Tag Archives: PUNJAB

Chandigarh, Punjab

Cheema writes to Sitharaman, seeks her personal intervention in taking into account reversal of Input Tax Credit for IGST settlement

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IEP CHANDIGARH AUGUST 24, 2022

Punjab Finance, Planning, Excise and Taxation Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Tuesday sought personal intervention of Union Minister of Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman in taking into account the reversal of Input Tax Credit by the taxpayers registered within the state for the IGST settlement.

In a letter to Union Finance Minister, Harpal Singh Cheema said that It has been observed that although the taxpayers registered within the State have carried out reversal of huge amount of Input Tax Credit but the same has not been considered for the IGST settlement.

“Particular instance has been identified of M/s HPCL Mittal Energy Limited (GSTIN 03AABCG5231FIZ8) which has reversed ITC to the tune of Rs. 223 crores in financial year 2018-19, Rs. 230 Crores in FY 2019-20 and Rs. 227 crores in financial year 2020-21 respectively”, said Cheema.

He further added that the said amount has not been taken into account while undertaking the process of IGST settlement for the said period thereby depriving the State of its rightful share of rrevenue “I have been informed that this issue has been consistently and constantly raised by my officers with the Government of India but no solution has emerged till now” said Cheema.

Referring to the grave importance of the issue for the revenue of the state, Cheema urged the Union Minister that her personal intervention is of much importance for the resolution of this matter as early as possible. He said that the significance of this issue resonates more strongly in light of the expiry of the GST compensation regime.

Chandigarh, Punjab

PSPCL successfully meets all time highest ever peak power demand of 14295 MW: Harbhajan Singh

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IEP CHANDIGARH AUGUST 24, 2022

Under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited has successfully met its all-time highest ever power peak demand of 14,295 MW on August-22, 2022 thereby surpassing its previous  demand achievement of 14,207 MW recorded on June-29, 2022.

Overall increase in energy supplied is also up by 12.87 % from April till date as against 2021. –  33,242 MUs viz-a-viz 29,452 MUs.

          Disclosing these details, Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO, said that peak demand of PSPCL is observed during the end of June month or start of July month due to high temperatures and initial high irrigation demand of paddy plantation. But this year due to prevalence of comparatively dry weather conditions, the peak demand in the state has continued till end August.

He further said that in August till 22.8.2022, PSPCL has successfully met a rise of 6.57% in power demand viz-a-viz last year i.e 6,316 MUs against 5,927 MUs during the same period.

          PSPCL has also made additional arrangements of power through more banking from other states and allocation of 1300 MW additional power from Central sector. During the month of June & July, PSPCL has arranged 2,836 MUs through banking from other states which is 130 % more in comparison to last year i.e 1,234 MUs. He said that this year with the optimum utilization of the available resources and close monitoring of the energy generated from the generating stations, Hydro Generation of PSPCL has been increased by 3% from last i.e 1715 MUs viz-a-viz 1664 MUs. Notably, Ranjit Sagar Hydro Power Project has achieved its all-time maximum generation of 149.55 LUs in a single day on 22-08-2022 which surpasses its previous maximum generation of 149.02 LUs on 28-08-2019 since the date of its commissioning.

He said that PSPCL is supplying regular 8 hour supply to Agriculture Tubewells without imposing any power cut on any other category of consumers.

Chandigarh, Punjab

PATIALA’S MANJAL KHURD ALSO DECLARED AS ASF CONTAINMENT ZONE

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IEP CHANDIGARH AUGUST 24, 2022

Punjab Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Dairy Development Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar, on Tuesday, informed that ‘Manjal Khurd’, the third area in district Patiala, has been notified as a containment zone for the prevention of ‘African Swine Fever’ (ASF).

He said that the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) -National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases, Bhopal has confirmed ASF in swine samples from this area. He directed the officials of the department to comply with the provisions of “The Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act, 2009” for effectively preventing, controlling, eradicating the scheduled disease-ASF. The Cabinet Minister further said that up to a kilometre, from the village declared the epicenter, is considered as “infected zones” while up to 10 KM area is classified “surveillance zone.”

He said that no live/dead pig (including feral or wild pigs), unprocessed pig meat, feed or any material/goods from the piggery farms or backyard piggery shall be taken out of or brought into the infected zone and no person shall bring or attempt to bring into the market any pig or pig products which is known to be infected with the scheduled disease.

Notably, the whole state of Punjab has already been declared as “Controlled Area” after ASF found in two areas namely ‘Bilaspur’ and ‘Sanauri Adda’ of district Patiala and the inter-state movement of any pig or its belongings has been strictly banned.

Chandigarh, Punjab

PUNJAB BECOMES FIRST STATE TO CONDUCT A NATIONAL WORKSHOP FOR MAKING PANCHAYATS SELF-RELIANT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF VILLAGES

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IEP CHANDIGARH AUGUST 22, 2022

Punjab Rural Development Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal and Union Minister of State Panchayati Raj Kapil Moreshwar Patil on Monday inaugurated a two-day National Workshop on Localization of Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs) in Panchayats through Thematic Approaches on Village with Self-Sufficient Infrastructure at the Central Panchayat Center in Crystal Resort near Zirakpur, Chandigarh.

            Speaking on this occasion, Minister for Rural Development, Agriculture and NRI Affairs of Punjab, Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal said that Punjab has fought many battles for the country, be it guarding the borders or filling the country’s food reserves to feed the people. But today Punjab is facing a financial crisis and the union government should provide special financial packages to the state to improve the fiscal situation of the state. He said that 63 percent of the population of Punjab lives in rural areas and comprehensive development of the villages is possible only if the centre government allocates maximum funds for health facilities, drinking water, sports facilities, and maintenance of ponds in the villages.

            The Cabinet Minister stressed that it is also the duty of the centre government to extend helping hand to Punjab as Punjab gives a large share as GST to the center in lieu of tax. Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal further said that the government in Punjab led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has taken many initiatives to remove illegal encroachment from panchayat lands in the state. He said that during the last five months, about 9000 panchayat lands have been freed from illegally encroachers. He also said that it kis for the first time that Garm Sabha Sessions were held in 12000 villages out of total 13000 villages in Punjab.

            Speaking on this occasion, Union Panchayati Raj State Minister Kapil Moreshwar Patil praised Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and said that Punjab has become the first state to hold a national conference for development of villages and the state government has made very good arrangements for the two-day national conference. He assured that the necessary funds will be released for whatever proposals are sent by the Punjab government according to the central schemes. He also assured that the funds that were stopped due to technical flaws in some schemes will be released soon. He stressed that the Panchayats will have to work hard to increase their income from their own resources to become self-reliant so that they do not have to depend on the government for development. Making an important announcement on this occasion, the Union Minister said that a program will be started in which panchayats will be sent to other states to show the good work of panchayats of different states.

            On this occasion, Union Minister Kapil Moreshwar Patil, Punjab Rural Development Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal and the other guests present also launched Panchayati Raj Information Mapping and Evaluation System, Prime APP, SDG website and Punjab State Livelihood Mission website.

            Speaking on this occasion, the cabinet ministers of the state, Lal Chand Kataruchak, Harbhajan Singh ETO, Dr. Baljit Kaur, Brahm Shankar Jimpa, Anmol Gagan Mann and Chetan Singh Joudemajra said that it is necessary for the all-round development of the village only if the funds are spent on development works in a transparent manner without any discrimination, the real picture of village development can emerge.

Earlier, Chief Secretary of Punjab Vijay Kumar Janjua and Secretary of Central Panchayati Raj Ministry Sunil shared information and said that during this workshop, emphasis will be placed on theme 6 – village with self-reliant infrastructure. The main objective is to demonstrate capacity building and training, exemplary strategies, visions, coherent actions and innovative models in terms of best practices for promoting and adapting LSDG themes in the Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP).

The national workshop will provide a forum for panchayats to learn together on various models for institutionalizing the LSDG process through a grassroots lens thematic perspective. In addition, it will provide an opportunity for exchange of information/ideas through exchange programs in international organizations and local governance. About 1300 elected representatives of Panchayati Raj institutions from 34 states and union territories across the country are participating in this national workshop.

The workshop will provide a platform for panchayats to showcase and share their experiences and innovative models, strategies, approaches to institutionalize the theme of villages with self-reliant infrastructure at grassroots level, which includes roads, potable water, sanitation by developing self-sustainable infrastructure in the areas of street lights, schools, primary health centers and dispensaries, common service centers, local markets, anganwadi centers, livestock support centers and community centers.

During this two-day national workshop, representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions from States and Union Territories will showcase and share their experiences and innovative models, strategies and approaches for institutionalizing the Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs) at the grassroots level in various disciplines. . The Panchayati Raj Ministry will also give a detailed presentation on the revised National Panchayat Awards.

Cabinet Ministers Lal Chand Kataruchak, Harbhajan Singh ETO, Dr. Baljit Kaur, Brahm Shankar Jimpa, Anmol Gagan Mann and Chetan Singh Jouramajra besides Shri Sunil Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Smt. Vini Mahajan, Secretary, Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Shri Vijay Kumar Janjua, Chief Secretary to the Government of Punjab, Shri K. Siva Prasad, Financial Commissioner, Rural Development and Panchayats, Government of Punjab and Smt. Rekha Yadav, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India will also be present on the occasion.

Chandigarh, Punjab

2000 litres Extra Neutral Alcohol seized, Major tregedy averted

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IEP CHANDIGARH AUGUST 22, 2022

In a major joint operation on Monday, the Excise team from Ludhiana along with CIA  Police Khanna seized 2000 litres of Extra Neutral Alcohol (ENA) near Doraha.

Disclosing this here, an official spokesperson of Excise department said that ENA is the raw material from which liquor is made and incase any uncontrolled toxicity creeps in, it could result in a major tragedy like the one which happened two years ago in district Tarantaran, which claimed  a number of  lives.

Giving the details of operation, the spokesperson said that a naka was erected at Ludhaiana-Chandigarh road near Doraha on the basis of a secret information. “The vehical number Pb09 N 9001 fled away from Naka and was then chased till Doraha, Ludhiana. Two persons Gurvinder Singh and Sukhdev Singh, both residents of village-Chiddan, Amritsar are arrested on the spot”, he added.

The Spokesperson fuether added that 8 big drums (200 liters each ) and 6  cans (30 liters each) ie total 2000 litres extra neutral alcohol (ENA) was recovered from their possession.

He said that vehicle number PB 09 N 9001has been detained and FIR would be registered after further investigation

Chandigarh, Punjab

SCHEME TO SAVE RS 170 CRORE OF 1.54 CRORE PEOPLE; WILL GET RELIEF FROM WAITING IN LINE FOR HOURS: MINISTER KATARUCHAK

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IEP CHANDIGARH AUGUST 22, 2022

The ambitious scheme ‘Ghar Ghar Ration’ of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government will start from October 2 and about 1.54 crore people will benefit from this scheme, said the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak.

Disclosing this, the minister Lal Chand Kataruchak gave detailed information about this scheme.

The scheme will save about Rs 170 crore to the public

The Minister informed that there are about 1.54 crore beneficiaries in Punjab under this scheme. About Rs 170 crore is being spent by people on milling the flour, therefore, the scheme will save money of common man.

Flour will not be older than 7 days, whereas flour is available in the market for about one to two months old

The minister said that it is our endeavor that within seven days of grinding the flour in the mill, it should be delivered to all the houses, so that people can get fresh flour, which will also have a good effect on their health. He said that even in the market the flour is about one or two months old.

Why is the government giving flour instead of wheat? Minister replied

Earlier people had to stand in the scorching heat or inclement weather for hours to get food grains under the food security scheme. Then people have to spend money on its gridding for flour. Now people’s time, money, hard work and energy will be saved by delivering flour directly at home.

How will the plan work and how will the delivery happen?

The government will pick up the wheat from the FCI godowns and give it to the flour mill. Then, the delivery partners will be responsible for delivering the flour to every household. Many big delivery companies of the country have participated in the tendering process. The contract for delivery will be allocated to a firm soon.

Camera to monitors, the delivery van will have GPS system and there will also be options for digital payment for payment

The minister said that the delivery of floor bags will be done under the supervision of the camera so that there is no scope for any disturbance in the delivery, so that people do not get any chance to complain. The delivery van has been equipped with GPS system for timely delivery. Nowadays is the era of online. People do not always have cash money. Therefore, the option of digital payment has also been kept for payment.

Old ration depot holders have also been taken care of

The government has signed an MoU with the old ration depot holders, under which the old ration depot holders will be able to work related to various online services of the central government such as BSNL landline and phone bills and other online facilities of the central government to ensure that they get employment.

The minister also responded to the allegations of the opposition

Minister Kataruchak said that during the previous governments regime, there was huge corruption in the food distribution scheme. The politicians used to scam crores and billions of rupees from officers to middlemen. Our government is eliminating corruption and implementing it in a transparent manner. Now there is no scope for corruption in this. We are providing facilities at home to the people with the same money by eliminating corruption.

Chandigarh, Punjab

Union Panchayati Raj State Minister Kapil Moreshwar Patil and Punjab Rural Development Minister Kuldeep Dhaliwal visited Sirsini model village of SAS Nagar

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IEP CHANDIGARH AUGUST 22, 2022

Union Panchayati Raj State Minister Kapil Moreshwar Patil and Punjab Rural Development Minister Kuldeep Dhaliwal who were here to inaugurate the two-day national workshop being conducted for sustainable development of villages, made a visit the model village Sirsini which falls in Derabassi block of SAS Nagar district.

The Panchayat of this village has developed a lake in the village on 4 acre land, in which rainwater is collected and further used for irrigation purposes. Efforts are being made to raise this as a future income asset and plans are being made to convert it into a tourist destination due to its prime location.

The Panchayat Ghar has been constructed at a cost of Rs 25 lakhs with basic facilities like kitchen, separate washrooms for men and women, and a spacious meeting hall which can seat 100 persons in the village.

A mid-day meal kitchen shed was constructed by the Panchayat at Government Primary Smart School.

A project is being run in the village to collect various wastes from house to house. Each house pays Rs.50/- as remuneration to the waste collector. The wet waste is disposed of in honey comb pits, where it is converted into compost in 45 days. The compost is used to plant plants. The waste collector generates his income by selling the dry waste. .

A Nanak Bagichi has been created in the village and about 15000 saplings have been planted in cremation ground, parks and roadsides besides a Mini Jungle.

Chandigarh, Punjab

Vigilance arrests former minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu in food grains transportation tenders scam

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IEP CHANDIGARH AUGUST 22, 2022

The Punjab Vigilance Bureau in its drive against corruption on Monday arrested former minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu in the food grains transportation tenders scam and further investigation in this case is under progress.

            Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the State Vigilance Bureau (VB) said that the Bureau, after verification of a complaint made by complainant Gurprit Singh, has already registered FIR No. 11 Dated 16-08-2022 u/s 420, 409, 467, 468, 471, 120-B IPC and 7, 8, 12, 13(2) Preventions of Corruption Act at VB police station Ludhiana in which contractors namely Telu Ram, Jagroop Singh and Sandeep Bhatia besides owner/partners of Gurdas Ram & Company has been booked.

            Revealing more he informed that accused Telu Ram has already been arrested in this and he is on police remand. During investigation by the VB, accused Telu Ram has submitted that he met Bharat Bhushan Ashu through his PA Meenu Malhotra for getting tenders for the season 2020-21 who further told him to meet Rakesh Kumar Singla, Deputy Director Food & Civil Supplies. Singla was incharge of all Punjab being chairman of departmental chief vigilance committee for tenders and was acting on the directions of former minister.

            The accused Telu Ram has informed the VB that when he met RK Singla, he has demanded Rs 30 Lakh on behalf of former minster and on different days he has given the bribes to RK Singla Rs 20 lakh, PA Menu Malhotra Rs 6 lakh and money to officers.

            The spokesperson added that on the basis of revelations as well as the material evidence above mentioned persons and former minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu have been nominated as an accused in this case. During Investigation it has come on record that Telu Ram has purchased about 20 acres land and accused Meenu Malhotra, who is at large, has also made number of properties and record is being collected in this regard. He informed that the record with regard to posting of accused Rakesh Kumar Singla is also being collected besides properties made by him would be probed.

            Revealing modus operandi of this scam, the spokesperson informed that the tenders were invited cluster wise in which ‘A’ group of mandis and work of all procurement agencies was allotted for the cluster and name of leading mandis in particular area was used as cluster name. In Ludhiana district, Telu Ram was having 4 clusters namely Jodhan, Mullanpur, Raikot and Payal which contains 34 grain markets. Apart from this, Telu Ram was also having cluster in district Ferozpur at Talwandi Bhai and district Ropar local.

            During investigations it has come to light that main accused Telu Ram had received approximately amount of Rs 25 crore for the said work. In order to get tenders the lists of vehicles submitted by accused were containing registration numbers of Cars, Scooters, Motor Cycles etc but the same transportation vehicles were required to be verified. After verification technical bid was required to be rejected by district tender committee however they in connivance with each other allotted the tenders.

            He added that even in the gate passes numbers of Scooters, Cars etc were mentioned but the above mentioned officers made payments to the accused contractors in respect of material quoted in these gate passes thereby matter regarding misappropriation also comes to light. He informed that further investigation in this regard is under progress and involvement of others would also be probed in this scam.

Chandigarh, Punjab

Punjab approves reservation for posts of law officers :  Dr. Baljit Kaur

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IEP CHANDIGARH AUGUST 22, 2022

Candidates belonging to SC category can apply for the reserved category posts of Law Officers in Advocate General Branch of the Punjab Government by 13th September 2022. This was stated today by Punjab Minister of Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities, Dr. Baljit Kaur.

She said that the candidates can apply online by 13 September 2022. They may apply at http://Punjab.gov.in and send their documents at e-mail-ID pblorec@punjab.gov.in.

The cabinet minister said that these posts have been advertised for the first time in Punjab. She said that the state government led by the Bhagwant Mann is committed for the welfare of Scheduled Castes and is constantly striving to give them their rights as per law.

Chandigarh, Punjab

IN YET ANOTHER FIRST, PUNJAB GOVERNMENT INTRODUCES RESERVATION FOR LAW OFFICERS IN STATE

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IEP CHANDIGARH AUGUST 22, 2022

In yet another pioneering move,  the  Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has introduced reservation in  posts of law officers recruited by the state government.

The advertisement in this regard was issued by the department of Home Affairs here on Saturday in which applications have been called from eligible Scheduled Caste Advocates/ candidates for engagement as law officers in the office of Advocate General, Punjab at Chandigarh and Legal Cell, New Delhi. . As per details applications have been invited for 12 posts of Additional Advocate General (10 at Chandigarh and two at Delhi), for post five posts of Senior Deputy Advocate General at Chandigarh, for 16 posts of Deputy Advocate General (14 at Chandigarh and two at Delhi), for 23 for posts of Assistant Advocate General (22 at Chandigarh and one at Delhi) and out of two posts of Advocate on Record at Delhi from eligible SC candidates. The eligible candidates can apply for post by September 13, 2022.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister said that he had always been a votary of giving equal opportunities to the youth of SC community to excel in every field. He asserted that the state government has been implementing the reservation policy in true spirit to ensure that  candidates of weaker and underprivileged sections get equal opportunity for getting jobs. Bhagwant Mann unequivocally said that for the first time in history of the state the Aam Aadmi party government has made this provision to give reservation to SC candidates in recruitment for post of law officers too.

The Chief Minister lamented that despite of enormous capability of SC candidates, they have not got a chance to make it for the posts of law officers due to many  reasons. However, he envisioned that with the state government introducing reservation for these candidates it will enable them to serve judiciously as law officers. Bhagwant Mann asserted that Aam Aadmi government is probably the only government in the country to provide reservation to SC community for these posts.

Reiterating the firm commitment of state government to ensure well being of SC brethren, the Chief Minister said that no stone will be left unturned for this noble cause. He emphasised that the state government is making all out efforts to provide equal opportunities of progress and prosperity for the community. Bhagwant Mann said that unlike the previous governments which had only made lip service for welfare of community, the Aam Aadmi government has taken tangible steps in this regard.