Page 17 - Punjab Government

Punjab cabinet imposes 90 paise per litre cess on sale of petrol, diesel

The Punjab Cabinet on Friday gave its approval for a marginal increase in the VAT rates levied on the sale of petrol and diesel in the state

Punjab govt giving major push to food processing sector: CM Bhagwant Mann

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has said that the state government is giving a major push to the food processing sector, which will create job opportunities for youth on one hand and immensely benefit farmers as well. "The state government is giving a major push to the food processing sector in Punjab ..," Mann said. The Chief Minister also said that the state government will soon set up 20 dedicated Rural Industrial Hubs across the state. He said that these hubs will be equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure to facilitate industrialists in setting up their units. These hubs will boost industrial development. Mann assured fulsome support and cooperation to the industrialists opting for setting up their units in these hubs adding that the state government is fully committed to accelerate industrial development in Punjab. Punjab is organising the 5th 'Progressive Punjab Investors Summit' on February 23 and 24 in Mohali. As a run up to the Summit, a mini-conclave was org

Punjab will soon shine like Kohinoor, accuses previous system: CM Mann

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday said that with continued progress Punjab will shine like the 'Kohinoor' diamond, even as he accused the previous dispensations of failing to tackle corruption and poverty in the state. Addressing a gathering after hoisting the national flag at a Republic day function here at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Sports stadium, Mann said that even after 75 years of the Independence, the dreams of our freedom fighters such as Bhagat Singh and Dr BR Ambedkar remain unfulfilled. People had high hopes from successive governments, but they were dashed because of corruption, poverty, unemployment and many other ills that are still deeply embedded in the state, he said. The AAP government has come like a breath of fresh air in Punjab as it is committed to fulfil the aspirations of people of the state, the CM said. He said he would prefer dying than ever favouring his family or relatives in public works. "I do not sign any scheme which is against the interests of .

Punjab police deepens crackdown on buying, selling synthetic kite strings

The Punjab Police is cracking down on the sale of banned 'Chinese manjha' following a spate of unfortunate incidents during kite flying competitions in the state that left people especially children grievously injured. A few days back, a four-year-old boy received more than 100 stitches on his face after 'China dor', as it is popularly known in Punjab, got entangled around his neck and caused deep cuts near Samrala, in Ludhiana district. It happened as the kid rolled down the window pane of the car he was travelling in and stuck his head out to see kites being flown. He had to be hospitalised in Ludhiana. An Amritsar-based activist, Kirpal Singh Pali, who is among the prominent voices against "China dor" or "Chinese manjha", claimed it is supplied to the state from Noida and then distributed from Ludhiana and Jalandhar. In Amritsar, a 28-year-old man suffered a deep cut around his neck four days ago because of Chinese string and had to get 20 stitches. The kite string got entangled

AAP hits back at Congress over Rahul Gandhi's remote control remarks

The ruling AAP in Punjab has attacked Rahul Gandhi over his allegation that the government in the state was being remote controlled

No respite from cold in Punjab, Haryana; Narnaul records 2.2 degrees C

According to the Meteorological Department, Hisar registered a low of 7.2 degrees Celsius while Rohtak's minimum settled at 7.4 degrees Celsius

Kejriwal, Akhilesh, Left leaders to attend BRS public meet in T'gana on Wed

The ruling BRS in Telangana to organise a public meet at Khammam town on Wednesday, attended by Delhi CM Kejriwal, Punjab CM Mann, Kerala CM Vijayan, SP leader Akhilesh Yadav and CPI's D Raja

Man tries to hug Rahul during Bharat Jodo Yatra in Punjab's Hoshiarpur

A man rushed towards Rahul Gandhi and tried to hug him during the Bharat Jodo yatra here on Tuesday but was pushed away by Congress leaders accompanying him. However, police said it was not a breach of security. In a video of the incident, the man wearing a jacket could be seen rushing towards the Congress MP and trying to embrace him. However, Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring and other party workers accompanying Gandhi stopped him and pushed him away. The Congress had last month written to Home Minister Amit Shah, alleging "security breaches" during the Yatra in the national capital and demanded immediate steps to ensure the security of Gandhi and others taking part in the yatra. Dismissing the allegations, the government had said "full" security arrangements were made for Gandhi in accordance with laid-down guidelines but he himself "violated" security protocols 113 times since 2020. The Yatra resumed from Tanda here Tuesday morning as part of its Punjab leg, a

Punjab, Haryana battle severe cold; Bathinda records -1 degrees Celsius

Severe cold weather conditions prevailed in Punjab and Haryana, with Bathinda, Faridkot and Hisar recording sub-zero minimum temperatures on Tuesday. Bathinda and Faridkot in Punjab reeled under a piercing chill, recording minimum temperatures of minus one degrees Celsius each, according to the Meteorological Department's weather report. Biting cold also swept Amritsar, which recorded a low of 1.4 degrees Celsius while Ludhiana registered a minimum of 1.6 degrees Celsius. Patiala, Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Moga and Mohali were also under the grip of severe cold, recording respective minimums of 2 degrees Celsius, 2.9 degrees Celsius, 2.8 degrees Celsius, 0.8 degrees Celsius and 6.2 degrees Celsius. Chandigarh, the common capital of the two states, recorded a low of 5.7 degrees Celsius. In Haryana, freezing cold swept Hisar, which recorded a minimum temperature of minus 1.3 degrees Celsius. Cold wave also swept Sirsa, which recorded a low of 0.2 degrees Celsius. Karnal, Narnaul, Roht

Punjab: Congress' Bharat Jodo Yatra resumes from Tanda in Hoshiarpur

Braving biting cold, several people joined Rahul Gandhi in the Bharat Jodo Yatra that resumed its journey in Punjab from Tanda here on Tuesday morning. The Punjab leg of the Congress' Kanyakumari to Kashmir march began on Wednesday from Sirhind in Fatehgarh Sahib. Senior leaders of the party, including its Punjab chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, Harish Chaudhary and Raj Kumar Chabbewal, were seen accompanying Gandhi during the yatra that will halt for the night at Mukerian. Gandhi, who was again seen wearing the white T-shirt that he has sported for much of the journey, met a group of women and got a photo clicked with them. On Monday, the former Congress chief had said the yatra is getting an overwhelming response. He had also slammed the BJP government over the issues of unemployment and inflation. The march, which started from Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu on September 7, will conclude in Srinagar by January 30, with Gandhi hoisting the national flag in the summer capital of Jamm

Rahul resumes Bharat Jodo Yatra from Adampur in Punjab despite biting cold

The Congress' Bharat Jodo Yatra resumed from Adampur here in Punjab on Monday, with scores of people marching along with Rahul Gandhi despite biting cold. The march started from the Kala Bakra area and several Congress leaders, including state party chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, were seen accompanying Gandhi. The yatra will enter Hoshiarpur district later in the day as part of its journey in Punjab and will halt for the night at Urmar Tanda. The march, which started from Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu on September 7, will conclude in Srinagar by January 30, with Gandhi hoisting the national flag in the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir. It has so far covered Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. On Saturday, the march was suspended for 24 hours in view of Congress MP Santokh Singh Chaudhary death. The MP had suffered a cardiac arrest during the yatra. He was cremated at his native Dhali

Pak: Punjab CM Parvez Elahi receives 186 votes to secure trust vote

In a midnight drama in Pakistan's Punjab Assembly, Chief Minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi managed to obtain a vote of confidence paving the way for its dissolution on the wish of ousted prime minister Imran Khan. Punjab Governor Baligur Rehman of the PMLN had sought a vote of confidence from CM Elahi last month in a bid to stop the dissolution of the assembly. He had de-notified Elahi and his cabinet for failing to comply his order. However, the Lahore High Court had restored Elahi and his cabinet. On Wednesday, the LHC held hearing in this case and remarked that the chief minister would have to take trust vote. In the light of the court's observation, Elahi secured the required 186 votes from the Punjab Assembly in the ongoing session at 1 am Thursday amid the Opposition's protest. Punjab Assembly Speaker Sibtain Khan presided over the session and said CM Elahi had received 186 votes required to secure the trust vote. The Opposition led by the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) boycott

New minister sworn-in in Punjab after Sarari's exit, portfolios reshuffled

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has also reallocated portfolios after the new induction

Punjab to install solar panels in all state govt buildings, says minister

This project will reduce the financial burden of the electricity bills of respective departments by approximately 40 to 50%

Punjab attracts investment of Rs 30,000 crore, says CM Bhagwant Mann

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann said due to ease-of-doing business policies, an investment of Rs 30,000 crore has been firmed up in the last nine months, which will create new employment opportunities

Will make all-out effort to restore glory of hockey, says Punjab CM

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday vowed to make all-out efforts for restoring the glory of hockey in the state.

Punjab to roll out new agriculture policy by Mar 31: Agri Min Dhaliwal

Punjab Agriculture Minister Kuldeep Sinh Dhaliwal on Monday said the state government will roll out a new agriculture policy by March 31, 2023. The new agricultural policy will be prepared focusing the geographical situation, soil health, availability of crops and water, and consultations are being held with renowned agricultural scientists, experts and farmers' organisations. Dhaliwal was speaking during a 'Kisan Goshti' organised by the Punjab State Farmers and Agricultural Workers Commission on the theme of 'Agricultural Development Model of Punjab - some policy issues', a release said. Announcing the creation of a separate policy for natural farming, the minister said, people are facing health problems due to excessive use of fertilisers, chemicals, weed killers and pesticides in agriculture. He said to bring natural farming, it is necessary to work according to its climate. The state government will make every possible effort to strengthen the agricultural sector with the hel

'Serious issue': SC pulls up Punjab govt over sale of spurious liquor

The Supreme Court on Monday pulled up the Punjab government over the issue of sale of spurious liquor in the state, saying "Punjab is a border state and this is a very serious matter"

Punjab to probe irregularities in land deal for seed farm in 2008: Minister

Punjab Agriculture Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal has said that the state government will probe alleged irregularities in purchasing land at a whopping Rs 32 crore for setting up a seed farm near the international border in Amritsar in 2008. He said 700 acres of land near the border in Rania village was bought at an exorbitant rate by the agriculture department. In a statement here, the minister said, "During the then Parkash Singh Badal government when Sucha Singh Langah was the agriculture minister and Kahan Singh Pannu was the deputy commissioner of district Amritsar, this land was bought at a very high price. The then government purchased this land at Rs 4.5 lakh per acre, which is across the Ravi river near the international border, he said, adding that one cannot approach this land without the prior permission of the Border Security Force. "An investigation will be conducted under which scheme this land was purchased at that time", he said. "We will find out the farmers who

Land purchase in name of seed farm during Badal govt to be probed: Minister

Punjab Minister Kuldeep Singh said that 700 acres of land at village Ranian, which was purchased on exorbitant prices by the agriculture dept in the name of seed farm in 2008 will be thoroughly probed