FOLLOW THE FOOTSTEPS OF BHAGWAN VALMIKI JI FOR CARVING OUT PROGRESSIVE AND PROSPEROUS PUNJAB: CM URGES PEOPLE
PARTICIPATES IN THE SHOBHA YATRA AT JALANDHAR TO MARK PARGAT DIVAS OF ‘KARUNA SAGAR’ BHAGWAN VALMIKI JI
ASSERTS THAT STATE GOVERNMENT IS MULLING TO REGULARIZE THE SERVICES OF THE SANITARY WORKERS ACROSS THE STATE
Jalandhar, October 16:Felicitating the people of Punjab on the auspicious occasion of Pargat Divas of ‘Karuna Sagar’ Bhagwan Valmiki ji, the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday urged them to follow the footsteps of Bhagwan Valmiki ji for carving out a progressive and prosperous Punjab.
Addressing the gathering while participating in a Shobha Yatra to mark the Pargat Divas of Bhagwan Valmiki Ji, the Chief Minister said that Bhagwan Valmiki Ji Maharaj was the “Pitaamah” of Sanskrit language and first poet or the Adi Kavi of the world who by his immortal and masterpiece composition the “Ramayana” propagated the message of victory of good over evil. He also said that the great epic has from centuries taught the way of life to the people and has been a lighthouse of the ethical and moral living for the people which were far more relevant in the present materialistic society. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that teachings of Bhagwan Valmiki Ji Maharaj lays stress on the equality in the society along with the ethics of what an ideal man, ideal ruler and ideal people should follow for the formation of an ideal state or society.
Recalling the superb contribution of Bhagwan Valmiki Ji in the cultural assimilation of society, the Chief Minister said that urged the people to follow the path and high ideals shown by Maharishi Valmiki Ji so as to carve out an egalitarian society. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the great epic of Ramayana scripted by Bhagwan Valmiki had been teaching humanity the true and ethical way of living for centuries. Reiterating that it was the bounden duty of the state government to preserve our rich cultural heritage for the future generations, he said that those nations who tend to forget their cultural past and heritage were bound to vanish with the passage of time.
Exhorting the people to follow the path and high ideals shown by Bhagwan Valmiki ji, the Chief Minister said that it is the need of the hour to carve out a prosperous Punjab. He said that Bhagwan Valmiki Ji has blessed this land of Punjab by imparting training to Luv and Kush, sons of Lord Ram Chandra ji, here at his ashram. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government is committed to perpetuating the life and philosophy of Bhagwan Valmiki ji adding that no stone will be left unturned for it.
Underscoring the significance of the preachings of Bhagwan Valmiki ji, as enshrined in the Holy Ramayana, the Chief Minister urged the people to follow the path of truth and morality propagated by it. He exhorted one and all to celebrate this sacred occasion in a spirit of amity, brotherhood, harmony and peace. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he is blessed to have got this lifetime opportunity to participate in this Shobha yatra to mark pargat utsav of Bhagwan Valmiki ji.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister also said that the state government is already mulling the policy to regularize the services of the sanitary workers across the state. He said that a high level committee has already been constituted to evolve a viable mechanism for this purpose by taking into confidence all the stakeholders. Bhagwant Singh Mann further said that the state government is committed for the well being of every strata of society.
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After Transport Minister assurance of addressing legitimate demands, Punjab Roadways/PRTC contract workers' union withdraws strike call
Laljit Singh Bhullar instructs officials to thoroughly resolve contract drivers/conductors' issues and present concrete proposal by October 22
Strict directive to service provider agency contractors to ensure employees receive salaries and allowances as per regulations
Announces imminent addition of new buses to government fleet
Chandigarh, October 16:Following assurances from Punjab Transport Minister S. Laljit Singh Bhullar to address legitimate demands, the Punjab Roadways/PUNBUS and PRTC Contract Workers' Union has withdrawn its strike call scheduled from October 21.
During a meeting with union representatives at Punjab Civil Secretariat-2, Transport Minister S. Laljit Singh Bhullar categorically said, "Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led government is committed to timely resolution of employee issues. Thus, the Chief Minister has formed a special departmental committee to address the concerns of contract-based drivers and conductors in Punjab Roadways/PUNBUS and PRTC." Several demands have been agreed upon in recent committee meetings, noted the Cabinet Minister.
The Transport Minister assured union representatives that the next meeting on October 22 would yield meaningful results, instructing department officials to adopt a sympathetic approach towards employees issues and ensure they bring concrete proposals to the next meeting.
S. Bhullar said that the Mann government has initiated an intensive process to regularize contract-based employees, which will alleviate many of their difficulties. He stated that it is the government's primary duty to secure the future of employees and their families.
Addressing complaints of irregularities by service provider agency contractors, the Transport Minister sternly warned them to ensure contract-based employees receive salaries and allowances as per regulations. He directed officials to promptly schedule a meeting with the contractors.
S. Laljit Singh Bhullar also announced that new buses would soon be added to the government fleet. He directed officials to prepare proposals immediately and initiate further action.
Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included Transport Secretary Mr. D.K. Tiwari, PUNBUS MD Mr. Rajiv Kumar Gupta, PRTC MD Mr. Bikramjit Singh Shergill, PUNBUS ADO Mr. Rajiv Dutta, PRTC GM S. Maninder Singh and other officials.
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ECI disqualifies 5 candidates contested the Punjab Assembly Elections 2022 : Sibin C
- Due to non-submission of election expenses, 3 candidates from Sangrur district and 1 each from Mansa and Faridkot districts will not be eligible to contest elections for the next 3 years
CHANDIGARH, 16.10.24-The Election Commission of India (ECI) has disqualified five candidates, contested the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections. Divulging the details, Punjab's Chief Electoral Officer Sibin C stated that these candidates have not submitted their election expenses as per section 78 of Representation of the People Act, 1951 to the commission within the specified timeframe , thus rendering them ineligible to contest elections for the next 3 years under Section 10 A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
He said that these five candidates 3 from Sangrur district while 1 candidate each from Mansa and Faridkot districts have been disqualified by an order issued by the Election Commission of India. Shakti Kumar Gupta and Jaswinder Singh, who contested from Dhuri Assembly constituency, and Sanmukh Singh Mokha, who contested from Sunam Assembly constituency have been disqualified.
Similarly, Gurucharan Singh Sangha who contested from Faridkot Assembly constituency has also been declared disqualified, additionally Harbhagwan Sharma Bikhi, a resident of Mansa district who contested from Sunam assembly seat, have also been disqualified for the next three years by the Election Commission of India.
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77% voter turnout recorded in Gram Panchayat Elections
Chandigarh, October 16-In the Gram Panchayat Elections 2024, 77% voter turnout has been recorded across the State as per the data received from Deputy Commissioner cum District Election Officers.
Disclosing this here today, State Election Commissioner Raj Kamal Chaudhuri said that Mansa remained at the top with the poll percentage of 83.27% and Tarn Taran remained at the bottom with 64.40%. In addition, 68.12% polling has been recorded in Amritsar, 79.43% in Bathinda, 75.21% in Barnala,78.47% in Fatehgarh Sahib, 70.21% in Faridkot, 75.14% in Ferozepur, 82.31% in Fazilka, 69% in Gurdaspur, 69.78% in Hoshiarpur and 66.30% in Jalandhar.
He further informed that 66.14% polling has been recorded in Kapurthala, 67.1% in Ludhiana, 77.22% in Malerkotla, 69.91% in Moga, 76.93% in SAS Nagar, 78.27% in Sri Muktsar Sahib, 69.52% in SBS Nagar, 73.57% in Patiala, 79.20% in Pathankot, 77% in Ropar and 79.45% in Sangrur.
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Vijay Kumar Janjua sworn in as Chief Commissioner of the Punjab Transparency Accountability Commission
Chandigarh, October 16:Punjab Chief Secretary KAP Sinha on Wednesday administered the oath of office and secrecy to Vijay Kumar Janjua as the new Chief Commissioner of Punjab Transparency Accountability Commission.
A 1989-batch Punjab Cadre retired IAS officer, Vijay Kumar Janjua, earlier served as Chief Secretary of the state. Notably, Mr. Janjua also worked in various departments of Punjab including Rural Development, Industries, Labour, Animal Husbandry etc. He also served in the Government of India for three years as Director of Industries in the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion. In his field posting, he also served as Deputy Commissioner of Fatehgarh Sahib district.
Secretary Personnel Gurpreet Kaur Sapra conducted the proceedings of the oath-taking ceremony.
Prominent among others who were presented at the occasion included Special Secretary Gauri Parashar Joshi, Registrar Cooperative Societies Vimal Setia, Director Governance Reforms Girish Dayalan, Special Secretary Personnel Baldeep Kaur, Additional Secretary Coordination Rahul and Additional Secretary Personnel Navjot Kaur.
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Local Holiday declared in Amritsar distt on October 19 to mark birth anniversary of Sri Guru Ramdas Sahib Ji
Chandigarh, October 16:The Punjab government has announced a local holiday on October 19, 2024 in the district of Amritsar on the birth anniversary of Sri Guru Ramdas Sahib Ji.
Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson informed that on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Sri Guru Ramdas Sahib Ji, a local holiday has been declared in all government offices, boards, corporations and government educational institutions of Amritsar district on Saturday, October 19, 2024. A notification in this regard has been issued.
According to the spokesperson, this local holiday would also fall under the Negotiable Instruments Act-1881.
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Historic initiative by Bhagwant Singh Maan led government as Special camp organized to give clearance certificate related to real estate
Housing and Urban Development Minister and Chief Secretary hands over certificates to 51 promoters/builders
Mundian expresses hope that this will give impetus to all round development of state
On the same pattern camps will be organized to remove the pendency of the works of other departments: KAP Sinha
Promoter and developer are important links in urban development, eliminating their problems is our top priority: Rahul Tewari
Chandigarh, October 16-Punjab government’s commitment to providing transparent, hassle-free, corruption-free services to the residents of the state, Housing and Urban Development today organised an exclusive and first camp of its kind and issued clearance certificates to 51 colonizers related to real estate.
Housing and Urban Development Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian and Chief Secretary KAP Sinha handed over colony licences, completion certificates, partial completion certificates, letters of intent, zoning plans, building plans, promoter registration certificates and lay-out plans to 51 promoters/builders.
Housing and Urban Development Minister S. Mundian said that Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann’s led government has organised such a special camp for the first time today to settle the pending works of people related to real estate. The second such camp will be organized at the end of November. He said that the department is committed to settling the works of promoters/developers with transparency on a priority basis. He said that an e-mail transparency.hud@gmail.com has been created for this purpose, on which any complaint can be made directly.
S. Mundia asked the promoters/developers to give full support to this initiative of the government and try to provide maximum and high-level facilities to the residents in the projects being developed. He calls all stakeholders for the all-round development of cities while contributing to making Rangla Punjab again.
Chief Secretary KAP Sinha said that the state government is very serious about the pendency of any work, due to which the certificates are being given on the spot by setting up this camp today after completing the pending work of the people related to real estate. This decision of the government will give a big boost to the welfare of the residents and the development of the cities as well as the economic development of the state. Continuing this initiative of the government, such camps will be set up to remove the pendency of the works of other departments.
Housing and Urban Development Secretary Rahul Tewari said that on the instructions of the Chief Minister, this is the first type of work to be done for the stalled works of the promoters/developers in the state. He said that promoters/developers are an important link in urban development due to which they will not have to worry about their work anymore.
Jagjit Singh from CREDAI welcomed the first and exclusive initiative of the government and thanked the government.
On this occasion, certificates related to various authorities were handed over and feedback was also taken from the occasion.
Special Secretary Apneet Riyat conducted the proceedings of the camp. PUDA CA and Director Town and Country Planning Neeru Katia Gupta thanked all the attendees.
Prominent among others who were present at the occasion included CA BDA and PDA Manisha Rana, CA ADA and JDA Ankurjit Singh, CA GLADA Harpreet Singh and CA PUDA Inayat.
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Punjab Advocates for Fair Allocation of Excess GST Cess to Strengthen State Finances
Harpal Singh Cheema Emphasizes the Need to Balance State Self-Sufficiency with GST Compensation
Chandigarh, October 16-Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Wednesday emphasized the need to continue the GST compensation cess, considering the state's financial position and current GST structure.
Participating in the meeting of Group of Ministers (GoM) on restructuring compensation cess through video conferencing, the Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the cess levied on sin goods and luxury items with inelastic demand, is crucial for Punjab's revenue. However, he also highlighted the importance of self-reliance among states in generating taxes.
Regarding excess cess collection, Punjab proposes distributing it among states based on a proper mechanism that ensures equitable distribution to states in need. He stressed that this will strengthen the federal structure and make states self-reliant. He also focused on identifying states that need such compensation and deciding parameters aimed at equitable distribution of cess proceeds to these states.
The Minister's proposals aim to strike a balance between maintaining revenue streams and fostering self-sufficiency among states.
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VB Nabs Patwari while accepting ₹50K bribe for mutation of plot
Chandigarh, October 16:Amidst ongoing campaign against corruption in the state, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB), on Wednesday, nabbed a Patwari Mandeep Singh posted at Sultanwind-II in Tehsil Amritsar-I and his accomplice Jarnail Singh while accepting bribe of Rs 50,000 for mutation of a plot.
Disclosing this here today, an official spokesperson of the VB said the accused Patwari has been arrested on a complaint lodged by Lakhwinder Singh resident of Doctor Avenue, GT Road, Amritsar.
The complainant alleged that the accused had demanded a bribe of Rs 20,00,000 for facilitating inteqal (mutation) of a plot sold by the complainant. An accomplice of the accused patwari, identified as Jarnail Singh working as a property dealer, negotiated and reduced bribe amount to Rs. 3,00,000. The accused had earlier accepted Rs 1,00,000 as first instalment.
After receiving the complaint, a trap was laid by the VB unit Amritsar and caught the accused red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs.50,000 in the presence of Government witnesses.
The spokesperson further said that in this regard a case has been registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act at VB Police Station, Range Amritsar. The accused will be produced in the court tomorrow and further investigations are being carried out by VB Unit Amritsar, he added.