COMMITTED TO ENSURE EXEMPLARY PUNISHMENT TO PERPETRATORS OF SACRILEGE INCIDENT: CM

FRESH REPORT ON THE ISSUE TO BE FILED SOON

NEW AGRICULTURE POLICY AFTER DUE CONSULTATION WITH ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS

SLAMS JAKHARS FOR BASELESS, IRRESPONSIBLE AND IRRATIONAL STATEMENT ON DAP FERTILISERS

ASSERTS THAT OTS SCHEME LAUNCHED BY PREVIOUS REGIMES WAS A SHAM

ANNOUNCES RS 5 LAKH GRANT TO PANCHAYATS ELECTED UNANIMOUSLY

FULFILS PROMISE TO RELAX NORMS FOR ENTRY OF GIRLS IN FIRE FIGHTING STAFF

Chandigarh, September 4-Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday said that the state government is firmly committed to ensure exemplary punishment to the perpetrators of the sacrilege incidents and a fresh report regarding the matter will be filed soon.

Taking part in discussions during the session of Punjab Vidhan Sabha, the Chief Minister said that the state government has got major clues in the sacrilege incidents and a fresh report to ensure that the perpetrators get the punishment for their sins. He said that the report has already been sent by the state government for legal vetting so that no one escapes gallows for their involvement in this crime. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the day is not far away when the culprits of this heinous crime will be seen behind the bars adding that unlike the previous governments they will not leave any stone unturned for this.

Slamming the previous governments for adopting a soft approach towards this highly emotive issue, the Chief Minister said that due to this laxity the criminals who have bruised the psyche of Sikhs by committing such unpardonable crime are still roaming free. Reiterating the firm commitment of his government to punish the perpetrators of sacrilege incidents in the state, he said that it is the bounden duty of his government to ensure that these dreaded criminals get punishment. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that every person who has been hand in glove in this crime will be ensured exemplary punishment for this sin.

The Chief Minister said that unlike the Union government which introduces its policies without applying mind and consulting the people, the state government makes policies in consultation with people. He said that Agriculture policy is being drafted after due consultation with all the stakeholders whereas the industrial policy has been successfully implemented after due consultations with the industrialists. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government is mulling to constitute an Industrial Advisory Commission with a chairman of Cabinet rank by including major industrialists in it.

The Chief Minister said that Panchayat elections in the state will be held soon and these will be contested by the candidates without party symbol. He said that this will remove groupism in the villages and ensure holistic development of the rural areas. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government has taken a path breaking decision to debar the candidates from contesting elections on party symbols in larger public interests.

The Chief Minister announced that any village who will elect the panchayats unanimously will get a grant of Rs 5 lakh along with stadium, school or hospital whatever is needed. He said that the state government wants to strengthen the panchayti raj system for which intelligent and honest people must be elected. Bhagwant Singh Mann envisioned that these efforts of the state government will produce desired results and people will be benefited from it.

The Chief Minister said that the state government has already successfully implemented OTS for pending VAT cases. He said that the state government had earned Rs 164 crore more than the previous fiscal years through this OTS scheme adding that new OTS will also be introduced in the coming days too. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that such OTS during the previous regimes were merely sham as it didn’t benefit anyone.

The Chief Minister said that the state government has introduced the Fire and Emergency Service Bill that was passed unanimously by the state assembly. He said that this is a historic initiative which will pave the way for further ensuring women empowerment in the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this bill was the need of hour to ensure that women become an active partner in the socio economic growth of the country.

The Chief Minister further said that required amendments are being made in the rules for changing the physical criteria for recruitment of ladies in Fire Fighting staff. He said that none of the previous governments had bothered to change these rules because they were least bothered about the people and their problems. Bhagwant Singh Mann announced that Punjab will be the first state in the country to recruit girls in the fire fighting staff.

The Chief Minister said that these reforms were need of hour as in view of skyscrapers and congested roads in interiors, the latest type of vehicles are to be provided to the fire brigade. He said that the state government is ready to bring revolutionary changes in its functioning for the welfare of the common man. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that every effort is being made to ensure holistic development of the state and prosperity of its people.

Taking BJP leadership to cudgels, the Chief Minister dared MLA Sandeep Jakhar to ask his uncle and state BJP Chief Sunil Jakhar to verify his facts before issuing any statement. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the supply of DAP fertilizer had commenced in the state after he had flagged this issue with Union Minister JP Nadda. However, he said that the BJP leaders issued baseless, irresponsible and irrational statements on this issue which were unwarranted and undesirable.

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Speaker Sandhwan transforms PVS into Educational Hub for school students

* On the last day of the session, 290 students and 24 teachers from 11 schools witnessed the legislative proceedings of the House

Chandigarh, September 4:Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker, Kultar Singh Sandhwan, has spearheaded a unique initiative allowing the students of the state schools to observe the Punjab Vidhan Sabha's proceedings and legislative activities firsthand. This initiative has effectively transformed the Punjab Vidhan Sabha into an educational hub for school students across Punjab.

On the final day of the seventh session of the 16th Punjab Vidhan Sabha, 290 students and 24 teachers from 11 schools in Punjab witnessed the legislative proceedings of the House. The students experienced firsthand the state's legislative system, witnessing the interactions between the ruling party and the opposition. They had the opportunity to witness the authentic performances of political leaders from both parties.

On this occasion, Sandhwan also interacted with these students and teachers. He motivated the students by emphasising that today's students are the future successful leaders. Sandhwan encouraged the students to strive diligently, reach their aspirations, and actively participate in societal and state welfare. He highlighted that by doing so, they would not only achieve personal success but also honour their parents' aspirations.

S. Sandhwan also addressed the students' inquiries. In response to a question, he mentioned that the school students of Punjab will continue to have the chance to witness the Punjab Vidhan Sabha proceedings in the future.

On this occasion Sant Karam Singh Academy Rupnagar, Sri Guru Harikrishna Senior Secondary Public School Hoshiarpur, Dr. Chanda Singh Marwah Government Senior Secondary School Kotkapura, Government High School Dhillwan Kalan, Government Senior Secondary School Jaiton, Government Girls Senior Secondary School Jaiton, Government Girls Senior Secondary School Bajakhana, Government Girls Senior Secondary School Panjgrain Kalan, Government Senior Secondary School Bargari, Dr. Hari Singh Sewak School of Eminence Kotkapura and Balbir School of Eminence Faridkot witnessed the assembly proceedings.

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Punjab Vidhan Sabha Unanimously Passes Punjab Goods and Services Tax Amendment Bill, 2024

Chandigarh, September 4-To enhance tax compliance and further streamline the State Goods and Services Tax (SGST) regime, the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, unanimously passed the Punjab Goods and Services Tax Amendment Bill, 2024, on Wednesday. The bill was introduced by Finance, Planning, Excise, and Taxation Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema.

While introducing the bill, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema highlighted the key amendments, including the exclusion of Extra Neutral Alcohol (ENA) used for manufacturing liquor for human consumption from the GST purview. He said that now Value Added Tax (VAT) will be charged on ENA being used for manufacturing liquor.

Announcing big relief to taxpayers, the Finance Minister said that the Taxpayers will allowed to avail the input tax credit (ITC) claimed through returns filed up to November 30, 2021, for the financial years 2017-18 to 2020-21. “Additionally, an authorized representative can now appear on behalf of the summoned person instead of personal appearance of the owner/ dealer himself as was the case previously. Further, the notice period for taxpayers has been extended from 30 days to 60 days for future adjudication, simplifying the procedures and enhancing tax compliance”, said Cheema.

Finance Minister further also announced amnesty for taxpayers for the financial years 2017-18 to 2019-20. He said that if a taxpayer pays the full amount of tax demand pertaining to years 2017-18 to 2019-20 by March 31, 2025, he will be granted a complete waiver of interest and penalty.

During the discussion on the bill, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema expressed gratitude to Principal Budh Ram for highlighting the issue of GST compensation. He said that when the GST system was introduced in 2017, a 14% year on year growth-based compensation for States was agreed upon until July, 2022. However, he lamented that the previous governments made no efforts to revive the State's economy over the next five years, relying solely on compensation. “In contrast, the current government, under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann's leadership, has initiated various measures, including establishing a tax intelligence unit, emplying intelligent module developed by IIT Hyderabad and launching schemes like 'Bill Layo Inam Pao', to enhance tax compliance. As a result, the State has seen a significant increase in GST collections”, he added.

Minister Cheema pointed out that the GST system's implementation led to the subsuming of all kinds of taxes levied by the State. Previously, the state received approximately Rs. 7,000 crores from the Central Givernment on food grains which would have increased to around Rs 10,000 crores by now. It now stands subsumed in GST. Unfortunately, the previous state government failed to secure compensation for this significant loss”, said Cheema.

Minister Cheema also criticized the previous government, led by Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, for falsely claiming to have waived taxes for 40,000 traders in OTS. In reality, not a single trader benefited. He highlighted that, for the first time, under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann's leadership, over 70,000 Punjab traders have benefited from the OTS scheme, and the state treasury has earned Rs 164.35 Cr.