IEP CHANDIGARH, APRIL 13    

      Punjab Revenue Minister Bram Shanker Jimpa today greeted the people of Punjab on the eve of Baisakhi.          In a message Jimpa said that this festival has a great significance for the farmers of Punjab as this day traditionally marks the beginning of harvest of Rabi crops. This harvest festival is indeed an occasion for them to rejoice over their fruits of toil and for all of us to acknowledge Punjabi farmers’ contribution in making India self-sufficient on food security front.          Jimpa said that this festival has a great religious significance for Sikhs since on this day in the year 1699 at Sri Anandpur Sahib, Guru Gobind Singh ji established Khalsa Panth,  a body of people dedicated to the principles of truth, justice, and equality; the cardinal principles of Sikh faith.          The Minister said that the massacre of hundreds of innocent Punjabis by the British at Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar on this day in the year 1919 proved as the last nail in the coffin of British rule in India.          He called upon people to celebrate this festival collectively and utilize this day to pay our gratitude to all those known and unknown freedom fighters, who laid their lives so that we all can breathe in freedom. Let us also acknowledge the contribution of humble farmers who are working day and night to feed the nation, Jimpa added.

IEP CHANDIGARH, March 10

Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring today said that the Aam Aadmi Party government was today completely exposed by its own admission and revelations made in the budget that was presented today in the Punjab legislative assembly.

“This budget has proved to be the harsh reality check for the government in which it has miserably failed”, Warring said while remarking, “the budget 2023-24 is an admission of failures and frustrations of the AAP government”. 

“This is not what we are saying, it is the government which is admitting that Punjab is on the brink of bankruptcy and the state government has no vision to save it”, he said, while adding, had it any plan or programme it would have been revealed in today’s budget only.

Taking a dig at the AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal’s claims that he would generate Rs 20,000 crores from sand mining, Warring pointed out, the budgetary figures showed that the state earned just Rs 153 crores from sand mining last year. 

“Either you have pocketed the balance amount or you must apologise to the people of Punjab that you lied about income from sand mining”, the PCC president told the government. “And what about Rs 34,000 crores which Kejriwal promised to save from corruption?” he asked.

Warring reminded the government that it had promised to pay Rs 1000 every month to every woman in the state. “You are already there for a year and you seem to have completely forgotten that promise”, he told the government,

Similarly, the PCC president added, in 2022-23 budget the AAP promised to shortlist 100 existing schools and upgrade them to the institutes of eminence. Rs. 200 crores were allocated for the same. The same promise has been repeated this year as well, without any mention of having done anything so far.

He pointed out, theBudget 2022-23 promised to establish 16 new medical colleges over a period of 5 years, but this year it has proposed budget allocation for only 2 new medical colleges which means at this rate they would not even be able to start 5 colleges in 5 years.

Referring to the debt situation, Warring pointed out, the AAP government took Rs 31000 cr worth of loans in 1 year while on an average the Congress government took Rs 15000 per year and Rs 73000 cr in 5 years. At this pace, the AAP will indebt the state further by over Rs1.5 lakh crores, he said, adding, today’s budget has proved the popular fears right that this government is completely incompetent and inefficient not only in terms of governance, but also a failure in terms of financial management.

IEP Chandigarh, February 27     

     Punjab Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal today held discussions with the representatives of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta-Ugrahan) regarding farmers issues of Punjab and the new agriculture policy.          In the meeting held at Punjab Bhawan, representatives of Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta-Ugrahan) Mr. Joginder Singh Ugrahan, Mr. Sukhdev Singh Kokri and Mr. Jhanda Singh gave suggestions regarding agriculture policy. Pointing towards three main objectives, the farmers leaders said, there should be no unfair distribution of land and agricultural equipment, usury should be abolished and all round development of three main resources of agriculture such as water, land and human labour should be ensured. Submitting 39 points for resolving at the government level, the BKU representatives said that due to lack of will power of the previous dispensations, the state of Punjab is facing a deep agrarian crisis.          Mr. Dhaliwal reiterated, Mann government was fully committed to implement Pro-Punjab agriculture model, consequently, the work of drafting agriculture policy of Punjab has been initiated in just eleven months, and we are fully committed to implement it in a true spirit. The Agriculture Minister further added, agriculture issues such as water, electricity, pesticides, fertiliser control are the subject of the state government.          He said, the issues suggested by the farmers union would be considered by the committee constituted for drafting Punjab Agriculture Policy, and their points would also be shared with the public for further discussion. In this series, suggestions of about 8500 farmers have been taken for agriculture policy during the first ever government-farmers milni. Said the Cabinet Minister, adding that the Punjab government has opened the way for the international market for Basmati of the state by banning 10 agricultural pesticides, which has directly benefited the farmers. He said, the draft agriculture policy of Punjab would be placed before the people of the state by March 31, 2023 to ensure that economic condition of the farmers could be improved by implementing the pro-Punjab agriculture model.          The Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included Principal Secretary Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Mr. Sumer Singh Gurjar, Secretary Mr. Dr. Arshdeep Singh Thind, Director Dr. Gurvinder Singh, Punjab Agricultural University Ludhiana Vice Chancellor Dr. Satveer Singh Gosal, Punjab State Farmers and Agricultural Workers Commission Chairman Mr. Sukhpal Singh and OSD Dr. Devendra Tiwari.

IEP Chandigarh, February 24

          The Hinduja Group, a leading bus manufacturing company, has shown its interest to manufacture electric vehicles in Punjab

          On the sideline of the Punjab Investors Summit-2023, the delegation of the Hinduja company today called on Transport Minister S.  Laljit Singh Bhullar. The delegation, which comprised Mr. S.K. Chadha Senior Advisor Hinduja Group, Mr. Piyush Zonal Head Ashok Leyland, Mr. Aman Khanna Business Head Mind Space, Mr. Naresh Arora Zonal Manager IndusInd Bank and Mr. Sachin Nijhawan Chief Commercial Officer, Switch Mobility  gave presentation of the products of the company, and apprised that as the Punjab government has approved the electric vehicle policy, the company wants to manufacture electric small bus in the state, besides opening a driver training institute in the state in partnership with the government.

          The Transport Minister said that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led government recently accorded approval to Electric Vehicle Policy (PEVP)- 2022 with a move to check the environmental pollution in the state due to omission from vehicles. The policy desires to reduce vehicular emission, create infrastructure, Manufacturing, Research and Development, Job creation, ensuring sustainability besides to establish Punjab as a favoured destination for manufacturing of electric vehicles, components and batteries.

          Representatives of Hinduja Group, while appreciating the state government for launching comprehensive electric vehicle policy, said that they have high hopes from the Chief Minister and his government. Congratulating the Chief Minister and his government for working for betterment of state in a mission mode with pure intentions, they said that Punjab is the land of enterprise, hard working and dedicated people. They lauded the single window system being offered by the state government for clearances, and said that Punjab is on threshold of transition due to its top class infrastructure coupled with conducive government policies.

IEP SAS Nagar, February 23

          Terming the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann as a visionary and honest person with wholehearted commitment to improve the lot of the State, the Local Government Minister Dr. Inderbir Singh Nijjar divulged that law and order, industrialization, logistics, adventure tourism are some of the key areas that the present dispensation is focussing its energies upon.

          Chairing the United Kingdom – Partner country session here at the Indian School of Business during the first day of the 5th Progressive Punjab Investor Summit 2023, the Minister exhorted the NRI Punjabi diaspora in the UK to come back to the roots and invest in the State as the conditions are most congenial for doing business in Punjab. “A new policy is on the anvil to bring the canal water into the industries and even in the cities besides the 20 rural industrial parks already existing which provide employment avenues to the local people”, said Dr. Nijjar adding that the partnership between the UK and Punjab Government would be mutually beneficial to both.

          Emphasizing the strengthening of UK – India ties with focus on Punjab, the Deputy High Commissioner, UK High Commission in India, Caroline Rowett listed Innovative Education, Trade & Investment, Climate Change and Start Ups as the key sectors for taking the ties between both the parties to a new level. Lauding the contribution of 1.7 million Indian diaspora in the UK with half of them being Punjabis, the Deputy High Commissioner voiced support for flights from Chandigarh to Birmingham and London besides Cooperation at Primary as well as Secondary School level. “The companies from Chandigarh with expertise in IT, Hospitality and Healthcare spheres have also invested heavily in the UK”, added the Deputy High Commissioner.

          In his address, Member of the House of Lords of the United Kingdom, Lord Diljit Rana disclosed that 40 companies from the Northern Ireland have made investments in India hence the Chief Minister, Punjab should send a delegation there for exploring trade and business opportunities. Making out a strong case for building relations first, Lord Rana said that Engineering, Agriculture, Food Processing and Medical Diagnostics apart from Mining are the core areas where the both Punjab and the UK could benefit.

          Earlier, the Principal Secretary NRI Affairs, Punjab, J.M. Balamurugan while dwelling on the India UK ties, said that the relationship between the both is a historic one with Punjabi community being the second largest in numbers in UK after Canada and contributing 6 percent of UKs GDP. He further mentioned that UK is the 6th largest investor in India with 600 firms operating in the country.

          On the occasion, MD, Rockpecker Ltd. Rajnish Dhawan, CEO (India) Gensus ABS Dr. Rahul Gupta, Co – Founder InQube Tridibesh Bandhopadhyay, Investment Lead of Capital Team Sumesh Girhotra, Chief Executive Officer BIKAL Raj Sandhu, Managing Director Ebdo Energy Systems UK Prof. Gurvinder Virk and Young Professional from Visa Scheme Ben Pugsley also shared their experiences.

          The Local Government Minister on the occasion also felicitated the Deputy High Commissioner Caroline Rowett.

IEP Chandigarh, February 22   

       In order to further ramp up healthcare services and to provide employment to the youth of the state as promised by CM Bhagwant Mann, Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh on Wednesday distributed appointment letters to the newly appointed eight clerks and one peon at Directorate of Ayurveda, Punjab here.          Congratulating the newly recruited youth, the Health Minister implored them to serve the people diligently and full honesty. The Minister further said that Punjab government led by CM Bhagwant Mann has adopted a zero tolerance policy against corruption any employee involved in such malpractices will not be spared.          He said that Mann Government has not been leaving any stone unturned to improve health services in Punjab and soon, all the vacancies in all the departments related with health services will be filled up to ensure the world-class health services to the people of Punjab at Government Hospitals.          He also emphasized the department officials to take concrete steps to make the common people aware for Ayurvedic treatment systems. Ayurvedic treatment methods can also be beneficial to free the youth from the bad effects of drugs, he added.          Meanwhile, all the candidates thanked the Health Minister and assured him that they will do their duty with honesty and dedication.          Commissioner AYUSH Dr Abhinav Trikha, Director Ayurveda Punjab Dr Shashi Bhushan, Director Homeopathy Dr Balihar Singh and District Ayurvedic and Unani Officer Sangrur Dr Ravi Doomra were among the other officials who were present on the occasion.  

IEP Chandigarh/SAS Nagar (Mohali), February 19

          In view of board examination starting from tomorrow, the Punjab School Education Department and Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) have geared up and made all the arrangements pertaining to smooth conducting of board examination of class V, VIII, X and XII.

          Elaborating the details, Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said that the Punjab School Education Board is going to conduct the annual examinations from Monday onwards with starting of 12th class examination. He informed that the 2,99,744 candidates will enrolled to appear in this examination. He said that 14501 candidates will appear under Open Category, while 713 students appearing under Additional Subject Category, besides 30 candidates are going to appear in the examination to improve their performance. Similarly, 1095 candidates are going to appear under re-appear category. “2255 examination centers have been established in 3914 schools for the twelfth class examination across the state,” he added.

          However, annual examination of class V is being conducted from 25th February 2023, which will continue till March 4, 2023. The School Education Minister informed that 2,98,296 students were enrolled to appear in this examination and they have especially provided the facility of self-centres. Harjot Bains said that 17307 Self-Examination Center have been set up to accomplish the task. He further added that 2482 examination centers have been established in 10694 schools for class VIII students and 3,10,311 candidates will appear in this annual examination.

          Speaking about the arrangements being made for smooth conducting of Matriculation examination, the Education Minister said that total 2,85,068 have been enrolled to appear in the examination, while 10361 will appear under Open School System, besides 2366 students of Additional Subject Category. He added that twenty students to be appeared under Performance Enhancement category, while 1090 candidates are going to appear under Re-Appear Category. He informed that 2576 examination centers have been set up in 7178 schools for this examination.

          Mr. Bains said that arrangements have been made to complete all these examinations in a peaceful and convenient manner.  The question papers for class twelfth examination have been handed over to the banks of all the districts.  Similarly, the question papers of fifth and eighth classes will be delivered to the banks on February 21 and the question papers of class 10 on March 17.  From where the staff posted in the examinations will get the question papers.  Instructions have been issued for the staff posted in the examinations during the conduct of the examinations. Cameras are installed  to insure transparency.

          The Education Minister also informed that instructions have been issued to the District Education Officers of the state to supervise the examinations and instructions have been issued to  the police officers of various districts for the smooth conduct of the examinations and to prevent any untoward incident.

IEP Mumbai/ Chandigarh, January 24

          In consonance with the commitment of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to turn dreams into reality for ushering an era of industrial revolution, the work on setting up of scrap based steel plant by Tata Steel at a cost of Rs 2600 crore kicked off on Tuesday in Ludhiana.

          “This is just the beginning as we deliver, what we say and the day is not far when we will make Punjab a frontrunner state in the industrial growth across the country”, said the Chief Minister during a meeting with the representatives of the Tata group here on Tuesday.

          The Chief Minister, while congratulating the Tata group for starting work on this ambitious project, assured fulsome support and cooperation to them in this noble cause. He said that this project is first ever investment made by this globally acclaimed company in the state and second biggest in the country after Jamshedpur. Bhagwant Mann expressed hope that investment by this major industrial group will further put the state on a high growth trajectory of industrial development besides opening new vistas of employment for the youth.

          The Chief Minister described it as a ‘Dawn of New Era’ as earlier the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) were confined upto paper only whereas now the actual work has started to give fillip to progress of the state. He said that earlier the companies were forced to ink agreements with the affluent families in the state to secure their vested interests. However, Bhagwant Mann said that now the pacts are being done with the people of the state to carve out a progressive, vibrant and peaceful Punjab.

          The Chief Minister unequivocally said that the youth of the state will be immensely benefited from this project, which will play a key role in restoring the pristine glory of the state. He said that the Tata Group is investing around Rs 2600 crore in the first phase of the project coming up at Ludhiana, adjacent to Hi-Tech Valley Industrial Park of Government of Punjab. Bhagwant Mann envisioned that this prestigious project will prove to be a milestone in propelling industrial growth in the state.

          The Chief Minister said that this electric arc furnace based plant will produce 0.75 MTPA finished steel adding that the raw material for the steel making process is 100% scrap. Bhagwant Mann said that the plant will be spread over 115 acres of land adjacent to the state-of-the art Industrial Park developed by PSIEC. He said that the project is part of the commitment of the state government to ensure that Punjab leads the country in the arena of industrial growth.

IEP Chandigarh, January 24

Utilizing the precious natural resources in a constructive manner is called development in actual sense as it leaves a healthy legacy for the coming generations and it is a matter of primary importance for the Punjab Government led by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. These views were expressed by the PWD Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO at the MGSIPA in Sector – 26 today while addressing a seminar held under the aegis of the Wirtgen company for recycling of used material in the construction of roads.

The Minister also said that the concept of conserving natural resources is part of the nationwide consciousness and such seminars play a vital role in furthering this mission. “Such endeavours such as recycling of used material leads to less mine blasting and less transportation costs besides being eco friendly”, said the Minister adding that this innovative method is inexpensive too.

The Minister exhorted the entire department to work with dedication and honesty in improving the road infrastructure and strive to make Punjab Number one in this sector.

On the occasion, the Minister was apprised that the road construction mechanism with this new technique involves cement in very less quantity and the addition of additive foam bitumen apart from using the old material. This increases the quality of the roads to a very large extent.