Punjab Cracks Down on Power Theft: 296 FIRs Registered, 38 Employees Terminated
*Stringent Measures Against Power Theft to Continue Unabated, says Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO
Chandigarh, September 10-The Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government has intensified its crusade against power theft, registering 296 FIRs at Anti Power Theft Police Stations across the state in August alone. Additionally, 38 employees have been terminated for engaging in corrupt practices.
Punjab Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO disclosed this in a press communiqué issued here on Tuesday. “To curb revenue losses, regular checks and raids are being conducted statewide, leading to the registration of 90 FIRs in Patiala Zone, 79 in Amritsar Zone, 71 in Bathinda Zone, 29 in Ludhiana Zone and 27 in Jalandhar Zone”, said the Power Minister.
Emphasizing that these FIRs were filed in line with the Punjab Government's zero-tolerance policy against corruption, the Power Minister said that 37 outsourced meter-readers and one supervisor have been terminated for corrupt practices during the last two months. He said that the corruption and power theft will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
Power Minister reiterated the commitment to combating power theft, stating that stringent measures against this menace will continue unabated. He issued a stern warning to those involved in power theft to cease their activities and get their power connections regularised. "The Power Department is resolute in its determination to eradicate power theft, which is a significant drain on the state's resources," said the Power Minister while adding that no stone would be left unturned in identifying and prosecuting those who engage in this illegal activity.
Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO has already issued explicit instructions to the Power Department officials to carry out extensive special inspections across the state. The objective of these inspections is twofold: to prevent power theft and to recover the revenue losses incurred due to these illicit activities.
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AAM AADMI CLINICS ACHIEVE LANDMARK AS 2-CR PEOPLE AVAIL TREATMENT IN 2 YEARS
— CM BHAGWANT MANN LED PUNJAB GOVT COMMITTED TO PROVIDE WORLD-CLASS HEALTH FACILITIES TO PEOPLE OF STATE
— CLINICS CATERING OVER 58K PATIENTS DAILY, CUTS HEALTHCARE EXPENSES FOR INDIVIDUALS BY ₹1030-CR, SAYS DR BALBIR SINGH
— 55% OF OPD VISITS ARE BY FEMALES, INDICATING SHIFT TOWARDS GENDER-INCLUSIVE HEALTHCARE: HEALTH MINISTER
CHANDIGARH, September 10:The ambitious 'Aam Aadmi Clinics' project initiated by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab government to strengthening primary healthcare in the state, has achieved yet another significant milestone as the Outpatient Department (OPD) visits have now crossed the remarkable two crore mark in just two years.
Sharing this milestone today, Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh revealed that over 2 crore individuals in the state have received free treatment from the 842 Aam Aadmi Clinics since August 15, 2022. Notably, there are 842 Aam Aadmi Clinics— 312 in urban areas and 530 in Rural areas— functioning in the state providing free treatment, besides offering 80 types of free medicines and 38 types of free diagnostic tests.
Providing a break-up about the footfall at the Aam Aadmi Clinics, Dr Balbir Singh mentioned that these clinics serve around 58,900 patients daily, with an average of 70 patients visiting each clinic everyday. This statistic underscores the efficiency and effectiveness of the clinics in managing a significant patient load, he added.
“Out of 2 crore visitors, 90 lakhs are unique visits, showcasing the broad accessibility of the clinics, while 1.10 crore visits are re-visits, indicating the trust and satisfaction of the patients,” said the Health Minister, while adding that the clinics have played a crucial role in reducing out-of-pocket healthcare expenses for individuals by a substantial amount of Rs 1030 crores.
He further informed that 55% of OPD visits are by females, indicating a notable shift towards gender-inclusive healthcare. These clinics are actively breaking traditional barriers and ensuring equal access for all individuals. Furthermore, 11.20% of visits are by Children and Adolescents (0-12 age group), while a substantial 68.86% are by Adults (13-60 age group). Additionally, 19.94% of visits are by Senior citizens (Above 60). This diverse age representation underscores the Aam Aadmi Clinics' dedication to meet the healthcare needs of all age demographics.
The Health Minister further informed that each clinic is equipped with IT infrastructure, ensuring complete digitisation of registration, medical consultations, examinations and prescriptions.
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Punjab Gau Sewa Commission Chairman Ashok Kumar Singla presides over the meeting of Governing Body
Chandigarh , September 10-The Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is making rapid efforts for the protection of the destitute animals. To fulfill the same objective, Mr. Ashok Kumar Singla, Chairman, Punjab Gau Sewa Commission presided over a meeting of the governing body held at Sector 68, Forest Complex Building SAS (Mohali) on Tuesday.
Giving more information in this regard Chairman Ashok Kumar Singla stated that concrete steps are being taken by the Punjab government for the protection animals. Mr. Singla highlighted the growing number of homeless animals in the state has increased the risk of accidents. Therefore, it is essential to implement effective measures for the proper management of these animals. He also shared that during the meeting, various issues related to improving cows welfare activities were discussed, with an emphasis on securing funds through municipal councils and corporations
Senior Officials from various departments, including finance, security, animal husbandry, local government, electricity, transport, and rural development, were present at the meeting. The proceedings were conducted by CEO Dr. Ashish Chugh of the Gau Sewa Commission. On this occasion, the Vice Chairman of the Gau Sewa Commission, Mr. Manish Agarwal, Mr. Gursharanjit Singh Bedi, Director of the Animal Husbandry Department, along with other members of the Commission, were also present.
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Vigilance Bureau arrests ASI for taking Rs 5,000 bribe
Chandigarh, September 10, 2024 - The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB), during its ongoing campaign against corruption in the state, on Tuesday has apprehended Malkeet Singh, Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI), posted at police post Kili Nihal Singh Wala, Bathinda district for demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 5,000.
Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the state VB said the above mentioned accused was arrested based on a complaint lodged by Mandeep Singh, a resident of village Kili Nihal Singh Wala in Bathinda district.
He further informed that the said complainant has approached the VB and alleged in his complaint, that a complaint has been submitted at the above mentioned police post against him by the Irrigation Department for polluting canal water. He further informed that the aforementioned ASI had demanded Rs 5,000 bribe to submit a favourable report in this regard and had recorded the conversation with the police official for raising a demand for bribe money.
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 5,000 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, Bathinda and further investigation was under progress, he said.
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VIOLENCE AGAINST MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS WILL NOT BE TOLERATED AT ANY COST: DR BALBIR SINGH
— CM BHAGWANT SINGH MANN LED PUNJAB GOVT ADOPTS ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY AGAINST VIOLENCE ON HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS
— HEALTH MINISTER CHAIRS HIGH-LEVEL MEETING WITH DCs, CPs/SSPs & CIVIL SURGEONS TO REVIEW SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS AT GOVT HEALTHCARE FACILITIES
— DR BALBIR SINGH DIRECTS TO CONSTITUTE DISTRICT HEALTH BOARDS IN ALL DISTRICTS
— ALSO ORDERS STRICT IMPLEMENTATION OF ‘PUNJAB PROTECTION OF MEDICARE SERVICE PERSONS AND MEDICARE SERVICE INSTITUTIONS (PREVENTION OF VIOLENCE AND DAMAGE TO PROPERTY) ACT, 2008
— HEALTH MINISTER ALSO TAKES STOCK OF MEASURES IN PLACE FOR PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES
CHANDIGARH, September 10:Reaffirming the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government’s zero-tolerance policy towards violence against healthcare professionals, Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh on Tuesday, categorically said that any kind of violence against healthcare professionals will not be tolerated at any cost and stringent action will be initiated against the culprits.
Taking a strong note of the rising cases of violence against medical professionals, the Health Minister was chairing a high-level meeting with Deputy Commissioners, CPs/SSPs and Civil Surgeons of all districts via video conferencing to review security arrangements at the Government Healthcare Facilities. The meeting was attended by Administrative Secretary Health Kumar Rahul, Secretary Health cum MD NHM Dr Abhinav Trikha, MD PHSC Varinder Kumar Sharma and Director Health and Family Welfare Dr Hitinder Kaur.
To ensure workplace security, Dr Balbir Singh directed the constitution of District Health Boards under the chairpersonship of Deputy Commissioners, comprising members including SSP, Civil Surgeon, Principal/Medical Superintendent of Medical College, District PCMS President/District IMA President Representatives, Representative of Paramedical Staff/NGOs and Legal Experts. The boards should meet monthly to review security arrangements, he added.
Calling for the strict implementation of ‘Punjab Protection of Medicare Service persons and Medicare service institutions (Prevention of Violence and damage to Property) Act, 2008’, he asked the officials to prominently install display boards at all the healthcare facilities— in both English and Punjabi language— displaying provisions, penalties and punishment under this Act and also contact numbers of police stations.
The Health Minister also stressed on the need to attach all the health institutions with heavy footfall with the nearest Police Chowki/Station.
He directed Civil Surgeons to ensure appropriate security arrangements, including deployment of homeguards, installation of CCTV cameras and proper lighting, at all the healthcare facilities. To streamline patient entry, only one attendant should be allowed to enter the In-Patient Department (IPD) area, he suggested.
He also directed them to constitute five-member Internal Committee on Sexual Harassment headed by Facility Incharge and comprising three female members.
Dr Balbir Singh also made a heartfelt appeal to healthcare staff to exercise empathy and courtesy towards patients and their attendants, recognising that they often arrive at hospitals already stressed and anxious. He also stated that if patients have any problem with respect to treatment provided by doctors/healthcare professionals, they can approach the District Grievances Redressal Committee, which will suitably look into the matter for necessary action.
Meanwhile, in light abrupt spurt in dengue cases amid incessant rains, the Health Minister also took stock of measures in place for prevention and control of vector-borne diseases in the state. He instructed Civil Surgeons to conduct door-to-door surveys in hotspot areas. He urged people to not let water stagnation at or around their homes to prevent breeding of dengue mosquitoes.
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MEGA PLACEMENT CAMPS FOR WOMEN: 1223 CANDIDATES SELECTED FOR JOBS; 50 SHORTLISTED FOR SELF-EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE
* Over 2800 candidates participate in three Mega Placement Camps organised in Hoshiarpur, Barnala & Sri Muktsar Sahib, says Aman Arora
* 41 employers including Microsoft and IBM participated in camps
Chandigarh, September 10:Embracing the vision of women empowerment set forth by Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government has organised three Mega Placement Camps for women in Hoshiarpur, Barnala and Sri Muktsar Sahib districts, on Tuesday. A total of 1223 women were selected for placements, with an additional 50 women candidates shortlisted for self-employment assistance, informed Mr. Aman Arora, Minister of Employment Generation, Skill Development, and Training.
These Mega Placement Camps, organised by the Employment Generation, Skill Development, and Training in collaboration with the Department of Social Security, Women and Child Development, drew in over 2829 participants.
Mr. Aman Arora also mentioned that 41 employers took part in these camps, resulting in 1223 candidates being selected/shortlisted for placements. Notably, Microsoft and IBM shortlisted over 100 candidates for digital skill development.
He further added that various Departments of the Punjab Government and bankers shared information on self-employment opportunities for women candidates, leading to the shortlisting of 50 candidates for self-employment assistance.
Congratulating both the departments for collaborating seamlessly to ensure the success of the events, Mr. Aman Arora said that it was a grand show that provided Employment, Self-Employment and Skill Development services all in one place.
Ms. Amrit Singh, the Director of Employment Generation, Skill Development and Training said that Lok Sabha MP Dr. Raj Kumar Chabbewal led the Mega Placement Camp in Hoshiarpur district, while Punjab Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Ms. Baljit Kaur graced the event at Gidderbaha in Sri Muktsar Sahib district. She emphasised that these women-specific placement camps will significantly contribute to empowering the women of Punjab, thereby laying a robust foundation for a prosperous Punjab.