Wrap up IT Park project in Kangra by 2024 CM Sukhu to officials

Shimla: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday paid a surprise visit to the Information Technology (IT) Park at Chaitaru in Kangra district and asked officials to complete the project by 2024. Sukhu underscored the potential for job creation for local youth through the IT Park and instructed the district administration to provide all basic amenities such as roads, electricity, and water in the complex so that the construction company does not face any inconvenience in their work and meeting the deadline. The Rs 17-crore IT park is spread across around two acres. The chief minister said around 100 companies have expressed interest in establishing their offices in the IT Park, operating on a plug-and-play basis.  He highlighted the government's ongoing efforts to position Kangra as a thriving IT hub, thereby catalysing the overall development of the state. He asked the officials concerned to ensure that the project is completed by 2024 end.

Hry Skill Development Deptt signs MoU with Maruti Suzuki

Chandigarh: The Haryana Skill Development and Industrial Training Department, along with Maruti Suzuki India Limited, has once again signed a memorandum as per which the establishment of the Japan-India Institute for Manufacturing (JIIM) will take place at the premises of the Government Industrial Training Institute, Kansala (Rohtak). Previously, a similar agreement was signed four years ago for the Government Industrial Training Institute, Uncha Majra (Gurugram). Director-General, Skill Development Department, Dr Vivek Aggarwal stated that the second Japan-India Institute for Manufacturing in India, and the first in Haryana state, was established in 2019. With the collaboration of Maruti Suzuki India Limited, the institute was established at the Government Industrial Training Institute, Uncha Majra (Gurugram). In the last 4 years the institute has provided 100 percent employment to the trainees who have completed their training, he added.

Senior press photojournalist Santokh Singh passes away

Chandigarh: Haryana, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Thursday expressed his condolences on the death of senior photojournalist Sardar Santokh Singh (78), also known as ‘Taya Ji’. He offered heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for the departed soul to find eternal peace. He tragically lost his battle with the cancer disease early Thursday morning. He served as the Chief Photojournalist at a newspaper here.  Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan and Information and Public Relations Minister Chetan Singh Jauramajra  also expressed deep grief over the sad demise of the senior photographer.  Sandhwan said that he was a cheerful, honest, and combative individual, consistently displaying unwavering dedication to his work. “Santokh Singh’s contributions to the field of photojournalism would be enduringly remembered,” he said. 

Ensure Promotion of officials, employees within 2 months: Punjab CS directs Officers

Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Secretary Anurag Verma, on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, on Thursday directed that all departments of the state should ensure promotion of officers and employees, due for it, within two months. Verma, in a letter to all Administrative Secretaries, Head of Departments, all Divisional Commissioners, and Deputy Commissioners, said that due promotions of officers and employees should be done within two months by following stipulated rules and instructions. He has also asked to ensure strict compliance of these instructions.
 
Punjab VB arrests absconding private agent accused of selling forged birth certificates

Chandigarh: Punjab Vigilance Bureau on Thursday arrested Niranjan Singh, a resident of Gehri village in Tarn Taran district, who had been evading his arrest for five years in connection with a criminal case. He was accused of charging Rs 10,000 per birth certificate. Spokesperson disclosed that a criminal case was registered against the said accused on May 27, 2017, under sections 420, 467, 468, 120-B of IPC, and sections 13(1) read with 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act at VB police station, Amritsar range. The accused was declared a proclaimed offender by the court on June 6, 2018, and has been evading arrest since then. Niranjan, in collusion with officials from Tarn Taran Civil Surgeon office, used to procure forged birth certificates and sold them for Rs 10,000 each to the beneficiaries; and had amassed a substantial amount by issuing over 20 such fraudulent certificates.

BJP to observe ‘Veer Bal Diwas nationwide

Chandigarh: BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh on Thursday said that the saffron party would observe nationwide December 26 as the ‘Veer Bal Diwas’ in the memory of Baba Jorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh — the two sons of the tenth Sikh master Guru Gobind Singh ji. BJP, all across the country, would be holding special meetings at the mandal level to pay homage to the two sons, he said, adding the party would organize “prabhat pheris” and seminars to deliberate on the sacrifice of the two ‘sahibzadas’.

 Punjab VB arrests improvement trust law officer for taking Rs 8L bribe

Chandigarh: Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) on Thursday, arrested advocate Gautam Majithia — posted as law officer of Amritsar Improvement Trust for demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs eight lakh. Spokesperson said that law officer Majithia, a resident of Green Field, Majitha road, Amritsar, has been arrested on the complaint of Jatinder Singh, a resident of Partap Avenue, Amritsar, who have lodged a complaint on the Chief Minister’s Anti-Corruption Action Line along with the audio recording. The complainant alleged that the law officer had taken Rs eight lakh in lieu of release of 20 percent compensation more for acquisition of his land on the directions of district court amounting to Rs 20 lakh.