PUNJAB GOVERNMENT GIVES MAJOR RELIEF TO POWER DEFAULTER CONSUMERS
OTS introduced to clear arrears of electricity bills
-Allows consumers to pay arrears in installments including waiver in interest on outstanding amount
-The scheme will continue for three months for all categories of consumers, especially industrial consumers
Chandigarh, May 26:Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has announced to introduce a one-time settlement scheme (OTS) for consumers who have defaulted the electricity bills or their power connections were disconnected amid financial constraints.
The Chief Minister said that the scheme will continue for all categories of consumers especially industrial consumers for three months. He said that giving a golden opportunity to all categories of PSPCL consumers, especially industrial consumers, whose connections were disconnected following non-clearance of power bills or economical compulsions, the OTS has been launched for three months. Bhagwant Mann said that the interest on delayed payment of pending dues of bills under OTS would be charged at a simple rate of 9 per cent.
The Chief Minister said that no fixed charges will be charged if the period of connection addition from the date of disconnection is six months or less. Bhagwant Mann said that if the period of reconnecting the power connection from the date of disconnection is six months or more, then the fixed charges will be charged only for six months. He said that in a new initiative to facilitate the consumers, the balance amount under the scheme now could be deposited in four installments within a year.
The Chief Minister said that interest was charged at the rate of 18 per cent compounded on late payment on the outstanding defaulting amount of the bills and full-time fixed charges were charged from the date of disconnection to the period of connecting the connection, which has now been completely waived off. He said that it is a landmark initiative aimed at giving a major relief to the people. Bhagwant Mann asked the people to take full advantage of the scheme introduced in larger public interest.
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IT’S ‘DAUGHTER’S ERA’- CM ON GIRLS TOPPING THE EXAM OF 10TH CLASS IN THE STATE
CONGRATULATES STUDENTS FOR THEIR RARE ACHIEVEMENT
ANNOUNCES TO GIVE CASH REWARD WORTH RS 51,000 TO THE TOPPERS
Chandigarh, May 26:Congratulating the girl students for topping the exam of 10th class declared by the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) on Friday, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said that it’s ‘daughter’s era’ as the girl students are making all of them proud by their rare achievement.
In a statement issued here today, the Chief Minister said the girls have once again outshined the boys in the result of 10th class adding that the state government will felicitate these bright students with a cash award of Rs 51,000 soon. He said that this is the result of the concerted efforts being made by the state government to spread the light of quality education in every nook and corner of Punjab. Bhagwant Mann said that the massive efforts being done by the state government has immensely benefited the girls thereby paving way for their empowerment by excelling in the field of education.
The Chief Minister said that it is a matter of great pride and satisfaction for all of us that in the recent results declared from class 8th, 12th and now 10th class girls have surpassed boys. Congratulating these meritorious students who have cleared this exam with flying colors, he extended best wishes to them for their future. Bhagwant Mann said that it is a red letter day for the state as these girl students have proved their mettle by excelling in these exams.
The Chief Minister said that these girls had been able to shine through their hard work, perseverance and dedication adding that students, their parents and teachers deserve accolades for this achievement. He envisioned that these students will become role models for other students and inspire them to excel in the arena of education by pursuing higher education. Bhagwant Mann said that the state government is committed to providing the best environment of school education for the students, especially the girls, so that they can succeed in their lives.
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CABINET MINISTER LISTENS TO PEOPLE'S PROBLEMS UNDER SARKAR TUHADE DWAR PROGRAM
CABINET MINISTER DR. BALJIT KAUR VISITED VIDHAN SABHA CONSTITUENCY MALOUT
Chandigarh/Sri Muktsar Sahib, May 26: Minister of Social Security, Women and Child Development of Punjab, Dr. Baljit Kaur, listened to the problems of the people in the Vidhan Sabha Constituency Malout under the Sarkar Tuhade Dwar program and solved the legitimate problems on the spot.
The Cabinet Minister, while addressing the people during her visit to the assembly constituency Malout, said that the Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, is solving the problems of the people on a priority basis so that the people benefit from the Government schemes.
On this occasion, she heard the common needs of the people in Malout, such as clean drinking water, sewerage problems, road construction, garbage heaps, and problems faced by the people related to electricity, and issue instructions to concerned authorities to solve these problems as soon as possible.
During the visit, the Cabinet Minister also listened to the problems of the people in villages Ghumiara and Mahabadhar, in addition to the different wards of Malout city, and solved the legitimate problems on the spot. She stated that the Punjab Government always stands with the people and solves all the problems they face. The problems will be solved soon.
During the occasion, DSP Balkar Singh , SDO Baldev Singh , SDO Rakesh Mohan Makkar, President of Malout Jasmeet Singh Brar, Sarpanch Sukhpal Singh , Jagdev Sandhu, Ramesh Arnivala, Paramjit Gill, Jagannath Sarma, Raju Sarma, and Gurpreet Singh Virdi were present, along with other dignitaries.
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CABINET MINISTER ANMOL GAGAN MAAN ALLOCATES GRANTS TO SIX VILLAGES FOR DEVELOPMENT WORKS
Chandigarh, May 26:Anmol Gagan Maan, the minister for Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Labour, Hospitality, and Investment Promotion has released grants for various development works to the gram panchayats of the villages on Friday . In these villages, Mehroli received Rs 2 lakh, Bharatpur Rs 2 lakh, Machali Khurd Rs 2 lakh, Magar Rs 2 lakh, Palheri Rs 2 lakh and Singariwala received Rs 2 lakh for their respective village panchayats.
Giving more information in this regard, minister said that the Punjab government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, is committed to providing basic facilities to the people and improving their standard of living. She mentioned that the villages of Kharar will receive the all basic facilities aiming to enhance their standard of living. The minister assured that ample funds are available for all development projects.
Sarpanchs, panches and other prominent personalities of various villages, including Dr. Jatinder Singh, Kulwinder Singh, Rajpal Kaur, Varinder Singh and Jasbir Kaur also expressed their gratitude to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Minister Anmol Gagan Mann.
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EMINENCE SCHOOL STUDENTS VISIT PROMINENT INDUSTRIAL UNITS: HARJOT SINGH BAINS
Chandigarh, May 26:As many as 2218 students of 94 Schools of Eminence today visited industrial units of the state to get industrial exposure.
Divulging this, Punjab School Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said, 9th standard students of Schools of Eminence have taken to one-day visit of these units with an aim of getting acquaintance with the technology used in industries, its requirements, work culture etc. besides instilling the idea in their minds to become an entrepreneur.
He said that the ambition of the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is that every student of the state should be job provider not job seeker, and to fulfil CM goal, we are constantly conducting tours of our students.
Under this tour program, students visited industrial units of Verka Milk Plant, Trident, Hero Cycle, Viatone Energy Private Limited, Pepsi Plant, Swaraj Mazda, BHEL Goindwal Sahib.
Notably, first batch of the excursion/study tour program was organized on May 19, wherein students visited renowned educational institutions.
He categorically mentioned that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led government was committed to impart qualitative education to the students of the state and continuously striving in this direction.
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AMAN ARORA INAUGURATES "CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE" IN PHAGWARA
• 2000 CANDIDATES TO BE GIVEN TRAINING IN AUTOMOTIVE MACHINE OPERATOR AND ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONICS ASSEMBLY
Chandigarh/Phagwara, May 26: In order to prepare the youth to become job creators from job seekers, Punjab Employment Generation, Skill Development and Training Minister Mr Aman Arora on Friday inaugurated ‘Center of Excellence’ in Phagwara, where over 2000 candidates are expected to get training in Automotive Machine Operator and Electrical & Electronics Assembly courses.
Addressing the inaugural function, Mr. Aman Arora said that Chief Minister S Bhagwant Mann led Punjab Government would further encourage skill development for making youth self-employed instead of seeking employment. The main objective of the Punjab Government is to set up industries in Punjab and making youth skilled so that the migration of the youth to abroad could be deterred.
He said that this project would prove to be a milestone for the entire Doaba region and especially for the industries of Jalandhar and Phagwara, as it would pave the way for the youth to establish self-employment on a large scale.
The initial period of "Centre of Excellence" has been kept at 2 years from 2023-2025, during which over 2000 candidates will be imparted skill training courses of four months of automotive machine operator and electrical & electronics assembly fitter.
With this centre, locally trained personnel will be available to the industries as per the requirement, enabling youth to get employment at handsome salary nearest their homes, the Employment Generation Minister added.
Director General Punjab Skill Development and Employment Mission Ms Dipti Uppal said that interested candidates for these courses will be registered as per the batch and trained with expert trainers, after which an industry visit will be conducted with guest lectures and final placement will be done by evaluating and certification by conducting job interviews.
During the training course, various activities including counselling sessions, induction, category-division, guest lectures, industry visits, initial-placement talks, career guidance, personality enhancement sessions, monitoring and motivational sessions, inter-batch competitions, inter-batch sports competitions, picnics, celebrity visits and innovative Idea competitions will be organised for the candidates.
Aam Aadmi Party leader Mr Joginder Singh Mann, Chairman Assocham Mr Vijay Garg, Co-Chairman Assocham Mr Kulwant Seehra, ADC Phagwara Dr Nayan Jassal and ADC (D) Paramjit Kaur were also present on the occasion.
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Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO dedicates 66KV substation Kalyanpur to consumers
“40 new 66KV substations with 20 MVA power transformers are being established across state”, Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO
Chandigarh / Hoshiarpur, May 26:Punjab Power Minister S. Harbhajan Singh ETO dedicated 66 KV substation village Kalyanpur to the consumers of subdivision Tanda and Bhogpur, here on Friday.
S. Harbhajan Singh ETO was accompanied by MLA Urmar Tanda Jasvir Singh Raja Gill, MLA Dasua Karamveer Singh Ghuman, Chief Engineer Distribution North Jalandhar (PSPCL), Er. Ramesh Sarangal and Chief Engineer Transmission Line Er. Inderjit Singh.
The cabinet minister disclosed that a new 12.5MVA power transformer has been established at this 66 KV substation Kalyanpur and it is being connected with four 11 KV feeders (Kalyanpur, Gidderpindi, Jahura and Sallan) of 132KV substation Tanda and two 11 KV feeders (Mooklan and Chakk Shakur) of 132KV substation Bhogpur and to shift 6.83MVA load to this new 66KV substation Kalyanpur. The total cost of the project was Rs 422.12 lacs.
“Due to overload on a transformer, especially in the paddy sowing season/ summers, the power supply was being affected. Now, this new substation will reduce the burden on other substations and will boost power supply to consumers in 14 villages including 6 villages of Adampur constituency and 8 villages of Urmar constituency,” he said.
While addressing the public, S. Harbhajan Singh ETO asserted that the Punjab Government under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann is making all efforts to ensure uninterrupted power supply to the people of the state. Therefore, new substations are being inaugurated across the state to reduce the load of existing substations so that proper power supply can be provided to the consumers.
He added that as many as 40 new 66KV substations with 20 MVA power transformers are being established across state including 13 in South zone, 12 in Central zone, 6 in West zone, 5 in Border zone and 4 in North zone. Besides, 20 MVA additional Power Transformers are being installed at 35 Number 66KV substations in Punjab.
Apart from this, a total of 82 power transfers are being augmented from 16/20 MVA to 25/31.5 MVA and 23 other power transformers are being augmented from 10/12.5 MVA to 16/20 MVA.
The power minister said that in this paddy sowing season the government ensures 8-hours uninterrupted power supply to the farmers.
He reviewed the preparations and directed the officials concerned to check all transformers and transmission lines and fix the defects immediately, if any.
He said that electricity supply is being provided for eight hours on alternate days to each agricultural feeder for direct sowing of rice from May 20-May 31.
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LUDHIANA POLICE GO GREEN AS DGP DEDICATES 120 KW CAPACITY SOLAR POWER PLANTS IN 13 POLICE STATIONS
— SOLARIZING BUILDINGS OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENTS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CSR IS AS PER THE VISION OF CM BHAGWANT MANN TO MAKE STATE ECO-FRIENDLY
— WILL ELECTRIFY ALL POLICE STATIONS OF PUNJAB WITH SOLAR POWER, SAYS DGP GAURAV YADAV
— SOLAR POWER PLANTS TO REDUCE CARBON EMISSIONS UP TO 180 METRIC TONNES AND SAVE ₹12 LAKH ANNUALLY IN LUDHIANA: CP MANDEEP SINGH SIDHU
CHANDIGARH/LUDHIANA, May 26:In a bid to make Punjab an eco-friendly and energy-efficient state as desired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav on Friday inaugurated rooftop solar power plants installed at buildings of 13 police stations in the jurisdiction of Commissionerate Police Ludhiana.
These 120kW solar plants have been installed in partnership with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as part of the project 'Ujaala— Ek Changi Shuruwat' at the police stations including Jamalpur, Moti Nagar, PAU, Division Number-1, 2, 5, 6 & 8, Dugri, Sahnewal, Shimlapuri, Sadar and Model Town.
DGP Gaurav Yadav, who was accompanied by Commissioner of Police (CP) Ludhiana Mandeep Singh Sidhu, said that the installation of 120-KW solar power plants in these police buildings would reduce carbon emissions amounting to 180 metric tonnes annually, besides, reducing hefty electricity bills, resulting in saving Rs 12 lakh annually. Installing 120 KW capacity solar power plants is equivalent to planting around 5500 teak trees, he added.
He further pointed out that these solar power plants have been set up under Net Metering Policy of PSPCL which allows eligible consumers to install rooftop solar photovoltaic (SPV) systems and offset their electricity consumption with the power generated from their solar panels. Under net metering, power consumers are billed for the net amount of electricity consumed which will be the difference between the amount of electricity generated by the solar panels and the amount of electricity consumed from the solar grid, he added.
The DGP expressed hope that these solar power plants will transform police stations as 'Green Police Stations' and motivate others to adopt such renewable energy sources for making a clean and green Punjab. He also asked the CP to cover all police stations of Ludhiana.
CP Mandeep Singh Sidhu, while assuring the DGP to further expand the installation of solar panels at all the Police Station Buildings, said that the power generated through these solar panels would replace conventional energy and provide backup power during shutdowns.
Meanwhile, the CP also thanked ICICI foundation, Hero Cycles, Ganga Acrowools, Findoc and Oswal Group for their wholeheartedly support in this environmentally sustainable endeavour. He said that this would also enhance operational efficiency and enable to serve the community with enhanced productivity and effectiveness.
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PUNJAB BRINGS DOWN PENDENCY OF SERVICES AT SEWA KENDRAS TO 0.16%
• THE PENDENCY IS ALL TIME LOWEST SO FAR, SAYS AMAN ARORA
• GOVERNANCE REFORMS MINISTER DIRECTS DCs TO EXAMINE THE OFFICIAL HAVING HIGHEST SEND BACK PENDENCY
• ALSO ASKS DGR OFFICIALS TO BRING ALL OFFLINE SERVICES ON DIGITAL PLATFORM ASAP
Chandigarh, May 26:Setting a new benchmark, Punjab has brought down the pendency of services provided via Sewa Kendras to as low as 0.16%, which is all time lowest in the state so far, said Mr. Aman Arora, Minister of Governance Reforms & Public Grievances, Punjab.
Mr Aman Arora was chairing a regular meeting with all the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) of the state via Video Conference to review the pendency of government services applied at Sewa Kendras.
While commending the efforts of the DCs in ensuring timely delivery of services applied at Sewa Kendras, Mr Aman Arora directed them to analyse the reason of the concerned officials, those have the highest send back cases.
He also warned of strict actions against such officials who are putting unnecessary objections and asking for redundant documents to dispense Government to Citizen (G2C) services. The send back cases pendency of the state currently is at a low of 0.56%.
Reiterating the commitment made by Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Mann led Punjab Government to ensure seamless delivery of services to public in transparent manner, Mr Aman Arora asked the Governance Reforms officials to expedite the digitisation process of all services delivered in offline mode to bring in more transparency in service delivery. He also stressed on the need to simplify the process of service delivery and standardisation and minimisation of documents required to avail G2C services.
Presenting status of G2C service delivery and upcoming initiatives from Sewa Kendras, Principal Secretary Governance Reforms Mr. Tejveer Singh and Director Governance Reforms Mr. Girish Dayalan apprised the Cabinet Minister that the department is in the process of widening the mandate of Sewa Kendras and they also assured that they are working on simplifying the service delivery process, besides bringing the all offline mode services on digital platform.
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PSEB DECLARES MATRICULATION RESULTS; GIRLS OUTPERFORMS BOYS AND BAGGED FIRST THREE SPOTS
• GAGANDEEP KAUR OF SMDMSSS KOT SUKHIYAN SECURED FIRST POSITION
• GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS PASS PERCENTAGE SURPASSED WITH 97.76 PASS PERCENTAGE
-SCHOOL EDUCATION MINISTER HARJOT SINGH BAINS CONGRATULATES STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND PARENTS
SAS Nagar, May 26:The Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) has declared matriculation results on Friday and girls outshined again with clinched first three spots.
According to the results announced, Gagandeep kaur Daughter of Gursewak Singh of Sant Mohan Das Senior Secondary School Kot Sukhiyan, District Faridkot secured the first position with perfect 650 marks out of 650.
Similarly, Navjot Daughter of Mr Vijay of Sant Mohan Das Senior Secondary School Kot Sukhiyan District Faridkot secured the second position with 648 marks and Harmandeep kaur of Govt High School Mandali district Mansa clinched 3rd position with 646 marks.
A spokesman of the department said that this time 2,90,796 students appeared for the examinations, out of which 2,81,905 students have passed. Apart from this, 6171 students have to reappear and the result of 103 students has been delayed.
Divulging details, the spokesperson said that the accumulate pass percentage of girls was 98.46 per cent, while boys overall secured 96.73 percentage. In urban areas, the pass percentage was 96.77 per cent, in rural areas it was 97.94 per cent. Likewise, the passing percentage in government schools was 97.76 per cent, and Non Govt Schools recorded 97.00 per cent.
Punjab School Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains has congratulated the students, teachers and their parents for the good results. He said that government schools showed their strength again with outperformed private ones.
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PUNJAB POLICE BUST CRIMINAL GANG INVOLVED IN GANG RIVALRY; ONE HELD WITH PISTOL
— PUNJAB POLICE COMMITTED TO MAKE PUNJAB A SAFE AND SECURE STATE AS PER VISION OF CM BHAGWANT MANN
— POLICE TEAMS ARE ON MANHUNT TO NAB ACCOMPLICE OF ARRESTED ACCUSED, SAYS AIG ASHWANI KAPUR
CHANDIGARH, May 26:As part of the ongoing drive against anti-social elements launched on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Punjab Police’s State Special Operation Cell, SAS Nagar on Friday has busted a notorious criminal gang involved in gang rivalry with the arrest of its one member after recovering one .30 bore pistol aling with five live cartridges from his possession.
The arrested accused has been identified as Rahul alias Akash of village Naurang Ke leli in Ferozepur. The Police have also booked his close associate identified as Sukh alias Subash of village Babra Azam Shah in Ferozepur. Both the accused persons are history-sheeters and have been facing criminal cases of heinous crimes including double murder, attempt to murder and Arms act.
Divulging details, AIG SSOC SAS Nagar Ashwani Kapur said that they have got reliable inputs that accused Rahul and Sukh— who were out on bail, were hatching a conspiracy to target members of opposite gangs. They were also arranging more illegal weapons from their unknown associates, he added.
Acting swiftly team of SSOC Mohali apprehended accused Rahul alias Akash after recovering a pistol from his possession, while, Sukh managed to flee from the spot, said AIG Kapur, while adding that Police teams are on manhunt to nab the absconding accused.
He said that further efforts are being made to ascertain backward and forward linkages of the accused persons and to identify their source of illegal arms and ammunition. Investigation into the matter is on, he added.
Meanwhile, a case FIR no 08 dated 25/05/2023 has been registered under section 25 of the Arms Act at Police Station State Special Operation Cell, SAS Nagar.
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ANIMAL HUSBANDRY MINISTER CONSTITUTES COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER REBATE IN POWER TARIFF FOR SHRIMP FARMING
FOUR MEMBER COMMITTEE WILL COMPRISE DIRECTOR FISHERIES, PSPCL OFFICIAL AND TWO REPRESENTATIVES OF SHRIMP FARMERS
CHANDIGARH, MAY 26:Punjab Animal Husbandry Minister S. Laljit Singh Bhullar, on Thursday, constituted four member committee to consider rebate in power tariff for shrimp farming in the state.
After carefully listening to the problems of the shrimp farmers at his office here, S. Laljit Singh Bhullar said that the state government will focus on reducing the input cost of shrimp farmers to meet the target of increasing the area under shrimp culture to 5000 hectares in next five years.
On the demand of the shrimp farmers for reducing power tariffs for shrimp farming, the Cabinet Minister said that the four members committee comprising of Director Fisheries, one PSPCL official and two shrimp farmers will thoroughly deliberate all aspects related to the demand and furnish it's report to him. He said that the feasibility of switching from conventional energy sources with solar energy for shrimp farming will also be explored.
S. Laljit singh Bhullar said, the south-western district Sri Muktsar Sahib, Fazilka, Mansa, Bathinda and Faridkot are affected with saline and waterlogging. Although traditional crops, the Cabinet Minister said, have been affected in these districts, but shrimp culture has proved very beneficial in the region. And, the state government will leave no stone unturned to promote shrimp farming in this state and create maximum self-employment opportunities for the youth.
Meanwhile, Principal Secretary Mr. Vikas Pratap said that after obtaining the report of the committee, this matter will be forwarded to the finance department so that a suitable solution can be reached.
Mr. Tejvir Singh, Principal Secretary Power said that shrimp farmers demands will be considered sympathetically.
Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included, Director Fisheries Mr. Jasbir Singh, Assistant Director Mrs. Satinder Kaur and other officials of the department.