Soon, good news for drivers and conductors of government buses

Transport Minister directs officials to prepare case for regularizing drivers and conductors and send for cabinet approval

Instructs to draft policy for shifting employees from outsourcing to contract and to prepare special case for transitioning from contract to regular positions

Night stay allowance for drivers and conductors increased

Directs to prepare SOP for 5% annual salary increase for new drivers and conductors

Laljit Singh Bhullar meets with representatives of employee unions

Chandigarh, October 29:Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led government is preparing to deliver good news soon to drivers and conductors of government buses as Punjab Transport Minister S. Laljit Singh Bhullar, on Tuesday, instructed department officials to promptly prepare the case for regularizing government bus drivers and conductors so that it can be submitted for Cabinet approval.

During separate meetings at his official residence with representatives from the Punjab Roadways/PUNBUS and PRTC Contract Workers Union and the Punjab Roadways (PUNBUS) State Transport Workers Union, the Cabinet Minister directed officials to draft a policy for transitioning employees from outsourcing to contract and to prepare a special case for regularizing contract employees.

S. Bhullar also directed officials to address cases involving drivers and conductors facing departmental issues sympathetically and to ensure swift resolution of these cases.

The demand for 5% annual salary increment for new drivers and conductors was also discussed. The Cabinet Minister directed the officials to immediately formulate the SOP on this matter to provide prompt relief to the employees.

He said that Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led government is committed to resolving all legitimate demands of the employees. Hence, the Chief Minister has constituted a special departmental committee to address the issues faced by contractual drivers and conductors in Punjab Roadways/PUNBUS and PRTC, he added.

Besides this, in a significant decision, the Transport Minister also announced an increase in the night stay allowance for drivers and conductors. He informed the unions representatives that the allowance for night stays within the state will now increase from Rs.50 to Rs.85, while for out-of-state stays, the allowance has been raised from Rs.60 to Rs.120.

Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included Additional Chief Secretary Transport Mr. D.K. Tiwari, PUNBUS MD Mr. Rajeev Kumar Gupta, PRTC MD Mr. Bikramjit Singh Shergill, ADO PUNBUS Mr. Rajeev Datta, PRTC GM Mr. Maninder Singh.

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WORLD STROKE DAY- PUNJAB BECOMES THE FIRST STATE In THE COUNTRY TO PROVIDE FREE MECHANICAL THROMBECTOMY TO STROKE PATIENTS

— Punjab Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh Launches Punjab Stroke Care Model in Partnership with CMC Ludhiana and Medtronic

— Punjab Government’s efforts to provide free tertiary care treatment worth Rs 6 lakh rupees to stroke patients: Dr Balbir Singh

Chandigarh, October 29: On the occasion of World Stroke Day, Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh on Tuesday announced a transformative collaboration between the Government of Punjab, Christian Medical College (CMC) Ludhiana, and India Medtronic Private Limited, a first-of-its-kind public-private partnership in India aimed at combating the rising cases of stroke in the state by creating a streamlined stroke care pathway for timely and effective treatment.

Dr Balbir Singh emphasised that this partnership underscores the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab government's commitment to strengthening healthcare infrastructure and ensuring that the people of Punjab have access to the highest quality of medical care. “The collaboration between the Government of Punjab, CMC Ludhiana, and Medtronic marks a significant milestone in healthcare innovation. With a clear focus on improving access to critical care, this initiative aims to reduce stroke-related deaths and disabilities, setting a new standard for stroke management in India." he added.

Dr Balbir Singh informed that the partnership introduces a Hub and Spoke model for stroke care, designed to improve patient outcomes by providing rapid and coordinated care.

CMC Ludhiana— a leading Medical institution and India’s first advanced stroke centre certified by the World Stroke Organization and NABH, will serve as the central "Hub" for advanced stroke treatment, he said, while adding that a network of government hospitals and Medical colleges across the state will act as "Spoke" centres, entrusted for providing immediate care and stabilising stroke patients before referring them to the HUB for advanced interventions including mechanical thrombectomy.

Speaking on the launch, Dr Balbir Singh emphasized the importance of addressing the increasing incidence of stroke in the state. “Stroke has become a growing concern in Punjab, and we needed an innovative approach to tackle this.

This partnership is a critical step in transforming stroke care in the state. This initiative will save many families from going into poverty due to out of pocket expenses on stroke treatment as all the treatment and care cost of around Rs 6 lakh is going to be free of charge for the general public,” he said.

Dr Jeyaraj D. Pandian, Principal and Professor of Neurology at CMC Ludhiana and President of the World Stroke Organization, highlighted that advanced clinical trials including DAWN and DEFUSE-3, have extended the treatment window for mechanical thrombectomy up to 24 hours after the onset of symptoms in ischemic stroke. “This expanded window will allow us to treat more stroke patients effectively, significantly reducing disability and improving their quality of life,” Dr Pandian added.

Mandeep Singh Kumar, Managing Director and Vice President of Medtronic India, lauded the initiative, stating, “This partnership reflects the potential of public-private collaboration in addressing critical healthcare challenges. By integrating advanced medical technology with CMC Ludhiana’s expertise and the government’s healthcare infrastructure, we are confident that this model will bring about a substantial improvement in stroke care across Punjab.”

On the occasion, Administrative secretary Sh Kumar Rahul, Director Health and Family Welfare Dr Hitinder Kaur, Director Medical Education and research Dr Avnish Kumar, Director CMC Ludhiana Dr William Bhatti and Professor Neurology PGIMER Chandigarh Dr Dheeraj khurana were among other prominent persons present

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PUNJAB POLICE’S AGTF IN JOINT OPERATION WITH UP POLICE ARRESTS TWO SHOOTERS INVOLVED IN SEPARATE SENSATIONAL MURDER CASES

— BOTH ACCUSED PERSONS WERE LIVING IN SAME HIDEOUT PROVIDED BY THEIR FOREIGN HANDLERS IN LUCKNOW, SAYS DGP GAURAV YADAV

— PUNJAB POLICE COMMITTED TO MAKING PUNJAB A SAFE AND SECURE STATE

— BOTH ARRESTED PERSONS POSSESS EXTENSIVE CRIMINAL HISTORIES, WITH CASES OF MULTIPLE SERIOUS OFFENCES REGISTERED AGAINST THEM

CHANDIGARH, October 29:In a significant breakthrough against organised crime, Punjab Police’s Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) in joint operation with Uttar Pradesh Police has apprehended two notorious shooters backed by Foreign Handlers from Lucknow, both wanted in separate sensational murder cases in Punjab, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Tuesday.

The arrested accused persons identified as Bikramjit alias Vicky of village Sur Singh in Tarn Taran and Punjab Singh of village Sandhra in Tarn Taran, were residing in the same rented accommodation provided by their foreign handlers in Lucknow.

DGP Gaurav Yadav said that arrested accused Vicky was involved in the murder of Gopi Chohla, who was shot dead in Taran Tarn on March 1, 2024, while Punjab Singh, is a key accused in broad-daylight triple murder case of Dildeep Singh and two of his relatives at Ferozepur in September 2024.

As per the information, on September 3 at around 12:50 PM, Dildeep Singh, Anmolpreet Singh, Jaspreet Kaur, Akashdeep and Harpreet alias Jonty were traveling in a car near Gurudwara Shri Akalgarh Sahib, Kamboj Nagar, Ferozepur City, when six unidentified assailants opened the fire. In this incident, Dildeep Singh alias Lalli, Akashdeep Singh and their sister Jaspreet Kaur were killed, and two others, Anmolpreet Singh and Harpreet Singh, were injured.

Notably, Punjab Police had already arrested six other accused in triple case within seven days of the incident from Hruday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray Express Highway in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, while, Punjab Singh was absconding.

The DGP said that both the arrested accused persons have criminal histories with accused Vicky has been facing 12 criminal cases pertaining to murder, robbery and NDPS act offences, while accused Punjab Singh has four criminal cases pertaining to murder, NDPS act, Arms Act and Rape registered against him. Police teams have also impounded a white coloured Hyundai Alcazar (PB 60 D 0036), in which they were travelling, he added.

He said that recovery of weapons used in both the crimes is expected in coming days. Further investigations are on to establish their backward and forward linkages, he added.

Sharing the operational details, ADGP AGTF Promod Ban said that an information based on human intelligence was received about possible hideouts and vehicle details of two shooters were roaming in Lucknow district in Uttar Pradesh.

Acting swiftly, teams of AGTF under the supervision of AIG AGTF Sandeep Goel shared the information with Lucknow Police, and joint teams of AGTF led by DSP Bikramjit Brar and Inspector Pushwinder Singh along with Lucknow Police successfully arrested the duo from Indira Nagar in Lucknow, he added.

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Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Urges Farmers to Adopt Eco-Friendly Practices to save environment

Chandigarh, October 29:Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan appealed to farmers to abandon stubble burning and adopt Crop Residue Machinery for crop residue management. The state government will subsidize Surface Seeders developed by Punjab Agriculture University under the Crop Residue Management Scheme.

Urging farmers to follow the teachings of Guru Sahib ‘Pawan Guru, Panni Pitta, Mata Dharat Mahat’, the Speaker said that the Crop Residue Machinery is the need of the hour for sustainable practices.

S. Sandhwan said that eligible beneficiaries, including individual farmers and cooperative societies, can purchase machines like Super SMS, Happy Seeder, and Paddy Straw Chopper at 50% subsidy. Custom Hiring Centres can be established with Rs. 30 lakhs investment and machines purchased at 80% subsidy. The state government is strengthening collection infrastructure, bailing, transportation, and storage facilities.

S. Kultar Singh Sandhawan said that progressive farmers who shun the practice of stubble burning, will be felicitated at Vidhan Sabha.

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Additional Chief Secretary (Agriculture), Mr Anurag Verma, writes to all DCs to ensure adequate supply of fertilisers for sowing of Rabbi crops.

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VB arrests excise dept peon for taking Rs 10000 bribe

Accused demanded Rs 20,000 more as bribe money

Chandigarh October 29, 2024 -The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) has arrested a co-accused Sanjiv Malhotra, Peon (Now clerk), posted in Excise and Taxation Department, Kapurthala for accepting a bribe of Rs 10,000 and demanding Rs 20,000 more. In this case, another accused Inspector of Excise and Taxation Jatinderpal Singh, had already been arrested.

Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the state VB said this case has been registered against the above mentioned accused based on a complaint lodged by Neeraj Sharma, a resident of Mohalla Kiampura, Kapurthala city on the Chief Minister's Anti Corruption Action Line.

He further informed that the complainant had informed in his complaint that he is running an electronic shop at Kiampura in Kapurthala city and had sold a cooler in April 2024 to which both the above mentioned accused had intervened to settle the dispute with the customer. He further alleged that both the said accused had asked him on his mobile phone to come with his accountant in the office where they demanded a bribe of Rs 45,000 from him to settle irregularities of said bill.

The complainant mentioned that after this, Clerk Sanjiv Malhotra had demanded a bribe of Rs one lakh on WhatsApp call but deal was struck at Rs 30,000. He had taken Rs 10,000 as first instalment on next day and now they were demanding Rs 20,000, a balance of bribe money. The complainant recorded conversation on phone with the accused and submitted it to the VB as an evidence.

The spokesperson further informed that during verification of allegations leveled in this complainant have been found correct and true as the same have been supported by oral evidence as well as recording of conversation. Based on this verification report, a FIR No 17 dated 14.8.2024 was registered against both the aforementioned accused under section 7 of prevention of corruption act and 384, 120-B of IPC at VB police station Jalandhar range. In this case accused Inspector Jatinderpal Singh had already been arrested and the accused Clerk Sanjeev Malhotra was evading his arrest since two months. He would be produced in the competent court tomorrow and further investigation into this case was under progress, he said.

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Punjab CEO Sibin C hands over draft electoral roll to representatives of political parties

- Claims and objections regarding draft electoral roll can be filed till November 28

- Final publication of draft electoral roll to be published on 6th January 2025: Chief Electoral Officer

Chandigarh, October 29:Punjab Chief Electoral Officer, Sibin C has handed over the CDs of draft electoral roll (without photographs) to all the representatives of the recognized political parties of Punjab.

During the meeting at CEO Office, Sibin C said that, the total number of voters in Punjab till the publication of the draft voter lists on 29 October 2024 are 2,12,81,800. Out of which, male voters are 1,11,84,385, female voters are 1,00,96,664, third gender 751, NRI 1610, disabled voters 1,55,578 and service voters are 1,01,793.

He further informed that at present the total number of polling stations in Punjab are 24,446, out of which the number of urban polling stations is 8062 and the number of rural polling stations is 16,384. All the polling stations are facilitated with coverage of assured minimum amenities such as ramps, drinking water, lighting, chairs and toilets have been arranged for voters.

CEO stated that the date for filing claims and objections regarding the draft electoral roll is 28 November 2024. Meanwhile, sweep activities will also be conducted to increase voter awareness from October 29 to November 28, 2024. The Chief Electoral Officer said that special camps will be held on November 9, 2024 (Saturday), November 10 (Sunday), November 23 (Saturday) and November 24, 2024 (Sunday). The last date for settling the claims and objections filed regarding the draft electoral roll is December 24, 2024. After this, the final voter list would be published on January 6, 2025 (Monday).

During the meeting, the Chief Electoral Officer appealed to the representatives of the political parties to appoint their booth level agents at each polling station so that the process of publishing the final voter list can be completed in a transparent manner.

During the meeting, Joint CEO Sakkatar Singh Bal, Deputy CEO Bharat Bhushan Bansal, Election Officer Anju Bala, other officials of CEO office and representatives of political parties were present.

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Vigilance Bureau arrests Anti Narcotics Task Force Inspector accepting Rs one lakh bribe

Chandigarh October 29, 2024 -The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its drive against corruption in the state, on Tuesday arrested Inspector of Police Gurinder Singh, Incharge, Anti Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) Patiala district red handed while he was accepting a bribe of Rs. 1,00,000.

Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the VB said the above mentioned police personnel based on a complaint lodged by Pooja, a resident of Village Rohti Pul, tehsil Nabha in Patiala district.

He further informed that the complainant has approached the VB and alleged that the accused Inspector was threatening her father for implicating him in a false NDPS case if he failed to give him a bribe of Rs three lakhs but the deal was stuck at Rs. 1.50 lakh. The accused had received Rs 50,000 as first instalment of bribe money on Sunday.

The spokesperson further said after a preliminary enquiry of this complaint a VB team laid a trap during which the police personnel was arrested while he was accepting bribe of Rs one lakh from the complainant in the presence of two official witnesses.

In this regard a case has been registered against the accused under prevention of corruption act at VB police station Patiala range. The accused would be produced in the competent court tomorrow and further investigation into this case was under process, he added.