AAP GOVT ANNOUNCES ₹500-CR MEGA ACTION PLAN TO CURB STUBBLE BURNING

• 50% TO 80% SUBSIDY BONANZA TO FARMERS & GROUPS INCLUDING SOCIETIES ON PURCHASE OF CRM MACHINES

Chandigarh, April 20:Aiming to bring the stubble burning to zero in the state, Punjab Government has formulated an action plan worth Rs 500 crore to provide farmers with latest CRM machinery on subsidy and implement other strategies to manage the paddy straw efficiently.

Disclosing this here today, Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian said that the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department has invited online applications from the state farmers to avail subsidies on the procurement of Crop Residue Management (CRM) machines. The applications can be submitted through online portal agrimachinerypb.com from April 22 to May 12, 2025.

Encouraging the farmers to take advantage of the scheme, S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian said that the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government has been offering a 50% subsidy to individual farmers and an 80% subsidy to Farmer Groups, Cooperative Societies and Gram Panchayats for the purchase of CRM machines.

This initiative aims to make CRM machinery more accessible to farmers, promoting its adoption and ultimately contributing to a cleaner environment, he added.

The Agriculture Minister said that the subsidy would be available on CRM machinery include Super SMS, Happy Seeder, Super Seeder, Surface Seeder, Smart Seeder, Zero Till Drill, Baler, Rake, Shrub Master/Rotary Slasher, Paddy straw Chopper/Shreder/Mulcher, Crop Reaper, Hydraulic Reversible Mould Board Plough.

Dr. Basant Garg, the Administrative Secretary of Agriculture department, said that Punjab witnessed significant progress in crop residue management. The state government distributed 17,600 subsidised CRM machines to individual farmers, cooperative societies, and panchayats during previous season. Additionally, 1,331 Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs) were also established to facilitate CRM practices. These efforts resulted in a 70% decrease in fire incidents during the previous season compared to 2023, with only 10,909 incidents recorded compared to 36,663 in 2023.

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BALJIT KAUR VISITS FIRE HIT VILLAGES IN SRI MUKTSAR SAHIB

IN A HUMANTARIAN GESTURE BALJIT KAUR DONATES ONE MONTH SALARY

AAP GOVT STANDS FIRM FOR FARMERS IN EVERY SITUATION : BALJIT KAUR

Chandigarh, April 20-In a compassionate and dedicated gesture, Punjab Cabinet Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur has announced that she will donate one month's salary as financial aid to the farmer families who lost their standing wheat crop due to a recent fire incident.

The Cabinet Minister visited the affected villages of Sotha and Chak Duhewala in district Sri Muktsar Sahib and met the farmers impacted by the devastating fire. Expressing her deep sorrow, Dr. Baljit Kaur assured the affected families that the Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, stands firmly with the farmers in every difficult time.

Dr. Baljit Kaur said that the state government has already instructed the district administration to initiate the process of providing compensation as per the established norms. “After witnessing the pain and loss faced by these families, I have decided to offer my one month's salary to support them,” she added.

The Minister emphasized that farmers are the backbone of Punjab, and the government will never leave its food providers alone in any circumstances. She reiterated that every department of the Punjab Government is committed to providing immediate support in such unfortunate situations.

Dr. Baljit Kaur also appealed to the public to come forward and extend help to the affected farmers, saying, “This is a time to show solidarity and stand with those in need.”

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Significant performance improvement in legacy of GGSSTP: Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO

PLF for FY 2024-25 stood at 61.88%, the highest achieved since FY 2014-15: Power Minister

Chandigarh, April 20 :In a remarkable display of resilience and efficiency, Guru Gobind Singh Super Thermal Plant (GGSSTP), Ropar—one of Punjab’s oldest power generating stations has achieved a significant performance milestone. Despite being over 36 years old, the plant’s units have demonstrated exceptional improvement in operational efficiency, reliability, and output during the Financial Year 2024-25.

Giving this information in a statement here today, Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO informed that GGSSTP’s performance in FY 2024-25 has been its best in the last decade. He said key indicators such as Gross Generation, Plant Load Factor (PLF), Heat Rate, and Thermal Efficiency have shown remarkable growth. The minister added that the optimum performance has been achieved with the strategic planning, timely maintenance and optimised operational practices ensured by the Punjab Government.

The minister said that the gross generation from the existing four operational units reached 4553.72 Million Units (MU)—the highest since FY 2015-16, a time when all six units were operational. The PLF for FY 2024-25 stood at 61.88%, the highest achieved since FY 2014-15.

He also stated that the plant has also made substantial gains in operational reliability. Specific coal consumption improved from 687 g/kWh to 652 g/kWh, resulting in a notable reduction in Station Heat Rate from 2829 kCal/kWh in FY 2023-24 to 2666 kCal/kWh in FY 2024-25 marking a 5.75% improvement. Consequently, GGSSTP achieved a thermal efficiency of 32.25% in FY 2024-25, up from 30.40% in the previous year.

He added that reviving the efficiency of older thermal units is a testament to the tireless efforts and commitment of the GGSSTP team to serve the community, with consistent efforts and hard work, we have ensured that essential services continued without disruption during the paddy season of FY 2024-25.

Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO also informed that GGSSTP had achieved a significant reduction

in specific oil consumption through onsite training programs and specialized training at Dhanu Institute, Maharashtra, for Desk Operators. Specific oil consumption dropped from 2.00 ml/kWh in FY 2023-24 to 1.05 ml/kWh in FY 2024-25, resulting in savings of approximately Rs. 27 crores.

Power Minister said in alignment with the prevailing norms for burning 3% biomass fuel in thermal plants during FY 2024-25, GGSSTP successfully overcame technical and logistical challenges to feed biomass pellets using its existing infrastructure and manpower. This achievement not only fulfilled the target set by CEA and the SAMARTH initiative of the Government of India but also played a crucial role in reducing the environmental impact of stubble burning. Notably, 94,935 MT pellets used during FY 2024-25 were sourced from Punjab farmers, setting a new benchmark in sustainable energy practices and helping reduce carbon emissions that would otherwise have been generated by burning an equivalent amount of coal.

He also informed that smooth and uninterrupted operation of GGSSTP during the peak paddy season had been ensuredand consistent efforts were being made by the entire GGSSTP team, to maintain service quality and reliability. Looking to the future, the Minister said focused steps are being taken to ensure uninterrupted operation of GGSSTP units.

He added Rs. 108 Crores have been approved for the procurement and installation of new reheaters.For which purchase order has been also been placed with M/s Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) for all units. Upon installation, these reheaters are expected to significantly ensure better and uninterrupted power supply for the state.

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Ludhiana West By-Election: Claims and Objections Related to Electoral Roll Can Be Filed Until April 24- Sibin C

- Total Polling Stations 192 and Total Voters 1,73,071

Chandigarh, April 20:Ahead of the by-election in the 64-Ludhiana West Assembly Constituency, a Special Summary Revision of the Photo Electoral Roll is currently underway. The qualifying date for this voter list is April 1, 2025.

Punjab’s Chief Electoral Officer, Sibin C, informed that 64-Ludhiana West constituency have 1,73,071 voters. Citizens can file claims and objections regarding the Electoral Roll until April 24, 2025. The final publication of the electoral roll is scheduled for May 5, 2025.

He further stated that, following due diligence and approval from the Election Commission, a total of 192 polling stations have been established across the constituency, all located within urban areas. To ensure accessibility and convenience, arrangements have been made to restrict the number of voters per polling station to no more than 1,200.

CEO Sibin C mentioned that meetings have already been held with representatives of recognized political parties to ensure clarity on Electoral Roll updates and compliance with Election Commission guidelines. Notably, some political parties have already appointed their Booth Level Agents (BLAs), while others are being encouraged to do the same to ensure transparent electoral participation.

Sibin C has urged all political parties to actively participate in the voter awareness and update process. He appealed for their cooperation in assisting voters with filing claims and objections through their BLAs to ensure a robust and inclusive revision process.

The Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab also highlighted about the provision of appeal by electors to the magistrate (DEO) under section 22 or section 23 against the orders of EROs within 15 days of the order with regards to claims and objections and also inclusion of names inadvertently omitted and further to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) level if required as per RP Acts/ Rules.

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‘YUDH NASHIAN VIRUDH’: ON DAY 51, PUNJAB POLICE ARRESTS 79 DRUG SMUGGLERS; 11.5L INTOXICANT PILLS, ₹4.40L DRUG MONEY RECOVERED

— PUNJAB POLICE COMMITTED TO MAKING PUNJAB A DRUG-FREE STATE AS PER DIRECTIONS OF CM BHAGWANT SINGH MANN

— OVER 180 POLICE TEAMS LED BY 85 SP/DSP RANK OFFICERS CHECKED 537 SUSPICIOUS PERSONS: SPL DGP ARPIT SHUKLA

CHANDIGARH, April 20:With the war against drugs “Yudh Nashian Virudh” waged on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to eradicate drug menace from state entered 51st day, Punjab Police on Sunday arrested 79 drug smugglers and recovered 11.5 lakh intoxicant tablets/capsules, 690 grams heroin and Rs 4.40 lakh drug money from their possession. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 6822 in just 51 days.

The operation was conducted on the directions of Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav simultaneously in all 28 Police districts of the state.

Notably, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann has asked the Commissioners of Police, Deputy Commissioners and Senior Superintendent of Police to make Punjab drug free state. The Punjab government has also constituted a 5-member Cabinet Sub Committee led by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema to monitor the war against drugs.

Divulging details, Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla informed that over 180 Police teams, comprising over 1400 police personnel, under the supervision of 85 gazetted officers have conducted raids at as many as 483 locations across the state leading to the registration of 52 first information reports (FIRs) across the state. Police teams have also checked as many as 537 suspicious persons during the day long operation, he added.

The Special DGP said that with the state government has enforced a three-pronged strategy— Enforcement, Deaddiction and Prevention (EDP)— to eradicate drugs from the state, the Punjab Police as part of ‘De-addiction’ has convinced seven persons to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment.