Page 18 - Punjab Government

3 children crushed to death by train in Rupnagar; Punjab govt orders probe

Three children were crushed to death by a passenger train near Sri Kiratpur Sahib here on Sunday, police said. The Punjab government has ordered an inquiry into the incident. The incident took place when four children of migrant labourers were playing near the railway track close to a bridge over Sutlej river, they said. The fourth child was injured in the incident and was admitted to a hospital, said police. The boys were in the age group of 7 to 11 years, police added. Punjab School Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains expressed grief and said an inquiry has been ordered into the incident. "In a very sad incident, 3 children have lost their lives in a Rail Accident in Kiratpur Sahib. An enquiry has been ordered. My sincere condolences to the grieved families," said Bains in a tweet. Former Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh sought compensation to the affected families. "Distraught to hear about the news of a passenger train crushing 4 children causing 3 of them to die on

Punjab govt announces to install 300 megawatt solar power projects

The Punjab government has decided to install solar power photovoltaic (PV) projects with a total capacity of 300 megawatt in the state. These projects include 200 MW canal-top solar PV power projects and 100 MW floating solar PV power projects on the reservoirs and lakes, said an official statement while giving details of the decision taken in a high-level meeting held here on Monday. The meeting was chaired by Punjab New and Renewable Energy Sources Minister Aman Arora. The proposed 200 MW canal-top solar project would be installed in a phased manner, under which 50 MW would be installed in the first phase, while projects of remaining capacity would be installed in subsequent phases, Arora added. These projects will be executed in build, operate and own (BOO) mode by the Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA), he said. While discussing in the meeting, the feasibility of setting up these projects, the minister said, viability gap funding (VGF) has been proposed to be claimed from

Exemplary action for selling Chinese kite string, says Punjab minister

Punjab Cabinet minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer on Tuesday said the state government has asked all deputy commissioners to take exemplary action against those selling Chinese kite flying string. Hayer said a 13-year-old boy died after the Chinese string of a kite got entangled around his neck in Rupnagar district on Sunday Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has taken a serious notice of this extremely unfortunate incident and has ordered strict action against such people who put human lives at risk. In a statement, he said children, elderly and animals have suffered in the past too due to Chinese string. He said there is a blanket ban on selling and using Chinese string in the state and there is not even a single manufacturing unit in the state, but some people bought these strings from other states. Those found involved in selling Chinese string will not be spared at any cost, he added.

Punjab govt to name schools after martyrs, freedom fighters: Minister

Government schools in Punjab would be named after martyrs and freedom fighters, School Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said on Tuesday. Village panchayats and the school management committees have been asked to pass resolutions for schools to be renamed, he said. They will then send the same to the state headquarters within the next month through principals along with the biographical notes about the martyrs and freedom fighters, said the minister in a statement. Bains said the decision has been taken so that future generations get to know about the sacrifices of martyrs and freedom fighters for the country.

Punjab govt forms sub-committee for G20 summit meeting in Amritsar

A sub-committee of the Punjab Cabinet has been formed to oversee preparations for the G20 summit scheduled to be held in Amritsar in March next year. It will hold its first meeting on Monday. According to an official statement, the sub-committee has been formed by the state government so that Punjab can be presented as a centre of tourism during the global meet. The sub-committee has Local Government Minister Inderbir Singh Nijjar as its chairman. The other members are cabinet ministers Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, Harjot Singh Bains and Harbhajan Singh, the statement said. It is a matter of great pride for the state of Punjab that the G20 summit meeting will be held in Amritsar, in which presidents and prime ministers of major countries will participate to discuss issues pertaining to education, labour and others, it added. The G20 or Group of 20 is an intergovernmental forum of the world's major developed and developing economies. It comprises Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Ch

Take steps to bring down stubble burning incidents: CAQM to Punjab govt

The Centre's air quality panel on Friday directed deputy commissioners of all districts in Punjab, barring Pathankot, to take measures to "drastically" bring down the number of farm fires in the agrarian state. A thick layer of smog has enveloped Delhi-NCR for the last two days, primarily due to unfavourable meteorological conditions trapping pollutants and raging farm fires in Punjab. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) reviewed the implementation of measures to restrict the farm fire count in Punjab at a meeting with its chief secretary and deputy commissioners of 22 districts, barring Pathankot (no farm fire incidents were reported there). A statement said the primary focus of the review meeting was to reiterate the need to intensify action to check the sudden spike in the number of stubble burning cases seen in the last few days. "The chief secretary and deputy commissioners were reminded of their earlier commitments of drastically bringing down the farm fire count

150 farmers honoured for not burning crop residue in Punjab, says speaker

Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan on Saturday exhorted farmers not to burn stubble so as to keep the environment clean and pollution free. He was addressing a gathering here in an event in which 150 progressive farmers from across the state were honoured for not setting the crop residue on fire for the last five years, according to an official release here. Sandhwan said crop residue burning causes damage to other microorganisms present in the upper layer of the soil as well as its organic quality. Speaking on this occasion, Environment Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer said it is a matter of happiness that farmers are giving up stubble burning practice. Due to pollution, not only the lungs are damaged, many other type of health diseases affect the human being, he stated. Hayer appealed to progressive farmers to spread the message of not burning crop residue in villages. The minister also expressed happiness that the young generation is now participating in planta

Previous govts plundered Punjab of its resources, trying to undo damage: CM

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday claimed that previous government "mercilessly plundered" the state's resources and his regime is trying to undo the damage. "The Aam Aadmi Party government will overhaul the entire system in the state to ensure its progress and prosperity of people," said Mann addressing a gathering at a state-level function to mark Vishwakarma Day here. Earlier, governments had "mercilessly plundered" the wealth of the state, causing it an irreparable damage, he said. Now, with the blessings of Lord Vishwakarma, he is trying to repair the damage done to the state by ensuring its complete revamp, claimed Mann. Exhorting workers and craftsmen to make concerted efforts for strengthening the infrastructure of the state and the nation, the CM said it will be a real and befitting tribute to Lord Vishwakarma. The CM said his government strives to make the youth of Punjab job providers instead of job seekers, stressing that Punjabis are blessed with qualities

Punjab announces to restore old pension scheme for state govt employees

The Punjab government on Friday decided to restore the old pension scheme for its employees, with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann terming it a Diwali gift for the state staff. "We have taken an in-principle decision to this effect in a cabinet meeting. This will benefit lakhs of employees," he said while adding that modalities will be worked out. Mann said the approval for six per cent dearness allowance for government employees has also been given by the state cabinet. The restoration of the old pension scheme, which was discontinued in 2004, has been one of the major demands of state government employees. The state government's decision has come ahead of the Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat Assembly polls, where AAP is trying its luck and had promised to restore the old pension scheme for state government employees if voted to power. Mann said the employee's demand has been met now and it's a Diwali gift for them. "Arvind Kejriwal has told that we say (promise) we have to deliver and

Residential, commercial urban estate to come up in Ludhiana: State minister

The Punjab government will develop a residential and commercial urban estate in Ludhiana as part of the city's overall development, Housing and Urban Development Minister Aman Arora said. During a meeting to review the functioning of Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority here on Monday, officials informed the minister that the agency was in the process of acquiring around 2,000 acres at Ladhowal bypass in Bagga Kalan, Noorpur Bet, Garha and Gounspur villages for the proposed project. Arora directed the officials to initiate the land acquisition process. He also that the site selection committee had recommended the location and a consultant was engaged to facilitate the land acquisition. Arora also directed the officials to complete all other ongoing projects of the agency in time without compromising on the quality.

Punjab seeks financial assistance from govt for solarisation of agri-pumps

The Punjab government has sought financial assistance from the Centre for the solarisation of agriculture pump sets with up to 15 horsepower on the pattern of northeast and hilly states. In a letter written to RK Singh, Union Minister for Power and New and Renewable Energy, Punjab Minister Aman Arora said the ministry has made a provision for providing central financial assistance (CFA) to farmers of northeast and hilly states for their pumps up to 15 HP capacity last month. But, this facility is available only for up to 7.5 HP agri-pumps in Punjab, he pointed out. The financial assistance is given under the PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan) scheme. "Punjab was the pioneer state in the green revolution, which is rightly known as the food bowl of India. Thus, farmers of the state also need hand-holding of the Central government and they also deserve to avail benefits of the scheme. "Punjab is predominantly an agrarian state, and around 14 lakh ...

Bhupendra Yadav chairs air pollution meet, expresses concern over Punjab

Bhupender Yadav, conducted a detailed review of measures and actions planned for abatement of air pollution by all stakeholders concerned in NCR and adjoining areas

Punjab stalemate ends: Guv Purohit approves Sep 27 assembly session

Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit has approved the state government's request to hold a one-day assembly session on September 27, Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan said Sunday, indicating the stalemate between the AAP dispensation and the government over the issue has ended. The governor's approval came a day after the AAP government informed him about the issues to be taken up during the session. "Hon. Governor, Punjab, has very kindly acceded to our request and summoned the Punjab Vidhan Sabha to meet for its third session on 27.9.2022 at 11.00 AM at Chandigarh," Speaker said in a tweet. The Bhagwant Mann-led government on Saturday informed the governor that the issues like stubble burning, goods and services tax and power supply will be discussed in the session on September 27. This came after the governor on Friday had asked for details of the legislative business to be taken up in the session, sparking a strong reaction from Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who had said "it's too ..

AAP government in Punjab likely to call state assembly session again

The AAP government in Punjab is likely to call the state assembly session again and the matter will be discussed in the state cabinet here on Thursday. Asked if the state government will call the session again, cabinet minister Kuldip Singh Dhaliwal asserted, Definitely, everything will happen, the session will be held. It is a government of the people. You (reporters) will soon come to know when the session will be held, he told media after participating in the meeting of AAP legislators. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann chaired the meeting of AAP legislators at Vidhan Sabha complex on Thursday to discuss the next strategy. A meeting of the Punjab Cabinet will be held here. Meanwhile, the AAP legislators began a 'peace march' from Vidhan Sabha complex to the Governor's residence. In an embarrassment to the AAP government in Punjab, Governor Banwarilal Purohit had on Wednesday thwarted the Bhagwant Mann-led regime's plan to summon a special assembly session to bring a confidence ...

Stubble burning: Unhappy with Punjab govt plan, farmers want compensation

Farmers have indicated that they will continue with the practice unless the govt compensates them suitably for the expenses they will incur by adopting alternative methods of disposing of crop residue

Punjab govt to form committee to decide commission for cotton crop

The Punjab government has decided to form a nine-member committee to decide on the quantum of commission to be paid to 'arhtiyas' or commission agents for the cotton crop. Agriculture Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal said that to resolve various issues of cotton farmers and the commission agents, a joint meeting was called here on Friday to redress the issues. Additional Chief Secretary of Agriculture Department Sarvjit Singh and Special Chief Secretary to Chief Minister Ravi Bhagat were among the officials present in the meeting, said an official statement. Dhaliwal said that with the consensus of all, it has been decided to form a 9-member committee to take a decision on the commission to be taken by agents on the cotton crop. The committee will have two representatives each of arhtiyas, cotton farmers, cotton factory owners and three government officials. During the meeting, the farmers also brought to the notice of the Agriculture Minister that there are illegal encroachments i

BJP slams AAP in Punjab over illegal mining along border, demands CBI probe

BJP's Tarun Chugh lambasted the AAP government in Punjab and alleged that the state government is putting national security at stake by allowing illegal mining on the India-Pakistan border

Punjab taps agricultural residues to speed up lean energy transition

Punjab's agriculture holds a huge potential for energy generation from agro-residues, an alternative model of diversification, besides clean energy transition by tapping solar power

AAP provided jobs to 17,313 youth in five months, says Punjab CM Mann

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday said in merely five months of assuming charge, the Aam Aadmi Party government has handed over appointment letters of government jobs to 17,313 youth

Lumpy skin disease: Sukhbir Badal asks Punjab govt Rs 50k per cattle death

Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal on Saturday demanded immediate release of compensation of Rs 50,000 for each cattle that died due to lumpy skin disease. In a statement here, the SAD president expressed shock that even as "thousands of cattle" had fallen prey to lumpy skin disease since July, the AAP government was still "indulging in propaganda and advertisements". "No effort is being made to take concrete steps at the ground level by coming to the aid of dairy farmers by compensating them for their cattle loss as well as preventing the further spread of the disease," Badal said. Lumpy skin disease infects cows and buffaloes mainly through vectors like blood-feeding insects. It leads to the formation of nodes on the animal's skin or hide that look like lumps, fever, runny nose, reduced milk yield and difficulty in eating. Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Gujarat and Andaman and Nicobar Islands have been hit by the outbreak of the disease. Badal said, "Farmers have los