*Major initiatives undertaken by Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs department in 2024 to ensure transparency in ration distribution: Lal Chand Kataruchak

· Successful wheat & paddy procurement seasons ensured

· Legal Meteorology wing earned Rs. 18.64 Crores

. Margin Money of depot holders doubled after 8 years

· 100 percent Aadhar saturation achieved

Chandigarh, December 30:The Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department had yet another successful year 2024 by undertaking several novel initiatives aimed at ensuring transparency in the functioning of the department. As many as 14420 E-PoS Kits including E-PoS devices and Iris scanners as well as Electronic Weighing Scales were purchased with a view to ensure hassle free distribution of the ration.

Disclosing this, the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Mr. Lal Chand Kataruchak said that the tenders have been allotted in order to ensure the proper maintenance of the E-PoS machines and the Electronic Weighing Scales for the period of 5 years. Now, an E-PoS kit has been provided at each of the ration depots besides making sure to install Electronic Weighing Scales at these depots.

He further said that in 2016, the margin money of the depot holders was Rs. 50 per quintal which has been increased to Rs. 90 Per Quintal and the increase has been implemented from April 2024. As a result, Rs. 38.43 crore stands released in this regard, said the Minister adding that this step would benefit 14400 ration depot holders in the State.

Besides, the department ensured a successful Rabi season by procuring 124.57 Lakh Metric Tonne (LMT) wheat for the central pool and crediting a sum of Rs. 28, 340.95 Crore in the accounts of 9 lakh farmers. Similarly, during the Kharif season, the department procured 172.93 LMT of paddy and credited an amount of Rs. 40,119.76 Crore into the accounts of approximately 8 lakh farmers. Also, till September 2024, 44,20,826 Quintals of Wheat was disbursed free of cost to the beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).

Taking strong steps to protect the interests of consumers, the Legal Meteorology wing earned revenue of Rs. 18.64 Crore by initiating action against those violating the principle of selling the goods in correct weight and quantity. Further, the 100 percent Aadhar Saturation was achieved and as per the Aadhar Saturation report of the UIDAI Dated November 11th, 2024, the State of Punjab ranks 7th amongst the States/UTs of the entire country.

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*PUNJAB BETS ON GOVT JOBS, SKILL DEVELOPMENT TO STOP BRAIN DRAIN

• 50K Govt jobs given to youth in 33 months; Over 2.65 lakh candidates helped to get jobs in private sector

Chandigarh, December 30:Responding to Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann’s clarion call to stop the brain drain and turn the youth into job creators rather than job seekers, Punjab Government has not just provided around fifty thousand regular jobs in the various departments of the state government but also walked an extra mile to make the state youth skilful, besides, helping them in starting their own ventures.

Underlining the two years and 9 months achievements of the state government, Punjab Employment Generation, Skill Development and Training Minister Mr. Aman Arora said that as many as 49,949 government jobs have been provided to the youth in the first 33 months of its tenure, which is a record in itself. Apart from this, 2,65,430 candidates have also been provided assistance to get jobs in the private sector by organizing over 4,725 placement camps in the state. Punjab Skill Development Mission has given skill training to 64427 candidates through captive employers, Government as well as private skill training agencies in courses like automotive machine operator, fitter, advanced respiratory therapist, desludge operator, warehouse packer, general duty assistant, security guard, courier delivery executive, electrician, beauty therapist, CNC operator, solar panel technician etc followed by employment to 47,821 candidates.

He further informed that 8,56,874 candidates were given career guidance, 23,917 career talks were delivered in school colleges and conducting 1,373 self-employment camps, in which 1,77,049 applicants were given guidance for obtaining sanction for self-employment-loans, to encourage self-employment and entrepreneurship in the state.

Mr. Aman Arora informed that a total of 74 cadets of Maharaja Ranjit Singh Armed Forces Preparatory Institute, SAS Nagar (Mohali) have been commissioned as officers in Defence Services since the CM Mann led-Punjab Government has come into power. As many as 64 cadets have joined training academies and 12 cadets are awaiting call up letters. Cadet Armaanpreet Singh of 12th Course AFPI, stood 1st in the All-India Order of Merit and Cadet Keshav Singla secured 15th in the Order of Merit in the NDA -153 course was declassified on October 24 this year. The Technical Entry Scheme (TES)-52 Course merit list was declassified on November 7, in which Cadet Karman Singh Talwar of 12th Course AFPI, stood 2nd in the All-India Order of Merit.

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Increase of 2634.15 MLD in Punjab's Sewerage Treatment Capacity in 2024: Dr. Ravjot Singh

Rs. 450 Crore Plan to Revamp Urban Infrastructure Across Punjab

Punjab Invests in Permanent Water Supply Projects on a Large Scale

Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) - Punjab Government Allocates Rs. 401.73 Crore

Chandigarh, December 30:Under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab government has made significant progress in providing better civic services and ensuring a clean environment for the residents of the state in 2024. This major advancement highlights the development in urban infrastructure and public service sectors within the state over the course of the year.

Minister for Local Governments, Dr. Ravjot Singh, shared that Punjab's total established sewerage treatment capacity has reached 2142 MLD (Million Liters per Day). With the addition of 492.15 MLD, the total capacity has now risen to 2634.15 MLD. The goal of this increase is to meet the growing needs of urban populations and ensure clean, purified water systems. Additionally, 52 Sewerage Treatment Plants (STPs) with a combined capacity of 607 MLD are under construction, with an estimated cost of Rs. 650 Crore. These projects are expected to be completed within the next 1-2 years, further expanding the state’s sewerage management capabilities.

Dr. Ravjot Singh further emphasized that the Punjab government has prioritized the improvement of urban infrastructure across the state. With the allocation of Rs. 450 Crore to urban local bodies (ULBs) in the current financial year, major development projects have been initiated. These initiatives will focus on modernizing urban areas, improving civic amenities, and enhancing the standard of living for residents.

Taking a major step to reduce dependence on groundwater, the government has launched large-scale surface water supply projects. Key cities such as Amritsar (440 MLD), Jalandhar (275 MLD), and Patiala (115 MLD) are already implementing these projects. Moreover, the Ludhiana Water Supply Project, with a capacity of 580 MLD, is expected to be operational soon.

Additionally, 87 towns across the state are focused on surface water supply projects. These projects involve various phases, aiming to ensure continuous and sustainable water supply for urban populations. To ensure water availability, pilot projects for 24/7 water supply have been launched in Ludhiana, Amritsar, and Jalandhar. These initiatives are part of a broader plan to expand the "Drink From Tap" program to other cities in Punjab.

As part of the government’s commitment to cleanliness, Punjab has made significant strides under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban). Rs. 401.73 Crore has been allocated for the purchase of solid waste management machinery, the establishment of processing facilities for solid waste, and the disposal of legacy waste. Additionally, 730 sewer cleaning machines, with an investment of Rs. 39.55 Crore, are being procured to address various issues related to sanitation and sewerage across the state.

Minister Dr. Ravjot Singh concluded by stating that 2024 marks a transformative period for urban development in Punjab. With improved sewerage treatment, better water supply systems, robust infrastructure development, and a cleaner environment, the state government is paving the way for a more sustainable, livable, and prosperous future for its residents. These achievements reflect the Punjab government’s unwavering commitment to providing world-class civic services and a cleaner, healthier environment for the people of the state.

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Punjab Labour Department implemented many pro worker policies during 2024: Sond

- Labour Department's all services/industrial schemes now one click away

Chandigarh, December 30:Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Labour Department has implemented many pro-workers policies during the year 2024. While special camps were organised across Punjab to make the workers aware of the government schemes and other policies, financial assistance worth crores of rupees were given to the workers under many welfare schemes.

Divulging the details, The Labour Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond said that all services/welfare schemes provided by the Department of Labour under various Acts have been digitized. He said that for example Approval of building plan, Acceptance of Stability Certificate. Registration of factory, Grant of license, Renewal of license, Amendment of license, Permission to employ women in night shift, Registration of Principal Employer, Grant of license to contractor, Payment of welfare fund, Claim of benefits of Punjab Labor Welfare Board, Registration of construction site, Registration of trade unions. Submission of Annual Returns under labor laws, claim of benefits of Punjab Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board, Registration of shop and commercial establishment etc have been digitised.

He said that The Punjab Building & Other Construction workers welfare board has made various reforms like Simplification of Registration form, Translation of Form no. 27 in Punjabi for convenience of construction workers. He said that if any objection is imposed on the application of a worker, SMS is sent regarding the same to the construction worker and now Labour Inspectors will have to process the registration/renewal application within 14 days of receiving the application.

He further informed that The Punjab Building & Other Construction workers welfare board has simplified the terms and conditions of the various welfare schemes including Stipend Scheme, LTC Scheme and Shagun Scheme. Sond said that the Board has won SKOCH Award 2024 for policy formulation and implementation and distributed a total amount of 102.23 crore to 67,549 workers during financial year 2022-2023 and Rs 97.29 crore to 41,155 workers during financial year 2023-2024 under various welfare schemes. During current financial year total Rs. 19.53 crores have been disbursed among construction workers.

The Minister said that during the year, the Punjab Labour Welfare Board has also distributed a total amount of Rs 15.36 crore among 5145 beneficiaries.

Department of labour registered 57,75,402 workers on e-Shram portal launched by Govt. of India for registration of unorganised workers.

He said that Help desk has been created in offices of Asstt. Labour Commissioners/Labour Officers for facilitating workers to resolve their objections in registration/renewal of beneficiary cards and welfare schemes.

Labour Minister shared that during 2024, Social Media Accounts of the department opened on WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook to share the activities of the department.

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Punjab became first state in country to adopt practice of online appointments and documentation for registries

Key steps taken by Revenue Department in providing hassle free & transparent services to people: Hardip Singh Mundian

Registries started without NoC, Orders to settle pending cases of mutations by 31st December

Chandigarh, December 30:Following the commitment of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann to provide hassle free and transparent online services to the residents of the state, the Revenue Department took several key steps under which Punjab became the first state in the country to successfully implement online registration and documentation for registries.

In the year 2024, major reforms were undertaken by the Revenue Department, which provided relief to the people. Apart from this, people have also derived advantage from the decision to approve registries without NoC since 1st December.

Divulging the details, Revenue and Rehabilitation Minister Hardip Singh Mundian said that Punjab is the first state in the country to launch the National Generic Document Registration System and implement it in all the sub-registrar offices of the state. More than 39 lakh wasikas have been registered through this system. Online time is available for registration and all the documents are submitted online.

Apart from this, to make it easy to register properties, templates of properties have been prepared in easy language and uploaded on the website of the department. Along with this, auto-locking of e-stamps and e-registration has been made in the said system, which has prevented the reuse of e-stamps and e-receipts. With these initiatives, an increase in the collection of e-stamps has been recorded in the state.

Mr. Mundian further said that taking an important decision to facilitate the residents of the state by digitizing the functioning of the revenue department, the Chief Minister has launched a website to streamline the process of registering private properties. More than 184 applications were received on the portal, out of which about 100 were disposed of.

The Minister further said that to compensate for the loss of crops, houses, human lives, and livestock due to natural disasters, the Revenue Department released a relief amount of Rs. 432.03 Crore during the financial year 2023-24 and Rs. 59.64 Crore during the current financial year 2024-25.

Mr. Mundian further stated that the Revenue Department was also figured prominently in the exercise of providing government jobs to the youth by the state government. During the year 2024, 75 Naib Tehsildars, 35 clerks and 2 stenotypists were recruited. The recruitment of 49 Patwaris has been completed, of whom only appointment letters are yet to be issued. Apart from this, the process for further recruitment of 1001 more Patwaris is underway. Also, funds were released from the PLRS funds for the new construction and repair of the District Administrative Complex, Sub Division/Tehsil/Sub Tehsil Complexes in all the districts of the state.

Additional Chief Secretary Revenue Mr. Anurag Verma issued a letteand to end the inconvenience to the people, instructions were issued to the Sub Registrar, Joint Sub Registrar, Tehsildar and Naib Tehsildars to be present in their offices from 9 am to verify the properties.

Besides, taking the delay in the settlement of dispute-free mutation seriously, instructions were given to complete all the pending cases within a month. Strict action should be taken against the concerned officer if any case remains pending after 31st December 31. Also, 1100 helpline number was rolled out in case of any problem in mutations.