IEP Ludhiana

Giving affirmative response to the policies of the Punjab government led by the Chef Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the industrial Captains from Ludhiana today lauded the pro-industry decisions of the state government.

Taking part in Sarkar Sannatkaar Milni, Kamal Oswal, owner of Oswal Group, said he had never seen such a decisive government in his life that addresses the grievances of the industry swiftly. He said that Bhagwant Singh Mann government is taking a revolutionary steps by creating an industry friendly environment in Punjab, the results of which will be visible on the ground soon.

Sachit Jain of Vardhman Group praised the decisions taken by the Punjab government to promote the industry. He also urged the government to further strengthen the basic infrastructure in the focal points.

Aditya Munjal of Hero Group said that the innovative steps taken by the Punjab government is bolstering the confidence of the common people as well as the Industrialist of the state.

Amit Thapar, owner of Ganga Acrowools Limited, appreciated the steps taken by the Punjab government to further give a push to the growth of industries in the state by the Invest Punjab portal. He said that now industrialists are getting all required clearances online and there is no need to visit government offices.

Ludhiana-based industrialist Iqbal Singh said that he was facing a lot of troubles in getting the No Clearance Certificate (NOC) from Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA). He said that he lodged a complaint about this on WhatsApp number of the Punjab government, and this matter has been resolved within one day and the NOC was issued to him on Sunday. He said that pro-industry environment and change is clearly visible in Punjab and for which he is thankful to Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann.

Ishwar Singh, an industrialist from Jeevan Nagar, said that he had registered a complaint of dilapidated roads in focal point to the CM through the portal. This problem was solved in just 24 hours and new roads are being built to provide good facilities to industries in the entire area at a cost of Rs 63 crore.

Industrialist Roshan Sachdeva said that the condition of roads leading to the industry in his area was in shambles. He said that he sent a complaint to the government through the Invest Punjab portal and taking notice of it at once, the state government began repairing works of all roads at a cost of Rs 8.7 crore.

Industrialist Manjit Singh Sandhu said that the 11 KV high voltage line was collapsed above the factories in his area and the work got suffered extensively. But after sending suggestions on the Invest Punjab portal, this work was done in a few days, for which he is grateful to Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann.

Saurav Bansal, a businessman who used green stamp paper, said that he had bought a land to set up his industrial unit, after which he bought a green stamp and within just 15 days, he got all the required clearances related to the land. He also urged other industries to use this green stamp paper scheme.

Industrialist Jasbir Singh, who set up a new industrial unit in Ludhiana, said that he got a clearance from the concerned departments for his new unit in just two weeks, which shows the honest and positive intent of the state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and he deserves huge appreciation for it.

Vikas Zaveri, owner of Leap India Food Logistics, said he applied online for Operation Consent for his warehouse business in Ludhiana and he was astonished to get all approvals within just 10 days. It is a commendable job and bolstering confidence of industrialists to set up more units. He said that he is going to bring the country’s largest food store project in Punjab.

IEP Chandigarh, August 9

Punjab Youth Services Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer said that the new youth policy is being brought in to give the right direction to the youth and to encourage leadership qualities and confidence in them. On the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, an award is being started for the first time for Youth Clubs. Similarly, the selection system for the Shaheed Bhagat Singh State Youth Award to be given to the youth will be rationalized. While chairing a review meeting of the department at the Punjab Civil Secretariat here today, Meet Hayer said that the program is drawn up to activate youth clubs so that the maximum number of youth should be covered. He said that youth clubs should come forward for social welfare work, awareness against drugs, environment, sports and cultural activities in the villages. The Youth Services Minister said that more than 40 percent of the population of the state comprises the youth and a comprehensive youth policy should be made to make the youth an active participant in the development of the state and empower them. He said that maximum inter-state tours of the youth should be arranged and youth exchange programs should be drawn up. A Youth Adventure Club should be established. He said that like last year, Punjab State Inter-University Youth Club should also be organized this time too, so that the talent of the youth comes out. Meet Hayer also said that a plan should be deawn up to bring competent officers from other departments on deputation to immediately fill the vacant posts of Assistant Director in the department and also write to the Punjab Public Service Commission to fill the vacant posts. He said that the construction work of Yuva Bhavan should be completed. The meeting was attended by Punjab Youth Development Board Chairman Parminder Singh Goldy, Special Chief Secretary Sarvjit Singh, Director Youth Services Dr. Kamaljit Singh Sidhu, Assistant Director Kulwinder Singh and Rupinder Kaur.

IEP Chandigarh, August 8

The Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is focused on developing Punjab as a preferred tourist destination. In line with this objective, the Punjab Tourism Department recently participated in the India International Travel Mart (IITM) event. Giving more information in this regard, Ms. Rakhee Gupta Bhandari, Principal Secretary, Dept. of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Punjab explained that Punjab Tourism exceeded expectations at this year’s India International Travel Mart (IITM) in Chennai. The said trade fair offered an excellent platform for the travel trade industry in Tamil Nadu and beyond to connect, establish relationships, and conduct business with exhibitors from Punjab. During IITM Chennai, Punjab Tourism showcased its strengthened presence with a delegation of diverse stakeholders from Punjab. The delegation included representatives from hotel industry, travel and tour operators, and state-registered bed and breakfast & Farm Houses establishments. The event kicked off with a grand inauguration ceremony done by Ms. Rakhee Gupta Bhandari, Principal Secretary, Tourism & Cultural Affairs, Punjab along with other esteemed dignitaries such as many senior tourism officials from Indian states; heads of travel trade associations; and members of the media, etc. The distinguished delegation also visited the Punjab Tourism Stall Pavilion, where they received a comprehensive briefing on Punjab’s tourism offerings. Ms. Amrit Singh, Director of Tourism & Cultural Affairs, Govt. of Punjab, spoke about the recently launched Adventure & Water Tourism Policies and extended an invitation to the entire travel fraternity for the upcoming Punjab Investor’s Tourism Summit and Travel Mart.

IEP Chandigarh, August 8

Punjab Technical Education Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains, under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Mann, continues to spearhead initiatives aimed at providing students with comprehensive and practical education. In a significant step towards enhancing the skills of instructors in various trades, S. Harjot Singh Bains today flagged off three batches of 105 instructors for five day advanced training programs, each tailored to hone skills crucial for current industrial requirements. He said that the first batch of 20 Instructors of Fitter and Welder trades are set to undergo intensive training in CNC Machining Techniques at the Central Institute of Plastics Engineering & Technology (CIPET), located in Jharmajri, Baddi (Himachal Pradesh). The Technical Education Minister informed that the second batch of 20 Instructors (Draughtsman Mechanical and Draughtsman Civil trades) will be participating in an Auto CAD Mechanical/Civil training program, which is scheduled to be held at the Government of India Society, Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, Central Tool Room Ludhiana. To further enhance the capabilities of Instructors in the Turner and Machinist trades, Harjot Singh Bains said that a capacity enhancement program in CNC Machining Techniques will be organized. A total of 65 Instructors will undergo training at the esteemed National Institute of Technical Teachers Training & Research (NITTTR) in Chandigarh. While expressing his enthusiasm for these initiatives, S. Harjot Singh Bains emphasized the critical role that specialized training plays in fostering the growth of skilled professionals in various industries. He said that this initiative underscores the commitment of the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Mann led government to providing high-quality practical education to students. He said that a total of Rs.15 lakh would be incurred on these three training and programs. Mr. Priank Bharti, Secretary technical education and industrial training department, D.P.S. Kharbanda, Director technical education and industrial training department and Vijayinder Dhawan, Joint Director (Planning) technical education and industrial training department were also present on the occasion.

IEP Chandigarh, July 25

Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan has emphasised the need  to address problems being faced by common masses and brought to their notice by MLAs within minimal time and appropriate manner.Holding a meeting with the senior officials from Punjab’s Finance, Transport, Health, and Home Departments, as well as Zonal Managers from different banks at the Punjab Legislative Assembly Secretariat, the Speaker sought amicable and prompt resolutions to these problems. He pointed out that Government and private banks were forcing borrowers for  insurance at the time of loan approval/disbursement,  though there was no such legal requirement. He urged the zonal bank managers to ensure that common people and farmers were not compelled to get insurance while obtaining different loans.The Speaker also urged the Zonal Managers to clearly communicate that insurance was not mandatory for taking loans in their respective banks. This should be done by properly displaying the information at prominent places, translating the relevant instructions for taking loans into Punjabi, and providing the translated versions to the borrowers.Prominent amongst those present in the meeting included MLAs Mr. Amolak Singh, Mr. Manwinder Singh Giaspura, Mr. Kuljit Singh Randhawa, Mr. Balkar Sidhu, Principal Secretary Finance Mr. Ajoy Sinha, Principal Secretary Health Mr. Vivek Pratap Singh, Secretary Transport Mr. Dilraj Singh Sandhawalia, State Transport Commissioner Mr. Monish Kumar, I.G. Security Mr. Shiv Kumar Verma, Secretary Punjab Vidhan Sabha Mr. Ram Lok Khatana, Registrar Cooperative Societies, MD. Punjab State Cooperative Bank, Zonal Manager State Bank of India, Zonal Manager Punjab National Bank, Zonal Manager HDFC and Zonal Manager ICICI, among others. 

IEP Chandigarh, July 25     

      Punjab Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO on Tuesday said that the power supply has been restored to all 595 places affected by the recent floods in the state. He said that the most affected districts were Rupnagar, SAS Nagar, Patiala and Sangrur.          Revealing this in a press communiqué issued here, Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO said that the floods have caused significant damage to the infrastructure of the Punjab State Power Corporation (PSPCL). “The loss of infrastructure has had a significant impact on the power supply in the affected areas, affecting essential services. PSPCL workforce worked round the clock to restore power supply to the affected areas”, said the Power minister while adding that the PSPCL officers had sensibly outlined their priorities for restoring power with the highest priority given to the critical infrastructure, such as Hospitals, Medical facilities, Telecom and water supply.          Giving details regarding loss incurred to PSPCL due to recent floods, Harbhajan Singh ETO said that the total loss has been estimated to be around Rs. 16 crore including damage of around Rs. 9 crores to the 11 kV/LT infrastructure, Rs. 1.5 crores to PSPCL office Infrastructure, furniture & record besides damage of around Rs. 5.5 crore to the 66 kV substations. He said that the damage includes uprooted poles, damaged transformers, and flooded substations which cause damage of substation equipment and power lines. He said that twenty 66 KV sub-stations across the state were inundated due to which infrastructure was severely damaged.          Divulging further, ETO said that the water from the nearby overflowing water bodies had entered the substations after breaking the boundary walls. “The water also entered in the cable trenches inside the control room buildings and power transformer yards. Heavy rain also caused damage to the roofs of the substations and office buildings”, said Harbhajan Singh ETO while mentioning that the pumps had been deployed at the substations to pump out the water from the substation yard and the supply was switched off keeping in view the public safety.          The Power Minister congratulated the employees and officers of PSPCL for showing professional zeal in rising up to occasion and restoring power to all flood affected areas. He also thanked the general public for their support and cooperation. 

IEP Chandigarh, July 25

Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan held a meeting with officials of local governments, Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board, officials of various private companies and District Administration of Faridkot to resolve the problems faced by the residents of Kotakpura regarding the maintenance of old sewerage system and sanitation of the city.Mr. Sandhwan discussed in detail the problems faced by the residents with the concerned officials and asked them to ensure that the entire works of maintenance and sanitation of Kotakpura’s sewerage system will be complete in time bound manner. He asked the officials of Gujarat Gas Pipe Company to ensure repair the potholes as per the agreement after laying the pipes under the roads and streets in Kotakpura city. He asked that the work at new place should be started only after completion the earlier initiated projects.Mr. Sandhwan instructed the officials of the Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board to take strict action against the private company for not undertaking the sanitation work of Kotakpura city properly and said that the private companies can’t run away from providing scheduled services as per the agreement.Urging the residents of Kotakpura to participate in sanitation campaign, Mr. Sandhwan said that a motivational campaign should be run in this regard and the residents of the city should be made aware of proper disposal of polythene and other waste. He said that the residents should also be encouraged to install filtration system in the sewerage pipe outside their houses so that polythene and other solid waste can’t go into the sewerage pipe.On this occasion, Chairman Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board Dr. Sunny Ahluwalia, CEO Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board Mr. Malwinder Singh Jaggi, Additional Deputy Commissioner Urban Development Faridkot Lakhwinder Singh Randhawa, SDM. Kotakpura Virpal Kaur, Secretary Red Cross Faridkot Mandeep Singh, Karja Sadhaka Officer Municipal Council Kotarpura Ravi Kumar, Manpreet Singh Manni Dhaliwal, Surinder Singh Moti besides senior officials of Local Government Department and Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board were present.

IEP Punjab Chandigarh, July 21    

      Punjab Vigilance Bureau today apprehended a Patwari posted at Revenue Halqa Jandiala Guru in Amritsar district while accepting a bribe of Rs.5000.          Providing the details, an official spokesperson of the Vigilance Bureau said that Sukhraj Singh resident of village Dharar in district Amritsar had lodged a complaint that he had purchased one acre of land from Pritam Singh of the same village. Subsequently, mutation of the land was registered in the name of complainant’s grandfather Charan Singh.          The complainant said that around a month ago he found that the mutation of land was erroneously registered on the name of Sher Singh instead of his grandfather Charan Singh. When he approached to Patwari Harpreet Singh to rectify the error. He demanded a bribe of Rs.5000 to rectify it.          Acting promptly on Sukhraj Singh’s complaint, a team of Vigilance Bureau, Amritsar Range today laid a trap and arrested the accused Patwari Harpreet Singh while accepting a bribe of Rs.5000 from the complainant in the presence of official witnesses.A case under section-7 of Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered against the Patwari at Police Station VB, Amritsar Range. 

IEP Chandigarh, July 22

        Punjab School Education and Language Minister Harjot Singh Bains informed that Amity International School, Sector 79, has been directed to pay fine of Rs. 50,000 for not teaching Punjabi as a compulsory subject.          Giving detailed information in this regard, School Education Minister Bains said that it came to the notice of the Education Department that Punjabi was not being taught as a compulsory subject by the school and the Director School Education issued a show cause letter to the concerned private school. During the hearing, it came to fore that in violation of the NOC given by the Punjab government to the private school and the instruction contained in Page 2 Series No. 3 of ‘The Punjab Learning of Punjabi and Other Languages Act 2008’ was being violated.          He said that Amity International School has been fined Rs 50,000 for the first violation of the conditions as per the rules of ‘The Punjab Learning of Punjabi and Other Languages Amendment Act 2021’ and the concerned school has been instructed to deposit the penalty amount within five days and submit the report.          Bains said that the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will not spare the schools adopting any kind of apathy towards mother tongue Punjabi and will take strict action against them. He also instructed the rest of the private schools to ensure that Punjabi should be taught as compulsorily subject.          Giving more information in this regard, School Education Minister Bains said that it came to the notice of the Education Department that Punjabi language was not being taught as a compulsory subject by the said school and acting upon it, the Director School Education issued a letter to the concerned private school. A hearing was called. During the hearing, it came to light that in violation of the NOC given by the Punjab government to the private school and the instruction contained in Page 2 Series No. 3 of ‘The Punjab Learning of Punjabi and Other Languages Act 2008’ is being violated.          He said that for this reason Amity International School has been fined Rs 50,000 for the first violation of the conditions as per the rules of ‘The Punjab Learning of Punjabi and Other Languages Amendment Act 2021’ and the concerned school has been instructed to Deposit the penalty amount within five days and submit the report.          S. Bains said that the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will not spare the schools adopting any kind of apathy towards Punjabi language and will take strict action against them. He also instructed the rest of the private schools to ensure that Punjabi subject is taught compulsorily.

IEP Chandigarh, July 19     

     Working on its commitment towards empowering women financially, led by Chief Minister Punjab Bhagwant Mann the Punjab Government is ensuring implementation of schemes related to the economic empowerment of women.          Director of Social Security, Women and Child Development Department, Mrs. Madhvi Kataria, while giving information in this regard, said that according to the guidelines of Minister for Social Security, Women and Child Development Dr. Baljit Kaur, the department is working sincerely towards strengthening women economically. Under the same objective, a conference was organized at the sector 34 office of department with the aim of making the women entrepreneurs more aware of the modern ways of buying and selling through Open Network For Digital Commerce (ONDC).          She added that this department organized this conference to enable small and middle-class entrepreneurs of Punjab have better access to government facilities. Mr. Brij Purohit, Director of ONDC’s seller app of the Government of India, said that ONDC is very beneficial for Punjab and gave a presentation by sharing success stories from other states.          She said that it provides the right opportunity to small and home entrepreneurs and self-help groups to increase their income by connecting them with this seller app. An online market will be provided where all these institutions and entrepreneurs associated with them will be able to deliver their products to people on a large scale and at the same time will be able to connect with the entrepreneurs of other states.          Officials of Punjab Agro, Punjab Small Industry and Export Corporation, Punjab Khadi Board, Rural Development and Panchayat Department and local Government department participated in this conference.