Sandhwan calls Punjab’s farmers to join hands to adopt crop diversification

* Says, leave wheat-paddy cycle and give strategically response to various allegations made by Centre

Chandigarh, November 13:-Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhawan has called farmers to come forward to adopt crop diversification and said that they should leave wheat and paddy cycle and adopt vegetables & other alternative crops, besides to make a joint strategy to answer various allegations made by BJP led Union Government.

In a press statement issued here today, S. Sandhwan said that the farmers of the state should refrain from cultivation of wheat and paddy and earn handsome returns by cultivating various other crops such as oil seeds crops. He said that by adopting crop diversification, the farmers can get out of the wheat-paddy cycle on one hand and they can get rid of the restrictions deliberately imposed by the BJP government on the other. He said that the union government deliberately not converting milled rice from Punjab Shellers and not clearing the requisite space, due to which the farmers were facing hardships.

Emphasizing the need to reduce the area under paddy, S. Sandhwan said that the Union Government was trying to push the agricultural sector into crisis. He said that the Union Government has suppressing farmers' struggle on behest of corporates. He said that the BJP leaders are holding the farmers responsible for worst Air Quality Index. He said that instead of resolving the issues of farmers and finding appropriate solutions, they are being harassed under a political conspiracy.

S. Sandhwan urged farmers to adopt organic farming, through which they can earn a substantial returns. Apart from this, farmers can also establish small enterprises by forming cooperative groups and earn profit from their crops.

The speaker further said that the state government is trying to achieve the goal of crop diversification with support of farmers. He said that the Punjab government is taking all possible steps for the welfare of the farmers. He said that the underground water resources of Punjab were continuously decreasing and crop diversification has become a need of the hour. He said that it is our responsibility to use natural resources as much as possible for the better life of future generations.

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SEC notified the schedule for the revision of electoral rolls for General Elections to 5 Municipal Corporations and 43 Municipal Councils/Nagar Panchayats

Chandigarh, 13 November 2024:The Punjab State Election Commission vide its letter No.SEC/ME/SAM/2024/8227-49 dated 12.11.2024 has notified the schedule for the revision of electoral rolls for General Elections to 5 Municipal Corporations i.e. Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Patiala and Phagwara and 43 Municipal Councils/ Nagar Panchayats, and 52 bye elections to various Municipalities in the State of Punjab.

Disclosing this here today, Punjab State Election Commissioner Raj Kamal Chaudhuri said that publication of draft electoral rolls by the electoral registration officers will be done on 14.11.2024 and filing of claims and objections, if any will be done from 18.11.2024 to 25.11.2024. In this connection, disposal of claims and objections will be done by 03.12.2024 vis-a-vis final publication of electoral roll will be done on 07.12.2024.

He further informed that all the Deputy Commissioners-cum-District Election Officers have been directed to publicize the existing voters lists on 14.11.2024 in the office of the Electoral Registration Officers as well as in the Municipality concerned. As per revision schedule, any eligible person may apply in Form no. 7 (for claim application for inclusion of name), Form 8 (for objection to inclusion of name) and Form 9 (for objections to particulars in an entry) as prescribed in Rule 14 of the Punjab Municipal Election Rules, 1994. For the convenience of the general public, it is informed that Form No. 7, 8 & 9 can be downloaded from the website of the Commission (i.e. https://sec.punjab.gov.in), he added

Sharing more details, he said that the qualifying date i.e. date on which the applicant must be eligible to have his/her name to be registered as voter is 01.11.2024. To be eligible to be registered as a voter, the applicant should be of 18 years of age on qualifying date and ordinarily resident of the locality in which he/she resides.

He revealed that instructions have also been issued to the Deputy Commissioners to arrange a special campaign on 20th & 21st November 2024 for the facility of general public to submit their claims and objections (in Forms 7, 8 & 9), if any, in the concerned Municipalities. The final publication of voters draft rolls shall be done on 07.12.2024. The State Election Commission requests all desirous and eligible candidates to ensure to get themselves registered in the voter list of the Municipality concerned during the period of claim and objections so that they may participate in the democratic process.

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CAQM LAUDS PUNJAB FOR REDUCTION IN STUBBLE BURNING COUNTS BY NEARLY 71 % FROM LAST YEAR

HOLDS REVIEW MEETING WITH DCs, SSPs AND OTHER STAKEHOLDER DEPARTMENTS

CS KAP SINHA REITERATES FIRM COMMITMENT OF THE PUNJAB GOVERNMENT TO CHECK PADDY BURNING MENACE

Chandigarh, November 13-Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in NCR and adjoining areas, on Wednesday lauded Punjab for making strenuous efforts to bring down the stubble burning count by nearly 71 % from last year.

Chairing a review meeting with stakeholder departments, Deputy Commissioners and SSPs of the Punjab to assess enforcement measures regarding stubble burning, the Chairperson of CAQM Mr. Rajesh Verma appreciated the efforts being made by the Punjab government to check this menace. Thoroughly reviewing enforcement measures with all DCs with major focus on high-burning districts, he underlined the need to bring the rate of such incidents to zero. Mr. Rajesh Verma said that the efforts made by Punjab government hitherto are laudable but there is still need to improve the enforcement efforts and tighten the noose.

The Chairperson said that CAQM will continue to monitor the situation closely and work with state governments and local authorities to ensure effective implementation of enforcement measures. He directed concerned authorities to further intensify efforts to prevent stubble burning in Punjab adding that there should be laxity in enforcement, ensuring stringent action against violators. Mr. Rajesh Verma advised that the authorities must take proactive steps to control stubble burning until November 30, when the burning season peaks.

The Chairperson also advocated mapping of villages as per fire counts and mitigation measures along with enforcement actions. Meanwhile, DCs along with respective SSPs from 13 districts with substantial burning fire counts presented the status of enforcement and regulatory exercises, while others shared updates through video conferencing.

Taking part in deliberations, the Punjab Chief Secretary KAP Sinha stressed the state government led by Chief Minister Mr. Bhagwant Singh Mann is committed to check the incidents of paddy straw burning in the state by encouraging farmers to adopt paddy straw management techniques. He said that DCs have been directed to ensure in situ and ex situ measures at ground level by offering subsidies to the farmers. Mr. KAP Sinha said that micro planning is being adhered at village level till the season is over by November 30. The Chief Secretary also informed the commission that all the four thermal power plants as figured in the State Action Plan will utilise paddy straw based pallets as per the ratio fixed in mixing with coal as fuel promptly.

Likewise, Additional Chief Secretary Agriculture Mr Anurag Verma assured the commission that the monitoring exercise will intensify in the coming days and no complacency shall be tolerated as the officers are working zealously 24x7.

Secretary Environment Mr. Priyank Bharti assured the commission that every possible effort shall be made in the state of Punjab to comply with directions of commission.

The meeting was attended by CAQM’s Member Secretary Mr. Arvind Nautiyal, Director Mr. RK Agarwal, Member Mr. Sujit Kumar Bajpayee and Dr Vikas Singh, DGP Punjab Mr. Gaurav Yadav, ADGP law and order Mr. Arpit Shukla, Secretary Agriculture Mr. Ajit Balaji Joshi, Chairman PPCB Prof. Adarsh Pal Vig besides others.

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*Dr. Ravjot Singh Chairs High-Level Meeting for the Cleaning of Buddha Dariya

*Detailed Discussion Held in the Presence of Rajya Sabha Member Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal and Deputy Speaker of Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Jai Krishan Singh Rouri*

Chandigarh, November 13: The Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is committed to providing a clean and pollution-free environment for the people of the state. As part of this commitment, the government has taken several important steps. This statement was made by Local Government Minister Dr. Ravjot Singh during a high-level meeting held today regarding the cleaning of the Buddha Dariya.

The meeting, held at the Municipal Bhawan, was attended by Rajya Sabha Member Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal, Deputy Speaker of Punjab Vidhan Sabha Jai Krishan Singh Rouri, and MLA Ludhiana (West) Gurpreet Gogi.

During the review meeting, Cabinet Minister Dr. Ravjot Singh engaged in an in-depth discussion with Ludhiana Municipal Corporation officials and representatives from related departments present in the meeting, exploring various aspects of maintaining the cleanliness and preventing pollution in the Buddha Dariya.

Dr. Ravjot Singh emphasized that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann envisions a "Vibrant Punjab," urging all officials to fully uphold their responsibilities in making the state cleaner and pollution-free.

The Minister further instructed officials to identify sources polluting the Buddha Dariya and to take appropriate action for sustainable solutions.

Also present at the meeting were Additional Chief Secretary of the Department of Local Government, Tejveer Singh, Director of Local Government, Gurpreet Singh, CEO of PMIDC, Deepti Uppal, Commissioner of Ludhiana Municipal Corporation; Chief Executive Officer of Punjab Energy Development Agency; Chief Engineer of Punjab Pollution Control Board, Ludhiana, Chief Engineer of Drainage Department, Ludhiana, Chief Engineer of Soil and Water Conservation Department, Ludhiana, and Superintending Engineer, Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board, Ludhiana.

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SEC notified the schedule for the revision of electoral rolls for General Elections to 5 Municipal Corporations and 43 Municipal Councils/Nagar Panchayats

Chandigarh, 13 November 2024:The Punjab State Election Commission vide its letter No.SEC/ME/SAM/2024/8227-49 dated 12.11.2024 has notified the schedule for the revision of electoral rolls for General Elections to 5 Municipal Corporations i.e. Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Patiala and Phagwara and 43 Municipal Councils/ Nagar Panchayats, and 52 bye elections to various Municipalities in the State of Punjab.

Disclosing this here today, Punjab State Election Commissioner Raj Kamal Chaudhuri said that publication of draft electoral rolls by the electoral registration officers will be done on 14.11.2024 and filing of claims and objections, if any will be done from 18.11.2024 to 25.11.2024. In this connection, disposal of claims and objections will be done by 03.12.2024 vis-a-vis final publication of electoral roll will be done on 07.12.2024.

He further informed that all the Deputy Commissioners-cum-District Election Officers have been directed to publicize the existing voters lists on 14.11.2024 in the office of the Electoral Registration Officers as well as in the Municipality concerned. As per revision schedule, any eligible person may apply in Form no. 7 (for claim application for inclusion of name), Form 8 (for objection to inclusion of name) and Form 9 (for objections to particulars in an entry) as prescribed in Rule 14 of the Punjab Municipal Election Rules, 1994. For the convenience of the general public, it is informed that Form No. 7, 8 & 9 can be downloaded from the website of the Commission (i.e. https://sec.punjab.gov.in), he added

Sharing more details, he said that the qualifying date i.e. date on which the applicant must be eligible to have his/her name to be registered as voter is 01.11.2024. To be eligible to be registered as a voter, the applicant should be of 18 years of age on qualifying date and ordinarily resident of the locality in which he/she resides.

He revealed that instructions have also been issued to the Deputy Commissioners to arrange a special campaign on 20th & 21st November 2024 for the facility of general public to submit their claims and objections (in Forms 7, 8 & 9), if any, in the concerned Municipalities. The final publication of voters draft rolls shall be done on 07.12.2024. The State Election Commission requests all desirous and eligible candidates to ensure to get themselves registered in the voter list of the Municipality concerned during the period of claim and objections so that they may participate in the democratic process.

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Three employees promoted as Special Secretary/Minister.

Chandigarh, November 13:The Punjab Government today promoted 3 employees of Secretary/Ministerial Cadre deployed at the Punjab Civil Secretariat - I as Special Secretary/Minister in the level 23 (83600-203100) of the schedule depicted in The Punjab Civil Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 2021.

The names of the employees are Manjit Singh, Praveen Lata & Harbans Singh.

An official spokesperson said this.

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HARBHAJAN SINGH ETO DEMANDS SUBSIDY FOR BIOMASS POWER PROJECTS TO TACKLE STUBBLE BURNING ISSUE IN NORTHERN STATES

PARTICIPATES IN CONFERENCE OF POWER MINISTERS OF STATES AND UTs IN NEW DELHI

New Delhi/Chandigarh, November 13-Punjab Power and PWD Minister Mr. Harbhajan Singh ETO has demanded that the Centre government should provide subsidy for Biomass Power Projects that will help in tackling stubble burning in northern states.

Expressing his views during the Conference of Power Ministers of States and UTs held in Delhi under chairmanship of Union Power Minister Mr. Manohar Lal Khattar, Punjab Cabinet Minister emphasized for providing subsidy of Rs five crore at the rate of per mega watt (MW) to Biomass energy plants to help the States like Punjab to address the problem of pollution arising from stubble burning.

He further said that the Ministry of New and Renewable Energies Provides Rs.4000 crores for plants producing 4.8 ton Compressed Biogas ( CBG) Per day. With almost equivalent use of Paddy Straw, a biomass plant can produce one megawatt electricity. As the stubble is used in biomass energy like in that of CBG production, financial support in the form of subsidy or Viability Gap Funding (V.G.F) should also be given to biomass projects that will not only make the projects viable for states by decreasing per unit cost but also help in tackling stubble burning on large scale. He further said with adequate subsidy the per unit cost will come down from Rs. 7.5 to Rs. 5, which is financially viable for the state.

Raising another issue Punjab Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO said that under PM KUSUM scheme union government provides 30 percent subsidy for installation of solar agriculture pumps of capacity upto 7.5 HP. But with depletion of ground water table in punjab, the farmers have to install pumps of 15 to 20 HP, the concerned ministry should cover pumps at least upto 15HP capacity for subsidy to boost the use of solar energy in agriculture sector, demanded ETO.

He also urged the Union Power Minister to intervene to expedite the work of BBMB`s two Pumping storage projects with 4300megawatt capacity in Raipur and Garial in Himachal Pradesh. He also stressed to decrease 7 Paise margin per unit to be given by the state to the Solar Energy Corporation of India as it is too high.

`` Punjab has to bear huge amount of freight charges due to the vast distance from coal producing states. The centre through its agencies should establish Mega Power generation plants in Coal producing states and distribute electricity to far flung states like punjab to unburden them from these unnecessary transportation costs, suggested ETO. CMD PSPCL Mr. Baldev Singh Sran was also present in the conference.

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Punjab to introduce New IT policy soon, employment opportunity for 55,000 professionals: Tarunpreet Singh Sond

- State focal points to be facilitated with world class facilities; 5 focal points to be developed as role models

- Large scale boost to tourism sector in Punjab

- Punjab Plays a key role in the development of India, Punjab’s development is important factor in determining country’s growth: Harjot Singh Bains

Chandigarh, November 13: Punjab’s Minister of Industry and Commerce, Tarunpreet Singh Sond, stated that Punjab government, under the dynamic leadership of Bhagwant Singh Mann, is working diligently and sincerely towards the development of state’s industries . He expressed that he is optimistic that Punjab’s industrial sector will soon progress by leaps and bounds due to Punjab’s pro-industry policies. He reiterated that state government’s full commitment to the flourishing of Punjab’s industries.

Speaking in Vision Punjab 2047 at a session on “Industry in Punjab: challenges in Growth” organised by the World Punjabi Organiszation and hosted by Rajya Sabha member, Vikramjit Singh Sahni at Panjab University, Tarunpreet Singh Sond emphsized that he will introduce changes in industrial policy which will help in making policy more buisness friendly and act as an catalyst for industrial growth in the state. He stated that over the past two and half years, Punjab has attracted investment worth more than Rs. 86,000 crores and the efforts are underway to take this to new heights.

He announced that Punjab’s new IT (Information Technology) policy is set to be implemented soon, with Mohali emerging as North India’s new IT hub. Following the implementation of this policy , approximately 55,000 IT professionals will have job opportunities. Sond while addressing, told that various IT companies and delegations have shown interest in starting operations in Punjab, all thanks to Punjab’s friendly industrial policy and facilities offered by the state.

He expressed pride that the “Invest Punjab” portal has topped performance metrics nationwide, with around 58,000 small and medium industries registered, making a record. Sond stated that various reforms are underway to place Punjab at the forefront of the national industrial landscape. Following feedback from industrialists, plans are being made to equip the state’s focal points with world-class facilities. In the first phase, five cities’ focal points are proposed to be developed as role models, with major transformations in these focal points expected soon.

During the event, Sond also shared plans to boost tourism in Punjab on a large scale. Besides being the Minister for Tourism and Cultural Affairs, he mentioned that religious tourism, along with other sectors and regions, is being extensively promoted across Punjab. He also presented ideas focused on agro-based industries.

When a concerned listener raised the issue, Sond mentioned that the cleaning and restoration plan for Ludhiana’s Buddha Nullah is in its final stages and will be implemented soon after the Chief Minister’s approval.

Earlier, speaking on the occasion, Harjot Singh Bains, Minister of School Education, Technical Education, Industrial Training, and Information & Public Relations, highlighted that new courses are being introduced in technical education based on industrial demands. He noted that various courses are currently operational in Punjab to certify skilled workers.

He expressed gratitude to Rajya Sabha member Vikramjit Singh Sahni for initiating Punjab Vision 2047, emphasizing that those who do not plan for the future fail, making programs like this essential for Punjab’s future. While discussing Punjab’s unique attributes, he stated that India’s progress is incomplete without Punjab’s development.

Bains said that shortcomings can only be addressed through dialogue and collaboration. He extended an invitation to all industrialists to establish new industries in the Anandpur Sahib constituency, assuring them of his full support.

The panel on “Industry in Punjab: challenges in Growth” included prominent industrialists of Punjab as well as Rajya Sabha member Vikramjit Singh Sahni, who shared their insights.

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ECI releases revised schedule for special summary for Electoral Roll in 4 assemblies

Chandigarh, November 13:The Election Commission of India (ECI) has released the revised schedule of special summary revision of electoral roll for assembly in the constituencies 10-Dera Baba Nanak, 44-Chabbewal, 84-Gidderbaha, and 103-Barnala for on-going bye elections.

A spokesperson sharing the information stated that the preparation of integrated draft electoral roll will take place on November 25, 2024 (Monday) & November 26, 2024 (Tuesday), and the publication of the integrated draft electoral roll would be on November 27, 2024 (Wednesday).

Divulging the information, the spokesperson also stated that period of filing the claims & objections of the electoral roll will be from November 27, 2024 (Wednesday) to December 12, 2024 (Thursday) a total of 15 days, while the special campaigns will be held on November 30, 2024 (Saturday) and December 8, 2024 in the four constituencies of Bye elections.

Furthermore, claims and objections will be disposed by December 24, 2024 (Tuesday) while the verification of health parameter and, approval by the Commission for database updates, and printing of supplements will be completed by January 1, 2025 (Wednesday).

The final publication of electoral roll will take place on January 6, 2025 (Monday), he added.