Singh Khudian said that the state has already working on strategy to fill the demand of paddy saplings. The state government is committed to provide paddy saplings where replantation is required due to floods.           Agriculture Minister also appreciated the efforts of farmers who are helping the affected farmers by providing paddy saplings free of cost. This is the high time to hold hands of each others in this difficult time, he added.

IEP Chandigarh, July 18      

    Punjab Finance, Planning, Excise and Taxation Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Tuesday said that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led Punjab government has decided to increase the pension of freedom fighters from Rs 9400 per month to Rs 11000 per month. He said that this decision will be effective from August 1, 2023.          Disclosing this in a statement issued here, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that approving the proposal received from the Freedom Fighters Welfare Department in this regard, the Finance Department has approved the annual budget required for the same. He said that this decision will directly benefit 545 beneficiaries, including freedom fighters themselves, widows of deceased freedom fighters or their unmarried and unemployed daughters and sons.          The Finance Minister said that as per the decision taken by the Finance Department in March 2020 following the recommendation of the concerned administrative department, it was decided to increase the amount of this pension from Rs 7500 to Rs. 9400 from 1st April, 2021. He said that now in the wake of increased inflation, the decision has been taken to increase it further to Rs 11000 per month.          Finance Minister Cheema said that we are proud of our freedom fighters due to whom the Punjabis are prominently mentioned among those who contributed maximum in the freedom struggle of India. He said that although we cannot payback for the sacrifices made by those patriots, the Punjab government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is committed to honouring them.

IEP Chandigarh, July 18    

      In order to save precious human lives and property as per the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Punjab Government machinery has been working on a war footing to normalize the situation created by floods in the state.          To speed up the relief operations in the state and as per the directions of CM Bhagwant Mann, 26280 persons have been evacuated and taken to safe places. A spokesperson informed that 1432 villages have been affected by the flood till 8 am on July 18. A total of 155 relief camps are running in the state in which 3828 people are staying.                 Currently, 19 districts are affected by floods including Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Fatehgarh Sahib, Faridkot, Hoshiarpur, Rupnagar, Kapurthala, Patiala, Moga, Ludhiana, SAS Nagar, Jalandhar, Sangrur, SBS Nagar, Fazilka, Gurdaspur, Mansa, Bathinda and Pathankot.          According to the report received by the revenue department from different districts, a total of 38 people have lost their lives due to floods in the state and 15 injured while 2 are still missing.          As per the information received from the animal husbandry department, a total of 2198 animals treated and 7243 animals vaccinated in the state. Rescue teams of the department are working round the clock to provide treatment, supply feed, fodder and silage to the needy animals. Special flood relief camps are also being organised in affected districts.          On the other hand, the teams of the health department are working in the flood-affected areas with full attention. According to the spokesperson, 458 Rapid Response Teams (RRT) have been working at flood affected areas. The health department has set up 244 medical camps in the affected areas and the total number of OPDs is 8531.          He further informed that dry food packets are being continuously distributed in the flood affected areas. 21,971 dry food packets have been distributed in Rupnagar, 64000 in Patiala, 4000 in SAS Nagar, 5700 in SBS Nagar and 2200 in Fathegarh Sahib..