PUNJAB WITNESSES SHARP DECLINES IN STUBBLE BURNING AS COMPARED TO HARYANA
•Punjab registers 16% decline in farm fire incidents so far, which is double from neighbouring state, Gurmeet Singh Khudian
* Over 8K nodal officers on ground keeping vigil to prevent farm fires
Chandigarh, October 24: Maintaining the decreasing trend in stubble burning incidents, Punjab has made significant strides in reducing stubble burning incidents, with a 16 percent decline in farm fires recorded till October 23, 2024, compared to the same period last year. The state has witnessed 1638 farm fires till October 23 this year, down from 1946 in the corresponding period of last year.
The figures of decline in stubble burning incidents are also significant as the neighbouring state Haryana has been able to control the stubble burning menace by 8 per cent only during the same period.
Revealing the details, Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian said that Punjab has registered massive decline of 88 per cent in farm fire incidents in 2024 in comparison to 2020. As per the official data, the state had witnessed 13,894 stubble burning incidents in 2020, which has drastically come down to merely 1638 incidents this year.
On the other hand, the Haryana had registered only 56 per cent decline in the same years.
This is despite the fact that Punjab has over 32 lakh hectares of land dedicated to paddy cultivation, more than double from Haryana’s 15 lakh hectares, he added.
S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian said that Punjab has provided 13,616 Crop Residue Management (CRM) machines to farmers so far this year, bringing the total to over 1.43 Lac machines since 2018.
“More than 8000 nodal officers have been appointed by the government to prevent stubble burning and raise awareness among farmers", said Mr. Khuddian.
The Agriculture Minister also highlighted the launch of the "Unnat Kisan" mobile application, which has mapped 1.30 lakh CRM machines to facilitate access for small and marginal farmers to stubble management machines. He said that an action plan of Rs. 500 crore has been drawn up for stubble management this year, demonstrating the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government's commitment to tackling this issue.
Mr Gurmeet Singh Khudian said, "The reduction in stubble burning incidents is a testament to the concerted efforts of the Punjab government and the farming community. Our initiatives, including the provision of CRM machines and the appointment of nodal officers, are yielding positive results. The launch of the 'Unnat Kisan' mobile application further empowers our farmers by providing them with easy access to stubble management resources."
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Industry Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond held a review meeting with General Managers from all districts
* Instructions to coordinate with relevant departments for the swift resolution of industrialists’ applications for approvals and incentives on the Invest Punjab portal.
* Ensure that small industries benefit from government schemes and subsidies.
* Directives to promote self-employment schemes extensively in ITIs and polytechnics
Chandigarh, October 24:Punjab’s Industry and Commerce Minister, Tarunpreet Singh Sond, held a review meeting with the General Managers (GMs) of all districts at Udyog Bhawan. The meeting extensively discussed the progress of the industrial sector in Punjab and the facilities and benefits provided to industries.
During the meeting, the Industry Minister instructed all General Managers to ensure that industrialists’ applications for approvals and incentives on the Invest Punjab portal are resolved swiftly through coordination with relevant departments. He emphasized that issues faced by industrialists should be addressed in a timely manner after consultation with them.
Sond stated that it is the government’s responsibility to provide an efficient and hassle-free environment for industrialists to thrive, contributing to the prosperity of the state. He urged the GMs to maintain strong and cordial relations with industrialists in their areas. He also stressed that small industries and entrepreneurs must be guaranteed access to government schemes and subsidies.
The Minister directed that self-employment schemes should be widely promoted in ITIs and polytechnic institutes so that more young men and women can take advantage of them, which will also increase employment opportunities in Punjab. He further advised that online platforms and social media should be utilized to promote loans and other subsidies provided to industries under various schemes, allowing maximum benefit to industrialists.
He encouraged the General Managers to foster an industry-friendly environment in the state and to attract more investors. The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary of the Industry and Commerce Department, Tejveer Singh, Invest Punjab CEO DPS Kharbanda, and the General Managers of all districts.
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Barinder Kumar Goyal warns of stern action against officials upon receipt of complaints of illegal mining in their jurisdictions
Mining and Geology Minister issues strict directives against illegal mining
Chandigarh, October 24:Punjab Mining and Geology Minister Sh. Brinder Kumar Goyal, on Thursday, issued stringent directives to combat illegal mining activities in the state.
Presiding over the meeting with senior officials at Punjab Bhawan here, Sh. Goyal explicitly said that any officer, in whose jurisdiction illegal mining activities are found, will face severe disciplinary action.
The Cabinet Minister, after receiving detailed reports from both headquarters and district officials, instructed that progress reports on anti-illegal mining activities should be submitted to the government every fortnight.
Sh. Brinder Kumar Goyal said, the Mining Department has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against illegal mining in accordance with Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann's directives, adding that the state government is fully committed to preserving natural resources and stringent actions are being taken against those who violate the law.
He directed officials to maintain maximum public engagement and prioritize addressing citizens' concerns. He said that supply of sand being provided to the public at a reasonable rates should be ensured so that the revenue of the government can also increase.
Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included Mr. Abhijeet Kaplish, Director Mining and Geology Department, Dr. Harinderpal Singh Bedi, Chief Engineer.
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Paddy procurement season in acceleration mode: Lal Chand Kataruchak
Directs zero tolerance towards any laxity
More than Rs. 5600 crore credited into accounts of farmers
Chandigarh, October 24:The Punjab Government led by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is sparing no effort to ensure that the Paddy procurement season 2024 - 25 progresses in a smooth and hassle free manner and no laxity in this regard would be tolerated.
Taking stock of the procurement in a review meeting here at Anaj Bhawan, the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak was apprised by the senior officers of the department that the procurement season is fast gaining momentum with each passing day.
It was also brought to the notice of the Minister that the smooth pace of the procurement season can be determined from the fact that the season this year was delayed by one week but despite that till now approximately 38.41 Lakh Metric Tonne (LMT) Paddy has arrived in the mandis of Punjab with daily arrival of 4.88 LMT. The total lifting has been 10.25 LMT and daily figure touching 2 LMT mark. More than Rs. 5600 crore have been credited into the accounts of the farmers. Whereas during the previous year when the arrival was 38 LMT the lifting figure touched around 10 LMT mark with daily lifting coming around to 1.34 LMT. The payments then were pegged at mere Rs. 5066 crores.
Hence, this year inspite of the season beginning late, the speed of Government procurement, lifting and payments is certainly much more than the past year.
The Minister was further apprised that in some districts of Malwa region, the arrival has been a little less but the millers are on board with the Government and the moment the arrivals gain momentum the procurement would ultimately be on much faster track.
Likewise, it was brought to the attention of the Minister that out of the total 5037 mills, 3297 have applied for registration and 2670 mills have been allotted.
Calling the Farmers, Millers, Arhtiyas and the Labourers the backbone of the procurement season, Mr. Kataruchak exhorted them to work in cohesion and coordination to ensure a successful procurement season.
On the occasion, Secretary, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Vikas Garg, Director Puneet Goyal, Joint Director Ajayveer Singh Sarao and General Manager (Finance) Sarvesh Kumar were also present.
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Officers must ensure time bound completion of projects: Hardeep Singh Mundian
Housing & Urban Development Minister reviews projects being run by Engineering Wing of PUDA/GMADA
Top notch basiccamenities be provided to people of Punjab
S.A.S. Nagar, October 24:The Housing and Urban Development Minister Mr. Hardeep Singh Mundian today batted for bringing in more transparency in the functioning of the department and ensuring time bound completion of the development centric projects.
Giving directions to all the officers today at PUDA bhawan while reviewing the projects being run by the Engineering Wing of the PUDA/GMADA, the Minister said that the State Government led by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is fully committed to ensure a clean, corruption free and transparent governance system. Hence, there would no tolerance of any lax approach or negligence in the discharge of duties.
After being apprised of the progress of the development works being carried out by the Engineering Wing, Mr. Mundian directed the officers to ensure the completion of all the works within specified time frame besides giving priority to the pending ones. This is to make sure that the people inhabiting the projects get all the amenities as serving the common people is the main motive of the Government.
Divulging more, Mr. Mundian added that he would carry out a review of the ongoing works on a weekly basis and would visit the sites to ascertain the exact situation on ground, so the officers should work very diligently. He further assured that in case any officer faces any sort of difficulty while discharging their duty they are free to contact him and he would do everything possible to help them. All the officers must ensure that there should be absolutely no compromise with regard to the material being used in the projects, said the Minister adding appropriate action would be taken against any official found negligent on this count.
Among those present on the occasion included CA PUDA and Director, Town and Country Planning Neeru Katyal Gupta, ACA GMADA Amarinder Singh Tiwana, Engineer in Chief PUDA/GMADA Rajiv Moudgil, and Officers of the Engineering Wing. The meeting also saw the report of the works being executed in the areas under jurisdiction of respective Divisional Engineers, being tabled.
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Non-lifting of rice from Punjab's shellers is deep-rooted conspiracy of BJP-led union Government: Sandhwan
Chandigarh, October 24:Punjab Legislative Assembly Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan, on Thursday, said that non-lifting of rice from Punjab's shellers is deep-rooted conspiracy of the BJP-led union government to undermine the state's farming community.
During his visit to the Tanda Grain Market, S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan said that the union government has failed to ensure lifting of the rice from state shellers and has also been unsuccessful in guaranteeing minimum support prices (MSP), leaving farmers in a state of crisis.
S. Sandhwan personally supervised paddy lifting operations at the Tanda Grain Market and assured that with the cooperation of farmers, mill owners, commission agents and labourers, no obstacles would be permitted to impede the purchase, lifting and payment process in the Mandis.
"Actually, the union government wants to penalize farmers in the Mandis as retribution for their successful opposition to the three controversial agricultural laws", said the Speaker, advising that instead of engaging in petty political calculations, the union government should acknowledge Punjab's significant contribution to the nation's food security and ensure immediate relief by expediting rice procurement besides lifting of rice from shellers.
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- Punjab Local Bodies Minister launches 'Swacchta Di Lahar' Campaign in Jalandhar
- Leads the campaign by lifting garbage and cleaning the road under 15-day long drive
- Also urges people to take responsibility for cleanliness in their localities
Chandigarh/Jalandhar, October 24:Punjab Local Bodies Minister Dr. Ravjot Singh today launched the 'Swacchta Di Lahar' campaign by personally cleaning the streets and lifting garbage in Jalandhar. This 15-day cleanliness drive, running from October 24 to November 7, aims to raise awareness among the public about the importance of cleanliness as a collective responsibility.
Launching the initiative, Dr. Ravjot emphasized that keeping the city and localities clean requires the joint effort of all citizens. "Just as we maintain cleanliness in our homes, we must also put in concerted efforts to keep our surroundings clean and green," he said. He called on people to join hands with the Punjab Government in cleaning their neighborhoods and making the campaign a success.
Dr. Ravjot also noted that, as part of this campaign, civil body staff across the state will dedicate an extra hour daily to cleanliness efforts, despite their routine work. He reiterated the Punjab Government's commitment to providing essential amenities such as clean drinking water, better road infrastructure, and a robust sewage system.
The Minister also urged the public to turn this campaign into a mass movement by participating in large numbers. He assured that he would personally oversee the campaign to ensure its success. Speaking to the media, Dr. Ravjot expressed confidence that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, AAP would win all four upcoming assembly by-elections in Punjab.
Meanwhile, an NGO Jagdambe Handicrafts Women Welfare Society showcased an exhibition of waste material. The Minister visited the exhibition and lauded the efforts of NGO's women to turning waste material into useable items.
Prominent attendees included Chairman Punjab Safai Karamchari Union Chandan Grewal, MLA Raman Arora, Special Secratary & Director Local Bodies Gurpreet Singh Khaira, Chairman District Planning Board Amritpal Singh, Deputy Commissioner Dr. Himanshu Aggarwal, Jalandhar Municipal Corporation Commissioner Gautam Jain, and Joint Commissioner Dr. Sumandeep Kaur.
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Any matter regarding breach of privilege must bring in his notice before taking any action: Speaker Sandhwan
* Punjab Vidhan Sabha Withdraws Letter Regarding breach of Privilege
Chandigarh, October 24 Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan has made it clear that any matters related to breach of privilege must be brought to his notice before taking any action.
Pertinently, the Punjab Assembly Committee on Privileges, which Sandhwan oversees, plays a crucial role in examining and investigating alleged breaches of privilege. The committee's functions include safeguarding the freedom, authority and dignity of the House, its committees, and members.
Meanwhile, the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Secretariat has withdrawn its letter No. 541, dated October 18, 2024, regarding a complaint about the violation of privilege. The letter was withdrawn on 22 October, 2024.
According to the spokesperson of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Secretariat, Jaiton MLA Mr. Amolak Singh had filed a complaint regarding the violation of privilege. As part of the routine process, the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Secretariat sent a letter to the teachers of Government Primary School, Godara, District Faridkot, seeking clarification on the matter.
However, Speaker Sandhwan rebuked the Assembly Secretariat officials and ordered the immediate withdrawal of the letter. He emphasized that teachers are the backbone of society and their dignity must be maintained.