PUNJAB GOVT APPOINTS OVER 8K NODAL OFFICERS TO KEEP VIGIL AT STUBBLE BURNING

* Agriculture Dept issues 16,205 sanction letters for procurement of subsidised CRM machinery, says Gurmeet Singh Khudian

• Farmers procure 8635 CRM machines so far

Chandigarh, October 1:In order to prevent stubble burning in the state, the Punjab Government has appointed as many as 8045 Nodal Officers to keep vigil around the areas where paddy stubble burning remained a traditional practice.

Sharing this information, Punjab's Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian mentioned that 79 SDMs, 108 Tehsildars, 108 DSPs, 1140 cluster officers and additional staff have been mobilised to combat stubble burning during the paddy harvesting season. These appointed nodal officers have been tasked with closely monitoring post-harvesting activities. They will engage in various information, education and communication (IEC) activities, such as conducting meetings with farmers and facilitating and encouraging the use of CRM machines, he added.

Encouraging the state farmers to make use of Crop Residue Management (CRM) machinery for paddy straw management, the Agriculture Minister highlighted the launch of the 'Unnat Kisan' mobile application, which aims to provide easy access to CRM machines, especially for small and marginal farmers. With over 1.30 lakh machines listed on the app, farmers can conveniently book a CRM machine in their local area.

S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian revealed that farmers have acquired a total of 8635 CRM machines so far. Additionally, he mentioned the issuance of 16,205 sanction letters for the procurement of subsidised CRM machinery.

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784 nominations for Sarpanch & 1446 nominations for Panches received as on 30 September 2024

Chandigarh 1 October 2024:Disclosing this here today, an official spokesperson of the State Election Commission said that total 784 nominations for Sarpanch and total 1446 nominations for Panches have been received by the Returning Officers as on 30.09.2024.

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Revenue Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian mandates transparent and incorruptible administration

Instructs all revenue officers to maintain punctuality and serve public diligently

Instructs to ensure property registrations on day to day basis across Punjab

Warns stern action against unauthorized fees

Directs to install boards of grievances whatsapp no: 8427690000 outside every office

Minister holds virtual conference with revenue officials across Punjab

Chandigarh, October 1:In a resolute initiative to bolster transparency and integrity in public service, Punjab newly-appointed Revenue Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian has exhorted all revenue officers and officials to ensure an incorruptible administration that serves citizens efficaciously.

During a virtual conference with revenue officials statewide, Hardeep Singh Mundian reiterated Punjab government's commitment, spearheaded by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, to deliver an unblemished, forthright and transparent administration, directing all District Revenue Officers, Tehsildars and deputy tehsildars to prioritize public needs, ensuring amenities such as adequate seating, ventilation, potable water and sanitary facilities are readily accessible for visitors to government offices.

The Cabinet Minister mandated that all revenue officers adhere to office timings and render prompt service to the public.

He unequivocally rejected the practice of limiting registration days in various tehsils and sub-tehsils, decreeing that daily registrations be conducted statewide to mitigate inconvenience to citizens.

Issuing a stern warning, the Revenue Minister said that no unauthorized fees should be exacted from the public beyond government-sanctioned rates. He emphatically said that any official or employee found culpable of soliciting bribes or flouting regulations would face severe repercussions.

To facilitate public grievances, he instructed that grievances WhatsApp no. 84276-90000 be conspicuously displayed outside every revenue office. He affirmed the necessity of according due respect to elected representatives, urging officials to execute all revenue-related tasks in compliance with legal standards and the priorities delineated by the Punjab Government.

Special Chief Secretary cum FCR Mr. K.A.P. Sinha elucidated that attendance for all revenue officers would be monitored daily through a digital login system, ensuring accountability and expeditious service delivery. He informed department's noteworthy achievement of doubling the revenue for the Punjab government from Rs.3,000 crores to Rs.6,000 crores over the past biennium and noted that the appointment of 78 Deputy Tehsildars has significantly accelerated departmental operations. He assured the Revenue Minister, saying that as per the priorities of the state government, the revenue department is working continuously and is providing services and facilities to the people with full effort.

Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included Secretary Revenue Mrs. Alaknanda Dayal, Special Secretary Revenue Mr. Harpreet Singh Sudan, Special Secretary-cum-Director Land Records Mr. Upkar Singh.

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Cabinet Minister Mohinder Bhagat Reviews Ongoing Projects of Defense Services Welfare Department

Punjab Government, Led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Committed to the State’s Overall Development

Chandigarh, October 1: In a significant step towards enhancing the welfare of defense personnel and their families, Defense Services Welfare Minister Shri Mohinder Bhagat convened a high-level meeting of the Defense Services Welfare Department in Chandigarh on Tuesday. This meeting underscores the Punjab government's unwavering commitment, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, to the holistic development of the state.

During the meeting, key issues, ongoing projects, and future initiatives of the department were thoroughly reviewed. Officials provided detailed updates on various schemes aimed at improving the welfare of defense personnel, ex-servicemen, and their families.

The discussions centered on further enhancing existing welfare programs, addressing the challenges faced by veterans, and advancing the department's goals to ensure greater accessibility and efficiency in service delivery. Minister Bhagat emphasized the importance of innovative solutions to guarantee sustained support for Defense Services personnel.

In addition, the minister highlighted several upcoming initiatives designed to extend robust support to defense families and ex-servicemen, reaffirming the government’s dedication to those who have selflessly served the nation.

The meeting was attended by prominent officials, including Additional Chief Secretary for Defense Services Welfare, Mr. J.M. Balamurugan; Director of Defense Services Welfare, Brig. Bhupinder Singh Dhillon (Retd.); Managing Director of PESCO, Major General Harmandeep Singh (Retd.) and other senior officials.

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Punjab State Election Commission calls on all Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officers to submit detailed report within 24 hours pertaining to the instances of auction for Sarpanch Post

Chandigarh, 1 October 2024:Whereas a number of instances have been highlighted in the news and social media channels regarding some sort of auction process whereby it is being stated that the post of Sarpanch is being auctioned to the highest bidder by the Panchayat concerned and such highest bidder would be considered as 'Unanimously Elected'.

Disclosing this here today, Punjab State Election Commissioner Raj Kamal Chaudhuri said that in order to examine the legal and ethical outcomes of such a process in the larger democratic traditions, it has become incumbent on the State Election Commission to take a balanced view on this issue.

He further informed that the State Election Commission calls on all Deputy Commissioners-cum-District Election Officers in the State to closely monitor and report any such specific instances in their District, whether reported or in process, and to submit a detailed report with their comments to the Commission within 24 hours.

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Harjot Singh Bains inspects SOE in Dera Bassi and ITI in Lalru

Chandigarh, October 1:Punjab School Education and Technical Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains, on Tuesday, conducted a surprise inspection of the School of Eminence (SOE) in Dera Bassi and the Industrial Training Institute (ITI) in Lalru.

During his visit to the School of Eminence, Harjot Singh Bains engaged with students, faculty and mid-day meal staff, gathering comprehensive insights into the institution's operations.

In his interaction with students, the Education Minister stressed upon the importance of creating a structured study schedule to achieve their future goals. He urged them to strive for excellence in their pursuits.

Addressing the educators, the Cabinet Minister stressed the significance of instilling awareness about societal issues alongside academic instruction, emphasizing that this holistic approach would enable students to become exemplary citizens, bringing honour to themselves and their families.

Harjot Singh Bains also conducted a thorough inspection of the school's ongoing infrastructure developments, including new classrooms, sports facilities, sanitation amenities, library and laboratory.

Later, the Education Minister visited ITI Lalru, where he toured various workshops and interacted with students. During discussions with ITI instructors, he advocated the critical importance of prioritizing student placements, directing them to enhance their efforts in this area.

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Dream of Chief Minister to see water reaching every field: Barinder Kumar Goyal

· Water Resources Minister terms conservation of groundwater as need of hour

Chandigarh, October 1:The dream envisioned by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is to ensure that the water reaches every field in the State and it is in this respect that the role of the Water Resources Department assumes a great significance.

Chairing the introductory meeting of the Water Resources Department, the Water Resources Minister Mr. Barinder Kumar Goyal exhorted the officers of the department to keep the benefit of the people uppermost in their minds while drafting new policies. Emphasizing that the conservation of the groundwater is the need of the hour, the Minister said that the usage of canal water should be taken to the maximum level. The Minister also termed it as a matter of pride that during the past 2 years, a total of 15914 water channels measuring 4200 Km in length have been restored.

Apprising the Minister, the Principal Secretary, Water Resources Krishan Kumar said that in 94 villages of the State, water has reached for the first time and in 49 villages, the water has reached after a span of 35-40 years. Besides, nearly 414 Km of abandoned canals have been restored and 100 escapes are under construction in order to save farmers during canal breach.

The Minister directed the officers to ensure the strengthening of the embankments and in this regard, the Principal Secretary brought to his notice that the repair work of the canals & water courses for 2023-24 has been done at a cost of Rs. 228 Crores under MGNREGA.

The Principal Secretary further brought to the attention of the Minister that 3 canals namely – Malwa, Dasmesh and Malerkotla are proposed/under construction and furthermore, the notification has been made for the first time for Rivers/Drains/Choes/Rivulets with a view to help identify & remove illegal encroachments. Apart from this, two new lift irrigation schemes have been implemented at a cost of Rs. 1536 crores.

Also, a new canal act is being enacted to replace the 1873 Act to simplify the procedure, reduce the litigation and speeding up the projects. An app named E-Sinchai, has also been launched with a view to enable the farmers to apply online for the cases pertaining to the department, divulged the Principal Secretary.

Appreciating the department for its efforts, the Minister laid emphasis on the transparency in the implementation of the projects and said that no laxity would be tolerated in this regard.

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