HP govt sign MoUs for production of drones to promote technology-driven governance

Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh government on Wednesday signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) worth Rs 200 crore to manufacture drones with an aim to promote technology-driven governance in the state.  The state government signed MoUs with FICCI to promote the use of drones in governance. They also signed agreements with Abecode Technologies Private Limited and Dronetech Solutions Private Limited for investment.  An MoU was signed with SkyeAir for an unmanned traffic management solution to oversee flight operations, in collaboration with the Department of Digital Technologies and Governance, Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University (CSKHPKV) and IIT Ropar.

Accommodation of Himachal Bhawan employees in Chandigarh to be taken up with UT authorities: CM

Shimla: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday said the issue regarding the allotment of accommodation of the employees working in Himachal Bhawan, Chandigarh in the general housing pool of the Union Territory of Chandigarh would be taken up with the authorities of the UT.  Sukhu said the state government is committed to safeguard the interests of its employees, including their entitlements and payment of dues on time.  A delegation of officers and employees of Himachal Bhawan, Chandigarh called on the Chief Minister on Wednesday and urged him to allot accommodation to the employees. Addressing the officers and employees of Himachal Bhawan in Chandigarh, Sukhu said the facility of accommodation would bring a positive change in the work efficiency of the personnel and directed the concerned officers to look into the matter.

Administrative secretaries asked to monitor Gram Panchayat Schemes: Hry CS

Chandigarh:  To strengthen the governance and effectiveness of Gram Panchayat schemes in the State, Haryana Chief Secretary Sanjeev Kaushal on Wednesday said the State Government has decided that Administrative Secretaries, who have been assigned districts to monitor project progress, will now also monitor the implementation of Gram Panchayat schemes at the district level.  Kaushal said that the Administrative Secretaries who are known as District Coordinators will review meetings at district level with Gram Sanrakshaks on a regular basis and take necessary actions. District Coordinators will also prepare a district-level report In collaboration with the district and submit the report through the designated portal for review.  The State level Steering Committee will thoroughly assess all reports submitted by District Coordinators and will finalize recommendations at the state level. The report will then be submitted to the Chief Minister’s office for further action.

Punjab records 17% increase in stamp sale, registration

Chandigarh: Punjab Government has registered 17 per cent more income under ‘stamp and registration’ head during the first financial quarter of 2023-24. Informing this, the state Revenue Minister Bram Shanker Jimpa on Wednesday said that providing transparent, hassle-free, and corruption-free services to the people of the state is the main goal of the government; and due to this, the state’s revenue is continuously increasing. He said that from April to June 2023, the State exchequer has received an income of Rs 1191.20 crore under stamp and registration, against the previous year’s income of Rs 1,018.63 crore.
 
US Ambassador calls on Punjab Speaker

Chandigarh: The United States (US) Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti on Wednesday called on Punjab Legislative Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan. Both the leaders, in the meeting, emphasized on strengthening mutual cooperation between India and America. Sandhwan emphasized on strengthening the cooperation between India and the US in agriculture, industry, technology and other fields, saying both countries can benefit from mutual exchange of knowledge and technology in various fields. He also asked Eric Garcetti to encourage US companies to invest in Punjab as the state offers an investment-friendly environment.

Two Punjab girls selected for pre-commission training at Officers Training Academy

Chandigarh:  Two lady cadets of Mai Bhago Armed Forces Preparatory Institute (AFPI) for Girls, SAS Nagar (Mohali), have been selected for Pre-Commission Training at the premier Officers’ Training Academy in Chennai. The training of selected Lady Cadets Arshdeep Kaur Sidhu and Lady Cadet Palvi Rajput will be commenced from October 2023 onwards.  Congratulating both the Lady Cadets for their achievement, Punjab Employment Generation, Skill Development and Training Minister Aman Arora on Wednesday said that the Mai Bhago AFPI has been transforming girls of Punjab into ‘women of substance’. Undoubtedly, the Institute is the ‘pride of Punjab’ which has been helping the girls from the State to become commissioned officers in the Armed Forces, he added.