CM FULFILLS LONG PENDING DEMAND OF AMRITSAR RESIDENTS, DEDICATES VALLAH ROB TO STATE

SAYS MOVE WILL HELP IN DECONGESTING TRAFFIC IN THE HOLY CITY

ASSERTS THAT G-20 SUMMIT WILL HELP IN BRINGING QUALITATIVE CHANGES IN EDUCATION SECTOR ACROSS THE GLOBE

REITERATES COMMITMENT TO MAKE STATE HUB OF EDUCATION AND MEDICAL SCIENCES

Amritsar, March 18-Fulfilling the long pending demand of the people of the entire Majha region, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday dedicated the newly constructed Railway Over Bridge at Vallah to decongest the traffic thereby facilitating the pilgrims coming to the city.

“This is a historic initiative that will help in decongesting the traffic in the historic city to benefit the residents, devotees and commuters” said the Chief Minister while addressing the gathering to dedicate the project.

The Chief Minister said that this is a humble initiative by the state government to give fillip to the development of this holy city. He said that lakhs of devotees daily pay obeisance at Sri Darbar Sahib, Durgiana Mandir, Jallianwala Bagh, Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath and others on this sacred land. Bhagwant Mann said that this project will facilitate them in easily approaching the city and paying obeisance.

The Chief Minister said that about Rs 33 crore has been spent on this ambitious project at Amritsar-Sahnewal section of the Railways. He said that this project has come up with collaboration of the centre and the state government adding that Amritsar Improvement Trust has spent Rs 18.83 crore on this ROB. Bhagwant Mann said that Rs 14.12 crore was share of the Railways out of which Rs 7.48 crore has been received whereas Rs 6.64 crore is still pending.

The Chief Minister congratulated the people of state especially of the holy city for successfully organizing the Education session of G-20. He said that in these sessions representatives of powerful countries which constitute around 80% of the globe have participated. Bhagwant Mann expressed hope that these deliberations will form the bedrock for bringing qualitative changes in the education sector in the member countries.

The Chief Minister said that the state government has not left any stone unturned for ensuring comfortable stay for the visiting delegates. He said that with the proactive support and cooperation of the people of the city, the efforts of the state government had delivered desired results and the delegates had enjoyed the warm hospitality of the state. Bhagwant Mann said that the delegates will take along with them the vivid memories of their visit to Punjab which will be part of their journey of life forever.

The Chief Minister unequivocally said that the state government is making strenuous efforts to develop Punjab as hub of Education. He said that in the coming time the wealth of an individual will not be measured by the number of bungalows, cars or properties he owns. However, Bhagwant Mann said that the royalty of an individual will be ascertained by the level of education which his/ her children had acquired.

The Chief Minister said that for this purpose his government is making concerted efforts to strengthen the education sector in the state. He said that 117 Schools of Eminence have been set up in 23 districts of the state to provide quality education to children. Bhagwant Mann said that these schools will focus on grooming students for five professional and competitive courses including engineering, law, commerce, UPSC and NDA.

The Chief Minister further said that in a major push to Medical education in Punjab, the state government has decided to construct 16 new Medical colleges in the coming five years. He said that this will enhance the total tally of medical colleges in the state to 25 thereby ensuring that every district of the state touches a medical college. Bhagwant Mann further said that work on two medical colleges has already started in the state.

The Chief Minister asserted that he is the votary of the fact that the democracy with diverse ideas and views is always a successful one. In the same manner, Bhagwant Mann said that in democracy opposition and ruling party both are important adding that both of them should make concerted efforts for the development of the state. Citing the example of MPs from southern states, he said that despite varied political affiliations they are always together when any matter pertaining to the interests of their respective states and its people is there adding that the same zeal and spirit should be everywhere for holistic development and prosperity.

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Bhagwant Mann led Govt making strenuous efforts to make Punjab number one in country

• Green Hydrogen Policy on cards, which will make paddy straw an asset than a liability, says Aman Arora

• 25K dwelling units for economically weaker sections to be constructed; 15K in 1st phase: Aman Arora

• Says, New Affordable Housing Policy to revive the real estate sector in Punjab

Chandigarh, March 18:Marching towards the goal to make Punjab a number one state in the country, the Chief Minister S Bhagwant Mann led Punjab Government has taken numerous path breaking decisions during first year regime, which not only led to fulfil the aspirations of Punjabis but the state has also witnessed unprecedented growth in various sectors, said Mr Aman Arora, Minister of Punjab New and Renewable Energy Sources and Employment Generation & Training, on Saturday.

Addressing a press conference here at Punjab Bhawan, the Cabinet Minister Aman Arora said that New & Renewable Energy Sources department will soon come up with the Green Hydrogen policy as part of its energy transition plan, aiming to reduce fossil fuel usage by utilising agri residue. He said that the state produces 20 million tons of paddy straw every year and 12 million still remain un-utilised and with this policy, paddy straw will become an asset than a liability.

The work on another ambitious project of solarisation of all government buildings has also been initiated, the cabinet minister said while adding that Asia’s largest Compressed Biogas (CBG) plant of total capacity 33.23 TPD has already been operational in Sangrur district and agri-residue based 42 additional CBG projects have also been allotted by PEDA.

Highlighting the achievements of the Housing & Urban Development department during the year, Mr Aman Arora said that Punjab Government will construct 25,000 houses for economically weaker sections, which has been ignored by the successive governments, in a phased manner and 15,000 houses will be constructed in the first phase. The state government has also planned to develop around 100 New Urban Estates in next five years to ensure planned development in the state.

The Affordable Housing Policy, 2023 has been approved to provide affordable houses to lower-middle income and lower-income families and it will further give a push to revive the real estate sector in the state. He said that over 14,000 unauthorised colonies have been mushroomed in the state due to negligence and nefarious policies of previous governments.

He further said that the Housing and Urban Development department has decentralised powers to the level of Development Authorities for granting Change of Land Use (CLU), Completion Certificate, Layout and Building Plans. In another such move to simplify the process, authority for approval of Building Plans and grant of Completion Certificate to the standalone industries has been delegated to Director, Factories.

The H&UD department has also decided to do away with tedious and time consuming multi-step approval processes including CLU. Now onwards people, interested to start any project in the state, will not need to apply for CLU permission separately. Now, applicant(s) will have to submit a single application with the requisite documents to the Competent Authority and the Authority will grant the approval of Layout Plans/ Building Plans/ Licences within the mandated timeline. This decision will boost the development in the real estate sector by reducing the total time period for granting permissions for standalone projects to 30-60 days and for colonies to around 45-60 days.

Listing other achievements of the Bhagwant Mann led Punjab government in the first year, the Cabinet Minister Mr Aman Arora said that with the implementation of the new excise policy 45 per cent increase has been registered in excise revenue as compared to financial year 2021-22.

Health and Education are the core sectors for Aam Aadmi Party led state government, Mr Aman Arora said that over 500 Mohalla Clinics are already operational in the state and the number of such clinics will be 646 soon. As many as 117 Schools Of Eminence have been started in the state and two batches of school teachers have already been sent to Singapore for sharpening their professional teaching skills.

Fulfilling its major poll-promises within one-year, Mann government is providing 300 free electricity units and over 90% households are getting zero electricity bills. The state government has also initiated a process to regularise the services of 14000 employees.

The state government had implemented major guarantees like 26,797 new jobs to youth and Rs 1 Crore Ex-gratia to martyrs’ families during this year, he added.

With the commitment to ensure honest, transparent and accountable governance, Mr Aman Arora said that the government has also attracted investment to the tune of over Rs 40,000 crore in the state.

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PVS Speaker assures Kisan Yatra delegation all possible help to convey demands to Union Govt.

Chandigarh, March 18:The farmers delegation from twelve states today called on Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan at his residence here and urged the Speaker to convey farmers' various demands to the union government.

Meeting them over the breakfast, Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhawan assured the farmers, who are marching from Kanyakumari to Delhi Parliament for fulfilling their demands that all possible assistance would be provided to convey their demands to the union government.

Notably, farmers have raised total 10 demands including profitable minimum support price for the crops, waiving off loan from the nationalized banks, cancellation of cases against farmers participating in farmers' struggle at Delhi against the three agricultural laws, not to seize cultivable lands from the farmers without their consent, not to allow corporates in agricultural production & marketing and genetically modified seeds, inclusion of Indian farmers, local traders and small and medium scale business investors in marketing to bring market guarantee act, to take concerted action to protect the western ghats and natural resources to protect agriculture from climate change, not to reduce the subsidies on fertilizer, food and agricultural developments etc.

S. Sandhwan apprised the farmers about the work being done by the state government for the welfare of the farmers, including MSP of Rs.7275 per quintal on Moong to promote crop diversification, Rs.20 increase in Sugarcane price and the farmer-friendly agricultural policy which is being implemented up till March 31.

The farmer delegation also appreciated the pro-farmer schemes of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led government in the field of agriculture.

Pertinent to mention here that on March 2, farmers from twelve states started the Kisan Yatra from Kanyakumari pertaining to their demands. This Yatra has reached Chandigarh in its last phase passing through various states, which will be concluded at Delhi Parliament on March 20.

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Punjab Government to install 5172 chlorinators on water supply schemes of state: Jimpa

* reiterates commitment to provide clean drinking water to rural residents

Chandigarh, March 18:To ensure the safety of the water supply, the Punjab government has taken a significant step towards installing 5172 chlorinators on the water supply schemes of Punjab. This initiative, costing 10.72 crore, will effectively disinfect the water supply and ensure its safety for consumption. Water supply and sanitation minister Bram Shanker Jimpa said that bids have been invited for this crucial step towards ensuring the provision of safe and clean drinking water to the residents of Punjab.

He said that the Punjab Government under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has pledged to provide clean drinking water to the rural residents of state. The government's unwavering commitment to the health and well-being of the people of Punjab is reflected in its tireless efforts to protect public health.

The importance of maintaining these chlorinators to ensure their continued function over the years is recognized by the government. Therefore, the company responsible for the installation of these chlorinators will also maintain them for three years, Jimpa added. He said that this commitment to ongoing maintenance ensures the long-term efficacy of this initiative and underscores the government's commitment to providing clean and safe drinking water to the people of Punjab.

It is pertinent to mention that with the installation of 5172 chlorinators on the water supply schemes of Punjab, the government led by CM Bhagwant Mann is making significant strides towards protecting public health of people of Punjab – thereby creating happy and healthy communities.

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PUNJAB POLICE LAUNCH CRACKDOWN AGAINST ELEMENTS OF WARIS PUNJAB DE; 78 ARRESTED

— AMRITPAL SINGH FUGITIVE, POLICE TEAMS ARE ON MANHUNT

— NINE WEAPONS INCLUDING 8 RIFLES, ONE REVOLVER RECOVERED DURING OPERATION

— SITUATION IS UNDER CONTROL, CITIZENS REQUESTED TO NOT TO BELIEVE IN RUMOURS

CHANDIGARH, March 18:Punjab Police on Saturday launched a massive state-wide Cordon And Search Operations (CASO) in the state against elements of Waris Punjab De (WPD) against whom several criminal cases stand registered.

During the operation, a total of 78 persons have been arrested so far, while, several others have been detained for questioning.

Divulging more details, official spokesperson of Punjab Police said that on Saturday afternoon, several activities of WPD were intercepted by the Police at the Shahkot-Malsian Road in Jalandhar district and seven persons were arrested on the spot. Several others including Amritpal Singh are on the run and a massive manhunt has been launched to nab them, he added.

During the state-wide operation, nine weapons, including one .315 bore rifle, seven rifles of 12 bore, one revolver and 373 live cartridges of different caliber have been recovered so far.

The Spokesperson informed that WPD elements are involved in four criminal cases relating to spreading disharmony among classes, attempt to murder, attack on police persons and creating obstructions in the lawful discharge of duties of public servants. Case FIR No. 39 dated 24-02-2023 stands registered against WPD elements for the attack on Ajnala Police Station, he added.

He said that all persons involved in criminal offences shall be dealt in accordance with law and all persons wanted by the police should offer themselves to the process of law. Their constitutional rights of legal defence shall be protected, he added.

Meanwhile, all the citizens are requested not to pay heed to fake news and rumours. Situation in the state is completely stable. All persons indulging in mischievous activities for disturbing peace and harmony in the state shall be dealt with strictly.

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Department of Health & Family Welfare, Punjab

Media Bulletin COVID-19

18^th March 2023 (05:00 PM)

*After reconciliation of data, 5 samples added.

**After reconciliation of data, 5 confirmed cases added to district (Jalandhar-1, SAS Nagar-4).

On 18^th March 2023

Patients reported Positive on 18^th March 2023 – 15

Cumulative Cases:-