Chandigarh, March 5

Haryana Social Justice, Empowerment, SCs and BCs Welfare and Antodaya (SEWA) Department Minister Sh.Krishan Kumar Bedi, stated that, One Nation, One Election, is one of the biggest needs of modern India. Under this, Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and State Assembly elections can held simultaneously, which would ensure continuity in governance and reduce financial burdens as well. 

Sh. Bedi was speaking as the Chief Guest at a workshop on ‘One Nation, One Election’ organised at Kurukshetra University today. 

He said that elections are an essential part of democracy, and healthy and fair elections are its foundation. He said that frequent elections in different states throughout the year, not only disrupts administrative and policy decisions but also puts burden on the country’s treasury. To address these issues, policymakers have proposed conducting Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections simultaneously. 

Member Haryana State Law Commission, Sh. Inder Jeet Mehta Advocate, Sh. Vijaypal, State Convenor, One Nation One Election Committee, Chairman, 48 Kos Tirtha Monitoring Committee, Kurukshetra Development Board, Sh. Madan Mohan Chhabra, also emphasised the importance of One Nation One Election in their address.

Chandigarh, March 5-

After crossing the magic figure of 51,000 government jobs to the youth, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday announced that the state government will soon give 50,000 more jobs to youth thereby ensuring one lakh jobs to them.

Continuing ‘Mission Rozgar’ of his government by handing over appointment letters to 763 youth, the Chief Minister said that till now the state government has given 51,655 jobs to the youth in the state during the last three years. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that today is a red letter day for these youth who have got jobs in Cooperation, Health and Family Welfare and Higher Education and Languages departments. He said that the state government has crossed the figure of giving 51,000 government jobs in a transparent manner to the youth adding that very soon the state government will cross the figure of one lakh government jobs to the youth.

The Chief Minister said that he wants to hand over tiffins in the hands of youth by giving them employment so that they shun the syringes and menace of other drugs. He said that as Idle hands are devil’s workshop, so the state government is trying its best to ensure that maximum youth get jobs so that they do not fall prey to the social menaces. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that unemployment is the root cause of several social problems due to which the state government is focusing on eradicating this malady.

The Chief Minister reiterated that the state government fills all the posts as soon as they are vacant in the department. He said that a foolproof mechanism has been adopted for the entire recruitment process due to which not even a single appointment out of these nearly 51,000 jobs have been challenged so far in any court. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it is a proud moment for the government of Punjab that these youth have been given government jobs completely on the basis of merit.

The Chief Minister said that it is a momentous occasion when these youth are becoming the part of the family of Punjab government. He expressed hope that these youth will become an active partner in the socio-economic development of the state by joining these respective departments. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that for the first time in the history of the state, any government has given a record number of more than 51,000 jobs to the youth in 36 months of coming into power.

The Chief Minister said that it is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction for him that all the jobs have been given completely on the basis of merit, san any corruption or nepotism. He said that the state government is ensuring that no one from the state migrates abroad so that dreams of our freedom fighters are fulfilled. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that due to strenuous efforts of the state government reverse migration is already being witnessed in the state and youth are returning from abroad to serve here.

The Chief Minister said that the incident of deporting of youth from the USA is an eye opener for all of us that instead of going abroad in search of green pastures, the youth of the state must work hard here only and achieve success in various fields. He said that the state government is already making concerted efforts to ensure that maximum opportunities are provided to youth so that they can excel in every arena of life. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the hard work of youth coupled with their dedication will provide them success in the coming days.

The Chief Minister said that the state Government has launched first of its kind initiative in the country, a dedicated Sadak Surakhya Force to ensure   enhanced security and to save precious lives on the state and  National Highways. He said that specially trained, freshly recruited 1597 personnel including girls are acting as the backbone to this force, who have been provided with the latest,   fully equipped  144 vehicles and since its launch in February last year the state has witnessed a 48.10% reduction in casualties due to accidents. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that several other states and even the Government of India has hailed this out of the box initiative of the state government.

The Chief Minister said that health, education, power, water and infrastructure along with law and order are the top priorities of his government. He said that no stone is being left unturned to ensure the holistic development of the state and progress of its people. Bhagwant Singh Mann exhorted the youth to discharge their duty with utmost professional commitment and use their pen wisely for serving the people.

On the occasion Cabinet Ministers Harjot Singh Bains and Dr. Balbir Singh besides others were also present.

Chandigarh:

The India-UK Climate Action Summit: One Planet, One Family brought together thought leaders, policymakers, academicians, and industry experts to chart actionable solutions to combat climate change. British Deputy High Commissioner Caroline Rowett delivered the introductory remarks at the Summit.

Setting the context of the event, Caroline Rowett said, ‘Climate change is one of the biggest challenges we face today and it calls for urgent, collective efforts. The India-UK Climate Action Summit brings together leaders and experts in their fields to identify solutions to tackle climate change. This conference will serve as a platform for dialogue and collaboration, connecting global ambitions with practical, local solutions.’The event highlighted the importance of strengthening collaboration between countries, governments, continued development of green technology and increased investments in climate solutions as critical steps for a sustainable future. It underlines the importance of transitioning to sustainable practices, reducing carbon emissions and implementing adaptation strategies to protect vulnerable communities and ecosystems to mitigate the long-term impact of climate change.

Chandigarh, February 21

In a significant move to ensure humane treatment to animals, Punjab Government has announced the mandatory registration of all dog breeders and pet shops under the Pashu Bhalai Board Punjab

This decision was taken in the meeting of Pashu Bhalai Board Punjab  chaired by S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian, Minister of Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries, at Livestock Complex, Sector-68, SAS Nagar (Mohali).

S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian said that the dog breeders and pet shops would be registered under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Dog Breeding and Marketing) Rules 2016. The main objective of the move is to prevent cruelty against animals and promote responsible breeding practices in the state.

The Board will monitor and regulate the activities of breeders and pet shops, ensuring that they adhere to standards that promote the health and well-being of the animals. This includes ensuring that animals are not subjected to inhumane living conditions and are provided with adequate care, and are not overbred. It will encourage ethical practices in the marketing of pets including dogs and cats, he added.

S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian also asked the Board members and officials concerned to educate the pet shop owners and breeders about proper animal care and welfare and rules. He emphasised that the transportation rules and rules for load limits on animals should be implemented by the concerned authorities immediately.

Principal Secretary Animal Husbandry Rahul Bhandari, Director Dr. Gursharanjit Singh Bedi and Mr. Amit Chauhan, Smt. Sarbjit Kaur, Prem Singh Bath,  Surinder Singh Sidhu, Rajinder Lohatia and Narinder Ghagon attended the meeting as members of the Board.

The Animal Husbandry Minister also asked the Board members to take initiatives including organising lectures in schools and colleges to create awareness regarding animal rights and rules for prevention of cruelty against animals.

Chandigarh, February 3

Haryana Energy, Transport, and Labour Minister, Sh. Anil Vij, said that efforts are being made to provide high-quality food to passengers traveling in Haryana Roadways buses. Notably, around three lakh passengers and employees use Haryana Roadways buses daily. As part of a trial initiative, the Tourism Department is working to introduce meal services at five major bus stands, similar to the services available on railways.

 Sh. Anil Vij was addressing people at Ambala Cantt Bus Stand after launching a Rs 5 meal service, an initiative by Aastha Foundation.

 He said that contracts are being signed with the Tourism Department to provide food at five bus stands on a trial basis. On success of this initiative, it will be expanded to other bus stands.

To improve transport management, Sh. Anil Vij directed the development of a tracking software/app to monitor the location of all buses. Additionally, the government plans to purchase new AC and electric buses. Currently, five electric buses are already operating on local routes in Ambala, alongside other regular buses.

To facilitate the fish farmers, Haryana Fisheries and Animal Husbandry Minister Shyam Singh Rana on Wednesday said that the state government has decided to start three mobile water testing laboratories. This laboratory will be in a van and will go to the farmers and test the water and soil quality of their ponds. Rana said that due to saline water in some places in the state, farming has become difficult there, due to which it has become impossible for farmers to get produce from their land. In view of this problem, farmers are being encouraged to rear prawns in saline water. This will not only make good use of their land, it will also give them a good income from prawn farming. 

Chandigarh, January 10:

Punjab’s Minister for Industry, Commerce, and Investment Promotion, Tarunpreet Singh Sond, extended an invitation to domestic and international food companies to invest in Punjab. Addressing nearly 40 Managing Directors and CEOs of food sector companies during the 8th Indus Food Fair in Noida, organized in collaboration with the Trade Promotion Council of India (TPCI) and the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India, he highlighted the bright prospects for investment in Punjab’s food sector.

He stated that Punjab holds immense potential in the food sector, given the global recognition of its culinary heritage. He emphasized the worldwide appeal of Punjabi cuisine and flavors, which attract people from across the globe. Sond  mentioned that the Chief Minister of Punjab, Bhagwant Singh Mann, aims to elevate the state’s food sector to a global level. The Punjab government is making special efforts to establish brands like Verka, Sohna, Five Rivers, and others on an international platform. He also noted the growing global demand for Punjabi food and food products.

On this occasion, he shared information about the single-window system and initiatives undertaken by Invest Punjab to facilitate investors and industries. He assured that the Punjab government is fully committed to supporting investors in every possible way. Several company representatives expressed interest in investing in Punjab and promised to present proposals soon, focusing on spices, food processing, and fruit and vegetable processing.

The Industry Minister also held separate meetings with investors from Canada, Australia, China, and the USA, encouraging them to invest in Punjab. He interacted with representatives from renowned companies, including Manohar Lal, owner of Haldiram’s.

Later, Tarunpreet Singh Sond visited several stalls among the approximately 1,500 exhibitions at the fair. He also explored food stalls from Lebanon, Portugal, China, and Turkey, savoring the flavors of their cuisines. He was accompanied by Punjab Food Commission Chairman Bal Mukund Sharma, Invest Punjab CEO DPS Kharbanda, and TPCI Chairman Mohit Singla.

Additionally, notable participants in the meeting included Suresh Vaidhyanathan from Abu Dhabi Food Hub, Rupesh Mehta from Khimji Ramdas (Oman), Kallai Meyyappan Ramalingam from Murugan Group (Singapore), Alferova from Auchan (Russia), Ananda Kumar from Al Madina Group (UAE), Ashok Kumar from Zepto, Himanshu Wahi from Swiggy, Ashish Agarwal from Bikanervala Foods, Akash Shah from Everest Spices, Sanjay Singhal from Wagh Bakri Tea Group, Mithun Apaiya from Wow! Momo, and other representatives from leading food companies.

Chandigarh: Bank consumers need to be aware to prevent the increasing incidents of cybercrime and digital arrests. They should avoid answering phone calls from unknown numbers and promptly report such calls to the respective bank. This was stated by RBI Ombudsman Rajeev Dwivedi, who is also the Chief General Manager of the Chandigarh branch of the Reserve Bank of India. He was speaking at a financial awareness program organized by the RBI Ombudsman office in Chandigarh in collaboration with the Chandigarh Press Club for its members. The main objective of this program was to enhance participants’ knowledge of the Reserve Bank Ombudsman scheme and to make them vigilant against fraud in digital transactions. He mentioned that a significant number of victims of this fraud are affluent individuals, including doctors and advocates.

The primary objective of the event was to spread information about Reserve Bank Ombudsman Scheme and to educate them to remain cautious about fraudulent digital transactions. The event was primarily addressed by Rajeev Dwivedi, Reserve Bank Ombudsman Chandigarh.

In the programme, the Ombudsman highlighted the rights as well as responsibilities and duties of the customers of banks and non-banking financial companies. In a more focused manner, the participants were sensitized about do’s and don’ts of safe digital banking. The participants were requested not to carry out financial transactions under the influence of any greed or fear. They were also cautioned to not share OTPs, account / card details, PIN, internet banking passwords, etc. The participants were made aware about the ‘sancharsaarthi’ website (https://www.sancharsaarthi.gov.in) launched by Government of India, as a facility for citizens to report details of suspicious calls / phishing links. The Ombudsman urged participants to use only the official apps, websites and call centre numbers of the service providers. Through small videos, the participants were also made aware about the common ‘modus operandi’ adopted by the fraudsters to cheat the gullible customers of financial sector.  In this regard the participants were also requested to go through ‘BE(A)WARE’, ‘Raju &forty Thieves’ and other booklets available on RBI’s website (https://www.rbi.org.in). The participants were requested that messages received on mobiles like updation of KYC details, disconnection of electricity bill, blocking of sim cards, redemption of reward points in credit cards, job offer through Telegram, etc whether by downloading any link or otherwise should be handled with extreme care. Similarly, any message to the receivers seeking remittance of funds to overseas relatives should be acted upon only after due confirmation. The participants attention was brought to the moto “RBI Kehta Hai.. Jaankar Baniye, Satark Rahiye!”. The participants were also informed that complaints regarding deficiency in services of banks and non-banking financial services can be filed at https://www.cms.rbi.org.in or can be sent to the Chief General Manager, Central Receipt and Processing Centre, Reserve Bank of India, Central Vista, Sector 17A, Chandigarh -160017 for examination under the Reserve Bank Integrated Ombudsman Scheme 2021 (RBIOS-2021). In the event, apart from officials of Ombudsman’s office, Chandigarh Press Club President, Nalin Acharya, and General Secretary,  Umesh Sharma graced the occasion.

 At least five people were killed and three others injured in an armed assault at a mine in Camilo Ponce Enriquez in southern Ecuador’s Azuay province, said the police.

“This morning an attack was reported between members of organised armed groups that caused the death of five people and the injury of three others,” the police force said on social media X.

Authorities are investigating the incident in the region of the Andean province, where both legal and illegal mining activities are expanding, Xinhua news agency reported.

The region is under a “state of exception” and a curfew has been imposed to allow security forces “to neutralise organised crime” and combat violence.

According to official statistics, the area has seen an 82 per cent increase in murders so far this year. AGENCIES

The United States will continue to monitor the possibility of North Korea conducting another nuclear test, a Pentagon spokesperson said, amid concerns that Pyongyang could engage in provocative acts around the US presidential election in November.

Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh made the remarks on Friday after South Korean Defence Minister Shin Won-sik said in a recent interview with Bloomberg that South Korea is not ruling out the possibility of a North Korean nuclear test before or after the US general election, Yonhap news agency reported.

“It’s something that we’re going to continue to monitor and something that we will always work with our ROK and Japanese allies on and coordinate on,” she said, referring to South Korea by its official name, the Republic of Korea.

“But any tests like that are incredibly destabilising to the region, and we will continue to monitor,” she added.

Singh also reiterated that the US wants to see the “denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula.”

In the interview with Bloomberg, Shin said that Pyongyang has completed preparations to conduct what would be its seventh nuclear test “when a decision is made” and that the North could conduct it before or after the election to “raise its leverage against the US.” agencies