Punjab Government Releases ₹15.95 Crore for Mission Jeevanjot and Destitute Children: Dr. Baljit Kaur

Says, State Government is Continuously Working to Prevent Children from Begging

Chandigarh, February 18-The Punjab Government has released ₹15.95 crore under the ongoing 2024-25 financial year for Mission Jeevanjot and destitute children. This was expressed by Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister, Dr. Baljit Kaur.

Providing further details, Cabinet Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur stated that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the state government launched the Jeevanjot Project on July 8, 2024, to prevent children from engaging in begging. This project is being implemented through district-level task forces, with the primary objective of rescuing, rehabilitating, and reintegrating children involved in begging.

Dr. Baljit Kaur mentioned that the department is actively running the Jeevanjot campaign to safeguard the childhood of children involved in begging. Since July, 268 children have been rescued from begging across various districts.

She added that under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, Punjab has registered seven government-run children’s homes and 39 non-governmental homes that provide shelter to orphaned, destitute and abandoned children. She further stated that the government will soon establish two new homes for destitute children in Gurdaspur and Malerkotla.

Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur urged the public to report cases of child begging and child labour exploitation to their district's Child Protection Unit, District Child Welfare Committee, or through the department’s Child Helpline number 1098. She emphasized that the department is continuously making efforts to protect and uphold child rights. She reiterated that the Punjab Government is committed to the welfare and safety of children.

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*Punjab Finance Minister Inaugurates IT-Based Financial Modules to Enhance Transparency, Efficiency and Ensuring Welfare of Pensioners*

Chandigarh, February 18-In a landmark move towards digital transformation, Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema inaugurated three crucial IT-based financial modules on Tuesday, aimed at bolstering financial transparency and efficiency in the State, alongside ensuring the welfare of pensioners.

While inaugurating the Pensioner Sewa Portal (PSP), the Finance Minister highlighted the Punjab Government’s unwavering commitment to its pensioners. He emphasized that this digital platform is designed to provide a comprehensive range of pension-related services. “This portal will facilitate the seamless processing of pension disbursement cases from treasuries to banks, reduce delays in pension payments, offer real-time case tracking, and ensure efficient grievance handling,” said Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema while adding that the extensive database within PSP will further assist the State in making informed decisions for the welfare of pensioners.

Finance Minister Cheema also unveiled the Non-Treasury Integrated Financial Management System (NT-IFMS), a pioneering non-treasury accounting system to streamline the accounting processes of deposit works managed by the Forest and Works departments. He outlined the benefits of NT-IFMS, explaining that the module is designed to handle the receipt and expenditure of funds not routed through the treasury. "This module will enhance transparency, ensure faster monthly submission and compilation of accounts at the AG office level, and support better decision-making through accurate reporting via sub-modules NT-MIS, NT-Accounting, NT-Billing, and NT-Receipt," added the Finance Minister.

Inaugurating SNA SPARSH, a new fund flow mechanism for Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS), involves real-time fund transfer to beneficiaries through an integrated framework of PFMS, State IFMS, and E-kuber system of RBI, the Finance Minister said that this mechanism prevents idle parking of state funds in bank accounts, minimizes the cost of borrowings, reduces float, and improves cash management efficiency at the state level. He said that Punjab was included in the list of chosen states for SNA-SPARSH implementation in October 2024 and through strategic efforts, the Department of Finance successfully onboarded 09 CSS by January 31, 2025, making the state eligible for an incentive of Rs. 400 Cr from the Government of India.

In conclusion, the Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema extended his heartfelt congratulations and appreciation to the dedicated officers and officials of the Treasuries & Accounts, NIC, and PFMS Team for their relentless efforts in achieving these significant milestones.

Prominent amongst others Principal Secretary Finance Ajoy Kumar Sinha, Secretary Expenditure Vijay Namdeorao Zade, Director Treasury & Accounts Mohammad Tayyab, Deputy Accountant General Ravi Nandan Garg, Deputy Accountant General Manisha Toor, Additional Director T&A Simarjeet Kaur and Regional Director RBI Vivek Srivastava were also present on this occasion.

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65,607 MGNREGA new job cards created in one and half month: Tarunpreet Singh Sond

- Over 10 thousand camps organised in villages across Punjab

- 2.68 crore man-days generated under MGNREGA in Punjab so far

Chandigarh, February 18:With the efforts of Punjab's Rural Development and Panchayat Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond, 65,607 new MGNREGA job cards have been created across Punjab in the last one and a half months. During the first review meeting of the department in January, Sond had ordered all the district officials to organize as many camps as possible in the villages and create cards under MGNREGA for the needy people immediately.

After these orders of Panchayat Minister, 65,607 new job cards have been created by setting up 10,533 camps in villages across Punjab. It also includes 2180 job cards for disabled people. At present, a total of 12,27,603 job cards are active in Punjab under MGNREGA.

Sond said that to provide maximum employment in the villages, instructions were given to organize special camps in the villages for creating job cards of MGNREGA. He said that the district officials have been asked to continue this process so that no needy person is deprived of job card.

He said that in the current financial year, more than 2.68 crore man-days have been created till date, which benefiting more than 7 lakh rural families.

Divulging the details, the Panchayat Minister said that 434 camps were organized in Fazilka in which 8497 job cards were created. Similarly, 8309 cards in 443 camps in Gurdaspur, 6984 cards in 1022 camps in Patiala, 4850 cards in 855 camps in Amritsar, 4551 cards in 640 camps in Hoshiarpur, 4013 cards in 874 camps in Jalandhar, 3642 cards in 833 camps in Ludhiana, 421 cards in Sangrur. 3622 cards, 3226 cards in 575 camps in Tarn Taran and 2510 job cards created in 421 camps in Pathankot.

He further informed that 2429 cards in 216 camps in Mansa, 1923 cards in 318 camps in Bathinda, 1820 cards in 320 camps in Moga, 1753 cards in 385 camps in Ferozepur, 1636 cards in 611 camps in Ropar, 1292 cards in 435 camps in Kapurthala, Faridkot. 1238 cards in 243 camps, 801 cards in 192 camps in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, 603 cards in 375 camps in Shahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, 543 cards in 105 camps in Barnala, 510 cards in 240 camps in Sri Muktsar Sahib, 493 cards in 171 camps in Malerkotla and in Fatehgarh Sahib 362 new job cards have been created in 404 camps.

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Punjab Government Committed to Providing Efficient Administration: Cabinet Minister Dr. Ravjot Singh

Focus on Basic Amenities, Beautification, and Cleanliness

Ensuring Timely Cleaning of Sewer Lines and Drainage Systems Ahead of Monsoon

Chandigarh/Bathinda, 18 February:Under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government remains steadfast in its commitment to delivering efficient governance and public welfare. This was emphasized by Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Dr. Ravjot Singh, while presiding over a high-level meeting with officials at the Municipal Corporation Office. The meeting was attended by MLA Bathinda (Urban) S. Jagroop Singh Gill, Deputy Commissioner Mr. Shawkat Ahmad parray, SSP Madam Amneet Koundal, Mayor Mr. Padamjeet Mehta, and several other key officials.

Dr. Ravjot Singh directed municipal authorities to enhance the cleanliness drive within the city, making the process more structured and effective. He instructed officials to address issues related to sanitation, sewerage maintenance, water supply, and street lighting across all wards to ensure a better quality of life for residents.

Reviewing the ongoing waste management initiatives, Dr. Ravjot Singh stressed the need for scientific waste disposal practices. He urged municipal officials to strengthen door-to-door waste collection mechanisms and ensure streets and parks remain clean, fostering a healthier living environment for citizens.

As the monsoon season approaches, the Minister underscored the importance of proactive measures, including clearing drainage systems, inspecting water supply pipelines for leaks, and ensuring all necessary equipment is in place to prevent waterlogging and inconvenience to the public.

Dr. Ravjot Singh also emphasized the optimal and timely utilization of state government grants for developmental projects. The meeting included discussions on the recruitment of regular municipal staff, urban planning initiatives, and park maintenance. Additionally, he instructed officials to identify suitable locations for unipoles to enhance advertisement.

Addressing the media post-meeting, Dr. Ravjot Singh reiterated that the state government, under Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann’s leadership, is dedicated to ensuring essential services reach every citizen efficiently. Responding to queries, he reaffirmed the government’s unwavering stance on corruption, stating that stringent actions are being taken under the zero-tolerance policy. He warned that any official found indulging in bribery would face strict legal action.

Earlier, Dr. Ravjot Singh was accorded a Guard of Honor by a police contingent upon his arrival at the Municipal Corporation Office.

The meeting was attended by IAS Officer Mr. Rakesh Kumar Meena (Training), Additional Deputy Commissioner (Urban Development) Mr. Narinder Singh Dhaliwal, District President of Aam Aadmi Party Bathinda Rural and Chairman of the Nagar Sudhar Trust Mr. Jatinder Bhalla, Chairman of Punjab Sugarfed Mr. Navdeep Jeeda, Chairman of Punjab Forest Department Mr. Rakesh Puri, Chairman of District Planning Board Mr. Amrit Lal Agarwal, Vice Chairman of SC Corporation Mr. Gurjant Singh Sivia, Director of Punjab Water Resources Management and Development Corporation Mr. Amarjeet Rajan, Municipal Corporation Supervising Engineer Mr. Sandeep Gupta, Executive Engineer Mr. Rajinder Kumar, and Councillor Mr. Sukhdeep Singh Dhillon, among other dignitaries and officials.

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PSEB SETS UP 2579 EXAM CENTRES AS OVER 8.82L STUDENTS TO APPEAR FOR CLASS 8, 10, & 12 BOARD EXAMS

•School Education Minister Harjot Bains extends best wishes students and encourages them to study harder

•2579 superintendents & 3269 Deputy Superintendents to ensure smooth & fair conduct of the exams

•Also establishes control room at the head office to oversee board exams

Chandigarh, February 18: The Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) is geared up to conduct its annual board examinations for Classes 8th, 10th, and 12th, with over 8.82 lakh students are expected to appear. The exams will be held across 2579 centers established statewide, ensuring a smooth and organized process.

Disclosing this here today, Punjab School Education Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains, announced the exam schedule.

He said that the Class 8 board exams will begin on Wednesday (February 19), followed by the Class 12 exams starting on February 24. Similarly, the Class 10 examinations are scheduled to commence in March, he added.

He further said that a total of 3,02,189 students of class 8th will appear for the exam, while 2,84,658 students will appear for class 10th exam and 9,877 students will sit for the Matric open exam. A total of 2,72,105 Senior Secondary pupils will appear in the 12 class board exam and 13,363 students are set to appear in the Senior Secondary open exam.

S. Harjot Singh Bains informed that a total of 2579 examination centres have been set up across the state for the board exams and 2579 superintendents and 3269 Deputy Superintendents have been assigned to ensure the smooth and fair conduct of the exams. A control room (0172-5227136, 137,138) has also been set up at the head office to oversee the board examinations.

Meanwhile, the School Education Minister also extended his best wishes to all the students appearing for their board exams and encouraged them to study harder to make their parents and the state proud. He emphasised that hard work is the key to success and achieving one's goals in life, urging students not to leave any stone unturned in their pursuit of success.

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NEW ZEALAND DELEGATION EXPLORES COLLABORATIVE OPPORTUNITIES IN PUNJAB’S DAIRY SECTOR

•3-member delegation also visits Patiala district to observe success of Murrah Progeny Testing project

CHANDIGARH, February 18:A high-profile delegation from New Zealand, comprising Professor Garry Udy from MPI, Prof Nicolas Lopez from Massey University, and Dr David Hayman from TRG/ABS, along with Dr RO Gupta from NDDB, on Tuesday, met with Principal Secretary of Punjab Animal Husbandry department Mr Rahul Bhandari to discuss mutual collaboration in the animal husbandry sector, with a special focus on animal breeding and small-holder dairy systems.

Mr. Rahul Bhandari briefed the delegation on the ongoing initiatives under the National Dairy Plan-1, which was launched in July 2013. He said that the project focuses on improving genetic merit in cattle and buffalo populations through progeny testing, genetic evaluation, and selective breeding.

Key objectives of the project include producing high genetic merit (HGM) bulls for semen stations, establishing a robust system for genetic evaluation of young bulls, bull dams, and bull sires, and achieving steady genetic progress in milk, fat, SNF (solid-not-fat), and protein yields in cattle and buffalo populations.

Mr. Bhandari said that currently, the project is being implemented across 160 institutions in three districts of Punjab including Patiala, Sangrur, and Barnala. Significant milestones have been achieved under the project, including over 4,50,000 artificial inseminations (AI), registration of 50,000 female calves, body measurements of 2,20,000 animals, milk recording and type classification of 6,000 calved daughters, and procurement of 650 HGM male calves, he said.

He also emphasized the need for procuring high-quality bulls to further enhance milk production and quality in the state.

Meanwhile, the delegation also engaged in detailed discussions on management practices and visited project villages in Patiala district, including Chaswal, Saholi, and Laut, to interact with local farmers and observe the success of the Murrah Progeny Testing (PT) Project.

Accompanied by the Director of Animal Husbandry Punjab Dr GS Bedi, the New Zealand team expressed satisfaction on the working and progress of the project in the state.

Among others, Project Coordinator Dr Amit Khurana and Dr RPS Bali also attended the meeting.

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Vigilance Bureau chief Nageswara Rao assumes charge – Vows zero tolerance against corruption

Chandigarh, February 18, 2025 – Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Mr. G. Nageswara Rao, IPS, today assumed charge as the Chief Director of the Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) at Vigilance Bhawan, SAS Nagar.

Reaffirming Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s commitment to a Corruption-free Punjab, Mr. Rao emphasized that the zero-tolerance policy adopted by the state government would be strictly enforced to eliminate corruption from all departments of government.

Highlighting the need for efficiency in administration and transparency in governance, the newly appointed VB chief assured that swift and thorough investigations would be conducted for all types of corruption cases and Vigilance Enquiries (VEs). He also stated that all cases would be pursued rigorously in the courts to ensure strict punishment for accused persons. He urged field officers to be vigilant, proactive and uncompromising in their mission to root out corruption.

Issuing a stern warning, Mr. Rao asserted that no official or officer of the Vigilance Bureau would be spared if found indulging in any corrupt practices. Stressing the crucial role of public participation, he appealed to citizens to actively cooperate in identifying and reporting corruption cases at the Chief Minister’s Anti Corruption Action Line, contributing to a cleaner and more accountable system.

To assess the current state of vigilance activities, Mr. Rao convened a meeting of all VB SSPs on February 19 at SAS Nagar to review and take stock of all pending cases and vigilance enquiries.