Deputy Speaker, Jai Krishan Singh Rouri, Receives Warm Welcome in Australia

Chandigarh, November 9, 2024 –The Deputy Speaker of the Punjab Legislative Assembly, Jai Krishan Singh Rouri, was warmly welcomed by the Punjabi community on his arrival at Sydney Airport, New South Wales, Australia. He is in Australia to participate in the 67th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Annual Conference, which took place from November 3 to November 8, 2024.

Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Speaker Rouri expressed pride in the achievements of Punjabis worldwide, noting that their hard work and success in various fields bring honor to Punjab both at home and abroad. He acknowledged the substantial contributions of NRIs toward the progress and prosperity of Punjab, emphasizing that Punjabis living abroad remain deeply committed to the development and well-being of their homeland.

"The dedication and support of NRIs play a crucial role in fulfilling the vision of Punjab Chief Minister, Sardar Bhagwant Singh Mann, to build a vibrant 'Rangla Punjab,'" Rouri said. He thanked the Punjabi diaspora for their unwavering support and continuous efforts to uplift their community and enhance Punjab's global image.

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Vigilance Bureau arrests Primevision firm contractor from Rajasthan involved in illegal mining

Had inflicted a loss of Rs. 35 crore to govt in conniving with officials

VB registers corruption case against Contractor, Mining Dept officials in Ferozepur

Chandigarh, November 9, 2024 -The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its ongoing anti-corruption campaign, has arrested a contractor Mahavir Singh of Primevision Company involved in illegal mining in villages of district Ferozepur during 2018-2019, in collusion with officials/employees of the state Mining Department. In this regard a case has also been registered against the then-officials/employees of the Mining Department for conspiracy and corruption.

According to the VB spokesperson, after a detailed investigation of Vigilance Enquiry (No 180/2019/Fzr) a FIR No 30 dated 04.11.2024 has been registered under sections 409, 379, 120-B, of IPC and 21 of the Mining and Minerals Act, as well as sections 13(1)(A) read with 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act at the Vigilance Bureau Police Station, Ferozepur range. This includes the contractor Mahavir Singh of Primevision Company and the officials/employees of the Mining Department at the time as the accused.

Giving details he revealed that the investigation has revealed that in villages Tindwan, Roshan Shah Wala, and Bahik Gujjran, under Tehsil Zira in District Ferozepur, above said Mahavir Singh conducted illegal mining by deceiving landowners into believing he had a valid mining contract from the Punjab government in connivance with then state Mining Department officials/employees. This caused a financial loss of approximately Rs. 4,05,60,785 to the state exchequer and no rightful royalty was paid to the concerned landowners.

He further added that instead of taking punitive action against accused Mahavir Singh, the concerned district officials of the Mining Department filed FIR No 91 dated 25.07.2020 at Sadar Police Station, Zira, under sections 379 of the IPC and 21 of the Mining and Minerals Act against unidentified persons, and issued recovery notices to concerned landowners.

The spokesperson informed that in a similar way, in villages Gillanwala, Ansal, Khane Ke Ahl, and Khushal Singh Wala, adjacent to approved quarries in Tehsil Ferozepur, said Mahavir Singh contractor engaged in illegal mining on lands covering 244 kanals and 446 kanals 13 marlas with the connivance of district Mining Department officials/employees, resulting in an additional financial loss of Rs. 31,48,63,994 to the government, again with no royalty paid to the concerned landowners.

He stated that, based on the investigation, Mahavir Singh, in collusion with district officials/employees of the Ferozepur Mining Department, had caused a total financial loss of Rs. 35,54,24,779 to the state exchequer.

During the probe it was found that although numerous cases related to illegal mining were registered by district Mining officials/employees in various police stations during this period, but no legal action was taken against said accused Mahavir Singh of Primevision Company by the mining officials/employees.

The spokesperson said without the collusion of district officials/employees of the Mining Department, illegal mining in the area would not have been possible but the officials ignored the illegal activities of the said firm. Consequently, a case has been registered against contractor Mahavir Singh and the concerned district officials/employees, with further investigation ongoing. The contractor has been arrested and would be presented in a local court tomorrow.

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Vigilance Bureau nabs ASI taking Rs 2000 bribe

Chandigarh; November 9, 2024 -The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB), during its ongoing campaign against corruption in the state, on Saturday apprehended an Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) Bhupinder Singh, posted at Police Station Goindwal Sahib, in Tarn Taran district red handed while he was accepting a bribe of Rs 2000.

Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the state VB said the above-mentioned accused has been arrested on a complaint lodged by Dilbagh Singh, a resident of village Dhunda, tehsil Khadur Sahib.

He further stated that the complainant has approached the VB and alleged in his complaint that the accused had demanded a bribe of Rs 5,000 for producing record in favor of the complainant in a police case being heard in the trial court.

The spokesperson informed that after preliminary enquiry into this complaint a VB team laid a trap during which the accused police personnel was caught red handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 2,000 in the presence of two official witnesses. In this regard a case under Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered against the accused at VB Police Station, Range Amritsar. The accused would be produced in the competent court tomorrow and further investigations into this case was under progress, he said.

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Deputy Speaker, Jai Krishan Singh Rouri, Receives Warm Welcome in Australia

Chandigarh, November 9, 2024 – The Deputy Speaker of the Punjab Legislative Assembly, Jai Krishan Singh Rouri, was warmly welcomed by the Punjabi community on his arrival at Sydney Airport, New South Wales, Australia. He is in Australia to participate in the 67th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Annual Conference, which took place from November 3 to November 8, 2024.

Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Speaker Rouri expressed pride in the achievements of Punjabis worldwide, noting that their hard work and success in various fields bring honor to Punjab both at home and abroad. He acknowledged the substantial contributions of NRIs toward the progress and prosperity of Punjab, emphasizing that Punjabis living abroad remain deeply committed to the development and well-being of their homeland.

"The dedication and support of NRIs play a crucial role in fulfilling the vision of Punjab Chief Minister, Sardar Bhagwant Singh Mann, to build a vibrant 'Rangla Punjab,'" Rouri said. He thanked the Punjabi diaspora for their unwavering support and continuous efforts to uplift their community and enhance Punjab's global image.