Dr. Ravjot Singh directs Municipal Corporation officials to immediately utilize allocated funds for development works

Ensure effective implementation of ABC program to prevent incidents of people being bitten by stray dogs

Illegal constructions to be prevented for planned urban development

Identify suitable land for setting up Integrated Solid Waste Management and Bio Gas Plants

Ensure scientific disposal of waste and eliminate garbage dumps to keep cities clean

There is no shortage of funds for development works

Chandigarh, February 8:Local Governments Minister Dr. Ravjot Singh stated that the Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is fully committed to realizing the dream of "Rangla Punjab" by providing citizens of cities with clean, modern, and better facilities. Highlighting this commitment, Dr. Ravjot Singh emphasized that funds allocated for development works should be used as quickly as possible without any delays to ensure that the public benefits from these schemes.

Dr. Ravjot Singh held a meeting with the Commissioners of Municipal Corporations at the Municipal Bhawan, where he reviewed ongoing works under various schemes such as the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban), Smart City Mission, Punjab Urban Environmental Improvement Program, Punjab Municipal Services Improvement Project, and M.D.F . He instructed officials to expedite the implementation of development projects while maintaining high standards.

Additionally, the Cabinet Minister discussed various important matters related to the Department of Local Governments, including building plan approvals, pending N.O.C. cases for regularizing plots, stray animal management, ABC Program, and Cow Cess. He appealed to officials to resolve all pending cases related to N.O.C. and building plan approvals promptly, ensuring the smooth process and avoiding further delays.

Furthermore, to prevent incidents of people being bitten by stray dogs, Dr. Ravjot Singh specifically discussed with officials and instructed the Municipal Corporation Commissioners to ensure the effective implementation of the Animal Birth Control (ABC) program in every corporation.

As part of ensuring planned urban development, the Cabinet Minister also directed officials to prevent any form of illegal construction in cities. He clarified that any negligence in this regard would be dealt with strictly, and responsible officials would be held accountable.

In addition, Dr. Ravjot Singh emphasized the need to identify suitable land for setting up Integrated Solid Waste Management and Bio Gas Plants to tackle the growing waste management challenges in cities.

Minister further directed officials to ensure that no garbage dumps are visible and to make every possible effort to handle waste scientifically. He stated that ensuring daily cleanliness of roads and streets would create a clean and healthy environment for city dwellers. He also emphasized the need for proper cleaning of sewerage systems in urban localities to prevent overflowing sewerage on streets and roads.

Cabinet Minister Dr. Ravjot Singh Said that to enhance transparency and efficiency in citizen services, all complaints and service requests will now be processed exclusively through the Punjab Government’s mSeva platform, ensuring seamless end-to-end service delivery to Urban Local Bodies. He emphasized that, in accordance with the Punjab Transparency Act, Urban Local Bodies must adhere to prescribed timelines for essential municipal services such as water-sewerage connections, business licenses, and doorstep services, ensuring smooth and timely processing. Additionally, he highlighted that the monitoring and maintenance of the lighting system would be improved through regular data updates via the Street Light Portal.

Dr. Ravjot Singh assured that there is no shortage of funds for development works. Therefore, if any urban local bodies (ULBs) require additional funds, they must prepare a complete proposal and send it to the Head Office for approval.

During the meeting, Additional Chief Secretary of Local Governments Department Tejveer Singh, Director Gurpreet Singh Khaira, CEO of PMIDC Deepti Uppal, Commissioners of Municipal Corporations, and other senior officials from the Head Office and Field Offices were present.

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Punjab Vidhan Sabha goes paperless with the launch of NeVA, Says Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan

Chandigarh, 8 February 2025:The National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) project has been launched in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Secretariat under the dynamic leadership of S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, Chief Minister of Punjab and the proceedings of the events in Punjab Vidhan Sabha have been made paperless. This is a revolutionary step to improvise the functioning of the State Legislative Assembly.

Sandhwan said digitization of Punjab Vidhan Sabha would enhance the efficiency of MLAs to raise the leading issues of public concern and this is a beginning of a new era as the working of Vidhan Sabha has been made paperless. It has been easier to trace decisions and records vis-i-vis to share information in a transparent and answerable manner.

The Speaker informed that the proceedings of the House are being telecast live on the official social media platforms of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha and the Punjab Government from the year 2022, through which the general public can also easily watch the proceedings of the House. National e-Vidhan Application was inaugurated on 23 September 2023 in Punjab Vidhan Sabha to make it easier for exchange of information in the House.

National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) is a mission mode project of the Government of India in which the functioning of various Legislative Assemblies of the country are being done in a paperless manner and the objective of this project is to present the proceedings of the Legislative Assemblies in an efficient and transparent manner.

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Punjab Government Enhances Welfare Measures for Families of Martyred Soldiers

Ex-Gratia Amount for Martyr's Families Increased from ₹50 Lakh to ₹1 Crore in State

Chandigarh, February 8-The Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is continually making efforts to support the families of martyrs. In a significant move, the state has enhanced the ex-gratia amount for the next of kin of martyred soldiers from ₹50 lakh to ₹1 crore.

Defence Services Welfare Minister Mohinder Bhagat stated, "The Punjab Government is firmly committed to the welfare of military personnel, martyr's families, and ex-servicemen. The increase in the ex-gratia amount to ₹1 crore underscores our respect and gratitude for their supreme sacrifice."

This decision reflects the government's commitment to honoring the sacrifices of its armed forces personnel. As of now, 24 families of martyred soldiers have benefited from this enhanced financial assistance.

In addition to the ex-gratia increase, the government has implemented other welfare measures, including doubling the ex-gratia payments for disabled soldiers, ranging from ₹10 lakh to ₹40 lakh based on the level of disability.

These initiatives aim to provide financial stability and support to the families of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the nation.

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Country biggest & longest walk in aviary centre of attraction at Chhatbir Zoo

Ultra modern dinosaur park also attracting visitors

Punjab Government committed to preservation & nurturing Wildlife

Chandigarh, February 8:The Punjab Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and the guidance of Forest and Wildlife Preservation Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak is fully committed to preserve and nurture the wildlife of the State. Hence, many pathbreaking initiatives have been undertaken at the Chhatbir Zoo in this regard.

The biggest and the longest walk in aviary of the country has become the centre of attraction at the zoo besides an ultra modern dinosaur park which has been set up. In the Wildlife safari area of around 1200 metres, the boundary wall has been strengthened apart from installation of a solar plant having 260 KV capacity.

A critical care unit stands constructed at the lion safari for the carnivorous animals besides an open air zoo Education plaza for the assistance of the visitors especially the school children.

Also, Indus river dolphin as the State Aquatic animal of Punjab and as many as 13 wildlife sanctuaries have been declared plastic free. Besides, Five wetlands of the State namely Harike, Ropar, Kanjhli, Keshopur and Nangal have been included among the 100 wetlands selected from throughout the country by the Union Government for development on priority.