Punjab scraps two year service condition under stipend scheme to children of labourers: Sond

- Sets aside budget of Rs. 2 crore for awareness activities and holding camps under schemes

Chandigarh, February 7:Taking another welfare step for labourers, the Punjab Government led by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has abolished two year service condition of labourers under stipend schemes for their children.

Disclosing this here today, Punjab Labour Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond said that this step would be immensely beneficial for labour fraternity as earlier the condition of two years service was mandatory. He said that the decision was taken in the 55th meeting of Punjab Labour Welfare Board late last evening. He said the Board’s stipend schemes provide monetary assistance for education to the children of labourers.

The Minister pointed out that labourers could get the benefit of stipend scheme from the day of making contributions. A slew of the significant initiatives have also been taken in the meeting including dissemination of information regarding schemes at the grassroots level. Sond said that a budget of Rs. Two crore had been passed for awareness activities and holding camps including Rs. one crore for awareness activities and Rs. One Crore for holding camps at the work sites for the welfare of labourers.

The Minister also stated that the condition of registered marriage certificate had also done away to get the benefit of shagun scheme. He said now labourers could avail the benefit of shagun scheme by submitting photographs of religious place and religious personalities, who got the marriages solemnised. With this decision, the labourers will not have to face problems in getting registered marriage certificate, he added.

The Minister also directed to hold quarterly meeting of Punjab Labour Welfare Board. It was also decided that fund contribution’s amount will be increased April 1, 2025 so as to further improve the financial health of the board.

Prominent amongst those present in the meeting included Labour Secretary Manvesh Singh Sidhu, Labour Commissioner Rajiv Kumar Gupta, Joint Director of Factories Narinder Singh, Assistant Welfare Commissioner Gaurav Puri, Joint Director Kanu Thind and officials of Industry, Finance and Social Security departments.

===================================

Mohinder Bhagat Reviews Welfare Schemes and Departmental Budget for Freedom Fighters

Chandigarh, February 7-The Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, remains committed to honoring the dignity and ensuring the welfare of freedom fighters and their families. These views were expressed by Freedom Fighter Minister Shri Mohinder Bhagat during a review meeting held at the Punjab Civil Secretariat to evaluate the department's activities and the implementation of various welfare schemes for freedom fighters.

During the meeting, Special Chief Secretary, Department of Freedom Fighters, Smt. Raji P. Shrivastava, provided detailed updates on the functioning of existing programs, including pension benefits, healthcare support, educational reservations and employment assistance for the descendants of freedom fighters.

The Minister directed officials to ensure the effective implementation of these welfare schemes and to maintain regular communication with the beneficiaries to address their concerns efficiently.

Additionally, the department's budget was discussed to ensure adequate financial resources for the ongoing and upcoming welfare initiatives.

Also present at the meeting were Gaggandip Singh Brar, Secretary, Freedom Fighters Department; Ms. Lovejeet Kalsi, Joint Secretary, Freedom Fighters Department, Smt. Suman Lata, Superintendent and other senior officials.

===============================

Dr. Ambedkar's philosophical legacy crucial in guiding efforts to create equitable and inclusive society: Harbhajan Singh ETO

During one-day seminar at Panjab University emphasizes importance of eliminating caste-based discrimination

Chandigarh, February 7-Emphasizing the enduring significance of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's philosophical legacy in India's pursuit for social justice, Punjab Power and Public Works Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO said on Friday that Dr. Ambedkar's profound and transformative vision of social justice is crucial in guiding efforts to create an equitable and inclusive society.

Addressing a distinguished gathering as a chief guest at a one-day seminar on ‘B. R. Ambedkar’s Philosophical Legacy and India’s Quest for Social Justice’, held at Panjab University, Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO said that Dr. Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Indian Constitution, believed that social justice was not just a legal principle but a moral and social imperative that ensures liberty, equality, and fraternity.

The Minister also drew attention to Ambedkar's advocacy for women's rights, recognizing that gender inequality was deeply entrenched in Indian society. He said Dr. Ambedkar worked tirelessly for legislative reforms to protect and uplift women, and his efforts laid the foundation for legal provisions that safeguard women's rights in contemporary India.

Cabinet Minister further said that Dr. Ambedkar's vision of social justice is a living philosophy that must continue to inspire governance, policies, and social movements. “As a society, we must commit to eliminating caste-based discrimination, ensuring equal access to opportunities, promoting fraternity and unity, and strengthening legal frameworks to empower the marginalized”, he added.

Power and PWD Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO concluded his speech by highlighting Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's conviction that state intervention is crucial in dismantling oppressive social structures and fostering equal opportunities for all. He emphasized that social justice is the cornerstone of a harmonious, stable, and patriotic society, and that it paves the way for a truly just and inclusive India.

===========================

Vigilance Bureau nabs PSPCL employee taking Rs 2000 bribe

Accused previously received Rs 3500 for installing meter

Chandigarh February 7, 2025 -The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its ongoing drive against corruption in the state, has apprehended Charanjit Singh, Assistant, complaint handling branch (CHB), posted at Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd (PSPCL) office, Barring in Jalandhar Cantt red handed while accepting a bribe of Rs. 2000.

Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the state VB said the above mentioned accused have been arrested based on a complaint lodged by Rakesh Kumar, a resident of Sainik Vihar, village Dhillwan, Jalandhar. He further informed that the complainant has approached the VB alleging that the above said accused has demanded a bribe of Rs 5000 for concerned Junior Engineer (JE) Surjit Singh and Rs 500 for himself for installing a new meter for domestic supply at his relative house in Rose Colony village Barring, in Jalandhar. The complainant further alleged that the accused CHB has installed power meter at the house on 31-01-2025 and took Rs 3500 from his relative by informing to pay the remaining balance later. The accused was threatening the complainant and consumer to pay Rs 2000 as balance money otherwise the meter could be removed.

The spokesperson added that after a preliminary enquiry on his complaint a VB team from Jalandhar range laid a trap during which the accused CHB Assistant has been arrested red handed while he was accepting Rs 2000 as a bribe from the complainant in the presence of two official witnesses. In this regard a case under prevention of corruption act has been registered against the said accused at VB police station Jalandhar range. The role of JE would also be probed during further investigation into this case, he said.

=======================================

Vigilance Bureau arrests Patwari for accepting Rs 10,000 bribe

Chandigarh February 7, 2025 -The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its ongoing ongoing anti-corruption drive in the state, on Friday arrested Ravi Prakash, Patwari, posted at revenue circle Kot Khalsa, in Amritsar city for demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 10000.

Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the state VB said the above-mentioned accused has been arrested based on a complaint lodged by Paramjit Singh, a resident of New Mohani Park, Amritsar city.

He further added that the complainant has approached the VB and alleged in his complaint that the accused had demanded a bribe of Rs 20,000 for correcting his loan amount which was erroneously mentioned as Rs 90 lakhs instead of the actual amount Rs 9 lakh in the revenue records.

The spokesperson further informed that after a preliminary enquiry into this complaint the VB team from Amritsar range laid a trap during which the said accused was caught red handed while he was accepting a bribe of Rs.10,000 from the complainant in the presence of two official witnesses.

He added that in this regard a case under Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered against the said accused at VB police station, Amritsar range. The accused would be produced in the competent court tomorrow and further investigations are being carried out by VB Unit Amritsar, he said.

==========================================

Legal Metrology Wing earns revenue of more than Rs. 21 crore from violators of Legal Metrology Act, 2009

Aim is to safeguard interest of consumers by ensuring that goods sold & bought are correct in quantity and volume

Chandigarh, February 7:The Legal Metrology wing of the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department has collected more than Rs. 21 Crore revenue till January 31st, 2025 from the violators of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 and its various rules. As many as 1568 challans have been issued.

This is in keeping with the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government's main aim to ensure that interests of consumers are protected. Under the guidance of the Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Minister Mr. Lal Chand Kataruchak, no stone is being left unturned in this regard.

It is noteworthy that earlier known as Weights and Measures in common parlance, this wing is entrusted with the work of checking and inspection of weights and measures in all the commercial establishments across Punjab.

The main objectives of the Legal Metrology Organization is to safe guard the interest of the consumers by ensuring that goods sold and bought are correct in quantity and volume as claimed.

Under the Legal Metrology Act, 2009, following rules have been implemented - Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011, Legal Metrology (National Standard) Rules, 2011, Legal Metrology (Numeration) Rules, 2011, Legal Metrology (Model Approval) Rules, 2011, Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011, Legal Metrology (Government Approved Test Centres ) Rules, 2013.

Also, the Punjab Government has framed as well as implemented the Punjab Legal Metrology (Enforcement) Rules, 2013 as under the powers conferred by Section 53 of the above said act.

The Minister Mr. Lal Chand Kataruchak said that the provisions of the above mentioned act and its rules would be strictly adhered to so as to bring more transparency in the functioning of the department.

===========================================

Punjab Government's Pioneering Initiative to Combat Air Pollution; 1200 Old Diesel Autos replaced to Electric: Dr. Ravjot Singh

200 Pink E-Autos with 90% Subsidy Being Provided to Empower Women of the State

Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government is committed to providing a pollution-free environment to its citizens

Chandigarh, February 7:Under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government is consistently striving to provide its citizens with a pollution-free environment. In a significant step towards reducing air pollution, the government has replaced 1200 old diesel autos to electric autos. This Statement was made by Dr. Ravjot Singh, Minister for Local Government.

Providing further details, Dr. Ravjot Singh mentioned that, as part of efforts to reduce air pollution in the holy city of Amritsar, the Punjab Government has successfully achieved the target of replacing 1200 old diesel autos with electric ones under RAAHI scheme. Additionally, as part of the government's initiative to empower women, 200 pink electric autos are being provided to women with a 90% subsidy. As of now, 160 pink e-autos have already been delivered to women beneficiaries.

The Cabinet Minister further elaborated that, to strengthen public transportation and reduce dependency on private vehicles, the Punjab Government is in the process of procuring a total of 347 electric buses for major cities across the state. This includes 100 buses for Amritsar, 97 for Jalandhar, 100 for Ludhiana, and 50 for Patiala.

Moreover, the Punjab Government is working on launching electric city bus services in the S.A.S. Nagar (Mohali) cluster, which will include areas like Kharar, Kurali, Zirakpur, Mullanpur, Derabassi, and Banur. Dr. Ranjot Singh stated that a feasibility study for electric buses in Mohali, conducted by the Punjab Municipal Infrastructure Development Corporation (PMIDC), has already been completed. These electric buses will provide a comfortable travel experience and reliable operation for city residents.

Dr. Ranjot Singh concluded by emphasizing that these various initiatives reflect the Punjab Government’s unwavering commitment not only to environmental protection but also to providing modern, convenient, and efficient urban transportation services for its citizens.