Category Archives: Punjab

Jimpa directs Water Supply and Sanitation Department to complete all schemes in timebound manner

IEP Chandigarh, June 5

          Punjab Water Supply and Sanitation Minister Mr. Bram Shanker Jimpa during a meeting with the employees of the head office of Water Supply and Sanitation Department in Patiala, gave instructions to ensure the completion all the schemes of the department in a timebound manner. On this occasion, Mr. Jimpa rejected the apprehension expressed by these employees regarding shifting of the head office of the department and entire staff from Patiala to SAS Nagar.

          During this meeting held here at Punjab Bhavan on Monday, Mr. Bram Shanker Jimpa asked the employees posted at the head office to boost their performance. He said that any delay in the completion of the schemes initiated by the department to provide better services to the people of the state would not be tolerated.

          Meanwhile, reiterating the commitment towards the welfare of the employees of the department, the Water Supply and Sanitation Minister said that the employees can meet him anytime to resolve any of their issues. He noted with concern that 95 cases of the jobs at the compassionate ground were pending since long at the head office along with the cases related to the promotion of employees of C and D categories. He said the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led Punjab Government is committed to the welfare of every section of the society and any undue delay in such cases would not be tolerated.  He directed the employees of the head office to take swift action in all such cases.

          On this occasion, rejecting the apprehension of the employees of the head office that this office and its entire staff were being shifted from Patiala to SAS Nagar, Mr. Jimpa said that there is a proposal to build Jal Bhavan at Mohali where HoD office would be shifted. “Apart from the setting up conference hall and digital presentation of the department, arrangements will be made for important meetings with the persons visiting state capital for work related to the department in this Jal Bhawan”, he added.

          Prominent amongst others, Principal Secretary DWSS Mr. D.K. Tiwari and Special Secretary DWSS Mr. Mohammad Ishfaq were also present in this meeting.

A Book ‘ALL ONE MUST KNOW ABOUT THE SIKH FAITH’ released

IEP Chandigarh

A unique book titled ALL ONE MUST KNOW ABOUT THE SIKH FAITH, nineteenth by the author Colonel Daljeet Singh Cheema, a Panjab Ratan awardee, and published by Abhishek Publications, Chandigarh was released on 3 June at Chandigarh Press Club. Eminent dignitaries who were the guests of honor included Gen V P Malik (Retd), AVSM, PVSM, former army chief, Madhav Kaushik President National Sahitya Academy , Professor P K Khosla, Chancellor Shoolini University, Vivek Atray, former IAS officer, and  Roopinder Singh, The event began on a soothing note of Mool Mantar sung in the very melodious voice of  Sunaini Sharma. As MC, Lily Swran kept the audience glued to their seats with her exceptional oratory skills and sharp wit.

 Vivek Atray, in his opening remarks appreciated the courage of Col Cheema to attempt a book of love, compassion and peace. Gen Malik spoke about the need of such a book in a strife-torn world of today. Madhav Kaushik felt that the message of Oneness of God and Universal Brotherhood was the need of the hour. Professor Khosla brought about certain unknown facts that make Sikhism a unique faith. 

Later, Roopinder Singh and Col Cheema discussed the unique features of the book. Col Cheema laid emphasis on the necessity of future generations understanding and interpreting their cultural and religious heritage in correct perspective.

Universities of Punjab shines in Khelo India University Games

IEP Chandigarh, June 4

          In the Khelo India University Games held in Uttar Pradesh, the Universities of Punjab have shined. Four Universities of the State occupied the first five places in the final medal tally. Panjab University Chandigarh became the overall champion while Guru Nanak Dev University Amritsar was the runner-up. Punjabi University Patiala secured the fourth position and Guru Kashi University Damdama Sahib secured the fifth position.

          Punjab Sports Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hare congratulated all the winning players and Universities for this achievement and attributed it to the students, their parents, coaches and higher officials of the Universities and sports departments.

          Meet Hayer said that this is a big boost to the efforts of the State Government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to again make Punjab number one state in the country in the field of sports. Under the directives of the Chief Minister, a platform has been provided to the sportspersons to progress in the form of Khedan Watan Punjab Deya in the state.

          Panjab University Chandigarh, won a total of 69 medals with 26 gold, 17 silver and 26 bronze medals. Similarly, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, which came second, bagged a total of 68 medals with 24 gold, 27 silver and 17 bronze medals, Punjabi University, Patiala, which came fourth, bagged a total of 34 medals with 12 gold, 14 silver and 8 bronze medals and Guru Kashi University Damdama Sahib, which came in fifth place, won a total of 28 medals with 9 gold, 10 silver and 9 bronze medals.

FATEHGARH SAHIB DACOITY CASE: PUNJAB POLICE’S AGTF ARRESTS TWO MAIN ACCUSED AFTER BRIEF EXCHANGE OF FIRE; THREE PISTOLS RECOVERED

CHANDIGARH/FATEHGARH SAHIB, June 1:

          Amidst the ongoing drive against anti-social elements launched on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) of Punjab Police in a joint operation with Fatehgarh Sahib Police have successfully cracked the daylight dacoity in Fatehgarh Sahib with the arrest of two criminals after a brief exchange of fire, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Thursday.

          Those arrested have been identified as Gurpreet Singh of village Johal Dhai Wala in Tarn Taran and Harpreet Singh of village Bantara in Tarn Taran. Both the accused persons were involved in the loot of Rs 40.8 lakh from an employee of a petrol pump in Bhatmajra village of Fatehgarh Sahib.

          Police teams have also recovered three .32 bore pistols along with live cartridges from the possession of both the accused persons.

          Giving details, DGP Gaurav Yadav said that a team of AGTF headed by ADGP Promod Ban got a reliable input that persons involved in the daylight dacoity are expected to visit village Macchli Khurd to pick their car, which was used to commit the crime.

          Following the information, a team from AGTF led by AIG Sandeep Goel, DSP Bikram Brar and DSP Rajan Parminder along with local Fatehgarh Sahib Police laid a trap and signalled the car to stop. “Instead of stopping the car, people sitting in the car opened fire at the police party, prompting Police parties to retaliate,” he said.

          After a brief exchange of fire, the DGP said that Police teams have managed to overpower both the accused persons, who have sustained bullet injuries on their legs. Both the accused persons have been undergoing treatment at a local hospital, he added.

          Meanwhile, a fresh case FIR no. 115 dated 1-6-2023 has been registered under sections 307 and 473 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and sections 25 and 27 of the Arms Act at Police Station Kharar.

State-Level Event for Women Journalists to be Held in Patiala Next Year: Chetan Singh Jaura Majra

Chandigarh, June 1

          The Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, remains committed to granting women their due status and respect. In line with this objective, Chetan Singh Jaura Majra, Minister of Services Welfare, Freedom Fighters, Information and Public Relations, and Minister of Horticulture, along with Dr. Baljit Kaur, Minister of Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities, and Social Security, Women and Child Development, attended the National Women Journalist Conference at the Press Club Chandigarh today.

          During the event, Public Relations Minister Chetan Singh Jaura Majra emphasized the indispensable role of women in society. The aim of this conference is to instill courage and enthusiasm among women who are successfully excelling in the field of journalism today. He announced that a state-level event for women journalists will be held in Patiala next year. The purpose of this gathering is to create a platform for women journalists to discuss the challenges they encounter in their profession and foster an environment conducive to finding solutions.

          Minister Chetan Singh Jaura Majra further expressed his profound respect for women, emphasizing their pivotal roles as mothers, sisters, and wives in society. He stressed that the progress of society is unattainable without the active involvement of women and urged everyone to honor and respect them.

          Regarding women’s safety, Minister Chetan Singh Jaura Majra acknowledged that even fathers, including himself, feel insecure about their daughters’ safety, regardless of their own professional roles. He condemned those who disregard the dignity of women and affirmed that the government is making comprehensive efforts to ensure women’s safety.

          Dr. Baljit Kaur, Minister of Social Security, Women and Child Development, highlighted that today’s era is no longer dominated by males, as women are increasingly participating in various fields. She commended women for their exemplary contributions, whether in their domestic duties or outside responsibilities. Dr. Baljit Kaur viewed the present era as an opportunity for women to excel in all spheres of life. Encouraging women journalists, she emphasized their diverse skills and urged them to step forward and elevate their reputation in society.

          During the event, women journalists shared their experiences, addressing the challenges they face in their profession, and presented a list of demands to Public Relations Minister Chetan Singh Jodi Majra. The minister assured them that their legitimate demands would be met. Additionally, women journalists from Punjab, Haryana, Telangana, Delhi, and Odisha were honored.

PUNJAB POLICE GEAR UP TO ENSURE PEACEFUL OBSERVANCE OF ‘OPERATION BLUESTAR ANNIVERSARY’

CHANDIGARH, June 1

          Keeping in view the Operation Bluestar Anniversary— also known as Ghallughara Week, Punjab Police have beefed up the security across the state to ensure peaceful observance of this week.

          On Thursday, Police teams led by CPs/SSPs have also conducted Flag Marches in the sensitive and vulnerable areas of their concerned districts as a measure to instil the confidence among the general public. As many as 110 flag marches were conducted covering 192 sensitive/vulnerable areas in all the 28 Police districts.

          The exercise was conducted on the directions of Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav as part of the ongoing drive to make Punjab safe and secure as per vision of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

          Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla said that the CPs/SSPs were directed to conduct Flag Marches in the sensitive areas of their respective districts. Police teams have also apprehended 368 suspicious persons during flag marches.

          He said that the exercise was aimed to boost the confidence of the general public, besides, preparing police personnel to tackle any untoward situation.

          “Punjab Police will ensure peaceful observance of the Operation Bluestar Anniversary, for which foolproof arrangements are in place and adequate security has also been deployed across the state,” said Arpit Shukla.

          The Special DGP said that deployment of police teams have also been intensified at vital places including bus stands, railway stations and other sensitive areas to prevent intrusion of anti-social elements.

          Meanwhile, CPs/SSPs have also been asked to intensify Police nakas in their jurisdictions and conduct checking of all the entering/exiting suspicious vehicles.

PUNJAB-HARYANA MEETS OVER GRANTS FOR PANJAB UNIVERSITY

Chandigarh, June 1

          Reiterating the firm commitment of the state government to avert any change in the nature and character of the Panjab University, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said that the university is heritage of the state and any sort of change in it will not be tolerated.

          The Chief Minister, who participated in a meeting with the Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh Banwari Lal Purohit and Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar here today, said that the Punjab government is committed to safeguard the rights of the state and its people. Bhagwant Mann, who firmly placed on record the facts pertaining to the university, said that this premier educational institute has an emotional place in the hearts of the people of Punjab on account of historical, cultural and provincial reasons. He said that Panjab University is a symbol of Punjab’s legacy and is synonymous with the name of the State.

           The Chief Minister said that the University caters only to the state of Punjab and its capital Chandigarh. Citing the history of the University, its constitution, its ethnic, socio-cultural and historical roots as well as its faculty and students who hail primarily from the state of Punjab, Bhagwant Mann said that it is important that the present legal and administrative status of the Panjab University should be preserved. He reminded that at the time of the reorganization of the State of Punjab in 1966, Panjab University was declared as an ‘Inter State Body Corporate’ under section 72(1) of the Punjab Reorganization Act 1966 enacted by the Parliament.

          The Chief Minister said that ever since its inception, the Panjab University has been continuously and uninterruptedly functioning in the State of Punjab. Bhagwant Mann recalled that it was shifted from Lahore, the then capital of Punjab, to Hoshiarpur and then to Chandigarh the present capital of Punjab. He said that at present 175 colleges of Punjab situated in the districts of Fazilka, Ferozepur, Hoshiarpur, Ludhiana, Moga, Sri Muktsar Sahib and S.B.S Nagar are affiliated with the Panjab University.

CM GIVES AN ULTIMATUM TO THE ILLEGAL ENCROACHERS ON THE GOVERNMENT LAND

IEP Chandigarh, May 24

 Rolling the wheels for removing illegal encroachments on the government land, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday gave an ultimatum to the encroachers of government land to vacate the encroachments by May 31 or face the action. In a statement issued here today, the Chief Minister said that the state government is committed for freeing the land from illegal encroachments. He bemoaned that during the tenure of the successive governments in the state, the affluent people had illegally encroached the precious government land by violating the norms, which is unwarranted and undesirable. However, Bhagwant Mann said that from day one after assuming the charge of office, his government had adopted a zero tolerance policy towards illegal encroachments. The Chief Minister said that it is a matter of great pride and satisfaction that the state government has so far freed more than 9000 acres of government land from the illegal encroachers. He said that this momentum will be continued further and every inch of government land under illegal encroachment will be vacated by all means. Bhagwant Mann asked the illegal encroachers to vacate the land under their possession by May 31 else the government will get it freed on its own. The Chief Minister said that a massive anti-encroachment drive by the state government will be started from June 1 to remove these encroachments. He said that no one, however affluent he may be, will be spared during this drive to be started in larger public interest. However, Bhagwant Mann categorically said that people residing on such land, if any, should not worry as they will not be dislocated during the drive.

Punjab Government’s Shagun Scheme Grants Rs 51,000 to construction Workers for their Daughters’ Marriage:  Anmol Gagan Maan

IEP Chandigarh, May 24

      The Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, is committed to the welfare of all sections of the state. To achieve the same objective, the Punjab government has implemented various labour welfare schemes for the social and economic advancement of the construction workers.          On Friday, Minister for Labour, Anmol Gagan Mann, highlighted the Shagun Scheme of the state government. She explained that any construction workers registered  in Punjab are eligible to avail an amount of Rs 51,000 under the Shagun scheme of Punjab Building and other Construction Workers Board (BOCW Board) for their daughters’ marriage. This scheme can be availed by construction worker for the marriage of up to 2 daughters.          Furthermore, Minister Mann explained that if a female construction worker is registered as a beneficiary with the BOCW board, she is also entitled to avail the Shagun amount for her own marriage, provided that her registered parents have not previously claimed the benefit for her marriage.          Minister told that any registered construction worker can apply to avail Sagun scheme within six months after the marriage of his daughter. She said that to validate the marriage, it is necessary to submit the certificate issued by the Marriage Registration Authority alongwith the application form.          She said that Punjab government is committed to empowering construction workers and ensuring their financial well-being.

No legal action will be taken against encroachers who release government land till May 31: Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal

IEP Chandigarh, May 24

            Punjab Rural Development and Panchayat Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal said that if any person who have illegally encroached the government panchayat land, vacated the possession by May 31, no legal action will be taken against them.          Addressing a press conference at the local Punjab Bhavan, he said that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has already announced that the state government is committed to freeing the land from illegal encroachments and the affluent people who have violated the rules and encroached on expensive government lands will not be spared.          Dhaliwal said that appropriate action will be taken from June 1 against those who will not vacate the lands by May 31. He said that many people have been encroaching on government lands for 30 years and if such people still not vacate the land after the appeal of the Chief Minister, then the state government will take strict legal action against them.          He further said that the state government’s target is to vacate 6000 acres of land by June 10 this year. Dhaliwal said that last year 9030 acres of land was freed from encroachment, the average market value of this land is around Rs. 2709 crore. He said that due to the Jalandhar by-election, the second phase of this campaign has been started 4-5 days ago and 189 acres of land have been vacated by the encroachers themselves.          He also appealed the people to come forward and leave the illegal encroachment of government land so that the revenue collected from this land can be used for the welfare of Punjab. He said that this land is not the ancestral property of anyone but it is the common land of all Punjabis residing in the state and the income generated from this land is to be spent on all the residents of Punjab. Dhaliwal said that last year also on the appeal of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, 3396 acres of land had been vacated by the people themselves.          Dhaliwal categorically said that people residing on such land, if any, will not be dislocated during the drive but such occupiers will be requested to dispose of the matter according to the law. He also requested that for the welfare of Punjab and to make the state Rangla Punjab, the illegal encroachers themselves should come forward and hand over these lands to the Punjab government.