Punjab's case presented strongly to Finance Commission with commitment to bolster state economy: Harpal Singh Cheema

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’’OUR FARMERS DESERVE RESPECT NOT INJUSTICE";SANDHWAN ASKS MODI TO RECONSIDER GALLANTRY AWARD RECOMMENDATION FOR HARYANA POLICE OFFICERS INVOLVED IN SHAMBHU BORDER FARMER PROTEST

CHANDIGARH, JULY 24:Strongly objecting to recommendation of gallantry awards to Haryana Police Officers for their role in stopping farmers at Shambhu border, the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Sardar Kultar Singh Sandhwan has urged the Prime Minister to reconsider decision of recommendation of gallantry awards for police officers involved in stopping farmers march at Shambhu border.

In his letter to PM Modi, Sandhwan has said that, "while supporting farmers' demands, I express my deep concern and strong condemnation regarding the recommendation by the Director General of Police of Haryana for gallantry medals to six police officers/officials, who played role in stopping the farmers' march at Shambu boarder recently."

I deeply respect the bravery and dedication of our police force and believe it is essential to consider the context and implications of their actions. However, the situation at Punjab-Haryana boarder at Shambhu is highly sensitive, the Punjab Vidhan Speaker added.

Urging the PM to reconsider this unfortunate decision of the Haryana Government, Sandhwan has said, "I urge you, as the highest constitutional authority in India, to reconsider this recommendation. It is imperative that we uphold the principles of democracy, justice, and human rights.

The farmers of our nation deserve respect and acknowledgment for their contributions, not further alienation and injustice. The memory of Shubhkaran and others who have suffered during this protest should compel us to seek justice and compassion in our responses to their plight."

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77 Child Beggars Rehabilitated: Dr. Baljit Kaur

An Appeal to Public for Reporting Child Safety Concerns

Chandigarh, July 24- The Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, remains steadfast in its commitment to child safety and welfare. The Social Security, Women and Child Development Department has successfully rehabilitated 77 child beggars through the Child Begging Free Campaign, as announced by Dr. Baljit Kaur, Minister of Social Security, Women and Child Development, here today.

Providing further details, the Cabinet Minister highlighted the ongoing state-wide campaign aimed at rescuing and rehabilitating children involved in child begging. She said that this initiative will continue every second week of the month. Thus far, 77 children have been rescued across various districts. Among them, 20 children have been placed in state-run Bal Ghars due to lack of shelter, where they will receive education, food and healthcare. The remaining children have been reunited with their families through the Child Welfare Committee. Additionally, eight children have benefited from the sponsorship scheme, 13 are being processed for school admission and one has been enrolled in an Anganwadi.

Dr. Baljit Kaur emphasized that, under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2015, the state has registered seven government children's homes and 39 non-government homes to accommodate orphans, destitute, and surrendered children.

She appealed to the public to report any concerns regarding child safety to their District Child Protection Unit or the Child Welfare Committee.

The Cabinet Minister reaffirmed the state government’s dedication to protecting vulnerable children under the Mission Vatsalya scheme, ensuring no child faces hardship in Punjab. Information about these schemes is available on the department's website at sswcd@punjab.gov.in.

The Social Security, Women and Child Development Department is undertaking comprehensive efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of children. The Mission Vatsalya Scheme aims to provide thorough care, protection, development, treatment and rehabilitation for children within society.

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APPLICATIONS UNDER FARM MECHANISATION SCHEME INVITED IN PUNJAB; FARMERS CAN APPLY ONLINE BY AUGUST 13

• Subsidy worth ₹21-CR to be provided to beneficiary farmers, says Gurmeet Singh Khudian

* Agriculture Minister appeals farmers to take maximum advantage of the scheme

Chandigarh, July 24:With an aim to further enhance the reach of farm mechanisation to the farmers of the state as desired by Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare department has invited applications from farmers for availing subsidy on various agriculture machineries under the Sub Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) scheme. The subsidy worth Rs 21 crore will be given to the beneficiary farmers through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

Disclosing this here today, Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian informed that interested farmers can apply by logging in at the department’s portal agrimachinerypb.com by August 13, 2024 to avail the benefits of the scheme. He said that the subsidy is being provided on the purchase of Pneumatic Planter, Potato Planter (Automatic/ Semi-Automatic), Potato Digger, Paddy Transplanter, DSR Seed Drill, Rotavator, Tractor Operated Boom Sprayer, PTO Operated Bund Former, Oil Mill, Mini Processing Plant, Nursery Seeder and Forage Harvester.

Divulging the details of the scheme, S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian said that individual farmers, farmer groups, Cooperative Societies, Panchayats and FPOs can avail 40 per cent subsidy on the purchase of above mentioned machines, while, individual SC farmers, women farmers, small & marginal farmers will get 50 percent subsidy.

While appealing to the farmers to take maximum advantage of the scheme, he said that by adopting mechanisation, farmers can increase their income and it would also go a long way to promote water saving techniques, crop diversification and MSMEs in the agricultural sector. He also directed the department officials to ensure complete transparency in the whole process.

The Agriculture Minister said that the farmers could visit Agriculture Offices of their respective districts for more information in this regard. He further stated that the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government has been working tirelessly to promote agriculture-diversification and mechanisation in the state and the Agriculture department has been actively working on a strategy to boost the initiative of providing state-of-the-art machineries to the farmers at subsidised rates to further increase the income of farmers.

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Punjab Government fully committed to welfare of employees: Lal Chand Kataruchak

Chandigarh, July 24: The Forest and Wildlife Preservation Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak today presided over a series of meetings at Forest Complex in Sector 68 with various unions associated with the Forest Department. The Minister said that the Punjab Government led by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is fully committed to the welfare of employees and the justified demands would be carefully considered besides making efforts to arrive at a solution.

He further added that the State Government is undertaking great efforts to turn the State into Rangla Punjab for which the contribution of each employee is important. He urged the unions' leaders to carry the State to dazzling heights of prosperity with full honesty and dedication.

The Forest Minister further stated that the State Government is adopting zero tolerance policy towards corruption and who ever indulges in malpractices, won't be spared.

The responsibility of the employees of the Forest Department increases more so in the monsoon season because these days the work of planting saplings at pan Punjab level is going on war footing. The cooperation of every employee is significant to make Punjab clean and green.

Among others present on the occasion included the PCCF R.K. Mishra and the APCCF (Administration) Dharminder Sharma.

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Punjab State Women Commission Chairperson Slams Union Budget for Ignoring Women's Issues

Chandigarh, July 24 –The Chairperson of the Punjab State Women Commission, Mrs. Raj Lali Gill, has expressed her strong dissatisfaction with the Union Budget 2024 presented by Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman. During a media interaction on Wednesday in Chandigarh, Mrs. Gill remarked, "Nothing has been given to empower women in this budget."

Chairperson Mrs. Gill emphasized that the budget fails to address the critical needs of women, providing no specific programs or financial support aimed at their empowerment. She highlighted that women were expecting initiatives to enhance their economic, social, and health status, but the budget did not meet these expectations.

Raj Lali Gill said that the Union Budget has completely ignored the plight of women. She further elaborated, "The promises made in this budget are just for show. By the time they are implemented, another budget will come."

She also pointed out the absence of additional funds for One Stop Centres, which provide essential support services to women facing violence. The lack of increased funding for One Stop Centres is a clear indication of the government's disregard for women's safety and well-being.

On another major issue of employment, Mrs. Gill remarked, "The finance minister claimed that the central government is giving 2 crore jobs every year, but this budget does not reflect any concrete measures to support this claim." She said that this budget is a party-saving budget.

Mrs. Gill called upon the central government to reconsider the budget and incorporate measures that would genuinely empower women and address their unique challenges. She urged the government to allocate substantial funds for women's education, healthcare, and entrepreneurship to ensure their active participation in the nation’s development.

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