Awareness Camps to Be Organized to Extend Benefits of Backfinco Schemes to People: Chairman Sandeep Saini

Special Thanks Expressed to Chief Minister and Cabinet Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur by Mr. Sandeep Saini

Skill Development Training to Be Provided to Loan Recipients

Chandigarh, January 2 -Punjab Backward Classes Land Development and Finance Corporation (Backfinco) is running various welfare schemes such as Direct Loan Scheme at low-interest rates, NBC Scheme, and NMD Welfare Schemes. These initiatives aim to uplift the social and economic standards of individuals from backward classes, economically weaker sections, and minority communities in the state. Awareness camps will be organized to ensure these schemes reach the intended beneficiaries.

Chairman Sandeep Saini stated that under the efforts of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and Minister for Social Justice, Empowerment, and Minorities Dr. Baljit Kaur, ₹2 crore as share capital was released on December 23, 2024, for the financial year 2024-25. Additionally, ₹25 crore was allocated during 2023-24 to restart the NMD Scheme. The Punjab Government also released ₹1 crore towards its share of margin money under this scheme on December 26, 2024.

Mr. Saini further informed that the Finance Department has exempted Backfinco from paying a 2% guarantee fee on ₹30 crore revolving guarantees for the NBCFDC scheme. These measures reflect the Punjab Government's commitment, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, towards the welfare of backward classes.

Expressing gratitude to the Chief Minister and Cabinet Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur, Mr. Saini highlighted that the NMD Scheme and Direct Loan Scheme have resumed operations with the Punjab Government's support. To enhance the capabilities of loan beneficiaries, skill development training will also be provided, enabling them to pursue modern, skill-based ventures beyond traditional occupations.

Vice-Chairman Harjinder Singh Seechewal, Executive Director Sandeep Hans, and Assistant General Manager (Admn.) Amarjit Singh were also present on this occasion.

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Punjab jail department makes historic regular recruitment of JBT teachers

Laljit Singh Bhullar hands over appointment letters to 15 JBT teachers

Says, strengthening prison department workforce with multiple recruitment drives

Chandigarh, January 2:Punjab Jails Minister S. Laljit Singh Bhullar, on Thursday, handed over appointment letters to 15 JBT teachers, marking the first-ever regular recruitment for these positions in the jail department.

During the appointment letters distribution ceremony here at at Punjab Bhawan, S. Laljit Singh Bhullar informed that these teachers will play a crucial role in educating prisoners and their children and facilitating prisoner's reintegration into mainstream society.

"Previously, these teaching positions were filled through temporary arrangements", said the Cabinet Minister, adding that Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led government has made regular recruitment for the first time in last three dacades. He said that priority has been given to posting newly-appointed teachers near their home districts so that they can perform their duties easily.

The Jails Minister, while providing updates on ongoing recruitment initiatives in the Jail department, said that out of the recently completed recruitment drive, 738 warders and 25 matrons have already joined their duties. Besides this, the recruitment process for 179 posts of guarding staff, including 175 warders and 4 matrons, is currently underway.

Highlighting the Mann government's commitment to strengthening the department, S. Laljit Singh Bhullar announced that 1220 posts across various cadres in the jail department are being revived, with the recruitment process set to begin soon.

Speaking about educational initiatives, the Cabinet Minister informed that approximately 2200 prisoners are currently enrolled in various educational courses under the department's Sikhya Daat Project while 513 prisoners are set to undergo skill development training in January 2025, including courses for electricians, plumbers and tailoring, conducted by the Punjab Skill Development Mission.

Reflecting on the Punjab Government's achievements under Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann's leadership, S. Laljit Singh Bhullar noted that the state has successfully provided around 50,000 regular government jobs in just 33 months. This initiative aligns with the Chief Minister's vision to curb brain drain and transform youth into job creators rather than job seekers, he added.

The Cabinet Minister said that the government has also facilitated private sector employment for 2,65,430 candidates of the state.

Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included ADGP Jails Mr. Arun Pal Singh, IG Jails Mr. Roop Kumar Arora, AIG Jails Mr. Rajiv Arora.

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Relentless efforts to protect childhood: Dr. Baljit Kaur

State Government’s pioneering initiatives rescue 261 children through 713 raids in 2024

Up to Five Years Imprisonment for Exploiting Children in Begging

Chandigarh, January 2:Efforts to protect children from begging are ongoing, aimed at ensuring their safety and preserving their childhood. Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur, stated that the Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, is committed to the welfare and safety of children.

The Minister revealed that during 2024, the department conducted 713 raids aimed at preventing child begging rescuing 261 children. Most children were rescued from districts Bathinda, Faridkot, Ludhiana and Gurdaspur.

Dr. Baljit Kaur highlighted that under Section 76 of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015, any individual forcing a child into begging can face up to five years imprisonment and a fine of ₹1 lakh. If bodily harm is inflicted to compel the child into begging, the offender can be sentenced to 10 years imprisonment and fined ₹5 lakh.

She further stated that the Punjab Prevention of Beggary Act, 1971, considers individuals below 16 years as children. According to this Act, anyone involving children in begging can face a sentence of three years, which can not less than one year.

The state government has launched "Project Jeevanjot" to eradicate child begging, ensuring that no child is forced to beg. Under this initiative, inter-departmental efforts are made to rescue children from begging and provide them with education for a brighter future. As part of this effort, 15 children without a family support system have been sent to state-run child homes, where they receive education, food and healthcare. Other rescued children have been reunited with their families through the Child Welfare Committees. Additionally, 18 children have benefitted from the sponsorship scheme, 105 have been enrolled in schools and three have been admitted to Anganwadi centers.

The Minister assured that these children are monitored to prevent their re-involvement in begging. Financial assistance is provided under the sponsorship scheme to ensure continuity in their education. The Government has followed up on 74% of the rescued children.

Dr. Baljit Kaur appealed to the public not to give alms to child beggars and urged them to report such cases to the nearest Child Welfare Committee or District Child Protection Unit.

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Higher Education: On the path of fast growth with career orientation programs

Chandigarh, January 2-The Punjab Higher Education Department has launched several initiatives to promote higher education in the state under visionary leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann. These schemes aim to provide students with career-oriented courses, employment and self-employment opportunities.

Underlining the major initiatives, the Higher Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said that budget provision of Rs. 3.25 crore has been allocated for Vocational and Skill Orientation Program, which focuses on making government college students employable.

The Minister said that Scheme of Career and Couseling in Govt Colleges provides career guidance and counseling to students in government colleges with a budget provision of Rs. 3.25 crore.

The Cabinet Minister further said that Industrial Visit and Exposure Scheme has budget allocation of Rs. 2 crore and aims to prepare students for future employment by exposing them to various industries. An amount of Rs. 33.44 lacs has already been released under this scheme.

Mr. Bains added that budget provision of Rs. 8.52 crore has been made for the Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Patiala with Rs. 5 crore already released. He said that Shaheed Bhagat Singh Chair established under Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) during the financial year 2023-24, this initiative has a budget provision of Rs. 1 crore.

The Higher Education Minister said that these initiatives demonstrate the Punjab government's commitment to enhancing higher education in the state. By providing students with access to career-oriented courses and employment opportunities, the government aims to empower the youth and drive economic growth.

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Local Bodies minister Dr Ravjot Singh along with MP Seechewal inspects ongoing works to establish temporary pumping station near Gaushala IPS site

Directions issued to expedite projects to establish biogas plants and to ensure proper functioning of dyeing industry CETPs and STPs

Chandigarh/Ludhiana, January 2:Local Bodies minister Dr Ravjot Singh along with Rajya Sabha MP Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal inspected the ongoing works to establish the temporary pumping station near Gaushala point of 'Buddha Dariya' on Thursday.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Jitendra Jorwal, MC Commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal, ADC Rohit Gupta, MC Additional Commissioner Paramdeep Singh among other officials of the civic body and Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) were present during the inspection.

The temporary pumping station is being established under the 'Kar Sewa' initiated by MP Seechewal to clean 'Buddha Dariya'. The aim is to pump the sewerage waste from Gaushala point to STP Jamalpur until a permanent Intermediate pumping station (IPS) is established at the Gaushala site.

The project to establish the Gaushala IPS is pending due to an ongoing court case. During the visit cabinet minister Dr Ravjot Singh also deliberated upon the steps which can be taken to speed up the process.

Further, cabinet minister Dr Ravjot Singh issued necessary directions to the officials of Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) and the civic body to take steps to ensure that cow dung and industrial waste is not dumped in the 'Buddha Dariya'. Dr Singh also directed the concerned officials to expedite the work of establishing biogas plants in Haibowal and Tajpur road dairy complexes. Cow dung would then be used for generating biogas in these plants. Until then, the officials have been directed to ensure temporary arrangements for lifting of cow dung from dairy units and dumping the same at designated points.

Reiterating the commitment of Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Singh Mann led state government to clean 'Buddha Dariya', Local bodies minister Dr Ravjot Singh lauded the steps being taken under the 'Kar Sewa' initiated by MP Seechewal. Dr Singh said that establishment of this temporary pumping station will certainly help in reducing pollution in Dariya as the domestic waste (sewerage) would be properly treated at the Jamalpur STP before getting into the Dariya.

Dr Singh said that all necessary steps are being taken to reduce pollution in the 'Buddha Dariya' and strict directions have been issued to the concerned departments regarding the same.

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Punjab Achieves Historic Milestone in Revenue Collection by Crossing Rs 30,000 Crore Revenue Mark in First Three Quarters of FY 2024-25: Harpal Singh Cheema

Total collection from VAT, CST, GST, PSDT, and Excise Registers increase of Rs 3229 crore upto December 2024

State Witness 28.36% Increase in Net GST and 21.31% Increase in Excise Revenue in December 2024

20.19% Increase in Total Revenue Collection from VAT, CST, GST, PSDT, and Excise

Chandigarh, January 2-Punjab Finance, Planning, Excise, and Taxation Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema proudly announced on Tuesday that the state has, for the first time, surpassed the Rs. 30,000 crore mark in revenue collection from VAT, CST, GST, PSDT, and Excise within the first nine months of a fiscal year. In the current fiscal year, the total revenue received from these taxes up to December is Rs 31156.31 crore, whereas in the fiscal year 2023-24, the total revenue collection from these taxes was Rs 27927.31 crore.

Revealing this in a press communiqué issued here, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the state has also witnessed a significant increase in its net GST and Excise revenue for December 2024 compared to December 2023. The state registered an impressive 28.36 percent increase in net GST revenue and a 21.31 percent increase in Excise revenue, he added.

The Finance Minister further elaborated that the revenue collection from net GST alone in December 2024 was Rs 2013.20 crore, which is an increase of Rs 444.84 crore from the net GST collection of Rs 1568.36 crore in December 2023. Similarly, the revenue from excise in December 2024 stood at Rs 880.92 crore, marking an increase of Rs 154.75 crore from the Rs 726.17 crore collected in December 2023, he added..

Providing a detailed breakdown of the revenue received from VAT, CST, GST, PSDT, and Excise up to December in the financial year 2024-25, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema informed that the state collected Rs 5643.81 crore from VAT, Rs 274.31 crore from CST, Rs 17405.99 crore from GST, Rs 139.10 crore from PSDT, and Rs 7693.1 crore from Excise. This is in comparison to the previous financial year 2023-24, where Rs 5385.24 crore was received from VAT, Rs 220.72 crore from CST, Rs 15523.74 crore from GST, Rs 121.6 crore from PSDT, and Rs 6676.01 crore from Excise. He said that the total collection from VAT, CST, GST, PSDT, and Excise registered an increase of Rs 3229 crore upto December 2024 as compared to FY 2023-24

Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that these figures are indicative of the state's robust economic policies and a testament to the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government's commitment to achieving fiscal prudence and sustainable growth. He said that the consistent increase in revenue collection across various sectors demonstrates the effectiveness of the measures implemented by the Excise and Taxation Department to enhance revenue streams.

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Dr. Ravjot Singh directs the completion of ongoing Smart City projects at a faster pace

Meeting to review Smart City Mission projects held by Minister for Local Government

Officials from Municipal Corporation Ludhiana and Jalandhar provided complete information on ongoing Smart City projects

Chandigarh, 2nd January:The Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is committed to providing better civic amenities to the citizens. In this regard, several important projects have been initiated by the state government.

Today, Minister for Local Government, Dr. Ravjot Singh, held a meeting with the Municipal Commissioner-cum-CEO of Smart City Ludhiana and Jalandhar at the Municipal Bhavan, Sector 35, Chandigarh. He instructed the officials to expedite the completion of ongoing projects.

Dr. Ravjot Singh obtained reports from the officials regarding the current status of the funds and ongoing projects under the Smart City Mission. He emphasized that these projects should ensure quality delivery.

Following an in-depth discussion on new projects under the Smart City Mission, the Cabinet Minister directed the officials to complete the tender process for these projects as soon as possible.

The Cabinet Minister also instructed the officials to ensure that the allocated funds for these projects are utilized within the specified timelines. He warned against any negligence in the execution of these projects. Any official found negligent would face appropriate action.

Cabinet Minister Dr. Ravjot Singh mentioned that the government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, aims to transform the state into a vibrant and prosperous Punjab. He appealed to the officials to work with integrity and dedication to make this dream a reality.

Present at the meeting were Additional Chief Secretary of the Department of Local Government Tejveer Singh, CEO of PMIDC Deepti Uppal, Municipal Commissioners and CEOs of Smart City Ludhiana and Jalandhar, and other senior officials of the department.

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Vigilance Bureau arrests PSPCL employee for accepting Rs 10000 bribe

Chandigarh January 2, 2025 : The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB), during its ongoing campaign against corruption in the state, has apprehended Lineman Jagdish Singh, posted at Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd (PSPCL) Umarpura Sub Division, Batala, Gurdaspur district for demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 10000.

Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the state VB said the above-mentioned accused has been arrested on a complaint lodged by Gurvinder Singh, a resident of village Phoolke in tehsil Batala. He further informed that the complainant has approached the VB and informed that accused lineman had intentionally installed power lines on his land situated at village Phoolka with the intention of extorting money. The complainant alleged that the said lineman has demanded an additional amount of bribe of Rs 10,000 to transfer these power lines, despite already having received Rs 1,500 few days ago.

The spokesperson added that after preliminary enquiry of this complaint the VB team laid a trap during which the accused was caught red handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 10,000 from the complainant in the presence of two official witnesses.

He added that in this regard a case under Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered at VB Police Station, Range Amritsar. The accused would be produced in the competent court tomorrow and further investigations into this case was under progress, he said.

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Vigilance Bureau apprehends Head Constable accepting Rs 70000 bribe

Chandigarh, January 2, 2025 - The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB), during its ongoing campaign against corruption in the state, on Thursday has arrested Head Constable Kuldeep Singh, posted at police station Sangat, Bathinda district for demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 70000.

Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the state VB said this case has been registered against the aforementioned police official on a complaint lodged by Jagwinder Singh, a resident of village Pathrala, in Bathinda district.

He further informed that the said complaint has approached the VB and informed that his friend has been lodged in Bathinda jail and the said police official had threatened to involve his wife also in the police case and demanded Rs 1,50,000 for refraining to book her but the deal was struck at Rs 70000.

The spokesperson further added that after a preliminary enquiry into this complaint the VB team laid a trap during which the said police personnel was caught red handed while he was receiving the bribe money from the complainant in the presence of two official witnesses. In this regard a case under Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered against the accused at VB police station Bathinda range and further investigation into this case was under progress, he said.

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Initial draft for service regularization to be shared with driver/conductor unions within 15 days: Laljit Singh Bhullar

Transport Minister instructs official for time-bound approach for service regularization

Vehicle tracking system to be implemented in private buses on lines of government buses

Asks for immediate supply of necessary spare parts to Roadways workshops

Directs to impound illegally operating buses on various routes

Chandigarh, January 2:Punjab Transport Minister S. Laljit Singh Bhullar, on Thursday, informed representatives of contractual and outsourced driver/conductor unions that the initial draft regarding service regularization will be shared with them within 15 days.

Presiding over a joint meeting of various unions at Punjab Bhawan here, S. Laljit Singh Bhullar said that the department is working expeditiously to prepare rules for regularizing contract employees and hiring outsourced employees on contract basis.

The Cabinet Minister instructed officials to adopt a time-bound approach for regularizing employee services and complete this task at the earliest.

The Transport Minister directed officials to promptly provide necessary spare parts to Roadways workshops to prevent financial losses caused by non-operational buses.

He also instructed officials to streamline the auction process and expedite the auction of condemned buses. Besides this, he asked department officials to accelerate the procurement process for recovery trucks.

S. Laljit Singh Bhullar, while mentioning that illegal bus services are still operating on several routes in the state particularly on the Jalandhar and Amritsar routes, instructed officials to strictly enforce regulations regarding illegal bus operations within 500 meters radius of bus stands, initiate checking campaigns and take strict action against bus operators illegally picking up or dropping passengers, including impounding such buses.

S. Bhullar also directed State Transport Commissioner Mr. Jaspreet Singh to implement the vehicle tracking system (VTS) in private buses, which is already operational in government buses, keeping safety in mind.

Regarding complaints about lack of promotions in the Transport Department, the Cabinet Minister instructed officials to expedite promotion processes at all levels to ensure employees receive their rightful dues. The Transport Minister also asserted prioritizing compassionate appointments for eligible dependents.

Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included Additional Chief Secretary Transport Mr. D.K. Tiwari, PRTC Vice Chairman S. Balwinder Singh Jharwan, STC Mr. Jaspreet Singh, PUNBUS MD Mr. Rajiv Kumar Gupta, PRTC MD Mr. Bikramjit Singh Shergill, Deputy Director S. Parneet Singh Minhas, PUNBUS ADO Mr. Rajiv Dutta, PRTC GM Mr. Maninder Singh and other officials.

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2nd ‘Online NRI Milni’ to resolve grievances of NRI Punjabis on January 3: Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal

Chandigarh, January 2:The second phase of first and unique service in the country launched by the Punjab Government, ‘2nd Online NRI Milni’, will be held on Friday, January 3, 2025 at 11:00 AM, in which the grievances of NRI Punjabis will be heard and resolved.

Disclosing this, the Minister for NRI Affairs, S. Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, said that the Punjab Government led by Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann is continuously taking concrete steps to resolve the issues of NRI Punjabis so that their grievances can be resolved quickly and meaningfully without any hassle.

S. Dhaliwal said that on January 3 at 11:00 am, NRI Punjabis can register all kinds of complaints through the live link https://nicvc.webex.com/nicvc/j.php?MTID=ma44dd403edced44b58c769106bbb77ce. He said that NRI Punjabis can also send their written complaints to the email address: nriminister2023@gmail.com.

S. Dhaliwal appealed that maximum NRI Punjabis should participate in this “Online NRI Milni” to get their issues and grievances resolved in a hassle free manner.

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Vigilance Bureau registers corruption case against Senior Assistant for committing irregularities, plot scam in Improvement Trust

Fraudulently bought trust plot in wife's name

Chandigarh January 2, 2025 The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its campaign against corruption, has registered a corruption case against Sanjeev Kalia, Senior Assistant, Improvement Trust, Jalandhar, (now posted at Hoshiarpur) for committing irregularities and purchasing a plot in the Improvement Trust, Jalandhar on wife’s name by misusing his position.

Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the VB said during the investigation of complaint number 75/2022, it was found that without receiving the non-construction fee of Rs. 14,35,350 from Devinderpal Kaur for plot number 828 in the Trust colony, the said Sanjeev Kalia, despite not being a dealing hand, had misused his position and wrote a letter dated 21.04.2010 to the halqa Patwari to report about the Khasra numbers of the said vacant plot. Later, the Patwari sent this report to the Superintendent (Sale), but Sanjeev Kalia again bypassed the Superintendent and directly got transferred the said plot in the name of Devinderpal Kaur from the then Chairman without receiving the non-construction fee of Rs. 14,35,350. Apart from this, the Trust in a letter dated 13/10/2016 issued a No Objection Certificate (NDC) in the name of plot owner Davinderpal Kaur, whereas she (Davinderpal Kaur) had died on 12/01/2015, due to which this NDC could not be issued.

He further revealed that during the probe, as per the statement given by Jatinder Singh, Executive Officer (EO), the NDC issued on 13.10.2016 does not have his signature, but the Trust has clarified through its official letter dated 11.10.2024 that this NDC was signed by Jatinder Singh, EO and the signature is similar to the signatures of this Officer put on the other files.

In addition to this irregularity, during the investigation it was also found that a 9 marla 147 sq ft land owned by Sohan Dei wife of Bhagwan Das was acquired by the Improvement Trust under the ‘110 Scheme’ Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar, Jalandhar in the year 1976 but no plot was allotted to Sohan Dei in return as per the policy of Trust. The aforementioned Sanjeev Kalia, being posted at the Trust, was aware that plot number 276 adjacent to his residential house in the trust’s 94.5 acre scheme Guru Gobind Singh Avenue is vacant, which could be allotted in the name of someone else under the Locally Displaced Persons (LDP) quota scheme. Therefore, he approached Sohan Dei through his acquaintances and gave him only Rs. 6,50,000 and appointed Deepak son of Sohan Lal, a resident of Satowali, Police Station Adampur, district Jalandhar as the power of attorney for Sohan Dei and got it registered in his name with Power of Attorney No. 275 dated 10.10.2011. After this, the said plot was allotted to wife of Sanjeev Kalia on the basis of Deepak's power of attorney through letter No. 1202 dated 28.10.2011. The reserve price of this plot as per the said special quota under LDP was Rs. 31883 only and he deposited the same in the bank account of the Trust. After getting the registration of this plot in the name of Sohan Dei on dated 22.12.2011, the NDC of plot number 276 was obtained through letter number 3965 dated 05.03.2012.

The spokesperson further added that for this purpose, Sanjeev Kalia, by showing that he had paid Rs. 7,00,000 in cash to the said Deepak, on 03.02.2012 had appeared in person to got registered this plot in the name of his wife Upma Kalia at Rs. 21,74,000 as per the collector rate.

He added that it was also found that Sanjeev Kalia did not took approval from his department for purchasing the said plot and neither did he informed the department later. In this regard a case has been registered against the said accused under sections 420, 409 of the IPC and 13(1)A including 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act at Police Station Vigilance Bureau, Range Jalandhar. The accused Sanjeev Kalia would be arrested soon. Further investigation of this case is underway.