Cheema Extends Full Support to Cooperation Department for Strengthening Cooperation Movement and Capital Expansion

Recognises Cooperation Department as Backbone of Punjab’s Economic Development

Lauds Milkfed for Record Purchase of 31 lakh Liters of Milk per Day during FY 2023-2024

Area under Sugarcane Increases from 50,429 Hectares in 2022-23 to 56,391 Hectares in 2024-25

State level program Organised to Mark 71st All India Cooperation Week

Chandigarh, November 20-Recognising the Cooperation Department as the backbone of Punjab’s economic development, the state’s Finance, Planning, Excise and Taxation Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema affirmed that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann the Punjab government, and particularly the Finance Department, is providing full support to the Cooperation Department, geared towards strengthening the cooperation movement and expanding its capital. Finance Minister Cheema made these remarks while addressing the state-level function on the last day of the 71st All India Cooperation Week at Tagore Bhawan here.

During the event, Minister Cheema launched the web portal ‘Phulkari’ prepared by the Cooperation Department with aims to provide a world-class sales avenue for the products crafted by women artisans across the state. He also unveiled new products from Verka and a coffee table book of Cooperation Department.

In his address, the Finance Minister revealed that Sugarfed, once burdened with liabilities exceeding Rs 400 crore when the present government took over in 2022, has been transformed into a thriving institution over the past two years. He said that during the last two years, these liabilities have not only been cleared, but the institution has been strengthened significantly. “As a result of these efforts, the area under sugarcane cultivation has increased from 50,429 hectares in 2022-23 to 56,391 hectares in 2024-25. Efforts to bring this institution from loss to profit have also been made, with a 14 MW co-generation plant running on paddy straw at Bhogpur Cooperative Sugar Mill earning Rs 15.31 crore in 2023-24”, he added.

Describing Milkfed as one of the top three milk-product agencies in the country, Finance Minister Cheema said that Milkfed has set a record by purchasing 31 lakh liters of milk per day during the financial year 2023-2024. He also mentioned the commissioning of a 50 MTPD By-Pass Protein Plant at Verka Cattle Feed Plant, Ghania Ke Bangar, and a Fermented Milk Processing and Packaging Unit with a capacity of up to 50,000 LPD at Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana. On this occasion, he unveiled Verka’s new products including 1-liter plastic jars of cow ghee, Sugar-Free Kheer, Sugar-Free Milk Cake and Sugar-Free Pio Protein.

Finance Minister Cheema also commended the role of Markfed in promoting crop diversification through a price support scheme for moong to divert farmers from the paddy-wheat cycle. He said Markfed procured 7,584 metric tonnes of moong, benefiting 4,515 farmers. The quality of processed food and other food items prepared and marketed by Markfed has gained worldwide recognition, providing a robust platform for cooperative societies to sell their products, said Cheema.

Lauding cooperative banks for offering low-interest loans to farmers for agricultural and other needs, Finance Minister Cheema said that these banks are being computerized to enhance their strength and efficiency. He said that under a project, which was initiated during his tenure as Cooperation Minister, 50 percent of the banks have been computerized. Congratulating the banks for this achievement, he urged the officers to improve loan recoveries to ensure that low-interest loans can be provided to more and more farmers.

Minister Cheema also acknowledged the contributions of other significant institutions within the Cooperation Department, including Labourfed, Punjab State Cooperative Development Federation Limited, and Punjab Institute of Cooperative Training. He emphasized the provision of about 15,000 agricultural implements to farmers through 3,000 primary agricultural cooperative societies for stubble management, has helped in controling stubble burning incidents. He further added that 12 new food processing organizations have been established in Punjab to boost crop diversification.

Special Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Punjab V.K. Singh, in his address, highlighted Bertrand Russell’s statement, "The only thing that will redeem mankind is cooperation." He stressed that the cooperative movement is essential to bringing farmers out of the current agricultural crises. He pointed out that farmers used buy inputs for agriculture at retail and sell their produce at wholesale prices, and only through cooperative societies can they buy at wholesale and sell at retail.

The Secretary, Cooperation Department, Anindita Mitra, provided a brief overview of the events organized during the 71st All India Cooperation Week. Prior to her address, the Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Vimal Kumar Setia, welcomed the dignitaries attending the event.

Meanwhile, Minister Cheema honoured the best-performing cooperative societies, food processing societies, progressive farmers, labor and construction cooperative societies, cooperative banks, Verka Dairy, and sugar mills with 28 different awards. He also visited the stalls set up by JICA Women Self-Help Group, Jagraon, New Sona Self-Help Group, Bathinda, Sri Guru Arjan Dev Women Self-Help Group, Samrala, Fateh Handicraft Women Self-Help Group, Patiala, Khizrabad Women Self-Help Group, Mohali, Milkfed, Markfed and Punjab Agricultural Cooperative Societies and appreciated their efforts.

Prominent amongst others, Secretary Cooperation Ritu Aggarwal, Chairman PSCB Jagdev Singh Bham, Chairman SADB Suresh Goyal, Chairman Milkfed Narinder Singh Shergill, Chairman Markfed Amandeep Singh Mohi, Chairman Sugarfed Navdeep Singh Jeeda, Chairman Labourfed Vishvas Saini and Chairman Housefed Narinder Singh were also present on this occasion.

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PSDM INKS MOU WITH BABA FARID UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES TO CATER HEALTHCARE SECTOR DEMANDS

* 200 youths to get training in health skill development courses every year, says Aman Arora

* Centre of Excellence to be established at Health Skill Development Centre, Faridkot

Chandigarh, November 20:With an aim to further ramp up healthcare capacity by imparting skill training to the state’s youth in healthcare sector, Punjab Skill Development Mission (PSDM) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (BFUHS) to train at least 200 candidates every year. Additionally, a Centre of Excellence will also be established at Health Skill Development Centre, Faridkot in association with Baba Farid University of Health Sciences.

The MoU was signed by Ms. Amrit Singh, Mission Director of PSDM and Dr. Rajeev Sood, Vice Chancellor of (BFUHS) on Wednesday in the presence of Mr. Aman Arora, Minister of Employment Generation, Skill Development and Training, Punjab and Mrs. Jaspreet Talwar, Principal Secretary of Employment Generation.

Congratulating both the parties on their collaboration, Mr. Aman Arora said that the MoU focuses to provide skill development training in various health development certificate courses in Home Health Aide, Operating Theatre Technician, Emergency Medical Technician- Basic, General Duty Assistant, Dental Assistant, Plaster Techniques, Orthopedic Technician, CT and MRI.

This significant step towards equipping Punjab’s youth to equip with essential skills to cater the healthcare sector demands. He also stressed the need for creating opportunities for wage-employment and self-employment, besides encouraging the youth to explore entrepreneurial ventures for generating jobs while earning a respectable livelihood.

Ms. Amrit Singh said that PSDM will oversee the program's effective implementation by providing funding, guidance and support, as well as assisting in the mobilization of candidates. The BFUHS will manage the Centre of Excellence and provide training and facilitate placements. This partnership underlines the commitment of PSDM and BFUHS to uplift the youth of Punjab and strengthen the healthcare sector.

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63% Voting Recorded in By-elections for 4 Punjab Vidhan Sabha Seats: Sibin C

- Thankful to voters, polling staff, candidates, and political parties for peaceful and smooth elections

Chandigarh, November 20:Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Sibin C informed that 63% voter turnout has been recorded till 6 PM in the by-elections for 4 Punjab Vidhan Sabha seats. However, the precise figures will be updated by tomorrow morning once all polling parties return to the collection centers and final data entry is completed.

Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Sibin C shared that, as per recorded data till 6 pm, the highest turnout of 81% was recorded in 84-Gidderbaha.

Sibin C said that till 6 pm 10-Dera Baba Nanak, 63% voting was recorded, while 103-Barnala saw 54%, and 44-Chabbewal registered 53% turnout. CEO Sibin C expressed gratitude to voters for actively participating in the electoral process and exercising their democratic rights.

He also applauded the efforts of Deputy Commissioners-cum-District Election Officers and Returning Officers for ensuring smooth management and strict supervision during the electoral process.

CEO Sibin C appreciated the dedication and efforts of the Punjab Police, Central Armed Police Forces, polling officials, volunteers, and all individuals involved in ensuring a secure environment at polling stations and smooth execution of the electoral arrangements.

He extended gratitude to political parties and candidates for their cooperation during the election process. Additionally, he acknowledged the constructive role played by media personnel and thanked them for their support.