Barnala District Tops in Punjab for Issuing UDID Cards for Divyang Persons

UDID is Single Identification Document to Avail All Scheme Benefits

Chandigarh, February 10:The Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is actively working for the welfare of Divyang persons in the state. In providing the facility of UDID (Unique Disability ID) cards for Divyang persons to access government services, Barnala district has secured the top position in the state.

Sharing this information, Social Security, Women, and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur, stated that through the joint efforts of the Department of Social Security, Women, and Child Development and the Health Department, over 70% of Divyang persons in Barnala district, totaling 9,766, have been issued UDID cards.

Dr. Baljit Kaur explained that the Unique Disability Identity Card (UDID) is generated to provide Divyang persons access to all schemes and services of the central and Punjab governments through a single card.

She emphasized that the UDID card is not only an identification document for Divyang persons but is also essential for availing benefits under various government schemes such as pensions, training, employment and medical assistance. This card facilitates easier access to government services for Divyang persons.

She said that apart from this, the Punjab government has formed a disability cell for the divyang persons. She said that this dedicated cell is a single window platform for providing benefits of schemes to the Divyang persons. She appealed to the Divyang persons of the state to apply for UDID card by contacting the Sewa Kendras, District Social Security Offices or Civil Hospitals so that they can take maximum advantage of government schemes.

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Labour Department Goes Digital, All Services and Industrial Schemes Now Online – Sond

- Registered marriage certificate no longer required to avail benefits under the Shagun scheme

Chandigarh, February 10:Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Labour Department has fully digitized all services and industrial schemes provided under various acts. Now, these services and schemes can be accessed with just one click.

Labour Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond stated that several key services, including the approval of building plans, acceptance of stability certificates, factory registration, grant and renewal of licenses, license amendments, permission to employ women in night shifts, registration of principal employers, and the issuance of licenses to contractors, are now available online. These services can be accessed through the official website: https://pblabour.gov.in.

He further stated that various services, including the payment of the welfare fund, claims for benefits under the Punjab Labor Welfare Board, registration of construction sites and trade unions, submission of annual returns under labor laws, claims for benefits under the Punjab Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board, and registration of shops and commercial establishments, can now be accessed online through the department’s website.

He also mentioned that the Punjab Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board has simplified the terms and conditions of various welfare schemes, including the Stipend Scheme, LTC Scheme, and Shagun Scheme.

Sond informed 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. The Minister pointed out that labourers could get the benefit of stipend scheme from the day of making contributions. 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.

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PWD's Research Lab Plays Key Role in Ensuring High-Quality Construction in Punjab: Harbhajan Singh ETO

Research Lab also Earns Rs 1.5 Crore in Testing Fees: Harbhajan Singh ETO

Chandigarh, February 10-Punjab Public Works and Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO on Monday said that the Punjab Public Works Department's Research Laboratory spearheaded efforts to ensure world-class construction quality played a crucial role in maintaining the highest Construction Standards in the state besides earning approximately Rs 1.5 crore in fees from testing materials used for construction works during the financial year 2024-25.

Sharing this information in a press release issued here, Public Works Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO highlighted that the lab is the only facility under the Punjab Public Works (B&R) Department that caters to the testing needs of multiple departments, including Local Bodies, Water Resources Department (WRD), Punjab Urban Development Authority (PUDA), Panchayati Raj, Punjab Mandi Board, and State Vigilance, in addition to PWD (B&R).

The PWD minister said that the laboratory's accreditation as a National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) Certified facility in 2022 has further solidified its status as the sole government lab in Punjab with this prestigious certification, valid until December 2028. The Cabinet Minister said that all testing equipment at the lab is meticulously calibrated according to relevant standards, ensuring accuracy and reliability in the 59 tests. “The lab is also equipped with advanced Non-Destructive Testing equipment, such as Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD), Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (UPV), Nuclear Test Gauge, and traffic sign checking tools”, he added.

Expounding on the lab's capabilities, the Public Works Minister said that it is well-equipped to conduct soil testing for foundations and assess various construction materials, including bricks, gravel, sand, cement, concrete, bitumen, and iron bars. He said the lab also specializes in designing Dense Bituminous Macadam (DBM) and Asphalt Concrete (AC) mixes for bitumen and concrete works.

PWD Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO reiterated the Punjab government's unwavering commitment, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, to uphold the highest standards in construction quality. He said that clear instructions have been issued to the department to conduct maximum checks to further enhance the quality of development works. Additionally, efforts are being made to raise public awareness about these quality assurance measures.

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Sond Expresses Grief Over the Demise of Renowned Personality Jarnail Singh Artist

Chandigarh, February 10:Punjab’s Minister for Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Tarunpreet Singh Sond, has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of renowned personality Jarnail Singh Artist. He passed away after a brief illness. Jarnail Singh Artist, a resident of Canada, was currently visiting Punjab.

In an official condolence message, Tarunpreet Singh Sond stated that Jarnail Singh Artist, through his artistic talent, created beautiful paintings depicting Punjab’s culture and Sikh history.

He further mentioned that Jarnail Singh Artist's portraits of various eminent personalities and great figures are truly remarkable. His passing is an irreparable loss to art lovers.

Sond prayed to the Almighty to grant eternal peace to the departed soul and give strength to the bereaved family and loved ones to bear this irreparable loss.

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NRI Punjabis participates enthusiastically in Online NRI Milnee Programmes of Punjab Government, Says Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal

Chandigarh 10 February 2025:The state government has started online NRIs Milnee programmes to address the grievances of NRI Punjabis so that their problems can be resolved immediately. These NRI Milnees are being held on monthly basis. The NRI Affairs Minister personally heard the problems and complaints of NRI Punjabis through online video conferencing. Then their grievances are forwarded to the concerned departments and ADGP of NRI wing of Punjab Police for forthwith redressal. NRI Milnee 2024 report manifested that 309 complaints were registered and out of these 256 were disposed of. Remaining complaints are being monitored by the Deputy Commissioners and SSPs of the respective districts jointly at their level.

Administrative Reforms and NRI Affairs Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal said that the “Connect with Your Roots” scheme has been launched to encourage the participation of NRIs in the development of Punjab and to nurture their roots in Punjab. Under this scheme, youth between the age of 16 and 22 are encouraged to come to Punjab and connect with their homeland and stay connected with their culture.

Furthermore, he stated that NRIs are also being encouraged to contribute for the development of infrastructure in their respective villages. The NRIs can contribute 50% of the total cost for the development of various infrastructure projects such as school buildings, community services, hospitals, libraries, drinking water, sewage, toilets, street lights, sports stadiums etc and the remaining amount is borne by the Government of Punjab.

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PUNJAB POLICE PARTNERS WITH SAVE LIFE INDIA TO MAKE PUNJAB ROADS MORE SAFER & SECURE

— MoU SIGNED BETWEEN ADGP TRAFFIC AS RAI AND FOUNDER OF SAVE LIFE FOUNDATION PIYUSH TEWARi

— COLLABORATION TO FOCUS ON SCIENTIFIC CRASH INVESTIGATIONS, BLACK SPOT IDENTIFICATION & TARGETED INTERVENTIONS TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS, SAYS DGP PUNJAB GAURAV YADAV

CHANDIGARH, February 10:To enhance the safety and security of travellers on the roads in the state, Punjab Police has collaborated with Save Life India to implement a data-driven approach to road safety.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Traffic and Road Safety AS Rai and founder of Save Life Foundation Piyush Tewari at Punjab Police Headquarters here on Monday.

Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav said that this collaboration will focus on scientific crash investigations, black spot identification and targeted interventions to prevent accidents. Furthermore, traffic personnel will undergo specialised training in advanced crash analysis techniques, which will enhance their ability to enforce regulations and implement effective road safety measures under this collaboration, he added.

“By leveraging evidence-based solutions, we are fully committed to significantly reducing the number of accidents and ultimately saving lives throughout the region. This proactive approach not only aims to improve road safety but also fosters a culture of accountability and awareness among all road users,” he added.

ADGP Traffic AS Rai said that Punjab Police is committed to professional policing so that people of punjab can feel safe and secure while travelling on the roads. Under the leadership of the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab is the only state that has reversed the trend of increasing accidental deaths all over India. The number of deaths in road accidents in the area covered by Sadak Surakhiya Force (SSF) came down by 48 percent while all over the state there was a decrease of five percent in accidental deaths. In the corresponding time, there was an increase in death rate by almost double that figure in the rest of the country.

Notably, the Save LIFE Foundation exists to save lives on roads in India and beyond by tackling the critical issues of road safety and trauma care, focusing on reducing deaths and injuries, especially among poor communities.

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