Perform or perish
Lal Chand Kataruchak directs DFSCs to go on war footing for completing e-KYC process
Exhort depot holders to pull up their socks
Next review to be done after one week, zero tolerance towards non performers
Chandigarh, July 8:Terming the speedy completion of the e-KYC as of utmost significance with a view to ensure that the eligible beneficiaries continue to receive the free ration (Wheat), the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak today gave strict directions to the District Food Supply Controllers (DFSCs) to complete the process in their respective jurisdictions on war footing.
In a review meeting with the DFSCs through Video Conferencing, the Minister was apprised that out of the total 1.57 Crore beneficiaries in the State, the e-KYC process has been completed with regard to the 1.25 Crore beneficiaries (1,25,55,621). The last date to complete the process was June 30th, 2025 but despite best efforts still there are many beneficiaries with regard to whom the e-KYC has not been done.
Taking strong notice of this, the Minister revealed that all out efforts are being made to get the Government of India (GoI) extend the deadline further to August 31st, 2025. He exhorted the DFSCs to accelerate the e-KYC completion mechanism, identify the worst performing depot holders and warn such depot holders that strong action would be taken against them and their depots would be cancelled if of any negligence is detected in this regard. The process must be fully completed in the July-August-September circle, said Mr. Kataruchak.
Directing the DFSCs to give final push to the initiative, Mr. Kataruchak said that it should be kept in mind that no eligible beneficiary should be left behind and the next review of the process would be held 1 week later and there would be zero tolerance towards the non-performers.
It is noteworthy that e-KYC is a digital method to verify the identity and address of the beneficiary primarily using the Aadhaar Card Number and the Biometrics for authentication. The wheat to eligible beneficiaries is distributed under Public Distribution System (PDS) in 2 categories. Under Antyodaya Ann Yojna (AAY), 35 Kg of Wheat is given on per family and per month basis while under the Priority Households (PHH) category, 5 Kg Wheat on per person per month basis is provided free of cost under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013.
Among others present on the occasion included the Principal Secretary Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Rahul Tiwari, Director Varinder Kumar Sharma, Additional Secretary PUNGRAIN Kamal Kumar Garg and Additional Director Dr. Anjuman Bhaskar.
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Finance Minister and Local Government Minister Engages with Employee Unions
Finance Minister Directs Local Government Department to Prepare Comprehensive Proposal to Address Legitimate Issues Raised by Unions
Chandigarh, July 8-Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema, who chairs the Cabinet Subcommittee constituted to address employee grievances, today held a series of meetings with various unions of the Department of Local Government. Local Government Minister Dr. Ravjot Singh joined him in the deliberations, which lasted over three hours.
During the meetings, Finance Minister Cheema attentively listened to the concerns of representatives from the Safaee Mazdoor Federation Sewerman Union, Punjab Water Supply & Sewerage Board Outsourced Worker Union, Municipal Mulazam Action Committee, Punjab Water Supply & Sewerage Employees Contractor Workers Union, Punjab Safai Mazdoor Federation, Punjab Fire Sewerman Kachhe Mulazam Union (Contract), and Fire Sewerman Kachhe Mulazam Union (Outsource). Senior officials including Additional Chief Secretary Finance Alok Shekhar, Additional Chief Secretary Local Government Tejveer Singh, CEO PMIDC Deepti Uppal, and Additional Secretary Personnel Navjot Kaur were also present to facilitate the dialogue.
Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema directed the Local Government department to prepare a comprehensive proposal to address the primary issues and legitimate demands raised by these employee unions, with the aim of resolving them expeditiously. He further instructed the department to explore extending group insurance coverage to these employees. Assuring the union representatives, Finance Minister Cheema reiterated the Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government's unwavering commitment to finding amicable solutions for all their rightful demands.
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Laljit Singh Bhullar hands over appointment letters to 12 newly-inducted prison officials
Says, Mann government making historic regular recruitment in jail department
Earlier 15 JBT teachers were recruited through regular appointments
Chandigarh, July 8:Punjab Jails Minister S. Laljit Singh Bhullar today handed over appointment letters to 12 newly recruited prison officials at a formal ceremony held at his office at Punjab Civil Secretariat, Chandigarh. He was accompanied by MLA Atam Nagar Ludhiana, Sh. Kulwant Singh Sidhu and Sh. Arun Pal Singh, ADGP Prisons.
The newly appointed recruits include 5 JBT Teachers, who will be instrumental in providing education to both the prisoners and their children, thereby contributing towards their rehabilitation and reintegration into society. Besides this, 3 Clerks, 1 Warder and 3 Group-D officials were also appointed.
S. Laljit Singh Bhullar said that these recruitments are part of the ongoing initiative of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led state government. He said that the Mann government is making historic regular recruitment in the jail department. S. Bhullar informed that these teachers will play a crucial role in educating prisoners and their children and facilitating prisoners' reintegration into mainstream society. He said that the Mann government is modernizing jail infrastructure and improving services for prisoners, including educational, vocational and welfare programs.
While congratulating the newly-inducted employees, the Jails Minister exhorted them to work with great zeal, enthusiasm and dedication.
Notably, S. Laljit Singh Bhullar had handed over the appointment letters to 15 JBT teachers in January this year, marking the first-ever regular recruitment for these positions in the jail department.
"Previously, these teaching positions were filled through temporary arrangements," said the Cabinet Minister, adding that Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann's led government has made regular recruitment for the first time in the last three decades.
Providing updates on ongoing recruitment initiatives in the Jail department, S. Laljit Singh Bhullar said that out of the recently completed recruitment drive, 738 warders and 25 matrons have already joined their duties. Besides this, the recruitment process for 179 posts of guarding staff, including 175 warders and 4 matrons, is near completion.
Highlighting the Mann government's commitment to strengthening the department, S. Laljit Singh Bhullar announced that 1,220 posts across various cadres in the jail department are being revived, with the recruitment process set to begin soon.
Speaking about educational initiatives, the Cabinet Minister informed that approximately 2,200 prisoners are currently enrolled in various educational courses under the department's Sikhya Daat Project, while 513 prisoners are undergoing skill development training, including courses for electricians, plumbers and tailoring, conducted by the Punjab Skill Development Mission.
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SULTANPUR LODHI TO UNDERGO MAJOR MAKEOVER WITH MANN GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES: DR. RAVJOT SINGH
SIGNIFICANT TRANSFORMATION WITH 23 INFRA PROJECTS WORTH RS.240-CR IN CITY
Chandigarh, July 8:Punjab Local Government Minister Dr. Ravjot Singh today announced that Sultanpur Lodhi city will be completely transformed through the dedicated efforts of Mann government, with ultra-modern facilities becoming available to residents. 23 projects of worth Rs.240 crores will significantly enhance the city's living standards, address urban challenges and pave the way for a prosperous future.
While reviewing the meeting here with senior officials of the headquarters and district, the Cabinet Minister thoroughly assessed the progress of Smart City Project initiatives in Sultanpur Lodhi. Stressing the timely completion of the project, the Cabinet Minister said that upon completion, Sultanpur Lodhi's entire landscape will be revolutionized. This transformative project will convert Sultanpur Lodhi into a modern, efficient and livable city, benefiting our citizens and fostering unprecedented development.
Announcing a revolutionary transformation in Sultanpur Lodhi's infrastructure, the Cabinet Minister informed that six projects worth Rs.29.57 crores, including water supply and sewerage systems, a 4 MLD Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) at Jabbowal, solar power installations on government buildings for energy conservation and smart primary schools to enhance the educational framework, have already been completed. He further disclosed that 12 more projects worth Rs.106.71 crores are currently being implemented.
Dr. Ravjot Singh elaborated that initiatives are underway to achieve 100% coverage for water supply and sewerage, establish 1 MLD STP at Urban Estate, develop smart schools for boys and girls, maintain the historic Kila Sarai and convert roads into four-lane smart corridors from Dadwindi to Sultanpur Lodhi (6 kilometers) and from Kapurthala-Sultanpur Lodhi to Fattu Dhinga (17.40 kilometers) to ensure seamless connectivity and improve the transportation network. He mentioned that fire safety systems are being strengthened and rooftop solar plants are being installed at the 4 MLD STP at Jabbowal and bus stand along with establishing 2 OHSR and other facilities.
The Local Government Minister said that five projects worth Rs.78.43 crores in Sultanpur Lodhi include channelization of Kali Vein and public space development, road rehabilitation, a multipurpose integrated sports stadium, an integrated command and control center for enhanced surveillance and security and smart street lighting along four-lane smart roads, all of which will make invaluable contributions to the city's sustainability.
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HARJOT BAINS TERMS PU’S AFFIDAVIT DECISION DICTATORIAL, SEEKS RECONSIDERATION
• Asks VC about procedure followed in deciding affidavit conditions and whether decision was approved by Senate or Syndicate
• Affidavit conditions to stifle student activism and undermine the university's democratic structure, says Higher Education Minister
Chandigarh, July 8:Terming Panjab University, Chandigarh's decision of imposing a mandatory affidavit/undertaking for fresh admissions in the 2025-26 session as "dictatorial and arbitrary", Punjab Higher Education Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains shot a letter to the varsity’s Vice Chancellor on Tuesday, seeking clarification on the move.
In his letter, S. Harjot Singh Bains, who is an ex-officio Senate member of the ‘varsity’, asked the Vice Chancellor about the procedure followed in deciding the affidavit conditions and whether the decision was approved by the Senate or Syndicate.
S. Harjot Singh Bains stated that many students expressed grave concerns over Panjab University's condition mandating an affidavit for fresh admissions in the 2025-26 session. They strongly objected to clauses requiring prior permission for protests, restricting it to specific locations only, and undefined terms like "outsider", "stranger", and "ugly" that they deemed unethical and inhumane, he said, while adding that moreover, provisions allowing for admission cancellations, lifelong campus bans without notice or appeal, violate principles of due process and fair procedure embedded in the legal framework.
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2 Newly Appointed Directors of Backfinco Assume Office
Chandigarh, July 8:The Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has appointed two non-official directors to the Board of Directors of the Punjab Backward Classes Land Development and Finance Corporation (Backfinco) Shri Dinesh Kumar and Shri Jasvir Singh assumed office today at the Backfinco Head Office in Chandigarh, in the presence of Backfinco Chairman Shri Sandeep Saini.
On this occasion, Mrs. Inderjit Kaur Mann, MLA from Nakodar, Executive Director of Backfinco Shri G.S. Sahota, IAS, Shri Vikas Saini, Chairman of the Market Committee Pathankot, Shri Anil Mahajan, Member of the Punjab Chamber of Commerce and Industry Commission, and other dignitaries were present.
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