IEP Chandigarh, January 19

In order to fulfil the dream of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to make Punjab the leading state of the country in sports again, the sports department has laid emphasis on comprehensive reforms in the new sports policy. It was stated by the Sports Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer in a press communiqué released after the meeting held at the Punjab Bhawan Chandigarh with the expert committee to deliberate on the draft of the Sports Policy.

Meet Hayer said that the implementation of the new sports policy will fulfil the Chief Minister’s dream. In today’s meeting, it was decided to adopt a scientific method regarding talent search for the selection of players. The Minister also said that the performance data of the players of the state should be collected and analyzed. By identifying the specialized places of various sports in the state, the focus should be on the respective sports there. Besides, the gradation policy should be rationalized, said Meet Hayer.

The sports minister said that a policy should be made to get financial help from corporate houses to create a sportsperson friendly ultra modern infrastructure. Similarly, a platform should be provided for NRIs to sponsor players and teams. Apart from this, the sports department along with the school education, higher education, technical education and medical education departments made a joint sports calendar.

Prominent among others who were present at the occasion included Principal Secretary Raj Kamal Chaudhary, Director Amit Talwar, Arjuna Awardee Hockey Olympian Surinder Singh Sodhi, Dronacharya Awardee and former National Boxing Coach Gurbaksh Singh Sandhu and Vice Chancellor of Maharaja Bhupinder Singh Sports University Patiala Lt. General (Retd.) JS Cheema.

IEP Chandigarh, January 4

The state government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is continuously striving to promote tourism in Punjab and provide maximum facilities to the tourists coming to Punjab. To fulfill the same purpose, Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Investment Promotion, Labor and Grievance Redressal Minister Ms Anmol Gagan Mann today issued tourist guide license to 30 candidates at the office in Chandigarh. Secretary of Tourism and Culture Affairs Department, Gurkirat Kirpal Singh was present on this occasion.

Giving more information in this regard, Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Anmol Gagan Mann said that tour guides play an important role in assisting tourists visiting any country or state. She explained that the duty and responsibility of a tour guide includes the tour activities from the arrival of the tourists to the departure from the state. She said that only good tour guides give real insight to the people about the history, heritage, culture, language and specialties of their country or state.

The Cabinet Minister said that these tour guides will share information about the rich heritage of the state to the tourists coming to Punjab, which will give a big boost to tourism in Punjab and will strengthen the state economically. She said that tourists coming to Punjab from all over the world can access the website of Punjab Tourism and Cultural Affairs Department: punjabtourism.punjab.gov.in to get the services of tour guides. The minister also wished the tour guides for their bright future.

On this occasion Superintendent, Tourism Rajesh Verma, Manager Marketing, Tourism Haras Mittal and other officials were present.

IEP CHANDIGARH, January 4

          As part of the ongoing drive to make Punjab a crime-free state as per the vision of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Punjab Police has arrested a 20-years-old AC mechanic for making extortion calls to a Mohali-based Pharmaceutical Company owner by posing as foreign-based infamous gangster, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Wednesday.

          The accused identified as Suraj (20), a resident of Maloya colony in Chandigarh, was arrested from Verka Chowk here, when he along with his aide identified as Mandeep Singh (32) of village Mangewal in Sri Anandpur Sahib, was going to collect extortion money on a motorcycle. The Police have also recovered two mobile phones and a Black Colour CT 100 motorcycle (without registration number plate) from their possession.

          The complainant, who is an owner of a Pharmaceutical company located in SAS Nagar, lodged a complaint with police that he has received phone calls from a man claiming to be infamous gangster on December 30, 2022. The caller demanded ₹30 lakh as extortion money and threatened to kill him in case the complainant failed to give the protection money on time.

          DGP Gaurav Yadav said that following the complaint, the State Special Operation Cell of SAS Nagar immediately started investigations into this case and arrested the accused caller Suraj, who was using the WhatsApp number of his aide Mandeep Singh to make extortion calls to the target. While accused Suraj works as an AC mechanic, his aide Mandeep is a taxi driver, he said.

          The DGP once again cautioned people to be wary of fake extortion calls and urged them to immediately inform the police whenever they receive a such call. Recent investigations in such extortion cases by Punjab Police have revealed that a very large number of such extortion calls in the name of known gangsters were made by unknown criminals, who don’t have any association with these gangs or gangsters.

          Divulging more details about the modus operandi, AIG SSOC SAS Nagar Ashwani Kapur said that preliminary investigations have revealed that the accused Suraj, when going to repair ACs at homes, shops or companies, would identify affluent people as possible targets and would note down their details to give them the impression that their activities are being watched, which enable him to make the victim a soft target to extort money. “We have sent both the mobile phones for forensic examination to find out if accused persons have made extortion calls to any other person,” he said.

          Meanwhile, a case FIR no 1 has been registered under sections 384 and 120B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) at Police Station SSOC SAS Nagar.

IEP Chandigarh, January 4

In order to give due honour to freedom fighters, martyred soldiers and eminent writers and make next generations aware about these personalities, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led government has renamed 12 government schools after famous personalities.

Disclosing this here today, School Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said, as per the instructions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the department has decided to change the name of the government schools after the prominent personalities of the area so that these famous personalities remain a source of inspiration for our next generations, and names of 12 schools has been changed in first phase.

          He informed that name of Government Primary Smart School Dhaula has been changed to Ram Saroop Ankhi Government Primary Smart School Dhaula, district Barnala.

Similarly, the name of the Government Primary Harijan Basti Kot Fatta, district Bathinda has been changed to Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha Government Primary School, Government Primary School, district Jail, Udham Singh Nagar Bathinda renamed as Shaheed Udham Singh Government Primary School Udham Singh Nagar, Bathinda, Government Middle School Pohlomajra, district Fatehgarh Sahib renamed as Shaheed Malkeet Singh Government Middle School, Government High School Pabarali Kalan, district Gurdaspur renamed as Shaheed Lance Naik Rajinder Singh Government High School, Government Senior Secondary Smart School Hajipur, district Hoshiarpur renamed as Shaheed Bakhtabar Singh Government girls  Senior Secondary Smart School, Government Elementary School Kalichpur Kalotan, district Hoshiarpur renamed as Shaheed Subedar Rajesh Kumar Government Elementary School, Government Elementary Smart School Rurkee, district Patiala changed as Freedom fighter Bhai Naanu Singh Government Elementary Smart School, Government High Smart School Gangrola, district Patiala renamed as Shaheed Udham Singh Government High Smart School, Government Middle School Hardosharan, district Pathankot renamed as Shaheed Ram Singh Pathania Memorial Government Middle School, Government Primary School Badeshe, district Malerkotla renamed as Shaheed Gurpreet Singh Bajwa Government Primary School and Government Primary School Dera Bazigar, district Amritsar has been renamed as Shaheed Resham Singh Government Primary School Guru Nankapura, district Amritsar.

 Bains said, on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the caste-based names of various government schools have also been changed recently, adding that renaming of government schools after famous personalities belonged to different villages/cities/towns will continue in future. The people of the state desirous to rename the school of their area can coordinate with the department, he urged.

IEP Chandigarh, December 30

Coming to protect the loved ones of those who laid down their lives in various operations for the defence of the country, Chief Minister S Bhagwant Mann led Punjab Govt has taken many landmark decisions for the welfare of next of kin of soldiers.In recognition of the gallantry services of the defence personnel, Mann government, immediately, after coming to power in the state, had enhanced rates of ex-gratia grant given to the families of martyred soldiers from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1 crore. The financial assistance is being given to next of kin of soldiers who sacrificed their lives in various operations for the defence of the country.Punjab Defence Services Welfare Minister Fauja Singh Sarari said that the department has made a payment of Rs 3,09,40,000/- to the next of kin of martyrs during the period from April 1, 2022 to till date.Apart from this, he said that, the state government has been providing financial assistance of Rs 1 Lakh to family of Armed Forces personnel who die in harness (other than Battle Casualty) under Armed Forces Flag Day fund. An amount of Rs 26 Lakh has been paid to families of Armed Forces personnel during the period from 01.04.2022 to till date.Carrying out on the agenda of looking after widows of soldiers who die in harness, Mann Government has been paying  Sustenance amount of Rs 15000/- per month  to widows of soldiers till start of the pension upto six months.  The state government has provided Sustenance allowance to 14 widows during the period from 01.04.2022 to till date, said Cabinet Minister Fauja Singh Sarari.

IEP Chandigarh December 26

The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its anti-corruption campaign on Monday , arrested an Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI), Gurmej Singh, posted at police station Guru Harsahai, Ferozepur district for demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 6,000.

Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of the VB said the above mentioned accused ASI has been arrested red handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 6000 from complaint Rani, resident of Guru Harsahai.

Giving details he added that the complainant lady has approached the VB and alleged that the above said police official has demanded Rs 10,000 as a bribe to join her in the investigations in a police case registered against her at the police station. She further alleged that the accused police official had already taken Rs 2,000 as a first instalment and was asking more money in this regard. An accomplice of the complainant has recorded the conversation as a proof while giving him this bribe amount.

The spokesperson added that the VB has investigated the allegations and laid a trap. The above said accused police official was nabbed red handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 6,000 as a second instalment in the presence of two official witnesses. In this regard a case under prevention of corruption act has been registered against the above mentioned police official at VB police station Ferozepur. Further investigation in this case was under progress.

IEP Chandigarh, December 24

The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its anti-corruption campaign on Saturday, arrested Sub Inspector (SI) Harpal Singh (82/Jalandhar), posted as SHO police station Dhillwan, Kapurthala district and his subordinate Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) Harwant Singh (405/Kapurthala) for taking a bribe of Rs 6,500 and demanding more Rs. 50,000.

Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of the VB said the above mentioned accused police officials have been arrested for accepting a bribe of Rs 6,500 from complaint Iqbal Singh, of village Pandori Kadd, Hoshiarpur district.

Giving details he added that the complainant has approached the VB and alleged that the above said police officials in conniving with each other have demanded and taken Rs 6,500 as a bribe by threatening to lodge a NDPS case against him and have confiscated his car, Aadhar card, driving licence and ATM card. They were asking Rs 50,000 more to release his vehicle and documents.

The complainant has also lodged a complaint at the Chief Minister’s anti corruption helpline. The accused police officials have kept his vehicle in their custody for ten days and returned to him when he filed online complaint.

The spokesperson further informed that the VB has investigated the allegations levelled in the online complaint and both the accused police officials were arrested after finding them guilty for accepting a bribe of Rs 6,500 and demanding Rs 50,000 from the complainant.

In this regard a case under section 389, 120-B of IPC and section 7 of prevention of corruption act has been registered against both the above mentioned police officials at VB police station Jalandhar. Further investigation in this case was under progress.

IEP Chandigarh, December 14      

    On the direction of Chief Minister Punjab Bhagwant Mann, development work is being done across the state to provide basic facilities, Clean and Pollution free environment to the people of the state.Local Government Minister Dr. Inderbir Singh Nijjar said that the department has started Process for remediation of legacy waste at dump sites of Municipal Council Mansa.Cabinet Minister Dr. Inderbir Singh Nijjar said that a decision has been taken to spend approximately Rs 3.54 crores by the Local Government Department to remediation of Legacy waste at the dump sites of Mansa.Minister further said that providing a clean and pollution-free environment to the people of the state is the top priority of the Mann government so that the people of the state can be protected from serious diseases spread by pollution.He also said that the Local Government Department has uploaded a tender for this work on the Punjab Government website eproc.punjab.gov.in.  He also told that if there is a need to make any amendment in this tender, then the details will be available on this website.Cabinet Minister said that Punjab government led by Bhagwant Mann is making full efforts to provide corruption free administration to the people of the state.  If any officer/employee is caught committing corruption, he will not be spared.Minister has also given instructions to the officials to bring transparency and quality in the works of the department.

IEP Chandigarh, December 12

Punjab Information and Public Relations Minister Mr. Aman Arora on Monday expressed profound grief over the sad demise of veteran Journalist and a noted writer S. Harbir Singh Bhanwar. He was 84-years-old.

          The veteran journalist breathed his last today morning at a private hospital in Ludhiana.

          S. Bhanwar was a renowned author, who penned down over a dozen of books including a much famed books ‘Diary de Panne’ and ‘Dharam Yudh Morcha’. He was an eminent political analyst and well versed in Sikh religious affairs. During his career as a journalist, he had worked with leading newspapers including Indian Express, The Tribune, Jagran Group etc. He had remained president of the Amritsar Journalists’ Association. He also served as a media advisor to SGPC. 

          Extending his heartfelt sympathies with the bereaved family, relatives and friends of the deceased, Mr. Aman Arora prayed to the Almighty to give them strength to bear this irreparable loss and grant eternal peace to the departed soul. He will always be remembered for his immense contribution towards the field of journalism, for which he tirelessly worked to uphold the freedom of press, he added.

Meanwhile, Principal Secretary Information and Public Relations Mr. Rahul Bhandari and Director Mr. Sonali Giri also shared their heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.

IEP SAS Nagar, December 10

Punjab Government to is going to hold a regional meeting of the NRIs belonging to Mohali, Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib and Ropar districts on December 19, 2022 at Amity University, SAS Nagar. 

Disclosing this in a press communique Mr. Amit Talwar, Deputy Commissioner,SAS Nagar said that Minister for NRI Affairs Mr. Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal will hold, regional meetings in five cities of Punjab to directly meet the NRI Punjabis for listening to and redressing their grievances. He said that these programmes will also be attended Principal Secretary NRI Affairs, ADGP, NRI Wing, Divisional Commissioner, Jalandhar (as Chairperson NRI Sabha) and will also be attended by Deputy Commissioners, SSPs and DROs of the respective district.

He said that one such regional meeting of the NRI Punjabis belonging to Mohali, Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib and Ropar will be conducted on December 19, 2022 at Amity University, SAS Nagar. 

Mr. Amit Talwar appealed all the NRIs belonging to Mohali, Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib and Ropar districts to ensure their participation in this programme by registering themselves online on the website https://eservices.punjab.gov.in