NOW, 406 SERVICES JUST A PHONE CALL AWAY IN PUNJAB

•Aman Arora announces expansion of "Bhagwant Mann Sarkar, Tuhade Dwaar" scheme with addition of 363 more citizen-centric services

•Governance Reforms Minister kick starts doorstep delivery of all 406 services offered in Sewa Kendras

•Citizens can avail services by just dialling helpline number 1076 from comfort of their homes, says Aman Arora

Chandigarh, February 6:In a bid to further enhance governance and accessibility of government services to the citizens of the state, Punjab Governance Reforms Minister Mr. Aman Arora, on Thursday, announced the expansion of the "Bhagwant Mann Sarkar, Tuhade Dwaar" scheme with the addition of 363 more citizen-centric services, allowing people to avail all services, being offered through Sewa Kendras, at their doorsteps.

This initiative now offers doorstep delivery of 406 services, including Aadhar card issuance, driving licenses and passport applications.

After flagging off ‘Sewa Sahayaks’ here at MGSIPA to facilitate people in availing the benefits of this scheme, Mr. Aman Arora stated that the scheme, which started on 10th December 2023, with a limited set of 43 services, has now grown to offer a total of 406 services across 29 major government departments. The services now available include those related to driving licenses, passport applications, Police verifications, utility connections, NOCs from district authorities, tenant verification and many more. The addition of 363 more services further broadens the reach of the scheme, ensuring that essential government services are delivered without unnecessary delays or paperwork.

Highlighting the overwhelming response received from the public, the Governance Reforms Minister informed that over 92000 applications have been received under this scheme and all applications have been processed within time. Citizens have been able to avoid the hassle of visiting government offices, rather, their documents have been delivered directly to their homes.

Mr. Aman Arora emphasised that this initiative aims to ease the burden on citizens by addressing the long-standing issues of bureaucratic hurdles, long queues and save the time of people spent navigating through complex government procedures. The "Bhagwant Mann Sarkar Tuhade Dwaar" scheme, born from an understanding of these challenges, seeks to make government services available directly at the doorsteps of every citizen in Punjab.

In the last two years, the state government has made significant strides in simplifying processes, eliminating the need for physical certificates and digitising records. Over 77 lakh certificates have already been delivered digitally and citizens now receive government-approved certificates directly on their mobile phones, saving their time and money. Additionally, Patwaris, Sarpanches, Nambardas and Municipal Corporation officials have been onboarded to process applications online, further streamlining the service delivery system. Over 9 lacs applications have been processed online by the Patwaris, he added.

To further improve the quality of services, citizens are encouraged to provide feedback through the scheme. Over 12.95 lakh citizens have already rated the services, giving them an average rating of 4.1 out of 5.

Mr. Aman Arora said, "These reforms are not just about technology; they are about building a more responsive and accountable government. I appeal to all citizens to embrace these expanded services and experience the convenience and transparency firsthand. We are committed to serving you better and building a Punjab where every citizen feels valued and empowered."

Director Governance Reforms Mr. Girish Dayalan also highlighted the initiatives taken by the department and assured the Cabinet Minister Mr. Arora that the department is committed to implementing effective governance reforms aimed at enhancing transparency, accountability and efficiency in public service delivery.

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The Government of Punjab appoints Mr. Satveer Singh as a Member of the Subordinate Services Selection Board, Punjab

Chandigarh, 6th February 2025: The Government of Punjab has appointed Mr. Satveer Singh S/o Shri. Ranjit Singh R/o Dashmesh Nagar, Sunam, District Sangrur, as a Member of the Subordinate Services Selection Board, Punjab. This appointment will be effective from the date of assuming the charge of office by the member.

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Dr. Baljit Kaur Launches Anemia Screening Campaign for Girl Students in Tarn Taran to Build an Anemia-Free Punjab

Campaign to Expand Across All Districts, Prioritizing Girls Nutritional Health

Health Department Teams to Conduct Special Camps in Government Schools for Anemia Testing

Tarn Taran/Chandigarh, February 6:With the aim of creating an anemia-free Punjab, Social Security, Women, and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur today launched an anemia screening campaign for girl students studying in government schools from Sri Guru Arjan Dev Government Senior Secondary School (Girls) in Tarn Taran. On the first day of the campaign, around 1,152 girl students were tested for anemia by 10 teams.

On this occasion, Deputy Commissioner of Tarn Taran, Mr. Rahul, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Mr. Rajdeep Singh Brar, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development) Mr. Sanjeev Kumar, SDM Tarn Taran Mr. Arvinderpal Singh, and Civil Surgeon Dr. Gurpreet Singh Rahe were present.

Addressing the gathering, Cabinet Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur emphasized the Punjab government's commitment to ensuring the good health of every citizen. She stated that, keeping this objective in mind, the government has initiated an anemia screening campaign for schoolgirls. In the initial phase, blood tests will be conducted for nearly 30,000 girl students studying in classes 6 to 12 in government schools across Tarn Taran district to detect anemia. She assured that immediate treatment would be provided to those diagnosed with anemia.

Dr. Baljit Kaur highlighted that a girl's physical and mental health is directly linked to her hemoglobin levels. She announced that the anemia screening campaign is being launched as a pilot project from the historic city of Tarn Taran and will soon be expanded to all districts to achieve the goal of an anemia-free Punjab.

She further informed that the Punjab government is using advanced equipment for girl student testing, allowing hemoglobin levels and anemia detection without the need for needle pricks. Dr. Baljit Kaur stressed the importance of maintaining proper hemoglobin levels for a healthy life.

Encouraging students, Dr. Baljit Kaur advised them to consume a nutritious diet and completely avoid junk food. She urged society to provide equal opportunities for girls to achieve their goals and called on parents to focus on their daughters' nutritional needs.

She also mentioned that the Punjab government is taking concrete steps against child labor and child begging. So far, the Social Security, Women, and Child Development Department has rescued 261 children from child labour and begging, integrating them into the mainstream and enrolling them in schools under the department’s scholarship scheme.

Deputy Commissioner Mr. Rahul stated that the district administration has provided the Health Department with modern equipment for anemia screening, allowing hemoglobin levels to be detected within minutes. He added that under the National Child Health Program, special camps will be organized in various government schools across the district for the anemia screening of girls in grades 6 to 12.

Under the leadership of Civil Surgeon Dr. Gurpreet Singh Rahe, District Immunization Officer Dr. Varinderpal Kaur provided awareness about the harmful effects of anemia on the body. She stated that the modern equipment available to the Health Department will make anemia screening for girls much easier. She assured that immediate treatment would be provided to those diagnosed with anemia, ensuring its effective elimination.

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SEC issuses a programme for the revision and updation of the electoral rolls of the voters

Chandigarh 6 February 2025-The Punjab State Election Commission informed that the Commission vide its letter dated 05.02.2025, had issued a programme for the revision/updation of the electoral rolls of the voters in the Districts for general elections of Zila Parishads and Panchayat Samitis.

Disclosing this here today, the Punjab State Election Commissioner Raj Kamal Chaudhuri said that programme for draft of Electoral Rolls would be published on 10.02.2025 (Existing Gram Panchayat updated Electoral Rolls published on 04.09.2024.). Filing of claims and objections, if any will be done from 11.02.2025 to 18.02.2025. Disposal of claims and objections will be done by 27.02.2025. Final publication of supplementary electoral rolls will be done on 03.03.2025.

He further said that the primary objective of the Special Revision 2025 is to include newly eligible and left out voters who may have become eligible as voter, with qualifying date of 01.03.2025. Another objective for the Special Revision - 2025 is to give opportunities for amendment, deletion or correction to elector particulars.

He informed that a special campaign on 14.02.2025 (Friday) and 15.02.2025 (Saturday) will also be conducted by the Electoral Registration Officers-cum-Sub Divisional Magistrates concerned for registration, deletion and transposition of votes in rural areas under their respective jurisdiction. All the Deputy Commissioners-cum-District Election Officers, have been directed to give wide publicity at local level which may be done in all the rural areas so that all the eligible voters could get themselves registered well in time. This is for the information of general public.

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Punjab Government Fulfills Promise of Providing Canal Water to Tail-End Farmers: Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal

₹30 Crore Invested in Five New Minor Canals in Balluana Constituency

Abohar (Fazilka)/ Chandigarh, February 6:Punjab’s Cabinet Minister for Mining and Water Resources, Barinder Kumar Goyal, reaffirmed the Bhagwant Singh Mann-led government’s commitment to ensuring canal water reaches tail-end farmers. Addressing a gathering in Sherewala and Shergarh villages of Balluana constituency, he stated that the government has successfully fulfilled its promise of providing adequate irrigation water to farmers.

During his visit to the district, Minister Goyal reviewed the newly discovered potash reserves in certain villages. He informed that five new minor canals have been constructed in Balluana at a cost of ₹30 crore, significantly improving the irrigation infrastructure. He emphasized that, under the previous governments, only 68% of canal water was utilized due to mismanagement, whereas the current government has increased this to 84% through efficient policies.

Highlighting infrastructure improvements, Goyal stated that old canals and watercourses have been restored, while damaged and unpaved canals are being rebuilt with concrete to ensure uninterrupted water supply to farms. He added that this initiative has helped conserve groundwater levels and reduce electricity consumption for irrigation.

The Minister also outlined the Mann government’s achievements, including free electricity, establishment of Mohalla Clinics, and significant reforms in the education sector. During his address, he announced a grant of ₹2.07 crore for the government school in Shergarh village and ₹25 lakh for the renovation of the village pond.

Upon his arrival, MLA Amandeep Singh Goldy Musafir welcomed Minister Goyal and highlighted the numerous development projects initiated by the Punjab government in the constituency. Senior officials, including Director of Mining Abhijeet Kaplish, SDM Krishanpal Rajput and Executive Engineer (Mining) Jagsir Singh, were also present at the event.

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British Deputy High Commissioner Chandigarh Caroline Rowett meets Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan

Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan discusses the issues with British Deputy High Commissioner Chandigarh Caroline Rowett pertaining to the export of vegetables and fruits of Punjab to UK & other European countries

Chandigarh, 6 February 2025:British Deputy High Commissioner Chandigarh Caroline Rowett met Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan and they discussed key issues. Caroline Rowett called the Punjab Vidhan Sabha building a magnificent building and described her visit as a memorable one. Caroline said that she had worked in different countries such as France, Indonesia, Bahamas and Haiti.

Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Sandhwan has discussed the issue of exporting vegetables and fruits of Punjab to Europe and U.K. In this connection, Sandhwan has sought her cooperation so that the farmers of Punjab could get the benefit of it. He said that the taste of vegetables and fruits of Punjab could be found anywhere else in the world and the red chilli of Ferozepur is the best chilli in the country.

He emphasized that they are trying to improve agricultural processing in the state and trying to uplift the agriculture sector of Punjab. In addition, he added concrete efforts are being made to end the stubble burning across the state. During the meeting, they discussed to enhance cooperation to address key challenges and foster mutual growth. Speaker Sandhwan and Caroline Rowett emphasized the need to intensify collective efforts to curb illegal migration and immigration fraud.

Speaker Sandhwan took British Deputy High Commissioner Chandigarh Caroline Rowett to his home and showed her the organic vegetables grown in his garden. Caroline was amazed to see the garden and called her visit a memorable one. Thereafter, the Speaker Sandhwan discussed several important issues with her.

Caroline presented a table calendar to Speaker Sandhwan which contained beautiful photographs of various cities including Darbar Sahib, Amritsar. S Sandhwan presented to her a shawl, award of honour and a basket of organic vegetables grown in his garden.

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Pathankot and Gurdaspur to have Mission “Har Ghar Resham” Mohinder Bhagat

Reeling and Cocoon Storage Units to be established to Boost Silk Production in Punjab

Minister Holds Review Meeting on Departmental Activities

Punjab Government Takes Significant Steps to Promote Sericulture and Improve the Living Standards of Silkworm Farmers

Chandigarh, February 6 To promote sericulture and enhance silk production in Punjab, reeling and cocoon storage units will be established in the state. Pathankot and Gurdaspur will be key districts under the mission “Har Ghar Resham,” to be launched to boost silk production and provide better opportunities for farmers. This was expressed by Horticulture Minister Shri Mohinder Bhagat while chairing a review meeting with officials of the Horticulture Department at the Punjab Civil Secretariat on Thursday. During the meeting, it was highlighted that the Punjab Government is committed to promoting sericulture production and improving the living standards of silkworm farmers. Additional Chief Secretary Horticulture Mr. Anurag Verma and Horticulture Director Mrs. Shailender Kaur were present at the meeting.

It was shared that a Silk Expo was organized from 4th to 9th December 2024 at the Kisan Bhavan, Chandigarh. This event was aimed to boost sericulture production in the state and increase the income of silkworm farmers. The Central Silk Board has also agreed to provide support for this initiative in the upcoming years.

Shri Mohinder Bhagat further informed that under the Punjab Government's efforts and the collaboration with HDFC Bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility Fund Scheme (CSR), an initiative has been launched to provide support for silkworm seeds to farmers living below the poverty line, with a budget of ₹14.82 lakh. This will help increase interest of farmers in sericulture and improve the living standard of the farmers. The scheme includes providing silkworm seed material to the farmers, which will further stimulate this industry. Under the CSR program, HDFC Bank will provide a grant of ₹51.17 Lakh for the installation of the reeling unit, which will help to produce silk threads from the cocoon. This unit will lead to a significant increase in income and create substantial benefits for the farmers.

Additionally, the Minister informed that the Punjab Government’s PHASE scheme will promote the cluster approach, focusing on educating and training farmers to become agricultural business entrepreneurs. To support this, interstate study tours will be conducted, with HDFC Bank’s CSR program providing necessary assistance. This initiative marks an important step toward boosting sericulture and enhancing the economic development of Punjab’s rural areas.

Present at the meeting were Deputy Director of Horticulture Shri Harmail Singh, Horticulture Development Officer Balwinderjit Kaur, Sericulture Promotion Officer Meenu Sidana and other senior officials.

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Punjab Government Significantly Increases Compensation for Landowners Affected by 66 KV Electric Supply Lines

Chandigarh, February 6 In a major relief to landowners, the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government has announced a significant increase in the compensation rate for the land owners going to be affected by the laying down of 66KV electric supply lines. This decision was revealed today by Punjab Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO in a press communique issued here.

Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO said, "The rate of compensation towards the diminution in the value of land of the persons affected due to the installation of electric supply lines has been more than doubled. This is a landmark decision aimed at ensuring fair compensation for the affected landowners."

Under the new policy, the compensation for the tower base area shall now be two hundred percent of the land value. The tower base area is defined as the area enclosed by the four legs of the tower at ground level, with an additional one-meter extension on each side. Previously, this compensation was limited to 85 percent of the area enclosed solely by the four legs of the tower.

In addition to the revised compensation for the tower base area, the Punjab Government has also increased the compensation amount for the Right-of-Way (ROW) corridor. The compensation for land within the ROW corridor, as defined in Schedule VII of the Central Electricity Authority (Technical Standards for Construction of Electrical Plants and Electric Lines) Regulations, 2022, will now be 30 percent of the land value. This is a notable increase from the previous compensation rate of 15 percent.

He said while deciding the compensation the land value would be the circle rate or market rate as determined by the District Magistrate, District Collector or Deputy Commissioner.

Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO emphasized, "This compensation addresses the potential diminution of land value due to the presence of overhead lines or underground cables within the ROW corridor. It is crucial to note that no construction activity of any kind will be permitted within the ROW of the transmission line."