Surprise checks in schools, 47 teachers found absent

Chandigarh: The teams of Punjab State Education Department on Thursday conducted surprise checks at 855 schools of the state to ensure punctuality and discipline in the Schools. A spokesperson said that during the checks, 47 teachers were found absent while 68 teachers were late and 37 teachers were found long time absentees. He said that immediately after opening the schools special teams visited 357 schools of Jalandhar Circle, 280 schools of Nabha (Patiala) Circle and 218 schools of Faridkot Circle. Daljit Singh Cheema, Education Minister said that to maintain discipline and punctuality in the Government Schools special and surprise checking would continue in future also.

Joshi puts Swachchh Bharat Mission on Fast Track

Chandigarh: The local Bodies Minister, Anil Joshi, has designated Nodal Officers in all ten Municipal Corporations of the State, to put the Swachchh Bharat Mission on fast track. These Nodal Officers would be of Chief Engineer level and would monitor the ongoing Swachchh Bharat Mission. Disclosing this on Thursday, Anil Joshi said that this decision has been taken so that Prime Minister, Narendra Modi's vision of a cleaner India is successful.

Punjab to observe Rashtriya Ekta Diwas on Oct 31

Chandigarh: In a tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Punjab Government will observe his birth anniversary falling on October 31 as the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas. A spokesman said the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day) would be observed every year. There would be a pledge taking ceremony in all the Government offices, public sector undertakings and other public institutions. The pledge would be taken by all officials and other employees to preserve the unity integrity and security of the nation and also strive hard to spread this message among all fellow countrymen. He also said that the motive of these programs is to inculcate the feeling of national unity, integrity and security among all Indians.

BSNl reduces price on Data cards

Chandigarh: The Bharat Sanchar Nigam limited (BSNl) has announced to reduce cost of its 3G Data cards and also launched promotional talk value on Top-up of Rs300 and Rs400. Speaking about this on Thursday, District General Manager Telecom, Chandigarh, JS Sahota said that as per the new prices cost of 3G Data card, the USB data card of 3.6Mbps is now available at Rs500+VAT and data card with 7.2 Mbps is available at Rs1,000+VAT, the special prices are applicable for 90 days with effect from October 24. Meanwhile on the Top-up of Rs300, consumers will get talk time of Rs 350 and on recharge of Rs 400, talk time of Rs450 will be provided.

Appointment letters given Ayurvedic Medical officers

Chandigarh: Health and Family Welfare Minister of Punjab, Surjit Kumar Jayani, on Thursday handed over the appointment letters to 302 Ayurvedic Medical Officers and 81 laboratory technicians. During the ceremony, Jayani said that the state government is taking steps to strengthen medical and para- medical services in state. Addressing the newly appointed officers of the department, MD Punjab health Systems Corporation, Hussan lal, said that Punjab has witnessed a change in the health sectors in the last two years. The infrastructure and the buildings have been strengthened and free medicines were being made available to the patients. He also said the appointment procedure has also been made transparent and the selections were made purely on merit.

Bankers call for nationwide strike on Nov 12

Chandigarh: United Forum of Bank Union comprising All India Bank Employees Association, All India Bank Officers’ Confederation, National Confederation Of Bank Employees, All India Bank Officers’ Association, Bank Employees Federation of India, Indian National Bank Employees Federation, Indian National Bank Officers Congress, National Organisation of Bank Workers, National Organization of Bank Officers on Thursday staged a demonstration wearing black batches at Sector 17 Bank Square for their demands. Bankers has called for nationwide strike on November which will be followed by relay zonal strikes from December 2-5, 2014. Northern Region comprising of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, J&K, Himachal Pradesh, Chattisgarh, MP, New Delhi, UP, Rajasthan Uttranchal will have their relay zonal strike on December 3.

Dupont’s solutions to tackle water shortage issue

ludhiana: DuPont has introduced solutions towards agricultural production that overcome the issue of water shortage, through innovations such as high yielding seeds and crop agronomical practices like crop diversification. Agriculture is India's largest consumer of water. China and India, with one-third of the world's people, have between them less than 10 per cent of the world's fresh water. Hence, water scarcity has a critical impact on agricultural productivity and hence, food security. DuPont worked with Punjab government to introduce crop diversification on growing diversified crop varieties like corn and rice to reducing water usage considerably.