Punjab Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO on Friday visited the Guru Gobind Singh Thermal Plant in order to ensure uninterrupted supply of power and  directed the officers to operate all four units of the plant so as to contribute in the task of meeting the demand for supply of power. He also said that the fourth unit must also be started which was closed for 25 days due to maintenance works. 

The third unit was started on April 28 and now with the fourth unit also starting, the plant would run to its full capacity. This would lead to increasing power generation by 210 MW at Rupnagar while the 660 MW expansion would be witnessed in respect of Talwandi Sabo plant, a statement said.

The Minister took stock of the working mechanism of the plant besides the control room.  Assuring the farmers, the Minister said that the power supply would be regularized for which the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led Government is trying its level best as is evident from the Chief Minister meeting Union Power Minister R.K. Singh in this regard for ensuring uninterrupted power supply during the paddy procurement season.

 The Minister was also apprised about the demand for more power keeping in view the upcoming paddy season. He said that the Chief Minister has also requested the Union Government to supply power from its own pool besides unhindered supply of coal. The Minister also held discussions with the PSPCL officers.

Briefs

HURDLES IN LIFTING OF WHEAT RESOLVED IN PUNJAB

Chandigarh: The Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Lal Chand Kataruchak, on Friday directed the State Procurement Agencies to immediately expedite lifting in the Mandis after FCI issued guidelines for conditional acceptance of direct delivery from the Mandis. A spokesperson of the Punjab Government said that FCI has issued guidelines for acceptance of wheat which had already been procured by the State Agencies in anticipation of relaxation in norms for shrivelled grains. The acceptance of wheat shall be subject to the final decision of the Government of India in this regard, he said. It is worthwhile to mention that the wheat grain had become shrivelled due to an extreme heat wave that descended on the state in the months of March and April. The State Government had, accordingly, written to the Government of India to relax the specifications of shrivelled wheat beyond the current permissible limit of 6% so that the crop could be purchased and the farmers would not be penalised for reasons beyond their control.

Haryana Govt taking forward low-wage contractual appointments at low wages, alleges Hooda

Chandigarh: Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Friday strongly criticized the BJP-JJP government for unemployment as well as recruitment scams.  He said, “The government is making temporary recruitments in different departments through this new contracting system while it should make sure recruitments through HPSC and HSSC. The government seems to have made up its mind to end permanent jobs. We will oppose it from the road to the Vidhan Sabha and we will not allow them to jeopardize the youth."  Referring to the HSSC clerk recruitment in the past, he said what was feared happened. “The court quashed the recruitment. The innocent youth had to bear the brunt of the government's activities. But even in the face of adverse order in the court, the government is not learning any lessons as it is now preparing to declare the HCS Preliminary Result also. This is the same recruitment in which HPSC Deputy Secretary Anil Nagar was arrested red handed taking lakhs of Rupees,” he said.


Haryana's 1st hi-tech bus terminal in Faridabad to be over by Sept

Chandigarh:  Haryana Chief Secretary Sanjeev Kaushal on Friday said that State’s first hi-tech bus terminal to be built on public-private partnership (PPP) mode in Faridabad will be ready in September. A commercial hub would also be built in this bus stand.  Presiding over a review meeting on projects of Rs 100 crore, Kaushal directed the officers to prepare Project Appraisal and Review Technique (PERT) charts for all ongoing projects, so that the timeline and the status of completion percentage can be clear. Besides, the contractors or agencies working should also be directed to complete the works of the projects within the stipulated time period.  He said ensuring the holistic development of Haryana is the top priority of the government and the officers must ensure time-bound execution of the projects so that the citizens can be benefited from these welfare projects.


Farmers protest near residence of Punjab power minister over electricity shortage

Amritsar: Different farmer groups held a protest near the residence of Punjab Power Minister Harbhajan Singh here on Friday against the alleged inadequate electricity supply to the farm sector.  There was heavy barricading around the minister’s house in New Amritsar locality. The farmers, who were protesting under the banner of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, scuffled with police as they tried to break the barricades to reach Singh’s house, police said. No one was injured in the scuffle. Later, the protesters set up a makeshift stage near the minister’s house and gave speeches against the government. On Thursday, opposition parties in Punjab had hit out at the Aam Aadmi Party government over “massive” power outages at many places in the state amid the scorching heat, accusing it of having failed to fulfil its promise of providing round-the-clock electricity to people.  Singh had earlier said that due to the rising temperature, the demand for electricity shot up by 40 per cent compared to last year.


BJP President JP Nadda to inaugurate Cancer Tertiary Center on May 9 

Chandigarh: Haryana Home and Health Minister Anil Vij on Friday said that on May 9, BJP President JP Nadda will inaugurate the cancer hospital in Ambala Cantonment. Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and other dignitaries will also be present at the inauguration ceremony on the occasion. Vij said that a large number of patients would get better treatment from this cancer hospital and a grand program would be organized here on the inauguration.  A four-storey cancer hospital has been built in Ambala Cantonment at a cost of Rs 72 crore. The 50 bedded hospital will have OPD, IPD, day care, chemotherapy, modern OT, radio therapy, brachytherapy, CT simulator, mammography ultrasound, X-ray, color Doppler and many other facilities of treatment.