Page 12 - Punjab Government

SC to hear Punjab govt plea against guv's refusal to summon Budget session

The Supreme Court agreed to hear on Tuesday a plea of the Punjab government against the Governor's "refusal" to summon the Budget session scheduled for March 3. A bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha said it will take up the Punjab government's plea at 3:50 pm after a five-judge Constitution bench hearing on the Maharashtra Shiv Sena political crisis. Senior advocate AM Singhvi, appearing for the Punjab government, requested for urgent hearing of the plea on Tuesday itself. He added that Constitution bench hearing will not get affected if the matter is taken up for hearing for 10 minutes during the day. The bench told Singhvi, that he will be arguing before the constitution bench and therefore it will take up the plea for hearing at 3.50 pm. The tussle between the Punjab Governor and Chief Minister Mann had worsened last week with Purohit indicating he is in no hurry to summon the assembly's budget session, and reminding the CM about his "derogatory" resp

MoUs obsolete, we are going 'dil se', says Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann

On the skilled manpower front, the cabinet minister said that Punjab has 11 major specialised research institutes engaged in the textile sector.

CM Mann woos investors, promises to give clearances within 15 days

The previous Punjab Investment Summit attracted investment to the tune of 8,200 crore, according to the commitment listed on the Summit's website

Radical preacher Amritpal Singh's supporters clash with police in Amritsar

The supporters of Khalistan sympathiser Amritpal Singh Thursday clashed with police and stormed into a police complex in Punjab's Amritsar district, protesting against the arrest of one of his associates. Police had booked Singh and his supporters for allegedly kidnapping a man. Carrying swords and other arms, scores of supporters led by Singh had assembled at the police station in Ajnala in Amritsar. They broke the barricades put up by police. Heavy security arrangements were made at the police station as the protesters began a dharna in the complex. A case was registered against Singh, a self-styled preacher, and his supporters for allegedly kidnapping and thrashing Varinder Singh, a resident of Chamkaur Sahib in Rupnagar district. Amritpal Singh had reportedly issued a threat recently to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, saying he will meet the same fate as that of former prime minister Indira Gandhi. Dubai-returned Amritpal Singh is the head of 'Waris Punjab De' organisation fou

Punjab govt to ask Centre to regulate prices of non-scheduled medicines

The Punjab government will soon write a letter to the Centre to bring the prices of non-scheduled medicines under control, according to a decision taken at a meeting convened by Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan on Tuesday. The move is aimed at stopping the fleecing of the public due to the exorbitant rates of medicines, an official statement said. Sandhwan said that drug price fixing is the central government subject and "licensed loot of patients has been legalized in the current system". "Finding an immediate solution to this very sensitive issue of the people's lives is the need of the hour. The Union government should immediately look into this matter and amend the law so that patients' loot could be stopped at once," he said, as per the statement. During the meeting, MLAs, health experts, doctors and representatives of various NGOs spoke about the actual rate and maximum retail prices of the medicines, showing the difference in prices of up to 90 per cent along with

CBI searches 30 locations in Punjab in corruption probe against FCI

The CBI on Tuesday launched searches at 30 locations in Punjab as part of its probe into allegations of corruption against Food Corporation of India (FCI) officials who procured inferior grains to benefit merchants and rice millers, officials said. The CBI teams started coordinated raids at the premises of grain merchants, rice mill owners, and serving and retired officials of the FCI in multiple districts of Punjab, including Sirhind, Fatehpur Sahib and Monga, as part of 'Operation Kanak 2', they said. This is second round of searches in the FIR pertaining to an organised syndicate of officers at the FCI, who allegedly charged bribes of Rs 1000-4000 per truck unloaded at the FCI godowns from private millers per crop season for covering up lower quality grains supplied by them and other favours. The bribes were allegedly circulated to officers at every level reaching up to headquarters in a well defined percentage of cuts at each level, it alleged. The FIR gave details of such brib

Punjab Cabinet gives nod to regularising services of 14,417 employees

Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann gave nod to the Policy for Welfare of Adhoc, Contractual, Daily Wages, Work Charged and Temporary employees, paving way for regularising the services

Punjab branding Ayushman Bharat centres as Mohalla Clinics: Health Minstry

The Union Health Ministry has said the Punjab government was converting Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres into Mohalla Clinics, a pet project of the Aam Aadmi Party, and has warned of stopping the funds for the scheme. The Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centre (AB-HWC) is formulated with 60:40 contribution ratio by the Centre and state. In a letter written to the state government on February 6, the ministry said that the state has vitiated the spirit of the scheme and "defaulted" on its commitment by branding AB-HWCs as Aam Aadmi Clinics and "not adhering' to the provisions of the memorandum on the implementation of the scheme. "The state has violated the provisions of Clause 10.3 and 10.10 of MoU and has stopped implementing the AB-HWC component of NHM (National Health Mission), therefore releases to the State under NHM do not appear feasible as per provisions of Clause 13 of the MOU," NHM Additional Secretary and Mission Director Roli Singh said in the letter. A to

We will make schools in Delhi, Punjab best in the world: Arvind Kejriwal

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Saturday said education is "a priority" for the AAP-led dispensations and work will be done to make government schools in both Delhi and Punjab the "best in the world". AAP is the ruling party in Delhi and Punjab. Kejriwal was addressing a gathering of principals at an event here in the presence of his Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Mann. Mann said that teachers in Punjab will not be engaged in anything other than teaching. In his address, Kejriwal said, "Improving and fixing education system in Delhi since we took charge here was very difficult." Infrastructure was given a push earlier and then the AAP government focused on training teachers and principals, the party supremo said. Until teachers and principals are motivated, the impact will not be visible, he said. "If government wants, they can give best schools and education, but intentions and priorities matter. And, education is our priority. We took seven years in Delhi, but it will take less ti

Punjab, Haryana HC accepts petition against parole of Dera chief Ram Rahim

The HC has also sent notices to the Punjab government, the Haryana government, and the center

Punjab cabinet imposes 90 paise per litre cess on sale of petrol, diesel

The Punjab Cabinet on Friday gave its approval for a marginal increase in the VAT rates levied on the sale of petrol and diesel in the state

Punjab govt giving major push to food processing sector: CM Bhagwant Mann

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has said that the state government is giving a major push to the food processing sector, which will create job opportunities for youth on one hand and immensely benefit farmers as well. "The state government is giving a major push to the food processing sector in Punjab ..," Mann said. The Chief Minister also said that the state government will soon set up 20 dedicated Rural Industrial Hubs across the state. He said that these hubs will be equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure to facilitate industrialists in setting up their units. These hubs will boost industrial development. Mann assured fulsome support and cooperation to the industrialists opting for setting up their units in these hubs adding that the state government is fully committed to accelerate industrial development in Punjab. Punjab is organising the 5th 'Progressive Punjab Investors Summit' on February 23 and 24 in Mohali. As a run up to the Summit, a mini-conclave was org

Punjab will soon shine like Kohinoor, accuses previous system: CM Mann

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday said that with continued progress Punjab will shine like the 'Kohinoor' diamond, even as he accused the previous dispensations of failing to tackle corruption and poverty in the state. Addressing a gathering after hoisting the national flag at a Republic day function here at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Sports stadium, Mann said that even after 75 years of the Independence, the dreams of our freedom fighters such as Bhagat Singh and Dr BR Ambedkar remain unfulfilled. People had high hopes from successive governments, but they were dashed because of corruption, poverty, unemployment and many other ills that are still deeply embedded in the state, he said. The AAP government has come like a breath of fresh air in Punjab as it is committed to fulfil the aspirations of people of the state, the CM said. He said he would prefer dying than ever favouring his family or relatives in public works. "I do not sign any scheme which is against the interests of .

Punjab police deepens crackdown on buying, selling synthetic kite strings

The Punjab Police is cracking down on the sale of banned 'Chinese manjha' following a spate of unfortunate incidents during kite flying competitions in the state that left people especially children grievously injured. A few days back, a four-year-old boy received more than 100 stitches on his face after 'China dor', as it is popularly known in Punjab, got entangled around his neck and caused deep cuts near Samrala, in Ludhiana district. It happened as the kid rolled down the window pane of the car he was travelling in and stuck his head out to see kites being flown. He had to be hospitalised in Ludhiana. An Amritsar-based activist, Kirpal Singh Pali, who is among the prominent voices against "China dor" or "Chinese manjha", claimed it is supplied to the state from Noida and then distributed from Ludhiana and Jalandhar. In Amritsar, a 28-year-old man suffered a deep cut around his neck four days ago because of Chinese string and had to get 20 stitches. The kite string got entangled

AAP hits back at Congress over Rahul Gandhi's remote control remarks

The ruling AAP in Punjab has attacked Rahul Gandhi over his allegation that the government in the state was being remote controlled

No respite from cold in Punjab, Haryana; Narnaul records 2.2 degrees C

According to the Meteorological Department, Hisar registered a low of 7.2 degrees Celsius while Rohtak's minimum settled at 7.4 degrees Celsius

Kejriwal, Akhilesh, Left leaders to attend BRS public meet in T'gana on Wed

The ruling BRS in Telangana to organise a public meet at Khammam town on Wednesday, attended by Delhi CM Kejriwal, Punjab CM Mann, Kerala CM Vijayan, SP leader Akhilesh Yadav and CPI's D Raja

Man tries to hug Rahul during Bharat Jodo Yatra in Punjab's Hoshiarpur

A man rushed towards Rahul Gandhi and tried to hug him during the Bharat Jodo yatra here on Tuesday but was pushed away by Congress leaders accompanying him. However, police said it was not a breach of security. In a video of the incident, the man wearing a jacket could be seen rushing towards the Congress MP and trying to embrace him. However, Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring and other party workers accompanying Gandhi stopped him and pushed him away. The Congress had last month written to Home Minister Amit Shah, alleging "security breaches" during the Yatra in the national capital and demanded immediate steps to ensure the security of Gandhi and others taking part in the yatra. Dismissing the allegations, the government had said "full" security arrangements were made for Gandhi in accordance with laid-down guidelines but he himself "violated" security protocols 113 times since 2020. The Yatra resumed from Tanda here Tuesday morning as part of its Punjab leg, a

Punjab, Haryana battle severe cold; Bathinda records -1 degrees Celsius

Severe cold weather conditions prevailed in Punjab and Haryana, with Bathinda, Faridkot and Hisar recording sub-zero minimum temperatures on Tuesday. Bathinda and Faridkot in Punjab reeled under a piercing chill, recording minimum temperatures of minus one degrees Celsius each, according to the Meteorological Department's weather report. Biting cold also swept Amritsar, which recorded a low of 1.4 degrees Celsius while Ludhiana registered a minimum of 1.6 degrees Celsius. Patiala, Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Moga and Mohali were also under the grip of severe cold, recording respective minimums of 2 degrees Celsius, 2.9 degrees Celsius, 2.8 degrees Celsius, 0.8 degrees Celsius and 6.2 degrees Celsius. Chandigarh, the common capital of the two states, recorded a low of 5.7 degrees Celsius. In Haryana, freezing cold swept Hisar, which recorded a minimum temperature of minus 1.3 degrees Celsius. Cold wave also swept Sirsa, which recorded a low of 0.2 degrees Celsius. Karnal, Narnaul, Roht

Punjab: Congress' Bharat Jodo Yatra resumes from Tanda in Hoshiarpur

Braving biting cold, several people joined Rahul Gandhi in the Bharat Jodo Yatra that resumed its journey in Punjab from Tanda here on Tuesday morning. The Punjab leg of the Congress' Kanyakumari to Kashmir march began on Wednesday from Sirhind in Fatehgarh Sahib. Senior leaders of the party, including its Punjab chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, Harish Chaudhary and Raj Kumar Chabbewal, were seen accompanying Gandhi during the yatra that will halt for the night at Mukerian. Gandhi, who was again seen wearing the white T-shirt that he has sported for much of the journey, met a group of women and got a photo clicked with them. On Monday, the former Congress chief had said the yatra is getting an overwhelming response. He had also slammed the BJP government over the issues of unemployment and inflation. The march, which started from Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu on September 7, will conclude in Srinagar by January 30, with Gandhi hoisting the national flag in the summer capital of Jamm