PUNJAB TO RECRUIT 300 VETERINARY OFFICERS SOON: GURMEET SINGH KHUDIAN

Complete inoculation drive against FMD and Haemorrhagic Septicaemia by June 30, Animal Husbandry Minister directs officials

Chandigarh, June 14:In order to further strengthen the animal healthcare network in the state, Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government is all set to recruit 300 Veterinary Officers, said S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian, Minister of Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries, Punjab here on Friday.

The Cabinet Minister, while reviewing the ongoing projects of the department here at his office, informed that the recruitment process has already been initiated by the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC). Notably, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann led state government has already recruited as many as 326 Veterinary Officers and 536 Veterinary Inspectors in the last two years.

He said that an action plan worth Rs 93 crore has been submitted to the Government of India for procurement of medicines and equipment in Veterinary hospitals.

He also directed the department officials to complete the vaccination drive being undertaken against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Hemorrhagic Septicaemia by June 30, 2024. While assuring the minister to accomplish the drive in prescribed time frame, Director Animal Husbandry Dr. Ranjiv Bali apprised the cabinet minister that around 78% and 75% livestock has been covered under the drive against FMD and Haemorrhagic Septicaemia, respectively, so far.

To encourage farmers to adopt dairy farming, S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian said that the Dairy Development Department is providing 25 per cent financial assistance to the general category and 33 per cent to scheduled caste category beneficiaries on the purchase of milch animals, on the prescribed rate of Rs. 70,000 per animal. The department has given around Rs. 2 crore as financial assistance for 1,089 milch animals during 2023-24, he added.

He said that the department has also provided financial assistance for 7200 milch animals to livestock farmers within the past five weeks under National Livestock Scheme, under which financial assistance is being provided to small/medium milk producers for insurance of one to five milch animals. 50 percent financial assistance is being given to the general category, while 70 percent financial assistance for the SC farmers, mentioned the Animal Husbandry Minister.

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UNDER MATRU VANDANA YOJANA, PREGNANT AND LACTATING MOTHERS TO RECEIVE FINANCIAL BENEFITS WORTH RS.60 CRORE DURING THE CURRENT FISCAL: DR. BALJIT KAUR

Financial assistance of Rs. 42 crore has already been disbursed to 96044 eligible women

Approximately Rs. 25.55 crore financial assistance provided to 42592 women on the birth of a second girl child

Chandigarh, June 14:The Punjab government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is set to provide financial benefits totaling Rs.60 crore to pregnant and lactating mothers for their nutrition and health during the ongoing fiscal year. The initiative, aimed at improving social security and the well-being of women and children was announced today by the Minister of Social Security, Women and Child Development Dr. Baljit Kaur.

Providing further details, the Cabinet Minister stated that the government is committed to actively supporting the nutrition and health of pregnant and lactating mothers. She highlighted that during the last fiscal year, financial assistance amounting to Rs.42 crore was disbursed to 96044 eligible women. Additionally, approximately Rs. 25.55 crore in financial assistance has been provided to 42592 women upon the birth of a second girl child.

Dr. Baljit Kaur emphasized that women aged 19 and above will receive financial support of Rs.5000 upon the birth of their first child (Rs.3000+ Rs.2000) and Rs.6000 upon the birth of a second girl child. These funds will be provided subject to fulfillment of specific conditions under the Prime Minister Matru Vandana Yojana, aimed at enhancing the health of mothers before and after childbirth. This initiative aims to address the declining sex ratio at birth and eradicate the practice of gender selection before birth.

Furthermore, the Minister highlighted that application forms for financial assistance are being filled out by Anganwadi workers at all Anganwadi centers across the state. She noted that the disbursement of financial aid is directly credited to the bank accounts/post office accounts of eligible beneficiaries linked with Aadhaar.

Dr. Kaur urged department officials to ensure the maximum outreach of the scheme and to provide increased benefits to eligible beneficiaries. She also informed that beneficiaries can register their applications online through the official portal (https://pmmvy.nic.in/).

She said that for further information, beneficiaries can contact their respective Anganwadi Centers/Offices, Child Development Project Officers, and District Program Officers.

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During the meeting, the Revenue Minister also took stock of the complaints received on the helpline numbers 8184900002 and 9464100168 (NRIs) issued by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann. He was apprised that till June 13th, 2024 a total of 4387 complaints were received out of which 3064 were resolved. The Minister said that the complaints received on both the numbers should be solved in a time bound manner and no laxity in this regard would be tolerated. He added that he would review this work every week soon.

Apart from this, Jimpa also took stock about the funds released for constructing/repairing new Tehsils/Sub Tehsils and S.D.M. complex and directed that these buildings should be of top notch quality as per the orders of the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann. He also emphasized that the people should get all services under one roof. He further directed the officers to ensure timely compensation in full to the owners of those lands which were acquired for the development works.

Among others present on the occasion included the Financial Commissioner Revenue KAP Sinha, Secretary Alaknanda Dayal, Arshdeep Singh Thind.

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CHIEF SECRETARY ANURAG VERMA LAYS THRUST ON ENHANCING REVENUE GENERATION AND MANAGING EXPENSES EFFECTIVELY

Chairs Program Steering Review meeting on the World Bank-funded BFAIR Project

Chandigarh, June 14-On the directions of Chief Minister S Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab Chief Secretary Mr Anurag Verma on Friday chaired a Program Steering Review meeting on the World Bank-funded BFAIR Project to improve the financial health of the state by increasing revenue generation, and managing expenses more effectively.

Chairing the meeting, the Chief Secretary said that the main aim is to enhance the State's financial management and institutional capacity. Emphasising the importance of timely completion and adherence to guidelines, Mr Verma called for intensified collaboration and proactive measures to ensure the project's success. He underscored need for Implementing e-governance platforms for better service delivery and strengthening the capacity of municipal institutions.

The Chief Secretary said that the sole aim is to ensure optimum utilisation of the resources for the welfare of the state and prosperity of its people. He said that the state government is committed for the well being of Punjab for which financial prudence is utmost important. Mr Verma asked the officers to ensure that every single penny of the state government is judiciously utilised for welfare of Punjab.

Earlier Concerned department’s Administrative Secretaries reported on progress, financial management, capacity building, and challenges faced during implementation. The meeting concluded with a commitment to achieve the project's goals and enhance financial accountability and institutional resilience.

Prominent among others who were present in the meeting included Special Chief Secretary Social Security, Women and Child Department Raji P Shrivastava, Principal Secretary Finance Ajoy Kumar Sinha, Principal Secretary Governance Reforms Krishan Kumar, Secretary Local Government Ajoy Sharma, Secretary Finance Diprava Lakra, Secretary Planning Malwinder Singh Jaggi, Secretary Expenditure Mohammad Tayyab, World Bank’s Programme Leader Bhavna Bhatia and Senior Economist Dhruv Sharma.

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VIGILANCE BUREAU NABS PATWARI TAKING RS 3,000 BRIBE FOR MUTATION OF LAND

Chandigarh, June 14, 2024 - The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB), during its ongoing campaign against corruption in the state, on Friday has arrested Hardeep Singh, a revenue Patwari posted at Bassi Pathana in Fatehgarh Sahib district for demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 3,000.

Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the state VB said the above mentioned revenue official has been arrested on the basis of a complaint lodged by Malkit Singh, a resident of village Dadumajra, district Fatehgarh Sahib.

He further informed that the complainant has approached the VB and alleged that the said Patwari had earlier taken Rs. 5000 as bribe from him for mutation of 4 acres of land in his name. Out of these 4 acres, the complainant had transferred 2 acres of land in the name of his wife and for registration of its mutation, the said Patwari again demanded Rs. 5000 bribe but the deal was settled at Rs. 4000. He further added that the accused Patwari had took Rs. 1000 as an advance.

The spokesperson informed that after preliminary verification of this complaint, the VB team laid a trap in which the above said accused Patwari has been caught red handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 3,000 from the complainant in the presence of two official witnesses.

He added that in this regard a case under Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered against the accused at VB Police Station, Patiala Range. The accused would be produced in the competent court tomorrow and further investigation into this case was under progress, he said.

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PUNJAB GOVERNMENT TO HOLD DEPARTMENTAL EXAMS FOR VARIOUS POSTS FROM JULY 22

Chandigarh, June 14:Punjab government has announced dates for departmental examinations of various posts. The departmental examinations of officers will be held at Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration, Sector 26, Chandigarh from July 22 to 26, 2024.

Disclosing this here today, an official spokesperson of the personnel department said that the examinations will be conducted for posts of Assistant Commissioner/Extra Assistant Commissioner, IPS officer, Tehsildar/Revenue officials, forest officials, Officers of Agriculture/Soil conservation/Horticulture services, officers of Animal Husbandry department, officers of fisheries department, officers of jails department, dairy development officers, officers of department of co-operation, block development and panchayats officers and LCS, officers of labour department, officers of department of employment, officials of excise and taxation department.

He further said that officers intending to appear in the examinations should send their applications to the Secretary, Personnel Department and Secretary, Departmental Examination Committee (PCS Branch), Punjab Civil Secretariat, Chandigarh through their departments in the prescribed proforma by June 28, 2024.

‘‘No direct application will be entertained under any circumstances’’, said the spokesperson, adding that incomplete applications will be rejected and no roll number will be issued for which the ones will fall upon the applicant concerned.

The candidate, who does not get his/her roll no. by July 12, 2024 for examinations, should contact the PCS Branch via email supdt.pcs@punjab.gov.in or on telephone 0172-2740553 (PBX-4648), he added.