Page 11 - Bhagwant Mann

Punjab CM writes to Centre, seeks allocation of another 1K MW electricity

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has written to the Centre, seeking allocation of additional 1,000 MW of electricity for the upcoming paddy season. In a letter to the Union minister for Power R K Singh, CM Mann pointed out that the state's generation capacity was limited to about 6,500 MW, whereas the peak demand is likely to touch 15,500 MW in the summer season. To meet the peak demand of electricity of 15,500 MW in forthcoming paddy/summer season, Mann requested the assistance of power up to 1,000 MW from June 15 till October 10, that may be allocated to Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) from central sector generating stations. In the letter, Mann said the state power utility, PSPCL, is keeping a continuous watch over the power availability on the PUShP (High Price Day Ahead Market and Surplus Power) portal. "As the demand of electricity cannot be reliably met through the collective transaction segment of power exchange, the state is in definite need of firm ...

Punjab CM denies affiliation of Haryana colleges with Panjab University

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday said he has rejected a proposal of affiliation of Haryana colleges with Panjab University, saying the Chandigarh-based university has always been connected with Punjab's legacy and heritage. He was speaking after holding a meeting with his Haryana counterpart Manohar Lal Khattar over the matter. The meeting was also attended by Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit. Panjab University (PU), Chandigarh has always been connected with Punjab's legacy, heritage, emotions, culture and literature, Mann said while addressing media after the meeting. We have told them that it is a no from our side, he said. The chief minister recalled that the PU was shifted from Lahore, the then capital of Punjab, to Hoshiarpur and then to Chandigarh, the present capital of Punjab. He said at present, 175 colleges of Punjab and 30 colleges of Union Territory Chandigarh are affiliated with the PU. The first meeting in this regard was held on June 1 in which Punjab

Punjab CM declines Z plus security, says has confidence in state police

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's security team has declined the Z plus security cover offered to him by the Centre by deploying a Central security force

Wrestlers planning to immerse medals in Ganga shameful for country: CM Mann

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann Tuesday said it was shameful for the country that the wrestlers planned to immerse their medals in the Ganga as they were fed up with the central government. He said the grapplers were moved to take the decision faced with the central government's unbudging stance on their demand for action against Wrestling Federation of India president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who has been accused by them of sexually harassing several female player. Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat, and Bajrang Punia, all of them country top wrestlers, along with hundreds of their supporters, reached Har ki Pauri in Uttarakhand Tuesday to immerse their medals in the Ganga. A huge crowd gathered in Har ki Pauri as the protesting wrestlers got ready to immerse their world championship and Olympic medals in the river as a mark of protest against outgoing WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. In his tweet, Mann said, "After being fed up with the Central government, the international me

Punjab CM announces digitisation of land records for easy access to people

He also directed officials to properly maintain record rooms at state, as well as district and sub division levels

Punjab CM to skip NITI Aayog meet amid AAP's ongoing tussle with Centre

Amid the bickering between the AAP and the Centre, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann has decided to skip the Governing Council of NITI Aayog on Saturday as a mark of protest

Punjab CM sanctions Rs 20 cr for installation of CCTVs in border areas

DGP Punjab Gaurav Yadav has also declared a reward of Rs 1 lakh for providing information on drone movement leading to the recovery of weapons/narcotics

Paddy sowing for kharif season to begin from June 10 in Punjab: CM Mann

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday said that the state government is fully prepared to ensure smooth and hassle-free sowing of paddy crop during the upcoming kharif season across the state. According to an official statement here, the chief minister said that as per the suggestions received from farmers, the state government has decided to commence the sowing of paddy across the state in a phased manner. He said that the paddy sowing will begin on June 10, 16, 19 and 21 in different parts of the state. The state has been divided in four zones to implement this sowing mechanism. To ensure smooth irrigation in a staggered manner, the first phase will begin on June 10 with transplantation in the cultivable land near the international border areas. Mann said that uninterrupted power from June 16 will be ensured in the second phase to seven districts -- Ferozepur, Faridkot, Pathankot, Sri Fatehgarh Sahib, Gurdaspur, SBS Nagar and Tarn Taran. In the third phase, paddy ...

Punjab to launch drive to preserve flora & fauna around water bodies: CM

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday announced launching a drive to preserve the flora and fauna along with recharging the water table to save water for the coming generations.

Punjab scaling new heights of development under AAP govt: Kejriwal

Punjab was scaling new "heights of development" under the Bhagwant Mann government, AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal said on Sunday as he sought votes for his party's candidate for the May 10 Jalandhar Lok Sabha bypoll. Addressing a roadshow along with Chief Minister Mann on the second day of his visit to Punjab, Kejriwal also referred to the 300 units of free electricity being provided to people in the state. The Jalandhar Lok Sabha bypoll was necessitated by the death of sitting Congress MP Santokh Singh Chaudhary in January. AAP has fielded former MLA Sushil Rinku for the contest. Campaigning in Shahkot, Kejriwal told people that they have voted for the Congress for 60 years and asked them to give AAP a chance now, saying if they do not like his party's work, then "do not vote for us in the 2024 general elections". Praising the AAP dispensation for the work done in Punjab in the last year, Kejriwal claimed several people have told him that they have not seen such a governme

With Punjab's debt at Rs 3.12 trn, CM's OPS promise faces uphill challenge

The government says the OPS scheme is expected to benefit more than 4,100 employees in the next five years alone

Why can't common people have free power, healthcare benefits: Punjab CM

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday dismissed the criticism that the AAP government was doling out freebies, asking why can't common people get free power and healthcare when similar benefits are extended to elected representatives. Launching 80 more Aam Aadmi Clinics with his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal, he said these health facilities have helped the government in preparing a database of diseases prevalent in Punjab and combating them effectively. More than 25.60 lakh people have benefited from these clinics, he added. Mann said opponents target AAP for giving free power, free treatment and free education to people. "We say when leaders get free power, when exchequer bears all their medical expenses, why cannot it be done for the common people too," he said. With the launch of the new clinics, the total number of these health facilities in Punjab has reached 580. Speaking at the event, Kejriwal said an "honest government" in Punjab is making opponents jittery. "

Punjab has emerged as most preferred industrial destination: Bhagwant Mann

Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday claimed that the state has emerged as the most preferred industrial destination in the country and is witnessing comprehensive development in every sphere. Addressing a gathering after dedicating a plant of steel coating products here, the chief minister said the plant has been set up at a cost of Rs 247 crore and it will provide employment to 600 youth. This is a zero liquid discharge plant which will neither pollute water nor air, said an official release quoting Mann. Due to the industry-friendly policy of the state government, Punjab has emerged as the most favourable investment destination across the country, said Mann. The CM said a strong association between the state government and industrialists has made Punjab an industrial hub in the country. His government's vision and ambition is to keep pace with changing expectations and new challenges, said Mann. He said his government has introduced several policies and initiatives t

Over 29,000 government jobs given to youths so far: Punjab CM Mann

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday said his government has given over 29,000 government jobs to youths in the state so far. He said his government has made the youth an equal partner in the socio-economic growth of the state by giving them employment. Mann was addressing a gathering during an event to hand over job letters to 200 youths in departments of Health and Family Welfare, Medical Education and Cooperation, an official release here said. It is a matter of great pride and satisfaction that so far more than 29,000 jobs have been given to the youths, the chief minister said. He said the jobs were given only on the basis of merit, asserting that during earlier governments, the youth had to yearn long for employment. Mann said the state government is accomplishing the gigantic task of giving jobs to the youth in a phased manner. Transparency and merit are the two key pillars of this entire recruitment drive, said Mann, adding a foolproof mechanism has been adopted

Punjab gets new office timing, CM Mann says move to bring many benefits

The new timing in Punjab government offices came into effect on Tuesday with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann saying the move will not just save power but result in many other benefits. With effect from May 2, the timing of state government departments have been changed from the earlier 9 am-5 pm shift to 7.30 am-2 pm. The new timing will remain in force till July 15 and result in an estimated saving of Rs 40-42 crore during the two-and-a-half month period, said Mann who, along with his staff, arrived at the Civil Secretariat here at 7.28 am. "From today, all government offices will open at 7.30 am and continue till 2 pm. The move will have a few benefits," he said. Several Punjab ministers, including Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, Harpal Singh Cheema and Aman Arora, also reached their offices according to the new timing. "Before implementing this decision, we talked to the employees and the people and they agreed (to the decision on the changed timing)," Mann told reporters at a press ...

Educational institutions won't face dearth of funds: Punjab CM Mann

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday dubbed financial indebtedness of educational institutions as a social scourge, and said they will not face any dearth of funds so that no child of the state is deprived of the opportunity to get quality education. Addressing a gathering on the 62nd foundation day of the Punjabi University here, Mann said it was the primary duty of the government to provide educational opportunities and it is a matter of great pride and satisfaction that his government was doing this work efficiently. According to an official statement, Mann said his government was constantly striving to raise the standard of education by providing the maximum support to educational institutions. "This university is the pride of Punjab and the Punjabi mother tongue. This premier education institute is also called the 'heart of Malwa'. I had guaranteed to free this university from the debt burden to restore its pride and pristine glory," he said. Mann further said that

Poonch attack: Punjab CM hands over Rs 1 cr each to family of 4 soldiers

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann Wednesday handed over Rs one crore cheque each to the families of four soldiers from Punjab who were killed in the last week's terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch. Five soldiers were killed after their vehicle came under fire from terrorists. The fifth soldier killed in the attack hailed from Odisha. According to an official release, Mann visited the houses of the four soldiers -- Havildar Mandeep Singh at village Chankoian, Ludhiana; Lance Naik Kulwant Singh at village Charik, Moga; Sepoy Harkrishan Singh of village Talwandi Bharath, Gurdaspur; and Sepoy Sewak Singh of village Bagha, Bathinda -- and offered condolences to the bereaved family members. While handing over the cheques as a token of respect for the supreme sacrifices made by the soldiers, he said the entire country is indebted to them as they sacrificed their lives for the sake of the country and its people. Mann said this humble initiative of the state government is a recognition o

PM Modi, Punjab governor, CM and others condole Parkash Singh's demise

Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and a host of leaders condoled the demise of Shiromani Akali Dal patriarch Parkash Singh Badal on Tuesday. Badal, a five-time former chief minister of Punjab, died at a private hospital in Mohali at the age of 95. Governor Purohit expressed his deepest condolences on the passing of Badal, whom he described as a towering figure in Indian politics and a leader who served the people of Punjab with distinction. "Badal was a man of integrity, wisdom, and compassion, who devoted his life to the service of our people. He was a true son of Punjab, who worked tirelessly to promote the interests of our state and its people," Purohit said. He said Badal's contribution to the growth and development of Punjab is immeasurable, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations to come. Badal's vision and leadership have helped shape the course of Punjab's history, and his presence will be sorely missed by all those who knew him a

Was in regular touch with officials: Punjab CM Mann on Amritpal arrest

Hours after radical preacher and Khalistan sympathiser Amritpal Singh was arrested by Punjab police, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said he was in touch with senior officials throughout Saturday night about the operation and asserted that those who try to disturb peace will face action as per law. In a video message on Sunday, Mann also thanked the people of Punjab for their cooperation and said he does not want the youth to be misled by people with vested interests who run their shops by driving a campaign against the country. Punjab's land is fertile and anything can grow here, but "seeds of hatred will never grow nor will these be allowed to grow", the chief minister emphasised. Mann said that he wants the youth of Punjab to hold degrees in their hands, appointment letters for occupying high posts and medals in top sporting events. He said people had given the responsibility to the Aam Aadmi Party, which entrusted him with the duty, as the chief minister, to protect the life and .

Public money won't be used to pay lawyers for Mukhtar Ansari: Punjab CM

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said that his government has returned the file of the expenses of the lawyers representing gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari's case