Punjab Govt introduces free bus travel for blind individuals’ assistants
Chandigarh: In a major step to improve accessibility and inclusion while meeting a long-standing request from the blind community, Punjab Government on Thursday announced that assistants of blind individuals can now travel by bus for free. The announcement came during a meeting led by Finance and Planning Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr Baljit Kaur, among other top officials. “This initiative shows the government’s dedication to create an inclusive society where everyone has equal opportunities and access to vital services. With this decision, the Government is making a significant move towards enhancing mobility and independence of people with disabilities,” said Dr Baljit Kaur.
Punjab CM expresses profound grief, sorrow over Kuwait tragedy
Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday expressed profound grief and sorrow over the death of several Indians in the mishap at Kuwait, when a massive fire engulfed a multi-storey building housing mostly our countrymen on Wednesday. Mann, in a condolence message, said that it is a tragic and unfortunate incident in which a large number of Indians died due to smoke inhalation when they were sleeping. “The State Government is at the beck and call of the distressed families in this hour of crisis….The thoughts and prayers of Punjabis are with the bereaved families during this hour of crisis…I also prayed for the swift recovery of those injured in this tragic event,” he said.
Punjab’s 3 girls make it to IAF academy
Chandigarh: Continuing in its march to transform girls of Punjab into ‘Women of Substance’, three more Lady Cadets of Mai Bhago Armed Forces Preparatory Institute (AFPI) for Girls, SAS Nagar (Mohali), have been selected for pre-commission training at the prestigious Indian Air Force Academy, Dundigal. Their training will commence from July 2024 onwards. Lady Cadet Harnoor Singh is daughter of Vikram Singh Bains, who is Principal in a Government School and hails from Pathankot; whereas Lady Cadet Kritee Bisht is daughter of Shakti Sharan Singh, who is Senior Engineer in PACL, Nangal. Lady Cadet Alisha, who is already under training at the Indian Naval Academy, is daughter of Sunil Dutt, who is Teacher in a Private School and hails from Jalandhar.
Minister emphasizes further boost to ‘Van Mittar’ scheme; Directs speeding up of NoC clearance system
Chandigarh: Punjab Forest and Wildlife Preservation Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak, during a meeting at Forest Complex in Sector 68 to review the development works of the Department, said that steps must be taken to protect the environment for the sake of future generations at the grassroots level. The Minister said that the ‘Van Mittar’ scheme should be given further boost as it leads to providing job opportunities to the people as well as protecting and taking care of the saplings. As far as the plantation of saplings is concerned, it should preferably be done at the places having boundary walls so as to make sure that there is no danger to them, said the Minister adding that such places can be Educational institutions, Rural dispensaries, Aam Aadmi Clinics (AACs).
Punjab Speaker asserts facelift for Amritsar Heritage Street
Chandigarh: Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan on Thursday instructed the authorities to start major facelift programs for the iconic Amritsar Heritage Street, which will soon boast ultra-modern facilities and amenities. Sandhwan, addressing a meeting attended by top officials from various departments, emphasized the need to remove illegal encroachments from the street and set up information centers at strategic locations of this historic city. He also stressed the importance of proper sanitation, potable water arrangements in parking facilities to enhance the overall experience for visitors.
UT Administrator approves Budget Estimates of 2024-25 of Chandigarh MC
Chandigarh: The Governor of Punjab and Administrator UT Chandigarh Banwarilal Purohit on Thursday approved the Budget Estimates of the financial year 2024-25 of the Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh. According to the orders, while approving the Budget Estimates of the Municipal Corporation, the Administrator stated that the MCC has erred in passing the Budget Estimates for the financial year 2024-25 in its meeting held on March 6, 2024. In this regard, though explanation was furnished by the Commissioner, MCC, describing the circumstances under which the said the Budget Estimates of MCC, for the year 2024-25 were passed, UT administration found the same to be contrary to the procedure required to be followed, as per the Legal Opinion of the Senior Standing Counsel, UT. Though the explanation submitted by the Commissioner, MCC, was accepted as a one-time measure, directions were issued to the Municipal Corporation to follow the prescribed procedures as per applicable provisions of Municipal Act/rules/bye-laws, in future.
Govt earns Rs 1756 crore from liquor shop auction in Gurugram
Gurugram: The Haryana Government has earned Rs 1,756 crore from the auction of 162 liquor shops in the East and West zone via e-tenders in Gurugram, officials said. According to the New Excise Policy, online tenders were opened on Wednesday for 162 shops in the East and West Zones. The East area is an upscale locality of the city. Earlier, the officials said that there were a total of 69 sectors in the East Zone which have now been reduced to 40. They said that liquor traders can now open four liquor shops in one zone. There are around 342 liquor shops in Gurugram, and the Excise Department in the city is divided into two zones - East and West. The wine shop located on the golf course road in the East Zone attracted the highest bid of Rs 50.57 crore. A liquor vend located near Bristol Chowk was sold for Rs 48.28 crore. "Tenders were opened for wine shops under the online tender process on behalf of the headquarters, the department has collected revenue of Rs 1,756 crore from 162 shops in East and West zones," a senior officer of the Excise Department, Gurugram said.
Haryana employees regularized in 2014 entitled for promotion
Chandigarh: The Haryana Government has decided that employees regularized under the regularization policies of 2014 will be entitled for promotions. However, these promotions will be subject to the final outcome of the pending Special Leave Petitions (SLPs) in the Supreme Court. Chief Secretary TVSN Prasad has issued instructions to all the Administrative Secretaries and all the Heads of the Departments in this regard. The Supreme Court, through interim orders dated February 6, 2024, in SLP(C) No. 27349 of 2018 titled "Madan Singh and others Vs State of Haryana and another," along with various other SLPs, directed that the promotions of employees regularized under the 2014 policy will be subject to the outcome of these appeals.
Punjab Governor meets President Murmu
Chandigarh: The Governor of Punjab and Administrator of UT Chandigarh, Banwari Lal Purohit, paid a courtesy call to President Droupadi Murmu, at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Wednesday. During the visit, Purohit apprised the President of the recent developments and ongoing initiatives in Punjab. Besides providing a comprehensive update, Purohit also extended an invitation to the President to visit Punjab and witness the spiritual and cultural richness of the state. He also spoke about the renowned hospitality of the people of Punjab, ensuring that President Murmu would experience their warmth and welcoming spirit.
