CM PATS PUNJAB POLICE FOR FOILING A DEEP ROOTED CONSPIRACY TO DEFAME PUNJAB
STRONGLY CONDEMNS ATTACK ON AKALI LEADER SUKHBIR BADAL
ASKS DGP TO CONDUCT THOROUGH PROBE INTO THE MATTER
BATS FOR INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS FROM MOHALI AND AMRITSAR AIRPORT
SAS Nagar (Mohali), December 4:Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday patted the Punjab Police for foiling a deep rooted conspiracy to defame Punjab by vigilantly preventing an attack on Akali leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal at Amritsar.
Interacting with the media persons on the sidelines of dedication of ‘Nishan-e-Inquilaab” plaza here today, the Chief Minister condemned the attack in the strongest terms and said that there is no place for such dastardly acts at a sacred place like Sri Harmandir Sahib. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government had already deployed around 175 cops apart from the senior officers to prevent any untoward incident. He said that this produced the desired result as a conspiracy to bring bad name to the state was foiled by the Punjab Police who was keeping an eagle eye around Sri Harmandir Sahib.
The Chief Minister said that he is keeping a regular tab over the entire incident and has directed officers to maintain maximum vigil against anti-social elements. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he has already directed the Director General of Police to conduct a thorough probe into the matter. He said that Punjab is the land of the gurus, saints, seers, martyrs and has always been a torch bearer to mankind for values of brotherhood and communal harmony adding that maintaining the hard earned peace in the state is the first and foremost priority for him and his government and no one will be allowed to disturb it.
Batting for international flights from Shaheed Bhagat Singh airport Mohali and Sri Guru Ramdass airport Amritsar, the Chief Minister said that it is imperative to save the time, money and energy of Punjabis travelling abroad. He said that both these airports have required infrastructure to facilitate the takeoff and landing of the international flights and the state government is making concerted efforts to ensure that flights start soon. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government will leave no stone unturned for this noble cause to facilitate the Punjabis living within the country and abroad.
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*Harjot Singh Bains meets Nitin Gadkari, demans four-lane road from Sri Kiratpur Sahib to Nangal-Una Border*
*Urges four-laning of Banga to Sri Anandpur Sahib with national highway status*
*Also proposes new greenfield expressway "Guru Gobind Singh Expressway" from Sri Anandpur Sahib to Sri Chamkaur Sahib*
*Nitin Gadkari issues directives to officials to initiate process regarding three projects*
*New Delhi, December 4:*Punjab Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains today called upon Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari. He was accompanied by Rajya Sabha member from Punjab Sanjeev Arora.
During the discussion, Bains highlighted the historical and geographical significance of Sri Anandpur Sahib and discussed the road infrastructure needs of the region. He stressed the critical necessity of four-laning the roads connecting significant religious places such as Sri *KIRATPUR SAHIB*, Sri Anandpur Sahib and the Hindu pilgrimage place Sri Naina Devi to facilitate smoother pilgrim movement.
Bains pointed out that detailed project reports (DPRs) for these road projects have already been prepared. Notably, Harjot Singh Bains has already corresponded with the union government in recent times.
He stressed the urgent requirement of four-laning the road from SRI *KIRATPUR SAHIB* to Himachal Pradesh's Una district border at Mahitpur.
He further explained that pilgrims from Malwa, Doaba and Majha regions extensively use the Banga-Sri Anandpur Sahib route, which is currently a link road prone to frequent accidents. He requested upgrading this route to a national highway with four-lane connectivity.
The Cabinet Minister proposed constructing a new 50-kilometer greenfield expressway from Sri Anandpur Sahib to Sri Chamkaur Sahib to further connect Himachal Pradesh with the industrial city of Ludhiana in Punjab. "If this 50 km long expressway is constructed, it will connect the Ropar-Ludhiana Highway and the Kiratpur-Manali Highway, mentioned Bains, suggesting naming this road “Guru Gobind Singh Expressway”.
Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari expressed his approval for four-laning the road from Sri Kiratpur Sahib to Himachal border Mehatpur, for four-laning the road from Banga to Sri Anandpur Sahib by giving it the status of National Highway and for constructing a new greenfield expressway “Guru Gobind Singh Expressway” from Sri Anandpur Sahib to Sri Chamkaur Sahib. He assured that work on these projects will be started soon. He instructed officials to expedite work on the Kiratpur-Nangal road, furnish the project file of the Banga-Sri Anandpur Sahib road and conduct studies for the proposed new expressway.
It's noteworthy that Harjot Singh Bains has been consistently working towards regional development. Under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann's leadership, several development projects are currently underway in Sri Anandpur Sahib.
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Rs. 92 Crore Releases under Post Matric Scholarship Scheme: Dr. Baljit Kaur
Punjab Government Led by Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann Committed to Welfare of Scheduled Caste Students
Chandigarh, December 4:The Punjab Government has allocated Rs. 92 crore from the 2024-25 budget under the Post Matric Scholarship for SC Students scheme for government institutions.
Providing more details, the Minister of Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities, Dr. Baljit Kaur, stated that the Punjab Government had released ₹366.00 crore during the 2023-24 fiscal year to clear dues under the Post Matric Scholarship for SC Students scheme for the years 2017-18 to 2019-20. Now, an additional ₹92.00 crore has been released to settle the outstanding dues for government institutions.
Dr. Baljit Kaur stated that the Punjab Government is committed to the welfare of Scheduled Caste students and ensuring their rights. Under this scheme, Scheduled Caste students studying in Punjab's government institutions or enrolled in institutions in other states will receive the dues to cover their educational expenses. This amount will support the students continuity of their education.
The Cabinet Minister stated that the responsibility for disbursing this amount to various government institutions and ensuring its proper utilization has been assigned to the Administrative Department. This department will be accountable for the appropriate use of these funds.
Dr. Baljit Kaur emphasized that education is the most powerful tool for social change. The Punjab Government is committed to ensuring that no student is forced to discontinue their education due to financial constraints. She added that under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government remains fully dedicated to the welfare of Scheduled Caste students.
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Online NRI meet to resolve grievances of diaspora Punjabis every first week of the month: Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal
Announces January 2025 online meet scheduled for January 6
Addresses 85 grievances from overseas Punjabis during first of its kind Online NRI Meet in India
Instructions issued to civil and police officials on the spot for prompt grievance resolution
Chandigarh, December 4:Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led government is proactively implementing strategic measures to expeditiously and effectively resolve Non-Resident Indian (NRI) concerns, asserted Punjab NRI Affairs Minister S. Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, during the 'Online NRI Meet' at his office in Punjab Civil Secretariat-1 here today.
He stressed, the Mann government is committed to addressing NRI grievances, announcing that monthly online meetings will be systematically conducted during the first week of each month, with the January 2025 session scheduled for January 6. He said that this is first of its kind Online NRI Meet in India.
S. Dhaliwal promptly issued on-the-spot instructions to concerned civil and police officials regarding the 85 grievances received during today's session, reaffirming the administration's dedication to resolving pending issues expeditiously.
He elucidated that the majority of complaints predominantly involve the Revenue and Police Departments, with approximately 20 percent of grievances currently undergoing judicial review. S. Dhaliwal has mandated that Deputy Commissioners and Senior Superintendents of Police across all districts prioritize NRI complaint resolution. Previously established district-level committees, operating under Deputy Commissioners' supervision, are tasked with comprehensive interdepartmental coordination to address migrant-related challenges effectively, he added.
The virtual consultation was attended by notable officials, including NRI Affairs Principal Secretary Mr. Dilip Kumar, Jalandhar Commissioner and Secretary NRI Sabha Punjab Mr. Pradeep Sabharwal, NRI Sabha Punjab Chairperson Mrs. Parminder Kaur, NRI Directorate's DIG Mr. Rajpal Singh Sandhu, AIG Mr. Ajinder Singh and senior departmental representatives.
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TRIALS OF PUNJAB TEAMS FOR ALL INDIA SERVICES BADMINTON, CRICKET, BASKETBALL, KABADDI AND TABLE TENNIS TOURNAMENTS ON 10th DECEMBER
Chandigarh, December 4:Central Civil Services Cultural and Board are organizing the All India Services Football Badminton (Men and Women), Cricket (Men), Basketball (Men and Women) and Kabaddi (Men and Women) tournaments from 3rd to 10th January 2025 and Lawn Tennis (Men & Women) tournament from 16th to 20th December 2024 at New Delhi.
Trails for all teams will be held on 10th December at 11.00 am. Trials for the selection of Badminton (Men and Women) will be held at Doaba College Badminton Hall, Jalandhar, Cricket (Men) at Practice Ground PCA Stadium, Mohali, Basketball (Men and Women) at Guru Nanak Stadium Ludhiana, Kabaddi (Men and Women) and Lawn Tennis (Men & Women) will be held at Polo Ground Patiala.
The spokesman of the sports department further informed that in these trials security services personnel/para-security organizations/central police organizations/police/RPF/CISF/BSF/ITBP and NSG etc., autonomous parties/undertakings/public sector Banks including central ministry run banks, excluding casual/daily workers, temporary office workers, newly recruited employees who have been in regular services for less than 6 months, Government employees (regular), government officials (regular) of different departments can participate only after receiving NoC from their departments. The cost of travel, accommodation and food in this tournament will be paid by the player personally.
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Vigilance Bureau apprehends Forest Guard for accepting Rs 2,500 bribe
Chandigarh, December 4, 2024 -The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB), during its ongoing campaign against corruption in the state, has arrested a Forest Guard Manpreet Singh, posted at at district forest department Mansa for demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 2,500.
Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the state VB said the above mentioned official has been arrested based on a complaint lodged by Gurpreet Singh, a resident of Khokhar Road, Mansa.
He further informed that the complainant has approached the VB and informed that he use to earn daily income by operating a mechanised card (Rehri) and he had found a piece of wood on the roadside and loaded it in his motorised ‘Rehri’. The complainant further informed that while he was on the way the above said Forest Guard has threatened him to fine for stealing the wood and asked to pay him the bribe money of Ra 5,000 for not taking any action.
As per the complaint the accused has agreed to take Rs 4,000 bribe and had already took Rs 1,400 as first instalment and demanding the remaining amount.
The spokesperson added that after preliminary enquiry into this complaint the VB team laid a trap and the accused Forest Guard has been arrested while he was accepting the remaining bribe money of Rs 1100 from the complainant in the presence of two official witnesses.
In this regard a case under Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered at VB police station Bathinda range. He would be produced in the competent court tomorrow and further investigation into this case was under progress, he said.
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Meet Hayer raises issue of Rajpura-Chandigarh rail link in Lok Sabha
Lok Sabha MP also demanded resumption of concessions given to senior citizens and sportspersons
Demands running high-speed trains from Barnala-Sangrur
New Delhi/Chandigarh, December 4:Member Parliament from Sangrur Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer on Wednesday raised the issue of the Rajpura-Chandigarh rail link in Lok Sabha to connect the entire Malwa region with the state capital Chandigarh through rail.
Participating in the debate on a rail-related bill in the House today, Meet Hayer said that rail is the cheapest, easiest and best means of transport which benefits the common man the most. Even after 77 years of independence, the people of the Malwa region are not directly connected to their capital by rail, for which only Rajpura and Chandigarh need to be connected. He said that the central government refers to the demand for land acquisition and if land can be acquired for building highways, then why not for government rail service?
Raising another important issue Meet Hayer said that the concession given to senior citizens and sportspersons was stopped during the Covid period. These should be resumed and students should also be brought under its ambit. Meet Hayer also said that no high-speed rail passes through the Barnala-Sangrur area, which is why this demand needs to be fulfilled soon.
Meet Hayer further said that after the country's independence, only 15 thousand more rail lines were laid, which is very less. Rail is the backbone of India. Just as the government is keen on privatizing other government institutions including ports, we are of the view that rail should not be sold to private hands. He said that the government had promised cheap air travel under the UDAN scheme, which was not completed. Therefore, rail is the only cheap and convenient means of transportation for the countrymen, for which strengthening the railway network is most important.
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Punjab Horticulture Minister Mohinder Bhagat Inaugurates Silk Mark Expo 2024
A Grand Showcase of Silk Innovation, Focused on Uplifting Rural Communities through Sericulture
Chandigarh, December 4-Punjab Horticulture Minister Mohinder Bhagat inaugurated the Silk Expo 2024 at Kisan Bhawan, Sector 35-A, Chandigarh, on Wednesday. The first event was organized by the Silk Mark Organisation of India, the Central Silk Board, in collaboration with the horticulture departments of Punjab and Haryana. The Minister released the brochure titled The Journey of Sericulture in Punjab. It highlights the growth, initiatives, and achievements of the sericulture sector in the state. The expo aims to boost silk farming and provide a platform for artisans and traders from across the country.
The event began with a traditional lamp lighting ceremony, symbolizing knowledge and prosperity. Distinguished guests, including Secretary Horticulture Mr. Ajit Balaji Joshi, Central Silk Board Member Secretary Mr. P. Sivakumar and Punjab Horticulture Director Mrs. Shailender Kaur, graced the event.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Mohinder Bhagat highlighted Punjab’s remarkable progress in sericulture. He mentioned that silk production is carried out in four districts of Punjab: Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Hoshiarpur, and Ropar. He informed that there are 13 government sericulture farms in the state, where basic silkworm rearing is conducted with the support of technical staff.
Minister Bhagat said, “The price of cocoons in Punjab has risen from ₹550 per kilogram to ₹1,250 per kilogram due to focused government efforts, ensuring fair compensation for silk farmers, particularly women engaged in sericulture. The state is committed to expanding this sector to uplift rural communities.”
Minister Bhagat also lauded Punjab’s achievements in sericulture, including winning the prestigious Silver Award at the Skoch National Awards 2024. The award recognizes the state’s efforts in promoting socio-economic growth and empowering women through the sericulture project, “Women Empowerment and Socio-Economic Growth through Sericulture.”
He added that the state has significantly improved its sericulture infrastructure, with cocoon production reaching 29,000 kilograms annually. Plans are underway to launch the exclusive “Punjab Silk” brand and establish silk reeling units to increase value addition and enhance farmer incomes.
He stated that farmers are being supported with subsidies of up to 65% for plantations, silkworm rearing sheds, equipment, etc., further boosting the sector. He also mentioned that over 60% of the sericulture farmers are women.
The Minister also explained that the government has reactivated the closed Silk Seed Production Centre of Sericulture in Dalhousie to enable silk seed production at the state level and provide these seeds to silkworm farmers at nominal prices.
He added that the state government led by chief minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is empowering rural communities, creating sustainable livelihoods, and strengthening the silk industry, ensuring its growth and global recognition.
Secretary Horticulture Punjab Mr. Ajit Balaji Joshi highlighted the government's commitment to enhancing the livelihoods of silk farmers and artisans. He emphasized that initiatives like the Silk Expo aim to boost the silk industry and create sustainable opportunities for rural communities, especially women involved in the silk trade in the state
Mr. P. Sivakumar, Member Secretary of the Central Silk Board, lauded the efforts of Punjab in promoting sericulture. He commended the state’s initiatives and assured full support from the Central Silk Board to enhance and expand sericulture activities in Punjab.
At the event, Director of Horticulture, Mrs. Shailender Kaur, explained the state's progress in sericulture and its role in empowering farmers through government initiatives and support.
During the event, a brief video showcasing the achievements and future vision of Punjab's horticulture sector was screened.
Before the event, Minister Mohinder Bhagat visited several state stalls, interacting with artisans and exhibitors. He appreciated their efforts and highlighted the importance of such expos for promoting regional craftsmanship.
The Silk Expo, which runs until December 9, features stalls by artisans and traders from states such as Punjab, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Bihar. Registered institutions under the Central Silk Board are also showcasing a variety of pure silk products, including sarees, stoles, and home décor items.
During the award distribution ceremony, Minister Mohinder Bhagat honored key contributors to the sericulture sector, including departmental officials, for their dedicated efforts in advancing sericulture and supporting farmers welfare.
Prominent among others who were present during the event included : HOD (Spl.) Horticulture Haryana Dr. Arjun Singh Saini, Joint Director Punjab Horticulture Dr. Tajinder Singh Bajwa, Scientist Central Silk Board (CSB) N.S. Gehlot, Deputy Secretary CSB Dasarathi Behera, DDH-cum-Nodal Officer Punjab Sericulture Dr. Dalbir Singh, Deputy Director Punjab Horticulture Dr. Harpreet Singh Sethi, DDH-cum-Sericulture Officer Sujanpur Dr. Shammi Kumar, ADH Sericulture Officer Mukerian Dr. Balwinder Singh, Sericulture Manager Avtar Singh, Assistant Nodal Officer Sericulture Ms. Meenu, and Horticulture Development Officer Dr. Lakhbir Singh.
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