Page 36 - Punjab

500 jobs for winners, 1,000 centres to boost sports culture in Punjab

Punjab Sports Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer Monday said 500 jobs have been created for outstanding medal winners and 1,000 sports nurseries will be set up in the state. The Punjab Cabinet on Saturday approved the new sports policy, 2023, aimed to focus on training, incentives, robust infrastructure, and jobs for athletes. Addressing the media here, Hayer said 1,000 sports nurseries will be developed with a budget of Rs 250 crore to provide athletes with better coaching, sports equipment and refreshments. The minister said a provision has been created to offer the top 500 medal winners various job positions in the special cadre, including 40 deputy directors, 92 senior coaches, 138 coaches and 230 junior coaches. He said there are only 309 coaches in Punjab but their strength has now been increased to 2,360 under the new sports policy. Sharing further steps taken to boost the sports culture in the state, Hayer said residential sports facilities with 200 hostel rooms will be ...

Girdawari to assess flood damage in Punjab, Govt pegs loss at Rs 1,500 cr

The Punjab Cabinet on Saturday gave its nod for conducting a special 'girdawari' (field inspection) by August 15 to assess the damage caused by the recent floods even as the state government pegged the estimated loss at Rs 1,500 crore. The decision was taken by the council of ministers in a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann here, according to an official statement. Several districts of Punjab and Haryana were battered by a heavy downpour that left normal life paralysed and flooded vast tracts of residential and agricultural land. After the cabinet meeting, Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian said the floods caused the estimated loss of worth Rs 1,500 crore to the state, though the exact amount was yet to be assessed. A total of 1,495 villages in 19 districts of Punjab were affected by the heavy rain and floods whit at least 44 people losing their lives and 22 sustaining injuries, said an official release. As many as 391 houses were fully damaged and 87

5 Khalistan Liberation Force operatives arrested by Punjab Police

The Punjab Police on Saturday said it has foiled a conspiracy by Pakistan's intelligence agency ISI to disturb peace in the state ahead of Independence Day with the arrest of five operatives of the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF). The arrests were made following a two-week operation, it said. Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said inputs were received that some terrorist elements based abroad have formed a terror module by recruiting foot soldiers through criminals lodged in jails and are hatching a conspiracy to target minority leaders, police officials and other prominent people to disturb peace and harmony in the state. Based on these inputs, the State Special Operating Cell (SSOC) of SAS Nagar registered a case and started a special operation, he said. "Around a two-week-long operation, which involved meticulous intelligence gathering, technical analysis and swift action, led to the apprehension of five operatives of this terrorist module involved in the nefarious

Punjab approves revised process for wheat distribution to beneficiaries

The Punjab Cabinet on Saturday approved a revised mechanism for the distribution of packaged wheat flour or wheat at the doorsteps of beneficiaries by roping in fair price shop owners. The decision in this regard was taken by the council of ministers in a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann here, according to an official statement here. The distribution of 'atta' (wheat flour) or wheat shall be allowed in loose quantities, duly weighed, across the counter in ration depots (fair price shops) or in specially-sealed packets delivered at the doorstep of the beneficiary or the nearest motorable point, by the ration depot holder, said the statement. It will be a more dignified way of receiving packaged 'atta' as the beneficiary shall not be required to stand in long queues, especially in inclement weather conditions, it said. Last year, the AAP government's plans of starting home delivery of 'atta' was put on hold after the fair price shop owners moved the Punjab and Haryana

Punjab BJP delegation meets governor on flood issue, demands compensation

A delegation of the Punjab BJP on Thursday met Governor Banwarilal Purohit here on the flood issue, highlighting that the AAP government allegedly "failed" to take measures on time despite warnings of heavy rainfall to prevent losses suffered by farmers. The delegation was led by party's state unit chief Sunil Jakhar. "We have requested the governor that answers should be sought from this government so that people of Punjab come to know how because of negligence on part of the AAP dispensation, the heavy losses caused due to floods could have been prevented," Jakhar told reporters outside the Rah Bhavan after meeting the governor. Floods do cause losses, but more loss was suffered due to the "negligence" of the AAP government, he said, adding the government failed to handle the flood situation. Jakhar also alleged that the government failed to take necessary measures, including cleaning of drains and strengthening of embankments, that led to the flooding. In many areas, the danger

Punjabi Singer Surinder Shinda passes away at the age of 64

Punjabi Singer Surinder Shinda passed away on Wednesday at the age of 64. He took his last breath at DMC Hospital. His work includes Putt Jattan De, Badla Jatti Da, and Ucha Dar Babe Nanak Da

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1,457 villages still affected by floods due to heavy rainfall in Punjab

A total of 1,457 villages in Punjab are still affected by floods caused by the recent heavy downpour in the state, officials said on Saturday. Currently, 19 districts Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Fatehgarh Sahib, Faridkot, Hoshiarpur, Rupnagar, Kapurthala, Patiala, Moga, Ludhiana, SAS Nagar, Jalandhar, Sangrur, SBS Nagar, Fazilka, Gurdaspur, Mansa, Bathinda and Pathankot are flood-affected, they said. A total of 27,221 people were evacuated from waterlogged areas and taken to safer places in the state, the officials said, adding 170 relief camps are operational in which 4,909 flood-hit people are staying. According to a report by the revenue department, 40 people lost their lives due to the floods and 15 were injured. Several districts of Punjab and Haryana were battered by the recent heavy downpour that left normal life paralysed and flooded vast tracts of residential and agricultural land. Though the floodwaters have receded in many areas of Punjab and Haryana, work on plugging brea

SJVN bags procurement contract for 1,200 MW solar power from Punjab

State-owned SJVN Ltd on Saturday said it has bagged a contract from Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd (PSPCL) for the development and procurement of 1,200 MW of solar power entailing an investment of Rs 7,000 crore. "SJVN Green Energy Ltd (SGEL; a wholly owned subsidiary of SJVN) will develop 1000 MW (solar) project anywhere in the country and balance 200 MW in the state of Punjab," a company statement said. SJVN has received the Letter of Intent (LOI) from the PSPCL for the procurement of 1,200 MW of solar power. The PSPCL will be procuring 1,000 MW energy produced anywhere in India at a tariff of Rs 2.53 per unit, while 200 MW energy produced in Punjab will be procured at a tariff of Rs 2.75 per unit, it stated. Development of these projects involves an investment of around Rs 7,000 crore, which will be on Build Own and Operate (BOO) basis, it stated. The project shall be commissioned in a period of 18 months from the date of signing of power purchase agreement (PPA) and is ...

Punjab to open training centres to impart coaching to UPSC aspirants: Mann

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday said his government will soon open eight modern training centres to impart coaching to aspirants of Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examinations. Chairing a meeting here, Mann expressed concerns over the declining ratio of candidates from the state in the central services, especially in the exams conducted by the UPSC, according to an official statement. Despite having enormous talent, youngsters of the state are not being able to crack these exams firstly due to their inclination towards going abroad and secondly, in the dearth of quality coaching in the state, he noted. Mann said his government is committed to reverse this trend. The proposed centres will provide quality training free of cost so that candidates from the state can become officers of the IAS, IPS, IRS and other services and serve the country, he said. The chief minister said the state has a glorious legacy of producing ace bureaucrats who have made huge ...

Punjab health dept provides medical assistance to flood-affected people

According to officials, 1441 villages have been affected by the flood till 8 am on July 21. A total of 155 relief camps are running in the state in which 4560 people are staying

Advisory issued in Gurdaspur after water released in Punjab's Ujh river

The district administration in Punjab's Gurdaspur on Wednesday issued an advisory, asking people living near the Ravi river to remain vigilant after 2.60 lakh cusecs water was released in Ujh river. The Ujh river in Jammu, after crossing Pathankot, merges into Ravi river in Makora Patan in Gurdaspur district. Gurdaspur Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Aggarwal said 2.60 lakh cusecs water was released in Ujh river due to heavy rains in hilly areas. The administration has also evacuated people living near low-lying areas and on the banks of Ravi river, he said, adding a holiday was also declared in some schools. Aggarwal said the district administration is fully prepared to deal with any situation. Any information about flood-like situation can be given on the toll-free number 1800-180-1852 of the control room of the district administration, he said. Several districts of Punjab and Haryana were battered by the recent heavy downpour that has left normal life paralysed and flooded vast t

Over Rs 27 cr released for repair of flood-affected govt schools in Punjab

Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains Monday released a grant of Rs 27.77 crore to repair the flood-hit government schools in the state. Each school will receive an amount ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 30,000, said an official release. Mann said Rs 20 crore has been allocated for primary schools and Rs 7.77 crore for secondary schools. With this amount, school heads and management committees will undertake maintenance, cleanliness, painting and other necessary repairs in the schools. A special survey is being conducted regarding damages caused by floods in government schools of the state, which will help in allocating funds according to the needs of the affected schools for their renovation and maintenance, he said. Several districts of Punjab and Haryana were battered by heavy downpour last week that has left normal life paralysed and flooded vast tracts of residential and agricultural land. Though the floodwaters have receded in many areas of Punjab and Haryana, authoritie

Fire breaks out at plastic factory in Punjab's Ludhiana, no casualty

On receiving information, around six to seven fire tenders rushed to the spot and the situation was brought under control, officials said

Rain fury: At least 55 killed in Punjab, Haryana; relief work underway

Floodwaters have started receding from several places in Punjab and Haryana, battered by heavy downpour earlier this week, even as relief works were underway in flood-hit areas of both states on Saturday. With 14 districts in Punjab and 13 in Haryana hit by the recent downpour, at least 55 people have died in rain-related incidents in both states. A total of 29 people died in rain-related incidents in Punjab while the death toll in Haryana stands at 26, according to official data. Over 25,000 people have been evacuated to safe places from waterlogged localities in various flood-hit districts of Punjab and more than 5,300 in Haryana. The flow rate at the Hathnikund barrage in Haryana's Yamunanagar was 53,370 cusecs at 6 pm and 54,619 cusecs at 8 pm. Meanwhile, two breaches occurred along the Ghaggar river in Punjab's Mansa district on Saturday, following which many villages bordering Haryana stare at a flood threat. The first breach occurred in an embankment near the Chandpura dam

VAT on diesel rose by Rs 3/litre in Himachal, cheaper than Punjab: CM Sukhu

In a bid to enhance revenue, the Himachal Pradesh government on Saturday increased the value added tax (VAT) on diesel by Rs 3 per litre to Rs 10.40 per litre. VAT on diesel has been increased from 9.90 per cent to 13.9 per cent, an increase of Rs 3 per litre from Rs 7.40 to Rs 10.40 per litre, as per the notification issued by the State Excise and Taxation department. Justifying the increase, chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Saturday said the previous BJP government had reduced the VAT by seven per cent on the eve of the last assembly polls held in November 2022 and the increase was imperative for mobilising resources along with other measures. He said the state has suffered huge losses due to heavy rains and resources have to be mobilized in this hour. The roads, water supply schemes and electricity have been restored temporarily and it would take almost a year to restore the damaged infrastructure. In spite of an increase in VAT, diesel is cheaper in the state as compare

Floodwaters recede at many places in Punjab, Haryana; relief work underway

Floodwaters have started receding in several places of Punjab and Haryana, battered by heavy downpour earlier this week, and relief work is underway in affected areas in both states, officials said on Saturday. With the threat of water and vector-borne diseases looming large in flood-affected areas, health department officials have been directed to take appropriate steps to prevent any such outbreak, they said. The officials also said that medical camps have been set up in flood-hit areas and medicines are being distributed to people. At least 39 people have died in rain-related incidents in Punjab and Haryana. According to official data, 19 people have died in rain-related incidents in Punjab while the death toll in Haryana stands at 20. Over 22,000 people have been moved to safety from waterlogged localities in various flood-hit districts of Punjab. In neighbouring Haryana, 4,495 people have been evacuated. Fourteen districts Patiala, Moga, Ludhiana, Mohali, Jalandhar, Sangrur

Food packets being prepared for flood-affected people: Punjab Minister

Some areas in Punjab including in Patiala and Sangrur have witnessed flood-like situation due to heavy rainfall

Focus shifts to rescue efforts as rains abate in parts of north India

As the weather improved in parts of north India, which was pummelled by heavy rains for days, authorities on Wednesday worked on a war footing to rescue stranded tourists, restore vehicular traffic on arterial roads and prevent floodwaters from entering new areas. In Punjab and Haryana, at least 15 people have died in rain-related incidents, according to government data. As many as 2,000 tourists stranded in Himachal Pradesh's Kasol were evacuated and more than 300 tourist vehicles stuck in Lahaul following landslides and flash floods left for their respective destinations, the state government said. In Delhi, the Yamuna swelled to 207.55 metres on Wednesday, breaching its all-time high of 207.49 metres recorded in 1978, according to government agencies. Delhi has recorded a rapid increase in the Yamuna water level over the last three days. It shot up from 203.14 metres at 11 am on Sunday to 205.4 metres at 5 pm on Monday, breaching the danger mark of 205.33 metres 18 hours earlier

Rain havoc: 10,000 people shift from waterlogged areas in Punjab in 3 days

About 10,000 people have been shifted to safer places from their water-logged localities in Punjab over the past three days, authorities said on Wednesday as they focused on relief work. According to government data, the death toll due to rain-related incidents in Punjab and Haryana is 18. Seven of the deaths took place in Haryana. In Punjab, nearly 10,000 people have so far been evacuated in Patiala, Rupnagar, Moga, Ludhiana, Mohali, SBS Nagar and Fatehgarh Sahib districts, they said. Several places in neighbouring Haryana too remained flooded and Chief Minister Manohal Lal Khattar was expected to visit worst-hit Ambala district to take stock of the situation. The weather remained clear at most places in the region for the second day on Wednesday after three days of incessant rains. In a tweet, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said he is taking regular updates on the rain situation. "All the dams are safe and well below the danger mark. Our priority is to provide all kinds of