Punjab and Kerala Join Hands to Address NRI Concerns
Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala)-Chandigarh, July 2In a significant move, Cabinet Minister Kuldeep Dhaliwal and Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan held discussions on key issues affecting Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) from both states.
Visiting Punjab NRIs Affairs Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal informed that they deliberated on permitting NRIs to purchase agricultural land, currently restricted to commercial land only. They decided to jointly raise this issue with the Union Government, seeking a policy change to benefit NRIs.
Furthermore, they urged the Union Government to ensure that Indian Missions worldwide have staff familiar with the native languages of Punjab and Kerala, facilitating better support for NRIs from these states.
This collaboration demonstrates the commitment of both state governments to addressing the concerns of their diaspora community.The delegation of Punjab included Mr. Dulip Kumar Principal Secretary NRIs Affairs Department Punjab, Mr. Praveen Kumar Sinha, ADGP NRI Wing Punjab, Mr. Paramjit Singh Additional Secretary NRIs Affairs Department Punjab and Mr. Darbara Singh Randhawa Executive Director NRI Sabha.
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Punjab farmers reaping benefits of Mann Government's crop diversification initiatives
Cultivated area grown from 4,39,210 hectares to 4,81,616 hectares under horticulture
Chandigarh, July 26:Punjab Horticulture Minister S. Chetan Singh Jouramajra, on Friday, informed that significant progress has been noticed in crop diversification under Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann's leadership.
While presenting statistics showing growth in Punjab's horticultural sector over the past 28 months, S. Chetan Singh Jouramajra said that the total area under horticulture has increased by 42,406 hectares since the current government took office in March 2022. The cultivated area has grown from 4,39,210 hectares to 4,81,616 hectares, indicating a shift towards crop diversification.
The Cabinet Minister detailed that orchard coverage has grown from 96,686 hectares to 1,03,161 hectares, with an increase of 6,475 hectares for fruit cultivation, while Vegetable cultivation has seen a large increase of 35,009 hectares, with the total area growing from 3,21,466 hectares to 3,56,465 hectares in the last 28 months.
The area for ornamental plant cultivation has increased from 1,728 hectares to 2,050 hectares, informed S. Chetan Singh Jouramajra, while noting growth in mushroom cultivation, mentha oil and turmeric production.
"These numbers show the Horticulture Department's efforts and the success of Chief Minister Mann's vision for agricultural diversification in Punjab," said the Cabinet Minister. He said that this shift towards horticulture is important for sustainable farming and improving farmers' incomes in the state.
The increase in horticultural acreage demonstrating the Punjab government's tireless efforts to promote crop diversification and support farmers in adopting alternative, high-value crops, he added.
The Horticulture Minister said that for bolstering crop diversification and promoting horticulture in the state, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann-led government has also released new nursery rules (amended).
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PUNJAB TAX DEPARTMENT CRACKS DOWN ON FAKE BILLING SCAMS WORTH THOUSANDS CRORES: HARPAL SINGH CHEEMA
Exposes fake gold sale-purchase worth Rs 860 crore by 2 gold firms and fake iron sale-purchase worth Rs 4044 crore by 303 firms
Additionally, 5 arrested, 11 named in the case of running 68 firms registered on others' names to make fake billing
Chandigarh, July 26-Punjab Finance, Planning, Excise and Taxation Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema announced on Friday that an investigation by the state tax department's enforcement wing has uncovered fake billing scams worth thousands of crores. Two firms dealing in gold were found to have generated fake bills worth Rs.860 crore, while 303 firms dealing in iron were involved in fake billings of Rs 4044 crore. Additionally, 68 firms were found to have engaged in fake billing of Rs 533 crore after getting their firms registered in others' names.
During a press conference at Punjab Bhawan, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema provided details on these cases. He informed that on inspection of a firm dealing in gold in Amritsar, the Enforcement Wing found that fake bills of gold worth 336 crores were made by the said firm for sale and purchase of gold. He said that the registration of the two firms from which said firm had shown that it purchased the gold had been cancelled, and these firms further had no record of purchasing any gold.
Referring to the Ludhiana-based firm which did similar manipulation in gold transactions, the Finance Minister said that gold sale-purchase was made against fake bills worth Rs 424 crores by the said firm. He said that in this case also, the registration of the two firms from which the said firm has shown purchase of gold had been cancelled, and this case too these firms further had no record of purchasing any gold.
Apart from this, giving information about the fake sale-purchase of iron worth Rs 4044 crore by 303 firms, the Finance Minister said that 11 firms out of these firms are registered with Punjab, 86 firms with other states, and 206 firms with the Central Government. He said that 217 firms registered with the Center and Punjab had outstanding ITC of 89.7 crore which has been blocked by the Center and the state government. He said that a total fake ITC of Rs 707 crore was claimed in this case. He said that the state tax department has taken action against all 11 firms and their registration has been cancelled or suspended, and the action is ongoing as per the law, while the list of the remaining 206 firms has been given to the concerned authorities of the Central Government.
Meanwhile, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema also gave information about the case of 68 firms involved in fake billing registered in other persons' names. He said that the department has identified 5 persons and filed an FIR against them at Ludhiana, and a total of 11 persons have been named. He noted that bogus billing of Rs 533 crore has been found in this case, due to which nearly Rs 100 crore of fake ITC has been claimed.
Referring to the efforts being made by the state to prevent tax evasion, the Finance Minister said that the Punjab Tax Department is linking the GST registration in the state with AADHAR based bio-metric authentication so that the persons registering in the name of others can be identified and caught in time. He said that due to the initiatives like setting up of the Tax Intelligence Unit (TIU), and State Intelligence and Preventive Unit (SIPU) etc, the Punjab government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has succeeded in ensuring more than 13 percent growth in GST collection while during the previous government this was limited to only 6 percent.
The Finance Minister was accompanied by Additional Chief Secretary-cum-Financial Commissioner (Taxation), Vikas Pratap, Excise and Taxation Commissioner, Varun Roojam, and Joint Commissioner (Taxation) Jaskaran Singh Brar during this press conference.
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KARGIL VIJAY DIWAS: PUNJAB HEALTH MINISTER PAYS TRIBUTES TO KARGIL WAR HEROES
— CM BHAGWANT SINGH MANN LED PUNJAB GOVT COMMITTED FOR WELFARE AND REHABILITATION OF FAMILIES OF MARTYRS AND EX-SERVICEMEN OF PUNJAB
— DR BALBIR SINGH ALSO INTERACTS WITH VETERANS, NCC CADETS & STUDENTS
Chandigarh, July 26: To mark the ‘Silver Jubilee of Kargil Vijay Diwas’, Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh on Friday paid glorious tributes to the heroes of Kargil War by laying a wreath at War Memorial here on Friday.
The Kargil war (Operation Vijay) was fought in Kargil Sector of Jammu & Kashmir from May to July 1999. The brave soldiers of the Armed Forces of India had won this battle by sacrificing their lives and protected the unity and integrity of the country by driving out the enemy soldiers from within the borders of the country. As many as 65 great sons of Punjab had sacrificed their lives for the Nation during this war. The Kargil Vijay Diwas is being celebrated throughout the country on July 26 to honour the sacrifices of our martyrs.
Apart from Chandigarh, functions were held in Gurdaspur, Bathinda, Hoshiarpur and Ludhiana where Veer Naris, Gallantry Awardees and disabled soldiers of Kargil Operation were honoured and felicitated by Political Dignitaries and District Administration.
Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh, while addressing the media on the sidelines of the function, said that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government is committed for the welfare and rehabilitation of families of martyrs and Ex-servicemen of Punjab.
He assured that all proposal for Ex-servicemen/widows are being approved on priority and the State Government has not been leaving any stone unturned for their welfare.
The Cabinet Minister also interacted with Veterans, NCC Cadets and students of Mai Bhago Armed Forces Preparatory Institute and Maharaja Ranjit Singh Armed Forces Preparatory Institute during the occasion.
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PVS SPEAKER KULTAR SINGH SANDHWAN CONDOLES DEMISE OF KABAL SINGH
Chandigarh, July 26:Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker, S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan, expressed deep sorrow over the unfortunate demise of S. Kabal Singh.
In a press communique issued here today, the Speaker said that the 90-years old S. Kabal Singh, Father of S. Amarjit Singh Sandoya, former MLA (Constituency Rupnagar) was fair-minded and forward-thinking.
It is to be mentioned that after a sudden health deterioration, he was admitted to Parmar Hospital in Rupnagar, where he breathed his last.
The Speaker prayed to almighty to grant eternal peace to the departed soul and to provide strength to the family.
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SENIOR XEN, J.E., STORE KEEPER SUSPENDED FOR ATTEMPTED FINANCIAL MALPRACTICE AT PSPCL'S KOTAKPURA CENTRAL RESERVOIR: HARBHAJAN SINGH ETO
POLICE ACTION INITIATED AGAINST EMPLOYEES AND TRADER INVOLVED IN CASE
Chandigarh, July 26-In line with the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led Punjab Government's zero-tolerance policy towards corruption, Punjab Power and Public Works Minister S. Harbhajan Singh ETO on Friday announced the immediate suspension of a Senior Xen, JE, and Store Keeper for attempted financial malpractice at PSPCL's Kotakpura central reservoir. He said that police action has been also initiated against the employees and the trader involved in the case.
Giving this information in a press statement issued here, the Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO said that the teams of PSPCL's Enforcement Wing and Technical Investigation Wing jointly conducted a surprise checking of Central Warehouse, PSPCL, Kotakpura on July 25, and inspected the ongoing sale of scrap under scrap sale order. He said that this surprise inspection revealed an attempt to conceal new aluminum conductors among scrap goods in one of the three trucks carrying the scrap, potentially causing financial losses to PSPCL.
Power Minister said that the officials found responsible including Senior Xen (Store) Beant Singh, JE Gurmail Singh, and Store Keeper Nirmal Singh were suspended, and police action was initiated against them and the involved trader. He emphasized that regardless of rank or seniority, no officer will be exempt from accountability if found guilty of negligence or corruption in their duties. "The highest standards of integrity and performance will be expected from all officials, and swift action will be taken against anyone who fails to meet these expectations", he added.
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Chief Secretary again reviews Diarrhoea cases in State, Directs strict compliance with directions of Chief Minister
· EO of Patran, JE, Sanitary Inspector & Chief Sanitary Inspector issued chargesheet
Responsibility of ensuring sound health of every State resident lies with Government, zero tolerance for any laxity: Anurag Verma
· In case of new sample failure, officer responsible to be strictly proceeded against
Chandigarh, July 26:In the light of the directions of the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann to take necessary steps with regard to check the spread of Diarrhoea in some towns of the State, the Chief Secretary Mr Anurag Verma today reviewed the situation in a meeting with all the Deputy Commissioners.
Mr Verma made it clear that the onus of ensuring the good health of every resident of the State lies with the Government and there would be zero tolerance for any laxity in this regard. Mr Verma further said that in case a new sample fails, then the officer responsible for water supply in the area concerned would be strictly proceeded against. He further added that the Health Department has released a sum of Rs. 2 Lakh for large districts and Rs. 1 Lakh for small districts concerning the purchase of testing kits for the purpose of checking drinking water samples. The Principal Secretary Water Supply & Sanitation on the occasion divulged that a total of Rs. 25 Lakh have been released for testing kits.
The Deputy Commissioners during the meeting apprised that the certificates have been received from field officers regarding supply of clean drinking water in all the areas. Mr Verma said that it should be ensured that the water available for drinking must be 100 percent clean and wherever the water is found contaminated, severe action would be taken against the officers responsible.
During the meeting, Additional Chief Secretary Local Government said that a charge sheet has been issued to the EO, JE , Sanitary and Chief Sanitary Inspector of Patran in Patiala District. Similarly, the Chief Secretary has directed the DC Mohali to initiate due legal action in the matter of the non-cleaning of water tanks in Kharar. The Chief Secretary further directed the DCs to personally visit the areas such as the slums where the cases of Diarrhoea have been reported and ensure the clean and hygienic conditions. Likewise, the District Health Officers must make sure that the quality of open fruits being sold, drinking and edible products is up to the mark. Apart from this, a campaign is also being waged to spread awareness amongst the people regarding importance of cleanliness and hygiene.
The Health Secretary disclosed that after the directions of the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the number of water samples has been doubled and new directions in this connection have been issued. Now in big cities, 400 samples, middle level cities 300 and in small cities 200 samples are being taken for testing. He also added that after July 17th barring one or two places, no new case has been reported in the State. Full vigil is being exercised to ensure that no new case comes. The Chief Secretary also gave directions to the Water Supply & Sanitation and Rural Development & Panchayat Department to carry out this exercise in the rural areas too.
Mr. Verma further said that the Health Department is providing adequate and free treatment to the persons who have taken ill and has provided more than 10 Lakh tablets of chlorine free of cost to the Health Department. The Chief Secretary also directed the DCs to monitor the situation on daily basis and implement the above directions in all strictness.
Among others present on the occasion included the Additional Chief Secretary (Local Government) D.K. Tiwari, Principal Secretary Water Supply & Sanitation Nilkanth S. Avhad, Administrative Secretary Health Priyank Bharti, Health Secretary Dr. Abhinav, CEO Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board Malwinder Singh Jaggi, Director Local Government Uma Shankar Gupta, the DCs of all the districts, Commissioners of the Municipal Corporations, ADCs (Urban Development), Civil Surgeons and EOs of the Municipalities.
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Vigilance Bureau arrests Junior Engineer for taking Rs. one lakh bribe
Chandigarh, July 26, 2024 -The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB), during its ongoing campaign against corruption in the state, on Friday has apprehended Jatinder Kumar, posted as Junior Engineer, Engineering Branch- cum-Building Inspector, Municipal Corporation Pathankot, additional charge MC Batala for demanding and accepting bribe of Rs one lakh.
Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the state VB said the above mentioned accused was arrested based on a complaint lodged by Rashpal Singh, a resident of village Bhorli Kalan, Gurdaspur district.
He further informed that the said complainant has approached the VB and alleged in his complaint, that the aforementioned JE had demanded Rs one lakh bribe for not reporting about complaint's agricultural land as a part of illegal colony being examined by the accused.
The spokesperson added that after preliminary enquiry of this complaint the VB team laid a trap and the accused was caught red handed accepting Rs 100,000 in the presence of two official witnesses.
He added that in this regard a case under Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered at VB police station, Amritsar range. The accused would be produced in the competent court tomorrow and further investigation was under progress, he said.
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Vigilance Bureau arrests ASI for taking Rs 1,10,000 bribe
Chandigarh, July 26, 2024 - The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB), during its ongoing campaign against corruption in the state, on Friday has apprehended Gurpreet singh, Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI), posted as police station Sadar, Dhuri, Sangrur district for demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 1,10,000.
Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the state VB said the above mentioned accused was arrested based on a complaint lodged by Gurdeep Singh, a resident of village Rajomajra in Sangrur district.
He further informed that the said complainant has approached the VB and alleged in his complaint, that a case has been registered at police station Dhuri Sadar against his members of his in-laws and his brother-in-law and father-in-law have been arrested. He further informed that the aforementioned ASI had demanded Rs 1,50,000 bribe by threatening to implicate the other family members in this police case but the deal has been struck at Rs 1,10,000.
The spokesperson added that after a preliminary enquiry of this complaint, the VB team laid a trap and the accused ASI was caught red handed accepting a bribe of Rs 1,10,000 from the complainant in the presence of two official witnesses.
He added that in this regard a case under Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered at VB police station, Patiala and further investigation was under progress, he said.