IEP Patiala, April 24

In order to make youth an active partner in decision making process of the state, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday kicked off first of its kind program to have direct interface with the youth.

Interacting with the girls students here at Government College for Girls during the maiden program, the Chief Minister said that India is a young nation with sizeable  population below 40. He said that this population can play an active role in nation building provided that their unbounded energy is utilised in a positive manner. Bhagwant Mann said that this program is a step forward in this direction as it will make youngsters an equal partner in social and economic progress of state.

The Chief Minister further said that the state government will soon launch an exclusive electric vehicle based shuttle service for the girls. He said that this service will be launched in the major cities of the state Patiala, Ludhiana, Amritsar and others.  Bhagwant Mann said that this is a step forward towards ensuring best public transport for the girls in these major cities.

The Chief Minister, while exhorting the girls to come forward and play a decisive role in the field of active politics, said that it is need of hour for ensuring effective decision and law making process in the state. He said that politics has impact on every field of life and if the girls come forward in this field then they will definitely play a key role in the progress and prosperity of the country. Bhagwant Mann said that girls are an asset for the society and they can also prove to be efficient lawmakers too adding that during the 2022 assembly polls 11 women MLAs had registered massive victories from their party.

The Chief Minister said that out of these 11, two lawmakers have been elevated as Ministers in his cabinet also. He said that apart from it for the first time in the history of the state five women SSPs and seven women DCs have been appointed in different districts. Bhagwant Mann said that six exclusive women Police stations have been established in the state adding that very soon all the districts will have such Police stations.

Expressing satisfaction over girls outshinining boys in every arena, the Chief Minister said that this reflects the wave of empowerment of women. He said that it is a moment of great pride that girls are clearing these competitive exams with hard work and dedication. Bhagwant Mann envisioned that it will bring a qualitative change in the society.  

The Chief Minister also batted for equal opportunities for the girls in every field. He said that the results of academics and even jobs reflect that girls are outnumbering the boys in every field. Bhagwant Mann said that this momentum must be continued by encouraging the girls to excel in every field.

Appealing to the parents to give wings to ideas and innovations of the youth, the Chief Minister said that it will help them to scale new heights in their life. He said that every new invention faces hostility and is opposed by the world. However, he said that later on these inventions become a routine part of our lives and pave the way for development of society. Bhagwant Mann said that parents must encourage their wards for new initiatives so that they can achieve success in life.

The Chief Minister said that attaining marks or high percentage should not be the only goal of the students. But, he said that the aim of education must be to ensure holistic development of the students. Bhagwant Mann said that the students should also be thankful to their parents and especially teachers for grooming them for further competitions.

The Chief Minister said that Punjabis are blessed with an indomitable spirit to work hard and excel due to which they had carved a niche for themselves in the world. He unequivocally said that a person does not rise overnight as hard work and sincerity is the only key to success. Bhagwant Mann said that every individual must discharge their responsibility with utmost professional commitment, dedication and sincerity.

IEP Chandigarh

The Department of urology had achieved another milestone by performing the first Robot-assisted Kidney Transplantation on 10 April, 2023.  Robotic surgery in Kidney Transplantation offers many benefits like decreased chances of complications as compared to open surgery, safer and more efficacious for obese patients and all the benefits of minimal invasive surgery . The department is also performing robotic surgery regularly . A high level of expertise is required in both Kidney Transplantation and Robotic Surgery. RAKT is performed by transplant surgeons with extensive training and experience in robotics and transplant surgery. The department of urology has been performing robotic surgery since 2015. The experience in robotic surgery prompted the department to start robot-assisted renal transplantation to pass on the benefits of minimally invasive surgery to the transplant recipients, said Dr Uttam Mete , Professor & Head, Department of Urology.The Renal transplantation has developed as a superior renal replacement therapy compared to established dialysis methods as it improves the quality of life maximally amongst patients with renal failure. Traditionally, kidney transplantation is carried out by open surgery by making large incisions. The length of the wound varies depending on surgeon & preference and the habits of the patient. In general, obese recipients require larger incisions . Larger wounds are associated with more wound related morbidity in terms of more pain, surgical site infection (SSI), delayed mobilization, significant time to return to daily activities , longer convalescence &; postoperative recovery, long-term complications such as incisional hernia and poor cosmesis. Transplant patients have additional risk factors for wound related complications related to the use of immunosuppressants.To minimize wound related morbidity renal transplantation using a small incision can be performed using minimally invasive surgical procedures. Laparoscopic (LKT) and robotic assisted (RAKT) surgeries are the two commonly performed minimally invasive procedures. LKT has not been widely adopted, likely due to the challenges of performing vascular anastomosis with laparoscopic instruments and two-dimensional vision, causing loss of hand–eye coordination and the long instruments amplifying natural tremor and carrying a fulcrum effect, as well as poor ergonomics promoting surgeons fatigue compared to conventional open kidney transplant surgery. On the other hand a much smaller incision (about 7cm) is made in RAKT to insert the donor kidney into the abdomen and then to stitch the blood vessels and the ureter. Another four or five small (0.5 to 1cm) incisions are used to insert the instruments into the abdomen. One of the arms holds a high magnification 3D camera which is inserted into the abdomen through one of the key holes and provides a high- definition, magnified (12×), 3-D view of the surgical site. The other mechanical arms have surgical instruments attached to it that are designed to mimic the movement of the humanhands and wrists. The surgeon uses the console of the computer to manipulate the small surgical instruments that are more flexible and manoeuvrable as compared to the human hand.  The maximum benefit of RAKT goes to those obese patients who would not otherwise be able to have a kidney transplant due to an unacceptable risk of morbidity. Despite the enthusiasm for RAKT, the current high cost is the most prohibitive factor for its widespread use said Prof. H S Kohli, Head department of Nephrology,PGIMER, ChandigarhRobot assisted renal transplantation has been performed in the department after about 6 weeks of starting the open renal transplantation . Both the recipients of robotic transplantation are doing well, said Dr Shanky Singh, Assistant Professor, department of Urology. Well known robotic renal transplant surgeon Dr Rajesh Ahlawat, and his associate Dr. Sudeep Bodduluri from Medanta, the Medicity, had helped the department to start robotic renal transplantation.

IEPChandigarh April 20      

    The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its ongoing campaign against corruption in the state, on Thursday nabbed a Child Development Project Officer (CDPO), Anju Bhandari and his peon Balihar Singh, posted in Fatehgarh Sahib for demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 20,000.          Disclosing this here today, an official spokesperson of the VB said the above said CDPO and his Peon have been arrested on the complaint of Mrs Mamta, resident of village Reona Niwan, in Fatehgarh Sahib district.          Giving details he added that the said complainant has approached the VB and alleged that the above said duo officials had demanded Rs 35,000 as a bribe to get her job on the vacant post of Anganwadi helper for which she had already applied.          The spokesperson informed that after preliminary investigation of this complaint, a VB team laid a trap and the accused officials have been arrested on the spot while taking Rs 20,000 as a bribe from the complainant in the presence of two official witnesses.          In this regard a case under prevention of corruption act has been registered against both the accused at VB police station Patiala range. Further investigation in this case was under progress.

IEP Chandigarh, April 20

Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan, on Thursday, inaugurated 33 new short-term courses at Punjabi University’s Centre at SAS Nagar (Mohali). These courses have been started in collaboration with Sabudh Foundation. Notably, this center has been renamed as ‘Punjabi University Center for Emerging and Innovative Technology, Mohali’. In this direction, new courses related to artificial intelligence (AI) and data science have been started.          Addressing the inaugural session, S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan said that with the introduction of such latest courses, a new era has begun in Punjab as these courses are the need of the hour to connect with the technology that has ushered in a new era so all these courses will be useful.          He said, such types of new courses, which are the need of the hour in the new era of technology, will make the youth of Punjab more capable. He said, he will share this initiative of Punjabi University with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann so that more efficient work can be done in this direction.          Speaking on this occasion, Vice Chancellor Prof. Arvind said that if the Punjabi University wants to become a true competitor of the current times, then such new courses have to be started. We have to start such exclusive type of programs along with the traditional courses, he added.          University’s Mohali Center Coordinator Dr. Rekha Bhatia informed that all these 33 courses are of different period ranging from one week to twelve weeks, which include Python programming, data science, machine learning, deep learning, certificate in data, natural language processing, etc. She said that along with students, working professionals and businessman can enroll in these new courses. The content creation of these 33 short-term courses has been done in a partnership by the university faculty and Sabudh Foundation.          Co-Founder of Sabudh Foundation Sarabjot Singh said that he chose Punjab as his workplace unlike of other experts in this field. 

IEP Chandigarh, April 19       

   The Punjab Vigilance Bureau during its campaign against corruption on Wednesday registered a bribery case against a Patwari Amanpreet Singh posted at revenue Dharour, in Tehsil Sahnewal, district Ludhiana and his private associate Inderjit Singh for accepting and  bribe of Rs. 7,000. In this case Inderjit Singh has been nabbed red handed.          Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the Vigilance Bureau (VB) said this case has been registered against both the accused on the complaint of Sarbjit Bhatia of village Nandpur, tehsil Sahnewal. He informed that the complainant has approached the VB and alleged that the above said Patwari and his private associate were demanding Rs. 20,000 for issuing report pertaining to his colony so as to get change of land use certificate and no objection certificate from the department. He further informed that the deal has been struck at Rs 12,000. He had already paid Rs 5,000 to the accused and has been demanding the remaining amount.          After verifying his information, a VB team from Ludhiana range laid a trap and the accused associate of Patwari, Inderjit Singh, was arrested on the spot while accepting a bribe of Rs. 7,000 as a second instalment from the complainant in the presence of two official witnesses. The accused Patwari was not found in his office and would be arrested soon as teams have been dispatched.          The spokesperson informed that a case under sections 7 and 7A of Prevention of Corruption Act and section 120-B of IPC has been registered against both the accused at VB, police station Ludhiana range. The arrested accused would be produced in the court tomorrow and further investigation was under progress.

IEP Chandigarh, April 19:     

     Punjab Employment Generation, Skill Development and Training Minister Mr Aman Arora interacted with cadets of Maharaja Ranjit Singh Armed Forces Preparatory Institute (AFPI) for Boys and Mai Bhago AFPI for Girls here at Punjab Bhawan.          Notably, these two prestigious institutes established by the Punjab Government aim at training selected young boys and girls from Punjab for permanent commission in the Armed Forces through the Defence Forces Academies.          Congratulating the cadets for being a part of these esteemed institutes, Mr. Aman Arora wished all the cadets best of luck for their bright future, besides, motivating them to work harder to achieve their goals to get commissioned in the Defence Services and serve the nation.          While expressing confidence in these cadets, he termed them as the hope of not only for their parents but for the entire state and nation as they have decided to choose a career, which is the highest gallant and the most disciplined & responsible services to serve the country.          Director Mai Bhago Armed Forces Preparatory Institute Major General J.S. Sandhu apprised the Cabinet Minister that four lady cadets have been commissioned as officers in Defence Services, two lady cadets joined OTA/AFA, a lady cadet joined NDA and 25 lady cadets are awaiting SSB call letters after passing AFCAT and CDS written exams, since March 2022.          Director Maharaja Ranjit Singh Armed Forces Preparatory Institute (MRSAFP) Major General Ajay H Chauhan informed Mr. Aman Arora that Since March 2022 till date, 18 cadets have joined NDA/equivalent Academies and 22 cadets have been commissioned as officers in the Defence Forces of India. 14 cadets have also cleared their SSB as on date and are awaiting the merit list and call up letters.          Secretary Employment Generation, Skill Development and Training Mr Kumar Rahul, Director Ms Deepti Uppal and other officials of the department were also present on the occasion. 

IEP Chandigarh, April 15

The strengthening of the federal structure is very important to save the country and states, said Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan here today during a seminar on “Federalism in the Country-Challenges and Possibilities” organized by the “Pind Bachao-Punjab Bachao” organization in collaboration with Central Sri Guru Singh Sabha.S. Sandhwan said that the issue of federal structure has become more important for us in the current situation.For the safety of the country and to see the country becoming stronger, the Speaker said, the federal structure has to be protected. The responsibility to protect the federal structure has been on the shoulders of Punjab for the centuries. The Speaker said that the people of Punjab and Bengal have always raised their voice against injustice and will have to do so now.  He emphasised that Sri Guru Granth Sahib is the biggest source of the federal structure for us, which gives an equal place to everyone.S. Sandhwan said, the country cannot be kept in a unitary system, but its beauty lies in unity in diversity, adding that there are linguistic, geographical and cultural etc. differences in the country and it is possible to see them together as a force only in the federal structure.He lamented that the institutions which were supposed to strengthen the constitution and democracy have been eliminated in recent times. The federal structure has been hurt by bringing GST in the country. Similarly, IAS is being given upper hand over CAG. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has not even looked at blue eyed businessman Gautam Adani, while everyone is being targeted. He said that the country is a body which needs oxygen or blood supply through the veins of federalism to keep it running.The seminar was also addressed by former parliamentarian Dr.  Dharamvir Gandhi, MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira, former media advisor Mr. Harcharan Bains, senior journalist S.  Hamir Singh, farmer leader.  Ranjit Singh, Mr.  Malvinder Singh Mali, Dr. Kuldeep Singh, Prof. Pyare Lal Garg. 

IEP Chandigarh, April 15

In a one-sided cricket match played between Cabinet Ministers and MLAs of Punjab and Haryana State, the Punjab speakers-XI defeated Haryana Speaker-XI by 95 runs here at Cricket Stadium, Sector-16.Batting first after winning toss, the Punjab Speaker-XI scored 235 runs in 15 overs with the loss of two wickets. Haryana Speaker-XI could only score 140 runs in 15 overs. Punjab Sports Minister Meet Hayer and MLA Amolak Singh started inning as the opening batsmen. Meet Hayer scored 150 runs for the Punjab Speaker-XI with the help of 12 sixes and 13 fours and became “Man of the Match”. Batala MLA Amansher Singh Sherry Kalsi remained not out and scored 54 runs with the help of 8 fours. The Punjab team lost two wickets of MLA Amolak Singh and MLA Amarpal Singh. They both scored 14 runs and 1 run, respectively.Haryana Governor Mr. Bandaru Dattatreya, Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan and UT Cricket Association President Mr. Sanjay Tandon bestowed the trophies to the winning Punjab team and runner-up Haryana team.Chasing for 236 runs, Haryana Speaker-XI MLA Bhavya Bishnoi and Charanjeev Rao started inning as openers. MLA Bhavya Bishnoi scored 72 runs while Charanjeev Rao could only clinch 12 runs with the help of 2 fours. He was catched out by MLA Amansher Singh Sherry Kalsi on the ball of Amritpal Singh. Similarly, MLA Rajesh Nagar and MLA Shashipal Singh could only earn 19 and 16 runs, respectively. 

IEP Chandigarh/ Ludhiana, April 17     

     Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Punjab Dr. Baljit Kaur today distributed grants to all NGOs working for the betterment of society under PM6 scheme. She not only distributed the grants, but also encouraged them to work wholeheartedly so that maximum people can be benefitted.          A function in this regard was organised at Bachat Bhawan, here and was also attended by MLA Rajinderpal Kaur Chhina, Director, Department of Social Security, Women and Child Development, Punjab Mrs. Madhavi Kataria, Special DGP Mrs. Gurpreet Kaur Deo, CP Ludhiana Mr Mandeep Singh Sidhu, ADC (D) Mr Amit Panchal, besides several others.          On this occasion, Cabinet Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur said that the grants which were given by the previous governments on written demand to the NGO, that system has been completely stopped by the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab Government. She said that now, the NGOs have been selected after following the interview process. She said that now the department would keep a check on works carried out by these NGOs with the help of these grants.          She said that the grants will be regularly checked either on monthly basis or by surprise visits by officials of the department. She said that further grants would be issued to the NGOs if their work is found satisfactory and in case the department guidelines are not followed, strict legal action would be taken against them. She also clarified that if these grants are used by these organizations for any political work instead of welfare of the people, legal action will also be taken against that NGO.          During the meeting with representatives from NGOs, Police, Health and Education departments, Cabinet Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur spoke specifically about the empowerment of women and announced that training will be imparted to all the employees working in the Sakhi One Stop Centres so that our women can be made aware of the benefits of these one stop centres.          Dr. Baljit Kaur said that “Mahila Mitras”, who are serving as counsellors at Sakhi One Stop Centres, were specially invited in this meeting. She said that by contacting the “Mahila Mitras”, our women who face domestic abuse or those who do not know as to go where for help, they can get immediate help by contacting a Sakhi one-stop centre. The Cabinet Minister instructed the officials to protect children from labour and begging and to strengthen the Act in this regard.          Cabinet Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur emphasized on the empowerment of women and said that women sarpanches and panches should work independently. Women sarpanch and panch and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) who perform exceptionally will also be honoured by the Punjab government.          The Cabinet Minister said that the Aam Aadmi Party government under the able leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is working tirelessly for the welfare of the people and they are directly benefiting the common people by launching several pro-people schemes.

IEP Chandigarh, April 17       

    The Punjab Government led by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is ensuring hassle free procurement in the mandis across the State during the current Rabi Marketing Season (RMS).  Payments are being made directly into the bank accounts of the farmers within 24 hours of confirmation of purchase, breaking previous records and beating the target of release of payments within 48 hours of purchase set by the Government.           Disclosing this today, the Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Mr. Lal Chand Kataruchak said that payments of more than Rs. 3014 crore have been released directly into the bank accounts of nearly 1,05,574 farmers till date. This is much beyond the amount of Rs.2700 crores which was due for purchases made until 48 hours earlier, he said, adding that these figures clearly prove that payments are being released with 24 hours of purchase.            To a question regarding imposition of value cut, the Minister categorically stated that no value cut is being allowed and Punjab Government will never allow even a single farmer to be paid below MSP.           Meanwhile ACS to CM Mr. A. Venu Prasad,  today held meetings with senior officials to review the ongoing procurement of wheat. He directed the MDs of Markfed, PUNGRAIN, PUNSUP and PSWC  to immediately tour various mandies and monitor the procurement operations at the ground level.