Dr. Baljit Kaur Conducts Surprise Inspection at Bathinda's Anganwadi Centers
Says, Punjab Government is committed to intellectual development of children
Chandigarh, January 8 -Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister, Dr. Baljit Kaur, conducted a surprise inspection of Anganwadi Centers located in the villages of Bhokhra and Bajak in Bathinda Urban.
Divulging in this regards, Dr. Baljit Kaur stated that thorough inspection of records, including the graffiti and Supplementary Nutrition Program (SNP) at the Anganwadi Center in village Bhokhra, was carried out. She also interacted with SNP beneficiaries and elderly individuals to discuss pension-related issues.
In village Bajak, the Minister inspected the building of the Anganwadi Center constructed with the assistance of the MGNREGA scheme. To assess the quality of the Supplementary Nutrition Program, discussions were held with children, pregnant women and lactating mothers, who expressed satisfaction with the nutritious food and services provided by the Anganwadi Centers.
During the visit, records related to the Supplementary Nutrition Program were reviewed. The minister also conducted an on-site quality check of items like sweet and savory porridge and pre-mix khichdi prepared at the centers. Additionally, interactions were held with elderly individuals regarding pensions and with women beneficiaries to review government schemes.
To evaluate children’s intellectual and creative development, Dr. Baljit Kaur interacted with them, listening to their poems and observing their activities. She appreciated the dedication and performance of Anganwadi workers and helpers for their commendable efforts in child care and nutrition.
Dr. Baljit Kaur reaffirmed the Punjab Government’s commitment, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, to strengthen early childhood care and ensure the welfare of women and children across the state.
During the inspections CDPO Shri Pankaj Kumar, Smt. Usha and District Welfare Officer Shri Varinder Singh were present.
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PUNJAB GOVERNMENT DECLARES LOCAL HOLIDAY IN DISTRICT SRI MUKTSAR SAHIB ON THE OCCASION OF MELA MAGHI
Chandigarh, January 8:The Punjab Government has declared a local holiday on the occasion of Mela Maghi on January 14, 2025 (Tuesday) in government offices, boards/corporations and educational institutions of district Sri Muktsar Sahib.
The official spokesperson of the government said, a notification in this regard has been issued.
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Punjab Cabinet Sub-Committee Holds Productive Meetings with Employee Unions
Punjab Government paying special attention to demands and issues of employees delivering exceptional services: Harpal Singh Cheema
Chandigarh, January A Cabinet Sub-Committee comprising Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema and NRI Affairs Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, formed to address the legitimate demands and issues of Punjab government employees, held a series of meetings today with representatives from the Meritorious Teachers Union, 3704 Adhiyapak Union, Democratic Teachers Front, Purani Pension Prapti Morcha, Khetibari Vidhyarthi Association, and Anganwari Mulazam Union.
During the meeting, representatives of the Meritorious Teachers Union highlighted the achievements of Meritorious Schools in creating a bright future for students and presented their demands and issues. Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, on behalf of the Cabinet Sub-Committee, directed the Education Department to consider regularizing the services of these teachers through the officers committee constituted for this purpose. He also instructed that a report on the financial demands of the union be prepared and sent to the Finance Department. Finance Minister Cheema assured the union that the Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is paying special attention to the demands and issues of employees who are delivering exceptional services.
In the meeting with the Democratic Teachers Front, the Cabinet Sub-Committee directed the Education Department to seek legal opinion from the Advocate General’s Office on the issues raised by the front that are currently in court or may face legal hurdles. Regarding the financial issues raised by the front, Finance Minister Cheema assured that these matters are being taken seriously by the Finance Department. For the issues raised by the ‘3704 Adhiyapak Union’, the Cabinet Sub-Committee asked the Education Department to hold a meeting with the union and submit a report.
The Khetibari Vidhyarthi Association demanded that agriculture be made a compulsory subject in schools. The Cabinet Sub-Committee, during discussions with the Education Department, asked the department to refer this matter to the Subject Expert Committee. Additionally, the Cabinet Sub-Committee directed the Education Department to consider including agriculture in vocational courses.
The Purani Pension Prapti Morcha raised the issue of resuming the old pension scheme for state government employees. The committee informed the Morcha that the officers committee constituted by the Punjab Government is holding regular meetings to make appropriate decision in this regard. Finance Department officials apprised the Cabinet Sub-Committee that any further decisions will be taken after receiving detailed guidelines on the new pension scheme, the ‘Unified Pension Scheme’, presented by the Union Government.
Regarding the issue of gratuity raised by the Anganwari Mulazam Union, the Cabinet Sub-Committee directed the Social Security, Women and Child Development Department to seek legal advice and then send the matter to the Finance Department. For the demands related to the Union government, the Cabinet Sub-Committee directed the department to write to the Union government to resolve these issues. Concerning the difficulties arising from the inclusion of some Anganwadi centers in primary schools, the Cabinet Sub-Committee asked the departments to hold a meeting with Education department to resolve these issues.
Today's meetings were attended by Dr. Tina, Dr. Ajay, Boota Singh and Ashpreet Kaur from the Meritorious Teachers Union, Vikram Dev Singh, Mohinder Kaurianwali, Gurpiar Kotli, Rajiv Barnala and Sukhdev Singh Dansiwal from the Democratic Teachers Front; Harjinder Singh, Yadwinder Singh and Charanjit Singh from ‘3704 Adhiyapak Union’, Angrej Singh and Akashdeep from the Khetibari Vidhyarthi Association, Gurjant Singh Kokri, Tehal Singh Sarabha and Randeep Singh from Purani Pension Prapti Morcha, and Usha Rani and Gurmeet Kaur from Anganwari Mulazam Union.
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Vigilance Bureau apprehends Panchayat Secretary taking Rs. 20000 bribe
Chandigarh, 8 January 2025 -The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its ongoing drive against corruption in the state, has arrested Panchayat Secretary, Prithvi Singh,posted at BDPO Office, block Moonak in Sangrur district red handed while he was accepting a bribe of Rs. 20000. In this case another co-accused Davinder Bansal, Audit Inspector, posted in the office of Regional Deputy Director, Local Fund Audit, Patiala has also been nominated.
Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of state VB said the aforementioned accused has been arrested following a complaint lodged by Gurwinder Singh, a resident of village Maha Singh Wala in Moonak who is husband of former Sarpanch.
He further added that the complainant has approached the VB and alleged that the said Panchayat Secretary has demanded bribe of Rs 20000 for auditing of the development works carried out by the village panchayat of Maha Singh Wala during the previous tenure and told that the bribe money has to be shared with aforementioned Davinder Bansal, Audit Inspector.
The spokesperson informed that after a preliminary enquiry of this complaint the VB team laid a trap during which the accused Panchayat Secretary was arrested while he was accepting the bribe money from the complainant in the presence of two official witnesses. In this regard a case has been registered against said Prithvi Singh, Panchyat Secretary and Davinder Bansal, Audit Inspector, at VB police station Patiala range. The accused would be produced in the competent court tomorrow and future investigations into this case was under progress, he said.
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Online Registration campaign for the recruitment of AgniVeerVayu by Army Service Corp from 07 January
Chandigarh, January 8:Army Service Corp, Ambala will start AgniVeerVayu recruitment registration drive for eligible unmarried youth from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh (UT), Jammu and Kashmir (UT) and Ladakh (UT) from 07 January, 2025. This registration will continue till January 27, 2025 and the online exam will be held on March 22, 2025.
Giving more information, the government spokesperson said that children born between January 01, 2005 and July 01, 2008 (both dates inclusive) are eligible for this registration campaign. For this recruitment drive, 12th passed youth in Science subject with Mathematics, English and Physics subjects or diploma or vocational course holder with 50% marks can register themselves for this recruitment campaign.
More information about this recruitment drive can be obtained from agnipathvayu.cdac.in.
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Sandhwan Condemns Redesignation of UT Adviser's Post to Chief Secretary
Chandigarh, January 8:Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan has strongly condemned the decision to redesignate the UT Adviser's post to Chief Secretary, terming it as trampling of Punjab's right over Chandigarh.
The Speaker said that this move is seen as a blatant disregard for the sensitive issue of Chandigarh's status, which has been a long-standing point of contention between Punjab and the Union government.
S. Sandhwan emphasized that the redesignation is not only an administrative anomaly but also an attempt to undermine Punjab's legitimate claims over Chandigarh.
"We urge the central government to reconsider this decision and respect the rights of the people of Punjab," Sandhwan added.
This development has sparked widespread concern among Punjab's leaders and citizens, who see it as a deliberate attempt to erode the state's authority. The Punjab government has consistently maintained that Chandigarh is an integral part of the state and any decision regarding its administration should be taken in consultation with the state government.