GOVT FISH SEED FARMS PRODUCING OVER 14-CR HIGH QUALITY FISH SEEDLINGS ANNUALLY: KHUDIAN

•Rs. 27-CR granted to more than 500 beneficiaries under various fisheries projects in Punjab, says Fisheries Minister

•Over 1.81 lac tonnes fish produced from natural waters, private & panchayati ponds

Chandigarh, February 12:Punjab Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian, on Wednesday, said that the state has witnessed an impressive growth in the Fisheries sector with the implementation of slew of measures to enhance fish production and aquaculture development. The state government’s Fish Seed Farms are producing over 14 crore high quality fish seed annually, which is being provided to farmers at subsidized rates.

He further informed that 16 Government Fish Seed Farms, 11 fish feed mills and seven laboratories are dedicated to the fish farmers and 14.74 crore fish seedling have been produced upto December 2024, which was 13.90 crore in 2023. The state has 43,973 acres under fish farming and 1,81,188 tonnes of fish production is being obtained from natural waters, private and panchayati ponds.

The Fisheries Minister stated that the state’s youth and women have been encouraged to adopt fisheries as an occupation and a financial benefit of 40% to 60% of a unit cost has been extended for adopting various projects. Financial assistance of around Rs. 27 crore has been granted to more than 500 beneficiaries under various projects include bringing new area under fish and shrimp farming, establishment of Recirculatory Aquaculture System (RAS), biofloc culture system, purchase of vehicles for transport of fish and its products, fish feed mill, fish kiosk etc.

Elementary training in fish and shrimp farming is also being imparted free of cost every month. Technical assistance for pond preparation, seed stocking, fish rearing and harvesting is also being provided, he added.

To bring blue revolution in the state, S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian said that the department has adopted modern techniques and ramping up infrastructure to enhance fish production and aquaculture development within the state, aiming to boost the income of farmers. The State infrastructure has been strengthened by the establishment of a new Govt. Fish Seed Farm at Killian Wali village in Fazilka district and a new retail fish market at Ghalauri village in Patiala district.

Highlighting the potential and scope of development of the fisheries sector, S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian urged the state farmers to adopt the allied sector to increase their income. He said that 6 fish and shrimp farmers of the State felicitated by the Fisheries Department (GoI) on the eve of 76th Republic Day at New Delhi.

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HARJOT SINGH BAINS GREETS PEOPLE ON PARKASH UTSAV OF SRI GURU RAVIDASS JI

CHANDIGARH, February 12:Punjab Information and Public Relations and Education Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains, on Wednesday, extended warmest greetings to the people of the state on 648th Parkash Utsav of Sri Guru Ravidass ji.

Emphasising the significance of Guru Ravidass Ji's teachings, Harjot Singh Bains highlighted the importance of love, compassion, tolerance, and brotherhood in society to eradicate the evil of casteism and propagate the values of humanism.

"On the auspicious occasion of the 648th Parkash Utsav of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji, I urge everyone to follow the path shown by the spiritual ambassador Guru Ravidass ji and work towards fostering harmony in society. Let us strive to uplift the poor and underprivileged sections, and collectively work towards building an egalitarian society," said Harjot Singh Bains.

He said that Guru Ravidass Ji's message of equality and social justice continues to inspire generations and serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding these values in our daily lives.

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Guava Orchard Scam: Vigilance Bureau arrests absconding accused for fraudulently receiving Rs 12 crore compensation

Chandigarh, February 12, 2025:The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) has apprehended Sukhdev Singh, a resident of Chandigarh, one of the key co-accused in the ‘Guava Orchard Scam’ that took place in village Bakarpur, SAS Nagar district in the year 2016-17. The accused had fraudulently received approximately Ra 12 crore in compensation in his own and his wife’s accounts, in collusion with government officials and other individuals.

Disclosing the details an official spokesperson of the VB stated that Sukhdev Singh played an active role in the criminal conspiracy, indulging in cheating, forgery, and falsification of records, thereby causing wrongful loss to the state exchequer while obtaining illicit financial gains through bribery.

The VB investigation has revealed that with the intent to claim illegal compensation for Guava orchards during the land acquisition process for the Aerotropolis project in SAS Nagar, Sukhdev Singh had purchased 3 Kanal 16 Marla land in village Bakarpur. Subsequently, he conspired with the prime accused, Bhupinder Singh, a resident of Bakarpur, to falsely establish the presence of fruit bearing Guava orchards on the land. He further ensured the collusion of the concerned Horticulture Development Officer, to fraudulently assess and declare the trees as being over three years old, making them eligible for compensation under the fruit-yielding tree category.

Elaborating on the fraudulent scheme, the spokesperson disclosed that Sukhdev Singh and Bhupinder Singh had an agreement wherein Sukhdev Singh would bear all expenses including bribing officials while Bhupinder Singh would retain two-thirds of the compensation amount once it was fraudulently secured from the Land Acquisition Collector (LAC), Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) using bribes and personal influence.

He further informed that to facilitate the fraud, the original Khasra Girdawri revenue register (2016–2021) of village Bakarpur was destroyed and a forged Khasra Girdawri register was prepared in 2019. Bhupinder Singh, in connivance with revenue Patwari Bachittar Singh, managed to manipulate the land records to falsely reflect the existence of mature Guava orchards. Subsequently, Sukhdev Singh and his wife, Harbinder Kaur, fraudulently received Rs 2,40,96,442 and Rs 9,57,86,642, respectively, as compensation from LAC, GMADA.

The spokesperson further revealed that to transfer Bhupinder Singh’s share out of the illegally obtained compensation, Sukhdev Singh had sold approximately 6 Bighas of land in village Chappar Chiri, in SAS Nagar district at an undervalued rate to Bhupinder Singh in 2022 after receiving the wrongful compensation. Similarly, 32 Kanals of land in village Kailon, SAS Nagar, owned by his wife Harbinder Kaur, was also sold at an undervalued price to Bhupinder Singh.

The spokesperson added that despite repeated summons by the VB, Sukhdev Singh had been evading legal proceedings and was uncooperative during the investigation. Unlike other co-accused beneficiaries, he neither voluntarily surrendered the fraudulently obtained compensation amount nor sought anticipatory bail from the court by depositing the required sum in treasury.

He added that with the latest recovery of Rs 12 crore the total amount of compensation returned now would be Rs 100 crore as Rs 86 crore had already been deposited by other co-accused beneficiaries. So far the VB had already arrested 7 government officials and 16 private individuals in this scam and further investigation into the case is ongoing.

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Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema pays obeisance on the occasion of the 648th Parkash Purb of Shiromani Bhagat Ravidas Ji

Guru Sahib gave message of universal brotherhood to the entire society: Harpal Singh Cheema

Visits several religious places including Dirba, Koharian, Chhajli and congratulates devotees

Chandigarh/Dirba/Koharian/Chhajli, February 12-Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema today paid obeisance at various Gurdwaras under the Vidhan Sabha constituency of Dirba on the occasion of the 648th Parkash Purb of Shiromani Bhagat Ravidas Ji and congratulated the devotees. He said that the holy message of Bhagat Ravidas Ji guide humanity about right path. Minister Cheema said that the Gurus rose above casteism and gave the message of universal brotherhood to the entire society. He also said that there is a need to follow the path of truth shown by the Gurus. Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema participated in several religious events organized in villages like Dirba, Kauhrian, Chhajli, Kanakwal, Gobindgarh Jejian & Khokhar Khurd and congratulated the devotees.

During this, the Bhog of Shri Akhand Path Sahib was completed at the Gurdwaras and the Raagi Jathas delighted the devotees with the kirtan of divine Bani.

On this occasion, the administrative committees of the Gurdwaras specially honoured Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema with siropas and mementos.

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Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker extends greetings to the people of State on the occasion of Parkash Utsav of Sri Guru Ravidas Ji

Chandigarh 12 February 2025:Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan extended his heartly greetings to the people of the State on the occasion of Sri Guru Ravidas Jayanti.

Kultar Singh Sandhwan said that Sri Guru Ravidass ji taught us unwavering faith in valuesof harmony and brotherhood. He did not believe in any kind of discrimination. Sri Guru Ravidas ji ushered in several changes in our society. His teachings are eternal and still relevant for people of all sections of society. Forty-one shabads of Sri Guru Ravidass ji were included in Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

He highlighted that Sri Guru Ravidas ji was a great social reformer and messenger of peace, love and brotherhood. Sri Guru Ravidas Ji considered the service to humanity as service to God. The life and teachings of Guru Ravidas Ji is an abiding source of inspiration for all of us.

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Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO Extends Greetings on Parkash Utsav of Sri Guru Ravidas Ji

Chandigarh, February 12-On the sacred occasion of Parkash Utsav of Sri Guru Ravidas Ji, Punjab's Power and Public Works Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO extended his warmest greetings to the people of Punjab and followers of Guru Ravidas worldwide.

Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO expressed his deep reverence for Sri Guru Ravidas Ji, a revered saint and a champion of equality, justice, and humanity. He highlighted the significance of Guru Ravidas' teachings, which emphasize the importance of compassion, love, and brotherhood.

“Sri Guru Ravidas Ji's teachings hold immense relevance in today's world. His message of unity and equality transcends all barriers, inspiring us to build a just and inclusive society,” said the Minister.

Reiterating the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government's commitment to upholding the values of equality, justice, and inclusivity that Sri Guru Ravidas Ji embodied, the Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO said that the Punjab government is dedicated to creating an environment where every individual, regardless of their caste, creed, or background, can thrive. "We are committed to carrying forward the legacy of Guru Ravidas Ji by fostering a society built on the pillars of justice and compassion,” he added.

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