CM MANN LED CABINET GIVES NOD TO AMEND RULE 12 OF THE PUNJAB PANCHAYAT ELECTION RULES 1994
MOVE AIMED AT DEBARRING THE CANDIDATES TO CONTEST ELECTIONS OF PRIs ON PARTY SYMBOLS
Chandigarh, August 29-In a significant move aimed at ensuring holistic development of villages, the Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Thursday gave nod to amend Rule 12 of the Punjab Panchayat Election Rules 1994 thereby debarring the candidates to contest elections of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) on party symbols.
A decision to this effect was taken in the meeting of the council of ministers held here at the Chief Minister’s Office in Punjab Civil Secretariat I.
Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that the Cabinet observed that contesting elections on party symbols leads to many unwanted incidents. Further, Political groupism in Panchayats stalls the utilization of funds and grants leaving huge amounts of unused money, which can be duly used to promote development in rural areas. Political groupism also causes disunity in the working of Panchayats which leads to their incomplete quorum thereby leading to non-utilization of grants. Political affiliations of Panchayat Members create instances of violent clashes during and after elections among various party groups at village level which deteriorates the law and order situation and also adversely affects the social fabric of rural society.
NOD TO ENHANCE CADRE STRENGTH OF PCS OFFICERS AFTER EIGHT YEARS
In order to provide more employment opportunities for the youth and to enhance the administrative efficiency of state government in larger public interest, the Cabinet also gave approval to enhance the strength of Punjab Civil Services (Executive Branch) cadres from existing 310 posts to 369 posts. This decision has been taken in view of the administrative requirements and increase in the number of Sub Divisions and creation of a new district. Pertinently, this review has been done after a period of more than eight years and will pave way for enhancing the posts at level of Joint Secretary in Punjab Civil Secretariat, Chief Minister’s Field Officers (Earlier AC Grievances), Sub Divisional Magistrates, EM Cum Protocol Officers, ADC (UD), Directors, Mission Director in Field and others.
GIVES CONSENT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF PONDS ALONG RIVER GHAGGAR TO RECHARGE THE GROUNDWATER
The Cabinet also gave nod for Construction of Ponds along River Ghaggar in village Chandu to recharge the groundwater. The ponds can be filled up with the river Ghaggar during the flood times and through the canals during the normal times so as to utilize the water of the Punjab share judiciously. This will help to recharge the groundwater table and at the same time, the farmers in the adjoining areas can utilize this water for irrigation purpose also.
GIVES GO AHEAD FOR CREATION OF 36 NEW POSTS IN SESSIONS DIVISION MALERKOTLA
The Cabinet also gave go ahead for creation of Sessions Division, Malerkotla thereby creating 36 new posts including the post of District and Sessions Judge for Sessions Division, Malerkotla. This will ensure dispensation of justice to the residents of Malerkotla district in their own district. This will save the precious time, money and energy of the common man as they will not need to travel to other districts for this purpose.
GREEN SIGNAL TO JOB ON HUMANITARIAN GROUNDS FOR WIFE OF DSP KILLED ON DUTY
In a humanitarian gesture, the Cabinet also gave the green signal to give a government job to the wife of a DSP who had died while performing the duty. As per decision Rupinder Kaur wife of late DSP Sandeep Singh will be appointed as Naib Tehsildar on compassionate grounds. It may be recalled that a PPS officer Sandeep Singh had died in a road accident on the midnight of April 5-6, 2024 while on duty during elections.
NOD TO AMEND PUNJAB GOOD AND SERVICES TAX ACT, 2017
In order to facilitate taxpayers and to ensure tax compliance by the taxpayers, the Cabinet also gave consent for amending Punjab Good and Services Tax Act, 2017 to define Input Service Distributors and manner of distribution of credit by them, to take Extra Neutral Alcohol used in manufacture of alcoholic liquor for human consumption out of purview of State GST, to allow an authorized representative for appearing on behalf of the summoned person before the proper authority and to limit period for issuing demand notices and orders by reducing it to 42 months in respect of demands from the Financial Year 2024-25 onwards. It also aims to reduce the maximum amount of pre-deposit for filing appeal before the Appellate Authority from rupees twenty five crores to rupees twenty crores, to provide for a conditional waiver of interest and penalty in respect of demand notices issued under section 73 of the Act for the Financial Years 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20 and to give retrospective effect to section 168A of the PGST Act from March 31, 2020.
GREEN SIGNAL TO PREMATURE RELEASE OF three PRISONERS
The Cabinet also gave its consent for sending the case of three prisoners seeking the premature release of life convicts confined in the jails of the state. After the nod of the Cabinet under Article 163 of the Constitution of India, this special premature release case will be submitted to the Punjab Governor under Article 161 of the Indian Constitution for consideration.
APPROVAL TO EXTEND THE POLICY OF ENGAGING HOUSE SURGEONS/ HOUSE PHYSICIANS FOR ANOTHER YEAR
The Cabinet also gave approval to extend the policy of the Health and Family Welfare department related to engagement of House Surgeons/ House Physicians for another year. The motive of this decision is to ensure unhindered and quality health care services to the residents of the state.
NOD TO PLACE REPORTS ON THE TABLE OF THE PUNJAB VIDHAN SABHA
The Cabinet also gave nod to place Audit Reports of Comptroller and Auditor General of India on the table of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha after recommendation of Governor in the ensuing session of state assembly.
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Led by CM, Punjab Cabinet condoles death of former Minister Surjit Singh Kohli
Chandigarh, August 29:Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann today observed two minutes silence to condole death of former Punjab Minister Surjit Singh Kohli.
Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Punjab government said that at the very outset Cabinet consoled the sad demise of former Minister and observed two minutes silence to mark death of veteran leader.
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Punjab Labour Department wins prestigious SKOCH Award for "BoCW Welfare Schemes"
Chandigarh, August 29:Under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister-cum-Chairman Punjab Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Building and Other Construction Workers' Welfare Board has received the coveted SKOCH Award 2024. The award will be conferred at the 99th SKOCH Summit on September 21, 2024 in New Delhi.
Notably, established in 2003, this award recognizes people, projects and institutions that contribute to India's betterment. It is also seen as a benchmark for best practices in areas such as governance, finance and technology.
Providing information in this regard, Cabinet Minister Mrs. Anmol Gagan Maan said that different departments across various states submitted nominations for the SKOCH award this year.
She said the Punjab B.O.C. Welfare Board of the labour department, which works for the welfare of construction workers, has submitted its nomination in the "Labour" domain under the category of "Labour Policy Development and Implementation," with the project name "Building and Other Construction Worker Welfare Schemes."
A panel of jury members, comprising retired bureaucrats and eminent dignitaries, evaluated the project, she said, adding that the board highlighted efforts undertaken across seven principles of good governance for the empowerment and welfare of construction workers. The presentation was subject to popular voting, in which Punjab secured the highest votes, followed by Maharashtra. After these three rounds, the Order of Merit was bestowed upon the Punjab B.O.C. Welfare Board.
The Cabinet Minister said it is noteworthy that the Board had simplified the terms and conditions of its welfare schemes last year and many new provisions were added, especially in the Stipend, Shagun and Ex-Gratia schemes. The waiting period for applying to welfare schemes was eliminated and the application tenure for welfare schemes was extended to one year. Moreover, for the convenience of workers, the declaration regarding work proof can now be attested either by the contractor or by authorities designated by the Board, she added.
The Cabinet Minister also lauded the efforts of Secretary of Labour Mr. Manvesh Sidhu and Labour Commissioner Mr. Rajiv Kumar Gupta for this achievement.
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Education Minister facilitates meeting of 1158 Assistant Professor Union with Attorney General
Union leaders assured of vigorous pursuit of recruitment process case under hearing
Chandigarh, August 29:Punjab Higher Education Minister Mr. Harjot Singh Bains, today orchestrated a meeting between the leaders of the 1158 Assistant Professor Union and the Attorney General of Punjab Mr. Gurminder Singh. During the meeting, he assured the union leaders that the case regarding the recruitment of 1158 Assistant Professors, currently under hearing in the High Court, would be pursued with utmost vigour.
This meeting was convened by Minister Mr. Bains to address the concerns expressed by the 1158 Assistant Professor Union regarding the Punjab government's stance on the ongoing recruitment case in the High Court. The union leaders were given an opportunity to articulate all their apprehensions.
Mr. Harjot Singh Bains reassured the union leaders that the Punjab government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is fully committed to safeguarding their future and is continuously striving in this direction.
Both the Education Minister and the Attorney General assured the union leaders that the Punjab government would advocate their case in the High Court with robust determination.
The next hearing of this case is scheduled for December 3, 2024.
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PUNJAB POLICE IN JOINT OPS WITH CENTRAL AGENCY BUST PAK-BACKED ARMS SMUGGLING MODULE; TWO HELD WITH 4 GLOCK PISTOLS, ₹4.8L HAWALA MONEY
— PUNJAB POLICE COMMITTED TO MAKING PUNJAB A SAFE AND SECURE STATE AS PER VISION OF CM BHAGWANT SINGH MANN
— ‘MADE FOR NATO ARMY’ IMPRINTED ON ONE OF THE RECOVERED GLOCK PISTOLS, SAYS DGP GAURAV YADAV
— ARRESTED ACCUSED HARPREET HAPPY HAD DELIVERED MULTIPLE WEAPON CONSIGNMENTS TO CRIMINAL ELEMENTS: SSP GAURAV TOORA
CHANDIGARH/TARN TARAN, August 29:Amidst the ongoing drive to make Punjab a safe and secure state as per the vision of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Tarn Taran Police in joint operation with Central Agencies busted a Pak-backed Arms Smuggling Module with the arrest of two operatives from the area of Sheron in Tarn Taran, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Thursday.
“The operation leads to the recovery of four sophisticated Glock-19 pistols, including one pistol with ‘MADE FOR NATO ARMY’ imprinted on it, along with four magazines and seven live cartridges and Rs 4.8 lakhs hawala money,” he said, while adding that the Police teams have also impounded the Maruti Swift car, in which accused persons were travelling.
Those arrested have been identified as Harpreet Singh alias Happy of Chappa Ram Singh in Jandiala Guru and Lovepreet Singh of Basarke in Khalra. Both the arrested accused have criminal history with cases pertaining to NDPS act registered against them.
DGP Gaurav Yadav said that arrested accused Harpreet Singh has direct links with the Pakistan-based smuggler, who used to influx drugs and weapon consignments from across the border using drones. Further investigations are on-going to establish backward and forward linkages in this case, he added.
Sharing more details, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Tarn Taran Gaurav Toora, while addressing a press conference, said that the police party was carrying out checking of suspected vehicles near Sheron in Taran Taran, when a car Maruti Suzuki Swift being driven rashly was signalled to stop using torch light and the occupants, tried to flee and consequently rammed into the barricades at the naka. The two persons sitting in the car were rounded up and weapons and hawala money was recovered during their search, he added.
He said that preliminary investigations have revealed that accused Harpreet Happy had developed some contacts while he was lodged in Faridkot Jail, who got him in touch with Pak-based drug smuggler.
Probe has also revealed that accused Harpreet Happy had delivered multiple weapon consignments to criminal elements, said the SSP, while adding that further investigations are on and more arrests are expected in this case.
A case FIR no. 114 dated 29.08.2024 has been registered under section 111 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), sections 25(6) and 25(7) of the Arms Act and section 27A of the NDPS Act at Police Station Sarhali in Tarn Taran.
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Speaker Sandhwan gives Rs. 10 lakh for repair of Dhussi Dam on Sutlej River
Chandigarh, August 29:Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan has given an amount of Rs. 10 lakh for the repair of Dhussi Dam on Sutlej River.
The official spokesperson said that the repair of Dhussi Dam at Gatta Mundi Kasu village of Jalandhar district is being done under the patronage of Member of Parliament Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal. During the month of July last year, a 1000 feet wide breach occurred at this place due to which the crops and people of the farmers of 30-35 villages were affected. At that time, under the guidance of Sant Seechewal, the devotees completed this dam by performing Kar Seva.
It is worth mentioning that according to the latest situation, this embankment was weakened, which needed to be repaired. Now the work of putting soil at Dhussi Bann and Chha Basti has been started again by Sant Seechewal with the help of Sangat so that the crops of 30-35 villages can be saved from damage. Speaker Sandhwan has given an amount of Rs. 10 lakh rupees for putting oil etc. in tractors etc. for this work.