PUNJAB POLICE BUSTS INTERSTATE WEAPONS SMUGGLING MODULE BACKED BY LAKHBIR LANDA; TWO HELD WITH 6 SOPHISTICATED PISTOLS

— PUNJAB POLICE COMMITTED TO MAKING PUNJAB A SAFE AND SECURE STATE AS PER DIRECTIONS OF CM BHAGWANT SINGH MANN

— THIS IS SECOND WEAPON CONSIGNMENT PROCURED BY ARRESTED ACCUSED PERSONS FROM MP-BASED WEAPON DEALER, SAYS DGP GAURAV YADAV

— WEAPON DEALER HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED, POLICE TEAMS ARE ON MANHUNT TO NAB HIM: AIG SSOC SUKHMINDER SINGH MANN

CHANDIGARH/AMRITSAR, July 15:Amidst the ongoing drive to make Punjab a safe and secure state as per the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) Amritsar has busted an inter-state weapon smuggling module with the arrest of two operatives of foreign-based terrorist Lakhbir alias Landa and recovered six .32 bore sophisticated pistols along with magazines and ammunition from their possession, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Monday.

Those arrested have been identified as Sumitpal Singh of village Thathian in Tarn Taran and Arpandeep Singh of Chamba Kalan in Tarn Taran.

DGP Gaurav Yadav said that acting on intel-inputs that associates of Lawrence Bishnoi has retrieved weapons consignment from Madhya Pradesh (MP), Police teams from SSOC Amritsar launched an operation and apprehended both the accused persons from near Railway Station Amritsar.

Preliminary investigations have revealed that accused persons were directly in touch with MP based illegal weapons dealer, he said, while adding that about a fortnight back they went to MP by bus to procure this weapon consignment and travelled back to Amritsar by train.

The DGP said that this is the second consignment procured by the arrested accused persons from same MP based weapon dealer in last two months, who has been identified by the Police. Investigations are going on to establish backward and forward linkages to further arrest remaining accused persons and dismantle illegal weapon smuggling operating from Madhya Pradesh.

Sharing more details, AIG SSOC Amritsar Sukhminder Singh Mann said that arrested accused persons revealed that they procured this weapon consignment to further sell it to criminal elements to carry out criminal activities. Accused persons also confessed to have sold off two .32 bore pistols to two unknown persons in the area of Harike a month back, he said.

In this regard, a case FIR No. 42 dated 14.07.2024 has been registered under section 25 of the Arms Act and section 61 (2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Police Station SSOC Amritsar.

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PUNJAB POLICE RECOVERS 41QTLs POPPY HUSK FROM BATHINDA; ONE HELD

— PUNJAB POLICE COMMITTED TO MAKING PUNJAB A DRUG FREE STATE AS PER VISION OF CM BHAGWANT SINGH MANN

— DRUG CONSIGNMENT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE DELIVERED IN JALANDHAR, MOGA AND FEROZEPUR DISTRICTS, SAYS DGP GAURAV YADAV

— ARRESTED DRUG SMUGGLER CONFESSED TO HAVE DELIVERED SUCH CONSIGNMENTS OF POPPY HUSK EARLIER TOO: AIG AVNEET SIDHU

CHANDIGARH/BATHINDA, July 15:Amidst the ongoing war against drugs waged on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Counter Intelligence (CI) Bathinda has arrested a drug smuggler and seized a massive 4100 Kg (210 bags) of poppy husk being smuggled in a container-truck from Madhya Pradesh, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Monday.

The arrested drug smuggler has been identified as Sandeep Singh alias Kaka (Truck Driver), a resident of village Raipur Arian in Nakodar, Jalandhar. Apart from recovering big haul of poppy husk, Police teams have also impounded the container-truck bearing registeration number NL 01AB 0377.

DGP Gaurav Yadav said that swiftly acting on a secret information about trafficking of poppy husk in large quantity, Police teams from Counter Intelligence Bathinda along with District Police Bathinda laid a joint Naka and stopped a suspected container truck for checking. During checking of the vehicle, Police teams have recovered 210 bags carrying 41 quintal of the poppy husk drug, he said.

The DGP said that during the preliminary investigation it has come to notice that this consignment was supposed to be delivered in the area of Jalandhar, Moga and Ferozepur districts. Our teams are working tirelessly to uncover the entire network, following both forward and backward linkages, he added.

Sharing more details, AIG CI Bathinda Avneet Kaur Sidhu said that the arrested drug smuggler has confessed to have delivered such big consignments of poppy husk from Partapgarh in MP to Punjab earlier as well. Further investigations are on, she said.

A case FIR No 118 dated 15-07-2024 has been registered under section 15C of the NDPS Act at Police Station Canal Colony Bathinda.

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Dr. Baljit Kaur Emphasizes to ensure Speedy Delivery of Public Welfare Schemes to Needy

Review Meeting Conducted with Head Office, District Program Officers, District Social Security Officers and Child Development Project Officers to Assess Performance of Departmental Schemes

Says, Speed and transparency should be ensured in work

Chandigarh, July 15:Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur, presided over a crucial review meeting at Kisan Bhawan, Chandigarh. The meeting was attended by Head Office, District Program Officers, District Social Security Officers and Child Development Project Officers to Assess the Performance of Departmental Schemes . The focus was on ensuring that the benefits of the department’s public welfare schemes reach the needy promptly and effectively.

During the meeting, Cabinet Minister reviewed the department's performance with Special Chief Secretary, Social Security Women and Child Development, Mrs. Raji P. Shrivastava, Director Dr. Shena Aggarwal, Deputy Director Rupinder Kaur, Amarjit Singh Bhullar and Sukhdeep Singh Jhajj.

Dr. Baljit Kaur emphasized the necessity of efficient implementation of social welfare schemes, particularly those are for women and children. She instructed the officials to ensure speed and transparency in their work to ensure timely benefits for the needy. Dr. Kaur also stressed the importance of regular inspections of old age homes, Bal Ghars and Anganwadi centers, maintaining consistent personal contact to better understand and address the needs at the ground level.

Key topics discussed included the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), the Poshan Tracker Application, the repair and construction of Anganwadi centers under the MNREGA Scheme, the provision of certificates for the construction of toilets and the Supplementary Nutrition Program Scheme. The review also covered pension and financial assistance programs, regular inspections of Bal Ghars and reform homes and the implementation of initiatives addressing child labour, child begging and child marriage. Additionally, the meeting reviewed the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, verification of pending cases, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and One Stop Center.

Addressing the attendees, Dr. Baljit Kaur highlighted the department’s integral role in society, emphasizing that the Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, is steadfast in its commitment to the welfare of all sections of society, especially women and children. She instructed all District Program Officers, District Social Security Officers and Child Development Project Officers to ensure that the benefits of social security and various welfare schemes reach every corner of Punjab.

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Local Government Minister Balkar Singh holds video conference with the officials to deal with the problems arising during the monsoon season

Instructions issued to authorities to take care of water drainage and basic facilities during rainy season

Chandigarh, July 15-The Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Maan is working on a war footing to provide maximum facilities to every citizen of the state and to develop the infrastructure of the state.In order to fulfill the same objective, the Minister of Local Government Balkar Singh has directed the municipal commissioners, additional deputy commissioners, Executive officers and other officers of Municipal councils to ensure complete drainage of rainwater, cleanliness of drains and to provide other basic facilities to the people in the state through a video conference held from Chandigarh on Monday.

During the meeting, Local Government Minister Balkar Singh discussed with the officials regarding the advance preparations considering the upcoming monsoon and the departmental readiness to deal with the problems faced by the people during the rainy season and reviewed the ongoing development works.

In the meeting, the minister said that special attention should be paid to sewage cleanliness.He said that if there is a sewerage blockage anywhere, the necessary bucket machines, jetting machines , jet sucking machines and necessary manpower should be arranged. He said that provision of pumps and generator sets should also be ensured for water extraction.He said that insecticides should be arranged for the prevention of mosquitoes and flies during the rainy season and supply of clean water to the people should be ensured. He said that all the manholes should be well covered to avoid any untoward incident.

The minister instructed the officials that if a flood-like situation occurs in an area, other buildings should be identified in advance to shift the people there to safe buildings. He said that the people living in such areas should be informed in advance and suitable arrangements should be made for their safety. He said that complete drainage of rainwater should be ensured during the rainy season. The minister said that fogging should also be done from time to time during the rainy season. The minister asked the officials to ensure swift action to deal with the challenges arising due to rain.

On this occasion, Local Government Minister Balkar Singh gave strict instructions to the officials that disciplinary action will be taken against the officials who are negligent in their work. He said that the main objective of the Bhagwant Maan government is to protect people's lives and property and the government is committed to achieving this goal.

Punjab Water Supply Sewerage Board CEO Malvinder Singh Jaggi, Local Government Department Director Uma Shankar Gupta and other officials were also present in this meeting.

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Vigilance Bureau nabs private person taking Rs 1,50,000 bribe

Chandigarh July 15, 2024 - The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its drive against corruption in the state, on Monday has apprehended a private person named Parveen Kumar, a resident of Bhadaur town in district Barnala while he was accepting a bribe of Rs. 1,50,000.

Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the state VB informed that the above said accused had earlier lodged a complaint on the Chief Minister's Anti Corruption Action Line against Mohinder Singh, a resident of Barnala city for demanding a bribe. After this the said accused Parveen Kumar started blackmailing said Mohinder Singh to pay the bribe for withdrawal of his online complaint.

He further added that the aforementioned Mohinder Singh has approached the VB and alleged that said accused Parveen Kumar along with co-accused Gajju Ram, residing at village Bhadalwarh, district Barnala have been demanding a bribe of Rs. 2,50,000 for compromising with him regarding online complaint.

The spokesperson added that after preliminary enquiry of this complaint the VB team laid a trap and the above accused Parveen Kumar was arrested accepting bribe money of Rs. 1,50,000 from the complainant in the presence of two official witnesses. The co-accused in this is on the run. A case under prevention of corruption act has been registered against both the accused at VB police station Patiala and further investigation into this case was under progress.

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PUNJAB AGRICULTURE DEPT FORMS 128 TEAMS TO ENSURE REGULAR MONITORING OF COTTON CROP

Teams visiting cotton fields to conduct pest surveillance & guide farmers to take pest control measures, says Gurmeet Singh Khudian

Three active spots of Pink Bollworm & eight spots of Whitefly found in Khuian Sarwar block

Officials concerned directed to ensure application of recommended pesticides in their presence

Chandigarh, July 15:

In order to ensure regular monitoring of cotton crops to avert insects’ attack, Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department has formed as many as 128 pest surveillance teams under the supervision of two Joint Director level officers.

The teams have been constituted in the cotton districts including Sri Muktsar Sahib, Fazilka, Faridkot, Moga, Bathinda, Mansa, Barnala and Sangrur.

Disclosing this here today, Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian said that these teams have been tasked to visit cotton fields and conduct pest surveillance, besides guiding the farmers to take pest control measures, whenever required.

He further informed that the Agriculture department teams have inspected the cotton fields of 73 villages in the Fazilka district on Monday and found three active spots of Pink Bollworm and eight active spots of Whitefly in Khuian Sarwar block. The concerned officials were directed to ensure application of the recommended pesticides in their presence.

“To spread the message at the grassroots level, the Agriculture department has also organized Farmers Awareness camps in 989 villages in the major cotton districts to sensitize the farmers regarding practices for cotton cultivation and effective management against various cotton insect/pests and other diseases”, the Agriculture Minister added.

Urging the farmers to follow the advice of the Agriculture experts and use only the recommended pesticides, S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian said that Agriculture department is pulling out all the stops to ensure the welfare of the state farmers as per the commitment of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government. As many as 6000 demonstrations of cotton crop covering an area of 60,000 hectares have been laid down in cotton districts under the crop diversification plan during kharif season 2024 and the farmers will be provided incentives for inputs according to the norms, he informed.

Director Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Jaswant Singh informed that the department's officials have visited the cotton fields of farmers. Chief Agriculture Officer, Mansa reported that a team of the department visited the cotton field of farmer Balkar Singh at village Sahnewali and a minor pink bollworm attack was found in the field and the farmer was advised to use recommended pesticides and the situation is under control. In village Khiali Chehlanwali, field of farmer Jagdev Singh S/o Dharam Singh was surveyed and no pink bollworm was detected and whitefly population was below Economic Threshold Level (ETL) at 4 adults per leaf, he added.

The Director Agriculture further informed that cotton field of farmer Gurpreet Singh S/o Ajaib Singh of village Patti Sadiq was also visited by the department officials and they have reported that the crop is in good condition. Pink bollworm, Whitefly and other pests were below ETL.

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Punjab Government set up control rooms in all 23 districts to deal with flood like situation: Bram Shanker Jimpa

District Revenue Officers Appointed as Nodal Officers of Control Rooms, Helpline Number Released: Disaster Management Minister

Jimpa reiterated its commitment to provide all possible assistance to the people in case of any crisis

Chandigarh, July 15-The Punjab Government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has set up control rooms in all 23 districts to deal with the flood like situation during the monsoon season and the District Revenue Officers have been appointed as the Nodal Officers of these control rooms.

While providing information in this regard, Revenue, Rehabilitation and Disaster Management Minister, Punjab, Bram Shanker Jimpa said that all arrangements have been made by the Punjab Government to control the flood like situation during the monsoon season. He said that as per the instructions issued by CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, financial assistance has already been released to all the Deputy Commissioners for cleaning of torrents, choes, drains etc. and the cleaning work has been completed by the districts but in case of any untoward incident, people can contact the control rooms set up to provide help.

It is worth noting that the helpline number of Amritsar control room is 0183-2229125 while Barnala's 01679-233031, Bathinda's 0164-2862100,101, Faridkot's 01639-250338, Fatehgarh Sahib's 0176-323838, Fazilka's 01638-262153, Ferozepur’s 01632 -244017, Gurdaspur’s 01874-266376, Hoshiarpur’s 01882-220412, Jalandhar’s 0181-2224417, Kapurthala’s 01822-231990, 297220, 233776 and Ludhiana’s helpline numbers 0161-2433100 have been issued.

Similarly for Malerkotla 01675-253772, for Mansa 01652-229082, for Moga 01636-235206, for Sri Muktsar Sahib 01633-260341, for Patiala 0175-2311321, for Rupnagar 01881-221157, for Sangrur 01672-234196, S.A.S. Nagar’s 0172-2219506 , S.B.S. Nagar’s 01823-220645 and for Tarn Taran control room helpline number is 01852-224107.

Bram Shanker Jimpa said that these control rooms are functional 24x7 and people can contact these helpline numbers at any time in the hour of crisis and it will be ensured that all possible assistance is provided to them by the administrative officials.