Punjab to launch silk products under its own brand; Horticulture Minister Chetan Singh Jouramajra unveils logo

Efforts will be made to double silk production in the state by the end of 2025, announces Chetan Singh Jouramajra

Participates in State-Level Silk Day Function

Chandigarh, September 21:In a significant move to boost farmers' income by selling products associated with agricultural allied-occupations under its own brand, the Punjab government has taken a major step towards introducing state-produced silk products to the market under its own label.

During the State level silk day function at MGSIPA here, Horticulture Minister S. Chetan Singh Jouramajra launched the department's logo for silk products, marking the commencement of this initiative. He announced that every effort would be made to double silk production in the state by the end of 2025.

S. Chetan Singh Jauramajra said that sericulture is currently practiced in approximately 230 villages across the sub-mountainous districts of Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Pathankot and Ropar, with 1200 to 1400 silk rearers engaged in this occupation. He said that the state primarily produces two types of silk: bivoltine mulberry and eri silk. Annually, 1000 to 1100 ounces of mulberry silk seeds are reared, yielding 30,000 to 35,000 kgs of mulberry silk cocoons, while 200 ounces of eri silk seeds produce 5,000 to 8,000 kgs of eri silk cocoons.

"This occupation is predominantly adopted by people living below the poverty line, landless individuals or those with small landholdings", said the Cabinet Minister, adding that currently, a silk rearer earns an annual income of Rs.40,000 to Rs.50,000, which is considered insufficient.

Addressing the issue of fair prices for silk produce to increase farmers' income, S. Chetan Singh Jouramajra stated that the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led government would establish its own reeling units to process cocoons, ensuring silk farmers receive higher prices for their produce.

He said that a reeling unit for converting cocoons into silk thread is being set up in Pathankot. With operationalization this unit, the income of silk rearers can potentially increase by 1.5 to 2 times. He also mentioned the significant step of reactivating the state's sole silk seed production center in Dalhousie (Himachal Pradesh) to reduce production costs and provide farmers with seeds at affordable rates.

Addressing the gathering, Special Chief Secretary (Horticulture) Mr. K.A.P. Sinha said that the state has 13 government sericulture farms and with the established infrastructure at these farms, the department's technical staff is providing necessary facilities to silk farmers, such as plantation assistance, distribution of silkworm eggs, rearing young silkworms and support for cocoon marketing.

Similarly, Director Horticulture Mrs. Shailender Kaur said that sericulture in Punjab is based on the labour of underprivileged people and has significant potential for development. She elaborated on various initiatives undertaken by the Horticulture Department to develop this sector and increase silk farmers' income, which include reinitiating ericulture and efforts to produce tussar silk in the future to engage more silk farmers in the profession. She also mentioned that the department is taking crucial steps to manufacture silk thread and ensure better prices, with the aim of creating a "Punjab Silk" brand in the future.

During the event, the Cabinet Minister also honoured silk farmers from the Kandi region engaged in silk production. The Horticulture Minister interacted with silk farmers, listened to their concerns and assured them that a silk seed production center would soon be established in the state, which will provide seeds to farmers at cost price, eliminating technical issues, transportation costs and seed deterioration problems associated with procuring seeds from other states.

The Cabinet Minister also specially honoured officials who designed the logo, which included S. Dalbir Singh, Deputy Director-cum-State Sericulture Nodal Officer; S. Lakhbir Singh, Horticulture Development Officer; Miss Meenu, Assistant Sericulture Nodal Officer and Mr. Yuvraj Singh, Phase Scheme Consultant Sericulture. A documentary film and brochure were also released during the event to encourage more people to engage in the silk industry.

Prominent amongst others who were present during the event included Mr. Mittal Ashok Bhalerao, Assistant Superintendent (Technical) Central Silk Board, New Delhi; Mr. Balwinder Singh, Assistant Director-cum-Sericulture Officer, Mukerian (Hoshiarpur); S. Avtar Singh, Sericulture Manager; S. Jaspal Singh, Superintendent Sericulture; Mrs. Ramandeep Kaur, SPO; Mrs. Shivani Chagti, SSPO and other officials and employees.

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SPEAKER KULTAR SINGH SANDHWAN MOURNS DEATH OF MLA KUNWAR VIJAY PARTAP'S WIFE

Chandigarh, September 21:Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan expressed deep grief over the demise of Mrs. Madhumita, wife of MLA Amritsar North Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh.

In a press release issued today, Speaker Sandhwan sympathized with MLA Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh, describing Mrs. Madhumita as progressive thinker. Mrs. Madhumita was hospitalized last night due to breathing difficulties and passed away this morning.

Speaker Sandhwan prayed for eternal peace for the departed soul and strength for the family.

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PVS SPEAKER KULTAR SINGH SANDHWAN CONDOLES DEMISE OF MATA RAJINDER KAUR

Chandigarh, September 21:Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker, S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan, expressed deep sorrow over the demise of Mata Rajinder Kaur, mother of Senior Vice President of Punjab and Chandigarh Journalists Union and Senior Journalist Gurupdesh Bhullar.

In a press release issued here today, the Speaker said that 84-year-old Rajinder Kaur, who had retired as a district mass media officer from the health department, passed away last night. She was undergoing treatment at a hospital in Mohali after falling ill over the past few days.

The Speaker prayed to the almighty to grant eternal peace to the departed soul and strength for the family during this difficult time.

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Punjab State Election Commission (SEC) issues list of election symbols for general/bye-elections of Zila Parishads, Block Samitis and Gram Panchayats

Chandigarh 21 September 2024:The State Election Commission vide Notification No. SEC/PE/S.A./ 2024/01 dated 05.09.2024 has issued list of election symbols to be allotted by the concerned Returning Officer to the candidates for general/bye-elections of Zila Parishads, Block Samitis and Gram Panchayats.

Disclosing this here today, Punjab State Election Commissioner Mr. Raj Kamal Chaudhuri said that a separate hand book has also been published by the Commission regarding these election symbols, which is available on the Commission's website sec.punjab.gov.in and copies of the same have been forwarded to all the Deputy Commissioners-cum-District Election Officers of the State.

He further informed that as per the Notification No. G.S.R.44/P.A.19/1994/ S.139/Amd.(8)/2024, dated 30.08.2024 issued by the Deptt. of Elections, Govt. of Punjab, a candidate for the post of Sarpanch and Panch will not be allotted the election symbol of any Political Party. Only the "free symbols" as given in Table no. V and VI for Sarpanches and Panches respectively, will be allotted to them by the concerned Returning Officer.

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PUNJAB’S MRSAFPI ACHIEVES OUTSTANDING NDA-II RESULTS AS 47 CADETS CLEAR WRITTEN EXAM

With 74.6%, the Institute achieved one of the highest success rates in the country

Aman Arora extends best wishes to Cadets for success in life

CHANDIGARH, September 21:Punjab Government’s Maharaja Ranjit Singh Armed Forces Preparatory Institute (MRSAFPI) in SAS Nagar (Mohali) brought laurels to the state after as many as 47 cadets have successfully cleared the written examination of the National Defence Academy (NDA-II) conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

The results were announced yesterday, showcasing the institute's impressive 74.6 percent success rate, one of the highest in the country.

Mr. Aman Arora, the Minister of Employment Generation, Skill Development and Training in Punjab, praised the esteemed reputation of the Indian Defence Forces as among the best globally. He extended his heartiest congratulations to the cadets and conveyed his best wishes for their future endeavours, encouraging them to be the honour to both the state and the nation.

Major General Ajay H Chauhan, VSM (Retd.), the Director of MRSAFPI, congratulated the cadets and emphasised the importance of taking the SSB training seriously to overcome the next challenge towards NDA.

He further highlighted that a total of 238 cadets from the Institute have enrolled in various Service Training Academies since its inception, with 160 alumni have been commissioned as officers in the Defence Services till date. Currently, there are 21 cadets of the Institute who have cleared their SSB interview and are awaiting the merit list.

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PUNJAB POLICE IN JOINT OPERATION WITH CENTRAL AGENCY BUST DRUG TRAFFICKING SYNDICATE; 10 HELD

— POLICE TEAMS RECOVER 1-KG HEROIN, 381 GRAMS CHARAS, THREE PISTOLS, ₹48.7 LAKH DRUG MONEY AND GOLD FROM THEIR POSSESSION

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

— PROBE REVEALS THAT ACCUSED PERSONS WERE SENDING MONEY TO PAK-BASED DRUG SMUGGLERS USING HAWALA ROUTE, SAYS DGP GAURAV YADAV

— ARRESTED ACCUSED LOVEPREET SINGH WAS USING HIDDEN CLOSET AT HIS HOUSE AS SAFE HAVEN FOR HIMSELF AND TO STORE NARCOTICS: SPL DGP KULDEEP SINGH

CHANDIGARH, September 21: In a major breakthrough amidst the ongoing war against drugs waged on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab Police’s Anti Narcotic Task Force (ANTF) in a joint operation with a central agency busted a major drug trafficking syndicate with the arrest of 10 persons, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Saturday.

Those arrested have been identified as Chandan Sharma, Akash Sharma, Vishal Singh, Arvinder Singh, Lovepreet Singh, Rinku Thapar, Bharat, Divyam, Pratham, and Ankush Bhatti. Police teams have also recovered 1-Kg Heroin, 381 grams Charas, three pistols including one sophisticated Glock pistol along with 62 live cartridges and two empty shells, ₹48.7 lakh drug money, 262 grams gold and electronic devices from their possession.

DGP Gaurav Yadav said that the accused persons were operating the drug network and running operations in Jalandhar, Amritsar and Ludhiana. Probe revealed that after smuggling drugs from across the border, the accused persons were sending money to Pak-based drug smugglers via Hawala route, he added.

He said that investigations have been carried out in an advanced manner, utilising technical surveillance and human intelligence, reflecting the ANTF's strategic approach to tackling complex criminal networks. Further investigations are on to establish backward and forward linkages in this case, he said, while adding that more arrests are expected.

Sharing more details, Special DGP ANTF Kuldeep Singh said that preliminary investigations have revealed that the arrested accused Lovepreet Singh, a resident of Amritsar, was the key person managing the entire drug network of this syndicate and using his vast network of contacts to smuggle drugs and arms across the state.

Police teams have also found a hidden closet at the house of accused Lovepreet, where he used to conceal all the smuggled narcotics and hawala money, besides, using it as a safe shelter for himself, he added.

A case FIR no. 147 dated 20-09-2024 has been registered under sections 20 and 21(c) of the NDPS Act and section 25 of the Arms Act at Police Station ANTF, SAS Nagar.

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*Punjab Govt to Build State-of-the-Art Working Women’s Hostel in Mohali: Dr. Baljit Kaur*

Says, Punjab Government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is committed to welfare of women

Chandigarh, September 21:The Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is working tirelessly for the welfare of all sections of society, while also making continuous efforts for the upliftment of women.

In a press release, Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur stated that the Punjab Government is set to begin construction of a modern working women’s hostel in Mohali, fulfilling the long-standing demand of working women across the state. She mentioned that this initiative will provide affordable and safe accommodation for women who come to Mohali and Chandigarh in search of employment opportunities.

Dr. Baljit Kaur further added that the hostel will be built on a 0.98-acre plot located in Sector 79 of Mohali. The Department of Social Security, Women and Child Development, Punjab, has successfully secured Rs 12.57 crore under the Nirbhaya Fund, and the proposal has already received approval from the empowered committee set up under the scheme.

Minister emphasized that the Punjab Government is committed to constructing more working women’s hostels across the state, particularly in major cities such as Mohali, Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Amritsar, to ensure a safe and supportive environment for women to advance their careers.

She highlighted that this project marks a significant step toward the empowerment of working women by providing them with the necessary infrastructure to live and work with dignity.

Dr. Baljit Kaur reiterating that the Punjab government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is dedicated to providing all the opportunities for a safe and convenient life to the women of the state.

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IPR Minister condoles demise of mother of senior journalist

Chandigarh, September 21:Punjab Information and Public Relations Minister S. Chetan Singh Jouramajra today expressed deep sorrow over the demise of Smt. Rajinder Kaur, mother of Senior Journalists S. Gurupdesh Bhullar.

Smt. Rajinder Kaur (84) was undergoing treatment in a private hospital in Mohali, where she breathed her last. She is survived by a son and a daughter.

The Cabinet Minister said that a mother is a source of inspiration, who teaches a human being to live a better life and the void created by the passing of the mother can never be filled.

S. Chetan Singh Jouramajra prayed to the almighty to grant eternal peace to the departed soul and strength to the family to bear this irreparable loss during this difficult time.

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Punjab Building and Other Construction Workers' Welfare Board received prestiges SKOCH award

Chandigarh/New Delhi:21 September 2024:The Punjab Building and Other Construction Workers' Welfare Board, which works for the welfare of construction workers, has received the coveted SKOCH Award.

Secretary Labour, Manvesh Singh Sidhu IAS, Labour Commissioner, Rajiv Kumar Gupta IAS and Deputy Secretary, BOCW Welfare Board, Jashandeep Singh Kang received the prestigious award at 99th SKOCH Summit held in Silver Oak Hall, Indian Habitat Centre, New Delhi.

Established in 2003, this award is considered one of the highest civilian honors in India, recognizing people, projects, and institutions that contribute to India's betterment. It is also seen as a benchmark for best practices in areas such as governance, finance, and technology.

Different departments across various states submitted nominations for the SKOCH award this year. The Punjab B.O.C. Welfare Board submitted its nomination in the "Labour" domain under the category of "Labour Policy Development and Implementation," with the project name "Building and Other Construction Worker Welfare Schemes." In the first round of scrutiny, written submissions providing a detailed overview of decisions and interventions were made.

In the second round, a detailed presentation was given to a panel of jury members comprising retired bureaucrats and eminent dignitaries, who evaluated the project.

The Punjab BOC Board highlighted efforts undertaken across seven principles of good governance for the empowerment and welfare of construction workers. After qualifying for the third round, the presentation was subject to popular voting, in which Punjab secured the highest votes, followed by Maharashtra. After these three rounds, the SKOCH award was bestowed upon the Punjab B.O.C. Welfare Board.

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