IEP Chandigarh, August 21

In a bid to annihilate the practice of tax evasion from its roots, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday launched “Mera Bill App” under “Bill Liyao Inaam Pao Scheme” (Bring a bill and get a reward) to bolster revenue collection in the state.

During the launch of the App at his office here, the Chief Minster informed that the scheme is aimed at enhancing the compliance under GST and thereby the revenue of the State. The scheme is targeted at motivating the consumers to obtain bills from the dealers for their purchases made within the State and thereby forcing the dealers to issue the bills for their sales. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the consumers will be encouraged to upload the bills for their purchases on the “Mera Bill App” after they will automatically become eligible to participate in the lucky draw, which shall be held at 7th of each month.

The Chief Minister said that there will be maximum 10 prizes per Taxation district (29 taxation districts in the state), taking the tally to 290 rewards each month. The reward would be equivalent to five times the taxable value of goods/services declared in the bill with maximum capping of Rs. 10,000/- each reward. He said that the list of winners will be displayed on the website of the Taxation Department and the winners will also be informed by mobile app. Bhagwant Singh Mann informed that the sale bills of petroleum products (crude oil, petrol, diesel, aviation turbine fuel and natural gas) and liquor as well as B2B (business to business) transactions shall not be eligible for participation in the scheme.

Encouraging the people to get the bills of their purchases, the Chief Minister said that the people of the state must participate vigorously in this scheme so that the message of tax compliance can reach each and every door step and the state will get its due share of revenue for the various social welfare schemes. Bhagwant Singh Mann emphasized that this scheme is for the people and will enable the Government to check tax evasion and at the same time motivate them to move towards a tax compliant society and thereby become the biggest stakeholder in the development of the State.

Finance, Excise and Taxation Minister Harpal Singh Cheema was also present in the event

IEP Chandigarh, August 21

In yet another pro-employee decision, the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has regularized the services of around 100 teachers who attained higher education from recognised universities situated outside of the state.

          Divulging details in this regard, Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said that during the recruitment of 7654 and 3442 teachers in 2009 and 2011, some teachers had produced certificates of higher education from recognized universities of other states. Due to which the services of these teachers were not regularized who were working tirelessly from 14 years. S. Bains said that when this matter came to his notice, he immediately instructed to complete the regularisation process by forming a high-level committee under the chairmanship of Director, Secondary Education.

          According to the Education Minister, now only few teachers left from getting this benefit as the process of verifying their documents is underway, which will be completed during this ongoing week.

          Director Secondary Education Mr. Sanjiv Sharma handed over the service regularisation letter to these teachers.

          S. Bains said that as per the directives of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the efforts are going on war foot to eliminate the word ‘Contractual’ from the dictionary of the education department.

IEP Chandigarh

The Department of Dermatology at PGIMER, Chandigarh headed by Prof. Sanjeev Handa and his team of nine faculty members, eight registrars and 23 residents has made PGIMER, Chandigarh, and the Nation proud by securing the 1^st rank in Asia and the 17^th rank worldwide among the Best Universities for Dermatology in a recent ranking done by EduRank.org (https://edurank.org/medicine/dermatology).  The organization ranked 14131 universities from 183 countries on 18.7.2023.  

EduRank.org is an independent metric-based, transparent ranking of 14131 universities. The final score of EduRank’s overall ranking consists of 3 parts: 45% Research performance, 45% Non-academic prominence, and 10% Alumni score. 

They utilized the OpenAlex database as a proxy to retrieve 83,166,817 scientific publications and 1,801,313,576 citations to rank the universities across various research topics.

The Department of Dermatology is very proud of the fact that of the 16 universities above them, the list has 14 Ivy League Institutions like Harvard, the University of California, and the University of Pennsylvania, etc from the USA; only one University of Toronto from Canada and one from all of Europe i.e. Charite, Medical University of Berlin.

Dr Handa shared that the entire department is very motivated by these results from an independent body based in the US and his entire team looks forward to improving upon their rank further in the years to come.     

IEP Chandigarh, August 21

Dev Samaj College for Women(DSCW), Sector 45-B, Chandigarh held the Inaugural Function for the new academic session 2023-24 at its premises here.

Shriman Nirmal Singh Dhillon, Chairman, Dev Samaj Managing Committee, presided over the function along with Dr. Agnese Dhillon, Secretary, Dev Samaj Managing Committee.

The session began with the college prayer followed by a discourse by Shriman Nirmal Singh Dhillon. Speaking on the occasion, Dhillon highlighted the ideology of Dev Samaj which inspires to achieve high morals in life.

He further elaborated on the importance of Education for a country to progress. Dr. Agnese Dhillon welcomed the students and congratulated them on embarking on a new journey. She thanked the faculty for always putting in great efforts for the progress of the college.  

Dr Agnese urged the students to follow the virtues of truth, hard work and sincerity. Dr. Meena Chopra, Principal,DSCW, heartily welcomed the faculty and students to the new academic session.

During the event, the students were made aware of the various clubs and societies of the college and encouraged to participate actively in the college activities.

IEP Dehradun 
मुख्यमंत्री श्री पुष्कर सिंह धामी ने नई दिल्ली में केंद्रीय ऊर्जा मंत्री श्री आर के सिंह से भेंट कर उत्तराखण्ड को कोयला आधारित संयंत्रों से 400-450 मे०वा० स्थायी आवंटन किए जाने का अनुरोध किया। मुख्यमंत्री ने कहा कि राज्य की ऊर्जा सुरक्षा के दृष्टिगत बेस लोड सुरक्षित किये जाने और राज्य को व्यापक विद्युत कटौती से मुक्त रखे जाने के लिए उत्तराखण्ड राज्य को कोयला आधारित संयंत्रों से 40 0मेगागावाट स्थायी आवंटन किया जाना अत्यंत आवश्यक है।

मुख्यमंत्री ने आपदा के कारण क्षतिग्रस्त हुई विद्युत लाइनों एवं टावरों को पुनर्स्थापित करने के लिए केंद्र सरकार से सहायता उपलब्ध कराने का अनुरोध किया। केंद्रीय मंत्री ने कहा कि क्षतिग्रस्त लाइनों की क्षतिपूर्ति केंद्र सरकार द्वारा की जाएगी, उन्होंने कहा कि क्षतिग्रस्त विद्युत टावरों का सर्वे कराकर इसकी रिपोर्ट भारत सरकार को भेजी जाय, इसका परीक्षण कराकर प्रतिपूर्ति पर विचार किया जायेगा।

मुख्यमंत्री ने बॉर्डर एरिया में विद्युत लाइनें एवं विद्युत संयंत्र शीघ्र स्थापित करने का अनुरोध किया। जिसके लिए केंद्रीय मंत्री ने कहा कि पहाड़ी राज्यों के लिए मानक अलग से निर्धारित कर शीघ्र बॉर्डर एरिया में  विद्युत लाइनें एवं विद्युत संयंत्र स्थापित किए जाएंगे।

मुख्यमंत्री ने राज्य सरकार को केंद्रीय पूल से अतिरिक्त विद्युत उपलब्ध कराने का अनुरोध किया। केंद्रीय मंत्री ने इस पर सहमति प्रदान की। मुख्यमंत्री ने कहा कि राज्य में सोलर ऊर्जा, हाइड्रो पावर एवं कोयला से विद्युत उत्पादन के लिए दीर्घकालिक योजना पर कार्य किया जा रहा है।

मुख्यमंत्री ने माह अप्रैल से सितम्बर 2023 तक औसतन 300 मे०वा विद्युत प्रतिमाह अनएलोकेटेड

IEP Chandigarh

Presenting his report card on completion of one year as member of Rajya Sabha – the upper house of the Parliament, Sh. Vikramjit Singh Sahney said that the major focus has been on Skilling and Jobs for the youth of Punjab.

 “During this year we have provided 2,000 jobs after skilling the youth from our Skill Development Centres. I am also setting up 10 more World Class Skill Centres of Excellence to create 10,000 jobs every year, out of which the work of a state-of-the-art Centre of Excellence at Ludhiana is near complete and will begin training next month,” informed Sh. Sahney.

 Sh. Sahney also played a key role in acting as a bridge between the Government of Punjab and the Centre as he organised an interactive meeting of all MPs of Punjab cutting across party lines to create consensus for resolving issues such as Pending Rural Development Fund, Stubble Burning incentive fund and Debt restricting of Punjab.

 In addition to this Sh. Sahney also launched ‘Sikhya Langar Movement’ to establish Skill Centres in various Gurudwaras of Punjab and first one will come up at Gurudwara Nanaksar, Ludhiana. “This movement will go a long way in making unemployed and hapless youths to become an earning hand for the family, and a resource for the state,” said Sh. Sahney who added that he sees a huge scope for the reason that the centres of religious and spirituality could also play a role in social and economic upliftment of the masses.

 Sh. Sahney who has not been availing any benefit entitled to the Members of the Rajya Sabha, has donated his salary to a fund called Shahid Bhagat Singh Scholarship fund established by him under which he has sponsored education of several doctors, pilots, sportspersons etc.

 Apart from the salary entitlement Mr. Sahney has not availed any government perks such as in traveling and darkness allowances, free flights, govt vehicles etc.

 “One of the biggest achievements during my first year is the anti-human trafficking campaign ‘Mission Hope’ which we are running to safeguard the women and youth of Punjab”, he said, adding that through his efforts and resources he was able to rescue more than 50 Punjabi women from Oman, 17 boys from Turkey and 17 boys from Libya have been rescued from the Mafia are under custody of the Indian Mission in Tunisia, they will be coming back home next week.

These efforts, and strong will of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the state government constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) for the first time and took strict and swift action against the unscrupulous agents operating in the state. Sh. Sahney was also successful in putting a stop on deportation of 700 Punjabi students from Canada.

 The Rajya Sabha member informed that to bring investment in Punjab he reached out and persuaded leading Industrialists in the past one year. It includes M.A. Yusuff Ali Chairman Lulu Group a middle eastern giant; Sh. Prakash Hinduja President Hinduja Group, Europe; Sh. PD Singh CEO JP Morgan; and the officials of HUL, Cargill etc.

 In addition to this Sh. Sahney also met many Industry stalwarts of UK on his recent visit to London where he chaired various meetings discussing issues pertaining to Punjab and requesting investment in the state. He has also organised various meetings of leading Industrial groups like CII, PHD Chamber, CICU, FICU with the Chief Minister of Punjab.

 Talking about various issue he has raised and achieved results in the Parliament during all the four sessions happened in the year includes No Centralisation of Punjab University; Abolition of GST on Serais; Inclusion of Punjabi sport Gatka into national games and Restoring of the work at Halwara, Airport Ludhiana. The MP has also disbursed 100% allocation of his MPLAD fund and ensured its utilisation in the field of Education, Livelihoods and Heath.

 Sh. Sahney said: “I am a son of Punjab and committed to do all the efforts possible for the development of the state. I think I am accountable to the people of the state so I have decided to present my report card every year so as to inform the people what their representative in the upper house of parliament has been doing for them and the state”.

 Not only the social and governmental issues, Sh. Sahney reached out to the people of Punjab at the time of natural calamity. During the recent floods in Punjab he contributed towards the flood relief work by providing Food Kits, first aid medicines, Giant Waterproof Tents, Safety equipments, fodder for livestock and donating 50 lakhs for construction of a Bandhs at badly affected village Burj in Anandpur Sahib Tehsil.

IEP Chandigarh, August 19

The Haryana Government will introduce a spirulina-based product under the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) for severe acute malnourished (SAM) and moderate acute malnourished (MAM) children on a pilot basis in Nuh for a duration of 6 months. Spirulina, an algae that grows in fresh or saltwater, is rich in nutrients and possesses antioxidant properties. A study conducted by the Institute of Health Management and Research (IHMR), Bangalore, demonstrated a 46% and 67% reduction in malnutrition by administering spirulina for 6 months to children.

This was disclosed by the Chief Secretary, Mr. Sanjeev Kaushal, after presiding over the 5th meeting of the State Convergence Committee under POSHAN Abhiyaan here. He said that three nutrition-rich programmes will be implemented across all blocks of the aspirational district Nuh under Nutrition Campaign-2. These programmes aim to alleviate malnutrition and anemia among children and women. Nutritional support in the form of ready-to-eat food items, nutritional packets, and antioxidant-rich foods will be provided to children and women in all blocks of the Nuh district.

The Women and Child Development Department will provide Aurthonut (Peanut Mix) under the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) to severe acute malnourished (SAM) and moderate acute malnourished (MAM) children on a pilot basis in the Nuh district for a duration of 6 months. He said that the Women and Child Development would introduce a pictorial card game called “Poshan ki Potli” to raise awareness about the nutritional value and benefits of different food items.

“Today I announce to increase this amount to Rs. 41,000 to alleviate the financial load during significant life events such as weddings,” said Sh. Manohar Lal.

“To boost education for daughters in the state, the Government and private polytechnic colleges with underutilized infrastructure will be upgraded into women degree colleges based on the demands and requirements received from such colleges. This move aims to enhance educational opportunities and optimize existing resources,” announced the Chief Minister.

During an event, Sh. Manohar Lal highlighted the significant progress made in Haryana by shedding its past image of being associated with female feticide. He reminded the audience that the very ground where the event is taking place is where Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi vowed, on January 22, 2015, to protect and educate daughters by launching ‘The Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao campaign. The state government, in collaboration with the society, has diligently worked to erase the stigma linked with Haryana’s history of gender-based atrocities. This dedication has yielded commendable results as the state’s gender ratio, once standing at a meagre 871, has now risen to a more encouraging 927, said Sh. Manohar Lal.

Haryana state, under the leadership of Sh. Manohar Lal, continues to make impressive strides towards empowerment and economic progress. With the formation of more than 57,000 self-help groups, a substantial foundation for community development and financial independence has been established. These groups have received a remarkable boost, with a revolving fund of Rs. 54.57 crore, a community investment fund of around Rs 285 crore, and a bank credit linkage amounting to approximately Rs. 880 crore. Notably, the Revolving Fund amount has been doubled from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 20,000, fostering greater entrepreneurship. In a significant move towards gender empowerment, women’s self-help groups have been exempted from stamp duty on loans up to Rs. 5 lakh.

“Their contributions to national pride and community welfare are also evident through their creation of tricolour for the Amrit Mahotsav of Independence and mask production during the pandemic,” said Sh. Manohar Lal.

The State Government has taken significant strides towards women’s empowerment and environmental conservation. Notably, 50 percent representation for women in Panchayats has been ensured, fostering gender equality in local governance. Efforts to promote girls’ education have led to the establishment of colleges within 20 kilometres, allowing convenient access to higher education. Impressively, 76 new government colleges have been opened, with over half exclusively for girls.

The Chief Minister also emphasized the importance of tree planting to protect nature during the Teej festival. This multifaceted approach underscores the government’s commitment to a prosperous and sustainable future.

Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Smt. Kamlesh Dhanda, Lok Sabha MP, Sh.  Sanjay Bhatia, Rajya Sabha MP, Sh. Krishan Lal Panwar, MLAs, Sh. Mahipal Dhanda,  Sh. Parmod Vij, Additional Chief Secretary., Information, Public Relations Languages and Culture Deptt, Sh. Rajesh Khullar, APSCM and Director General,  Information, Public Relations Languages and Culture Deptt, Dr. Amit Agrawal and other dignitaries also attended the programme.

        It was apprised in the meeting that state government has introduced a new set of initiatives to combat malnutrition in the state. These initiatives include establishment of a Tele Calling Hub to enhance communication with malnourished families and ensure improved service delivery within the Anganwadi service schemes under Mission Poshan 2.0. The Tele Calling Hub will serve as a valuable tool for collecting real-time feedback, identifying gaps in the current system, and implementing targeted interventions to enhance the quality and coverage of Anganwadi services.

        During discussions, the Chief Secretary inquired about the distribution of fortified rice, flour, iron, folic acid, vitamin A, and vitamin D to prevent anemia and malnutrition among children and women under the Nutrition Campaign. Additionally, community-based initiatives such as special health check-up camps for pregnant women and improved planning to enhance the diets of infants and young children were thoroughly explored. The Women and Child Department made a presentation outlining these plans.

        Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Mr. Sudhir Rajpal, Additional Chief Secretary, Women and Child Development, Dr. Sumita Misra, Additional Chief Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Mrs. G. Anupama, Director, Secondary Education, Mr. Ashanj Singh and other senior off