Page 35 - Punjab

Punjab schools closed till August 26 amid rains and flood-like situation

According to the state education minister, CM Bhagwant Mann has instructed to shut down the schools amid the flood-like situation in the state after intense downpour

AAI to set up civil enclave in Ambala for RCS flight operations: Anil Vij

Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij on Wednesday said the Airports Authority of India will set up a civil enclave in Ambala for operations of flights under the Regional Connectivity Scheme. The Haryana aviation department will transfer more than Rs 133 crore to the Ministry of Defence for the purpose, to which the state government has given its approval, Vij said, according to an official statement. Vij said the Civil Enclave will be established on about 20 acres, alongside the Air Force station of Ambala, and work on it will start soon. He said a Rs 16-crore tender has been floated for the operation of the civil enclave. A civil enclave is an area of military airbase allotted for civil aviation use. Vij said that the civil enclave was sanctioned under the UDAN scheme. According to the statement, Vij made tireless efforts to set up the enclave and it has now been approved and flight operations will also start soon. Vij said the airplanes will be parked in the enclave while the airstr

Punjab to hold tourism summit, travel mart in Mohali from Sept 11-13

The Punjab government on Wednesday said it will hold a tourism summit and travel mart in Mohali from September 11 to 13 to promote the state as the "most preferred" tourism destination. Five cities - Amritsar, Roopnagar, Ludhiana, Patiala, and Fatehgarh Sahib -- have emerged as top draws for foreign tourists and the Department of Tourism is working to ensure that the state becomes a leading international tourist destination by 2030, said an official statement. The tourism department inaugurated its first roadshow in Jaipur to showcase the initiatives taken by the state government to promote tourism. The next roadshow will be held in Mumbai (August 24), Hyderabad (August 25), and Delhi (August 26), said the release. "The Punjab government is working relentlessly to promote tourism in the state that will increase footfall from both international and domestic sectors. This in turn will provide maximum employment opportunities for women and youth," Anmol Gagan Mann, Minister of Tourism

Punjab govt releases Rs 186 cr as compensation for crops damaged in floods

The Punjab government on Tuesday said it has released over Rs 186.12 crore as compensation for crops damaged in the state's flood-hit areas. Revenue, Rehabilitation and Disaster Management Minister Bram Shanker Jimpa said the money has been released from the relief fund to deputy commissioners of 16 districts. Crops were damaged due to flooding in many areas of the state in July and August, the minister said in a statement. A special 'girdawari (survey to assess losses)' was conducted in all the affected areas, he added. The state government is committed to provide compensation to the victims and it has no dearth of funds for the purpose, the minister said. Providing a district-wise breakdown, he said Rs 59.50 crore was released to Patiala, Rs 26.52 crore to Tarn Taran, Rs 26.08 crore to Sangrur, Rs 22.44 crore to Ferozepur and Rs 12.92 crore to Mansa. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has already announced that loss of every crop, cattle or house was covered in the 'girdawari' to ful

Police raids Punjab factory making ayurvedic alcoholic syrup for Gujarat

In the last one year, the factory had manufactured around two lakh bottles of the syrup for Gujarat

Punjab farmers' protest: Security tightened at inter-state borders

Security has been stepped up at the inter-state borders of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh on Tuesday in the wake of a call by 16 farmer bodies to hold a protest here to seek compensation for losses caused by floods, officials said. In Chandigarh, security personnel have been deployed at all entry and exit points to prevent farmers from entering. A heavy deployment of force has also been made at Shambhu in Ambala located on the Haryana-Punjab border, they said. In Punjab's Rajpura, barricades have been put up while anti-riot vehicles and a CCTV vehicle have also been deployed. Sixteen farm bodies, including the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, Bharti Kisan Union (Karanti kari), BKU (Ekta Azaad), Aazaad Kisan Committee, Doaba, BKU (Behramke) and the Bhoomi Bachao Mohim, had given the call for staging a demonstration here to seek compensation for losses caused by floods. Farmers are demanding a package of Rs 50,000 crore from the Centre for damages caused by floods in the northern

Punjab: Water recedes from flood-hit areas of Ferozepur, rescue op underway

Water has started to recede from flood-hit areas of Ferozepur district even as relief operations continued in villages near the banks of the Sutlej river, officials said on Monday. More than 3,000 people have been rescued so far, they said. On Monday, 1.60 lakh cusec of water was released downstream from the Harike headworks and 1.55 lakh cusecs from the Hussainiwala headworks, according to the officials. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Army, Border Security Force and the Punjab Police are assisting the district administration in the relief and rescue operation. Four additional NDRF teams have joined the two deployed earlier to evacuate the stranded people. "Around 28 boats have been pressed into service to evacuate the people. At one time, eight to 10 people are being rescued," said an official, adding that efforts are being made to convince those who are still in their villages to move to safer locations. "The water level receded today and it will also h

Punjab CM launches 'mera bill' app to reward GST payment on invoice

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday launched a 'mera bill' app under the 'bill liao inaam pao' (bring a bill, get reward) scheme. The scheme is aimed at enhancing the compliance under the goods and services tax (GST) and thereby the revenue, according to an official release. The scheme is targeted at motivating consumers to get bills from dealers for their purchases made within the state and thereby forcing the dealers to issue the bills for their sales. Mann said the consumers will be encouraged to upload bills of their purchases on the 'mera bill' app to become eligible to participate in a lucky draw, which shall be held at 7th of each month. There will be a maximum 10 prizes per taxation district (29 taxation districts in the state), taking the tally to 290 rewards each month. The reward will be equivalent to five times the taxable value of goods or services declared in the bill with maximum capping of Rs 10,000 for each reward. He said the list of winners will be ..

Floodwater submerges several BSF posts along border in Punjab's Ferozepur

Several BSF outposts and the barbed wire fencing along the India-Pakistan border have been inundated in Punjab's Ferozepur district due to a rise in the Sutlej's water level, an official said on Sunday. Border Security Force (BSF) troops are keeping a close watch on the situation, the official said. Many villages near the International Border in Ferozepur bore the brunt of the swollen Sutlej, forcing residents of flood-hit areas to move to safer locations. According to the official, "Despite all the challenges and adversity, our jawans are maintaining 24-hour vigil. They are manning the area without caring about their personal safety." "Surveillance has been heightened with the help of motorboats to prevent potential adversaries from exploiting the situation. Though the BSF posts have been submerged, personnel are performing their duty without any breaks," the official added. BSF posts along the border have been submerged under five to six feet of water, he said. More than 150 ..

AAP Rajya Sabha MP announces plan to open 10 more skill centres in Punjab

AAP Rajya Sabha MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney on Saturday said he will set up 10 additional skill centres of excellence in Punjab that will create at least 10,000 jobs. More than 2,000 jobs have already been created after skilling youngsters at the skill development centre, he said. Sahney was speaking to reporters here on the completion of one year as a member of the Rajya Sabha. The first skill centre of excellence was set up in Amritsar. Now, another one will be opened shortly in Ludhiana where modern machines will be installed for the skilling of youngsters to make them employable in the industry, he said. Sahney said his major focus has been on skilling and creating jobs for Punjab's youngsters. "During this year, we provided 2,000 jobs after skilling the youngsters at our skill development centres. I am also setting up 10 more world-class skill centres of excellence to create 10,000 jobs," he said. The new centres will come up in Bathinda, Patiala, Mohali, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur

Water recedes in flood-hit areas of Punjab, rescue operation still on

Water receded at many flood-hit areas in Punjab even as rescue and relief operations by teams of National Disaster Response Force, Army and Border Security Force continued on Saturday, officials. Around 150 villages in districts including Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Tarn Taran, Kapurthala, Rupnagar, Ferozepur, Fazilka, were impacted following the release of excess water from the Pong and the Bhakra dams. After the release of surplus water from the two reservoirs on August 14, the water level in Beas and Sutlej rivers had risen, flooding the low lying areas and also which are located near the banks. In Ferozepur, several villages situated near the Sutlej river continued to remain inundated. The district administration with the help of NDRF, Army and BSF rescued more than 2,500 villagers belonging to Kamale Wala, Ali ke, Gatti Raji ke, New Gatti Rajo ke, Chandi Wala, Jhugge Hajara Singh Wala, Jallo ke, Bhane Wala, Bhakhra, Tendi Wala, Metab Singh, Sheene Wala, Churi Wala, Khunder Gatti, N

Cong suspends Punjab legislator Sandeep Jakhar for 'anti-party' activities

Punjab Congress Saturday suspended Abohar MLA Sandeep Jakhar from the party for allegedly indulging in "anti-party activities." The action against Jakhar came following a complaint filed by Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring. Jakhar is the nephew of Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar who had last year left the Congress. Punjab Congress posted a communication on X and said, "Sandeep Jakhar is suspended from the party with immediate effect." According to the party's communication to Jakhar, Congress general secretary Tariq Anwar said "You have not been participating in any of the party programmes including Bharat Jodo Yatra" and also "The house in which you stay is a common accommodation on which a BJP flag flies atop." The communication also alleged open rebellion against party's on Jakhar's part. "You have been speaking against the party and the PCC president and also you are openly defending your uncle Sunil Jakhar," it read. "After careful consideration, the DAC ...

Is the fairy tale of India's sugar sector facing multiple challenges?

The uneven monsoon in 2023 means that industry is already beginning to factor in a drop in production in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Gujarat

Punjab's area under Basmati cultivation rises 16% this Kharif season

Punjab has witnessed at least a 16 per cent increase in the area under the Basmati cultivation this Kharif season, Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian said here on Friday. He said the Amritsar district tops with 1.35 lakh hectares area sown under this long-grain rice. The campaign to promote crop diversification in the state -- launched by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led government -- has got a major push after Punjab witnessed at least a 16 per cent increase in area under Basmati cultivation, he added. During this Kharif Season, Basmati has been sown in 5.74 lakh hectares till August 14, out of the total paddy area of 31.88 lakh hectares. "During the Kharif Season 2022-23, the total area sown under paddy was 31.68 lakh hectares, out of which area under Basmati was 4.95 lakh hectares," he said. Khudian said Amritsar, followed by Muktsar, Fazilka and Tarn Taran registered maximum cultivation of Basmati.

AP Dhillon Web Series: Cast, OTT streaming, release date, where to watch

The documentary of Indo-Canadian singer, "AP Dhillon: First Of A Kind" released today, August 18, on Amazon Prime Video. The series reveals who is AP Dhillon

SJVN inks two agreements to supply 1,200 MW solar power to Punjab

State-owned SJVN Ltd has inked two pacts with Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd (PSPCL) to supply 1,200 MW of solar power from its projects, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said here on Thursday. Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam signed two power purchase agreements (PPAs) for 1,200 MW solar power recently. PSPCL had floated tenders for procurement of power from solar projects located in Punjab and other parts of the country. SJVN Green Energy Limited (SGEL), SJVN's arm, proposed the rate of Rs 2.53 per unit for the supply of 1,000 MW and Rs 2.75 per unit for another 200 MW. "Earlier bidding was of Rs 2.59 per unit but it was negotiated and brought at Rs 2.53," he said. For 200 MW the bid had proposed the rate of Rs 2.79 per unit but it was finally agreed at Rs 2.75 per unit, Mann said, adding that the state government will save Rs 431 crore through this negotiation. The rates have been fixed for 25 years and PSPCL will not pay any transmission charges and for transmission losses. La

960 rescued, over 10K taken to safer locations in HP, U'khand, Punjab: NDRF

More than 960 people have been rescued while over 10,000 have been shifted to safer places in regions of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Punjab battered by heavy rains and flash floods, the NDRF said on Wednesday. A total of 29 teams of the federal contingency force have been earmarked for undertaking relief and rescue operations in these states out of which 14 are actively deployed while the rest are on standby. Due to excessive rainfall in the last few days, flash floods hit Kangra, Shimla and Mandi districts of Himachal Pradesh and Rupnagar district of Punjab, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) said in a statement. Several houses have been damaged and a number of people are stranded at various places, it said. So far, NDRF has rescued more than 960 victims and shifted 10,363 personnel to safer places in these states, it said in an update issued at 7 pm. The central force apart from state disaster response units, army, air force, police and local authorities are ...

Govt keeping close watch on flood situation, rescue ops underway: Punjab CM

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday said his government was keeping a close watch on the flood situation, and added that rescue and relief operations are underway in the flood-hit areas. Many areas in Hoshiarpur, Rupnagar and Gurdaspur districts were inundated following the release of excess water from the Bhakra and Pong dams, officials said. The water level in Beas and Sutlej rivers rose following the release of water from the reservoirs. The Bhakra Dam on Sutlej river and the Pong Dam on Beas river -- both in Himachal Pradesh -- are brimming after heavy rain in their respective catchment areas. Punjab has seen flooding of many areas for the second time in just over a month. Several parts of Punjab were affected by the rains that happened between July 9 and July 11, flooding vast expanses of agricultural fields and other areas, besides paralysing normal life. Mann said the flood situation in the state was fully in control and that the government was monitoring the ..

Selection for int'l events responsibility of sports federations: IOA to HC

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on Wednesday told the Punjab and Haryana High Court that the selection of sportspersons for participation in major international events is the responsibility of national sports federations. The IOA was responding to a petition filed by three boxers over they not being selected for the upcoming Asian Games in China's Hangzhou. Pugilists Amit Panghal, a World Boxing Championship silver medallist, Rohit Mor and Sagar Ahlawat had moved the high court last month against the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) and others after they were left out of the Indian squad for the Asian Games to be held from September 23 to October 8. They had petitioned against the BFI's evaluation process for the selection of the Asian Games squad. The petitioners had alleged that the BFI had changed the selection criteria for national coaching camps, world championships and Asian Games in violation of the National Sports Development Code of India (NSCI)-2011. The petitioners

NDRF teams start rescue operations in flood-hit areas of Punjab's Gurdaspur

Several teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) on Wednesday began rescue operations to evacuate people in several areas here which were inundated following the release of excess water from the Pong dam, officials said on Wednesday. The Pong dam, on the Beas river, is brimming after heavy rain in its catchment areas. The water level in the Beas river rose following the release of water from the Pong dam on Tuesday, said Gurdaspur Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Aggarwal. He added that a breach in the embankment along the Beas river has flooded many villages, including Chechia Chorian, Pakhowal, Kherha, Dalelpur, Padana, Chhina Bet, Nadala, Jagatpur Kalan, Kohlian and Khariaan. The district administration has asked people living in the low-lying areas and near the banks of the Beas river to move to safer places. Many villagers, carrying essentials on their shoulders, could be seen wading through the flood-hit areas to move to safer places. Some villagers even engaged thei