PUNJAB GOVERNMENT BOOSTS STIPENDS FOR MEDICAL AND DENTAL INTERNS AND RESIDENTS: HARPAL SINGH CHEEMA
NEW STIPEND RATES: INTERNS (RS 22,000), JUNIOR RESIDENTS (RS 76,000 - RS 78,000), SENIOR RESIDENTS (RS 92,000 - RS 94,000)
ANNUAL EXPENDITURE TO RISE BY RS 33.22 CRORE
Chandigarh, July 24-Underscoring the Aam Aadmi Party-led government's unwavering commitment to bolstering the education and health sectors, Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Thursday announced a significant increase in the monthly stipends for Interns, Junior Residents, and Senior Residents across government medical and dental colleges in the state.
In a press communiqué issued here, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that there are currently 907 sanctioned Intern posts, 1408 for Junior Residents and 754 for Senior Residents within Punjab's government medical and dental colleges. The stipend for interns has been substantially raised from Rs 15,000 to Rs 22,000 per month. For Junior Residents, the new stipend structure will see a rise from the current Rs 67,968 per month to Rs 76,000 in the first year, Rs 77,000 in the second year, and Rs 78,000 in the third year. Similarly, Senior Residents will experience an increase from their current Rs 81,562 per month to Rs 92,000 in the first year, Rs 93,000 in the second year, and Rs 94,000 in the third year.
Finance Minister Cheema reiterated the state government's dedication to allocating ample resources for education and health sectors. He said that the annual expenditure on these stipends, currently Rs 204.96 crore, will escalate to Rs 238.18 crore following this enhancement, representing an estimated annual increase of Rs 33.22 crore.
The Finance Minister affirmed the Punjab government's resolve to enhance healthcare facilities throughout the state. He also mentioned the recent initiative to provide insurance coverage of Rs 10 lakh to every citizen, further emphasizing the government's focus on public welfare. Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema assured that there will be no scarcity of funds for the continued development and improvement of healthcare infrastructure and services in Punjab.
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AKALIS OPPOSING LAND POOLING POLICY, WHICH THEY MASTER-PLANNED: AMAN ARORA
•Sukhbir Badal colluded with those who looted farmers by developing illegal colonies, says AAP President
Chandigarh, July 24:Hitting out at the opposition parties for their "hypocritical" stance on the land pooling policy introduced by the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government, Punjab Cabinet Minister and AAP state president Mr. Aman Arora stated that the new Land Pooling Policy has been built upon the framework introduced by the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)-BJP led government.
While addressing a press conference here at Punjab Bhawan on Thursday, Mr. Aman Arora described the Land Pooling Policy, a game-changer for Punjab as it is prioritising transparency, fairness and public welfare. The policy would promote organised and planned development, besides benefiting all sections of society including landowners.
Exposing the hypocrisy and lies of the opposition parties, Mr. Aman Arora pointed out that SAD-BJP and Congress governments’ past actions contradict their current stance on the new land pooling policy. The SAD-BJP led government had issued notifications regarding master plans in several cities including SAS Nagar (Mohali), Amritsar, Tarn Taran and Hoshiarpur. These notifications declared hundreds of acres area for residential and commercial development and it allowed private developers to build colonies. The SAD-BJP and congress governments’ bonhomie with the defaulter builders led to the mushrooming of illegal colonies on around 20,000 acres in Punjab, causing hardship for buyers in the absence of basic civic amenities including sewage system, street lights and other amenities.
“Mohali area has seen significant development. From 2009 to 2021, the Congress and Akali Dal-BJP governments had acquired 3735 acres of land in Mohali. If Mohali deserves planned development and ultra-modern facilities, why not the rest of Punjab? Why not Hoshiarpur, Tarn Taran or Ferozepur,” Mr. Aman Arora asked?
Highlighting the key features of the policy, Mr. Aman Arora said that the new land pooling policy is more farmer-friendly and public-centric compared to previous policies. Now, there is no restriction on sale and purchase of land, farmers can develop their land themselves or partner with the government or private developers, Rs 50,000 compensation for the first three years and Rs 1 lakh after possession and option to exchange residential and commercial plots is also available in the policy.
Mr. Aman Arora demanded that SAD-BJP and Congress should apologise to the people of Punjab for misleading them and promoting illegal colonies. The AAP-led government is committed to planned development, transparency, and public welfare.The opposition's allegations are baseless and motivated by self-interest.
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’YUDH NASHIAN VIRUDH’: ON DAY 145, PUNJAB POLICE CONDUCTS RAIDS AT 400 SITES; 85 DRUG SMUGGLERS HELD
— OPERATION LEADS TO REGISTRATION OF 60 FIRs, RECOVERY OF 1.6KG HEROIN, 1KG OPIUM, ₹8.09L DRUG MONEY
— AS PART OF ‘DE-ADDICTION’, PUNJAB POLICE CONVINCE 64 PERSONS TO UNDERGO DE-ADDICTION TREATMENT
CHANDIGARH, July 24: Continuing the war against drugs “Yudh Nashian Virudh” waged by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to eradicate drug menace from state consecutively for the 145th day, Punjab Police conducted raids at 400 locations on Thursday leading to the arrest of 85 drug smugglers after registration of 60 first information reports (FIRs) across the state. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 23,237 in 145 days.
The raids have resulted in recovery of 1.6 kg heroin, 1 kg opium, 8353 intoxicant tablets/pills/injections and Rs 8.09 lakh drug money from the possession of arrested drug smugglers.
The operation was conducted on the directions of Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav simultaneously in all 28 Police districts of the state.
Notably, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann has asked the Commissioners of Police, Deputy Commissioners and Senior Superintendent of Police to make Punjab drug free state. The Punjab government has also constituted a 5-member Cabinet Sub Committee led by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema to monitor the war against drugs.
Divulging details, Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla informed that over 180 Police teams, comprising over 1200 police personnel, under the supervision of 80 gazetted officers have conducted raids across the state. Police teams have also checked as many as 431 suspicious persons during the day-long operation, he added.
The Special DGP said that with the state government has enforced a three-pronged strategy— Enforcement, Deaddiction and Prevention (EDP)— to eradicate drugs from the state, the Punjab Police as part of 'De-addiction’ has convinced 64 persons to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment today.
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Now, get your maps passed in a hassle free manner in Punjab: Hardeep Mundian
Unified building bylaws will end red tapism: Hardeep Mundian
Solicits suggestions from people of Punjab within 30 days:Hardeep Mundian
Chandigarh, July 24:Taking a significant stride toward making urban development in the state planned and streamlined and ensuring transparency in construction-related regulations, Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led government has decided to formulate Unified Building Bylaws.
Addressing a press conference here at Punjab Bhawan, Housing and Urban Development Minister S. Hardeep Singh Mundian said that this decision will fulfill the long-standing demand of city residents and other stakeholders. He informed that the draft of the bylaws has been uploaded on the official websites www.puda.gov.in and www.enaksha.lgpunjab.gov.in to solicit public suggestions. He invited residents of the state to submit their suggestions and recommendations within 30 days.
The Cabinet Minister said that Mann government has decided to seek public consultation for creating Unified Building Bylaws to enable futuristic and uniform building construction in cities. He said that the bylaws are being prepared through comprehensive consultation and public input.
S. Mundian explained that providing convenient, accessible and transparent services to the state's residents is the primary agenda of the Mann Government. He noted that building bylaws in Punjab were among the most complex and challenging issues, causing numerous difficulties for people. By involving various stakeholders such as developers, architects and engineers in the bylaw formulation process, it will be ensured that the bylaws meet their requirements and expectations, he added.
The Cabinet Minister said that by implementing these building bylaws, Punjab will become the first state to promote simplified building regulations, business-friendly environment, sustainable urbanization and transparency.
While divulging the objectives of formulating Unified Building Bylaws, S. Hardeep Singh Mundian said that processes are being streamlined for public convenience. Building bylaws have been standardized across all development authorities and corporations in Punjab. He said that the bylaws have been made user-friendly, easily comprehensible and implementable.
The Cabinet Minister emphatically stated that the newly introduced bylaws have reduced red-tapism and eliminated unnecessary bureaucratic obstacles while promoting ease of doing business. Similarly, sustainable urbanization has been encouraged and environment-friendly development methods aligned with future needs have been promoted.
He said, relaxations in building regulations such as increased Floor Area Ratio (FAR) and Ground Coverage have been provided, mentioning that this will encourage developers who construct green buildings. He said that the simplified regulations and streamlined processes designed under the objective of ease of doing business will attract investment and promote economic growth.
He said that public consultation will be conducted through online portals, which will ensure transparency and accountability in the complaint redressal process. He said that the Unified Building Bylaws focused on sustainable urban development will encourage environment-friendly practices, reducing the impact of urbanization on the environment.
Prominent amongst others who were present on this occasion included Principal Secretary Sh. Vikas Garg and others.
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Jasvir Singh Garhi meets Indian Ambassador Dr. Madan Mohan Sethi
Chandigarh/Auckland, July 24:Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission Chairman Jasvir Singh Garhi met Indian Ambassador to New Zealand Dr. Madan Mohan Sethi.
During this meeting, Mr. Garhi discussed with Mr. Sethi the issues of the Punjabi community living in New Zealand.
He requested the Indian Ambassador to take special steps to increase trade activities between New Zealand and Punjab so that the farmers of Punjab can become more prosperous. He said that most of the people from Punjab who have settled in New Zealand are excelling in the field of agriculture.
Dr. Sethi asked Mr. Garhi to send a delegation from the Punjab government to increase investment between Punjab and New Zealand.
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DR. BALJIT KAUR HANDS OVER APPOINTMENT LETTER TO NEWLY RECRUITED EMPLOYEES IN THE DEPARTMENT
MINISTER CONGRATULATES NEWLY APPOINTED EMPLOYEES, URGES
THEM TO SERVE WITH HONESTY AND COMMITMENT
Chandigarh, July 24:Punjab Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur today handed over appointment letters to newly recruited employees of the department at Punjab Bhawan.
Sharing further details, Dr. Baljit Kaur stated that under the ongoing recruitment drive of the department, appointments have been made to 10 posts of Anganwadi Supervisors, 6 posts of Superintendents (Children Homes), and 1 post of District Social Security Officer.
She added that earlier, 97 Anganwadi Supervisors had also been appointed, which is another significant step toward strengthening the department’s efficiency and welfare-related services.
Congratulating the newly appointed candidates, Dr. Baljit Kaur encouraged them to fulfill their responsibilities with complete honesty, dedication, and empathy, so that government welfare schemes can reach the needy in a timely and effective manner.
The Minister emphasized that the Department of Social Security, Women and Child Development is directly connected with all sections of society, and that newly appointed staff will play a crucial role in taking government schemes to the grassroots level.
She further stated that under the able leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government is committed to creating more employment opportunities for the youth. So far, more than 54,000 young individuals have been provided government jobs.
In conclusion, the Minister said that the newly recruited employees will serve as a vital link between government policies and the intended beneficiaries, particularly the elderly, women, and children. Their active and result-oriented participation will ensure timely and transparent delivery of schemes to the needy, thereby strengthening the state’s social fabric.
On this occasion, the event was graced by Special Chief Secretary Ms. Raji P. Shrivastava, Director Dr. Shena Aggarwal, Special Secretary Mr. Keshav Hingonia, Joint Secretary Mr. Anand Sagar Sharma, Additional Director Mr. Charanjit Singh, Deputy Director Mr. Sukhdeep Singh, along with other senior officers of the department, who extended their congratulations to the new appointees and encouraged them to contribute effectively to public service.