Hry Red Cross Society ready to help people
Chandigarh: The Haryana Red Cross Society is prepared to provide all possible help to people in this hour of crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Satyadeo Narain Arya said on Saturday. Arya is also the president of the Red Cross Society's Haryana chapter. In this challenging time, the Red Cross is continuously working for humanity, the governor said after virtually inaugurating a 75-bedded COVID Hospital in Faridabad from the Raj Bhavan here. The hospital was inaugurated in collaboration with the Indian Red Cross Society and the Bharat Vikas Parishad. Arya called upon the people to support the volunteers of the Red Cross Society in the fight against the pandemic. He said that the Haryana Red Cross Society has asked for 250 oxygen concentrators from the Indian Red Cross Society. Out of the total, 40 concentrators have been delivered and these helped in the treatment COVID-19 patients, the Governor said. After remaining concentrators arrive in the state, these will be distributed to all districts, he said. Arya said that keeping in view the increasing demand of blood and blood plasma, special campaigns are being conducted. He said that oxygen cylinders have also been provided to COVID-19 patients in hospitals by the Bharat Vikas Parishad.
Ensure time-bound completion of projects: HP CM
Shimla: Himachal Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Saturday directed the officers to ensure time bound completion of developmental projects besides ensuring quality in the construction works. Presiding over the review meeting of the Public Works Department here, the Chief Minister said that since roads were the main mode of transportation in the State, an effective road map must be prepared to meet out the desired targets while executing various roads and bridge projects. He said the special focus must be laid on completing those projects which were nearing completion. He also directed the engineers of the department to work professionally while executing various projects. Thakur said that under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna, the State has completed construction of over 18430 kms. roads in the State and about 2406 habitations have been connected by roads. He said the loan target sanctioned under NABARD for the year 2021 was Rs. 540 crore and the department has sanctioned 114 projects with a total cost of Rs. 565.52 crore. Thakur said that pace regarding execution of ongoing National Highway Authority of India's projects such as Kiratpur-Nerchowk-Manali, Parwanoo-Solan-Dhali must also be expedited so that commuters do not face any inconvenience.
Sidhu hits out at capt over Kotkapura firing case
Chandigarh: Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu once again on Saturday targeted Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, alleging that the state government was forced to accept the Punjab and Haryana High Court order in the 2015 Kotkapura firing case due to his incompetence. The Amritsar MLA further said giving six months to a new special investigation team (SIT) for probing the case involving firing at people protesting against the desecration of a religious text will further extend the delay in giving justice. The Congress MLA has been critical of his own government after the Punjab and Haryana High Court quashed a probe report into the firing case last month. He had attacked cAPT Amarinder, accusing him of evading responsibility in the case. Attacking the CM, who also holds the home portfolio, Sidhu on Saturday tweeted, "Sad !! Due to incompetence of home minister, govt is forced to accept orders of the High Court, which the people of Punjab are standing up against. Giving 6 months to new SIT, extends the delay of govt's biggest poll promise, unfortunately up to next elections code of conduct." "After multiple inquiry commissions, SITs and passage of 6 years, evidence has weakened while accused have gained in wisdom, making their defence stronger due to repetitive investigations on the same matter," he said in another tweet.
DESILTING OF VILLAGE PONDS STARTED IN PUNJAB
Chandigarh: In the wake of the ensuing monsoon season, the state government has embarked on a special drive to dewater and desilt village ponds to tackle drainage issues in rural areas during the heavy rains. Rural Development and Panchayat Minister Tript Bajwa in a statement on Saturday said that the top priority would be accorded to desilting, dewatering, and rejuvenation of village ponds as it was done last year. Bajwa said that dewatering of 12244 village ponds out of a total of 14919 ponds was done last year besides desilting of 7345 ponds, in 2020, adding that on similar lines, a special drive is being launched in May and June 2021. He added that all the works would be completed under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) so that rural folks get ample employment opportunities amid the prevailing health crisis arising out of the CoronaVirus pandemic. The Minister said that as many as 21,22,032 man-days were generated last year under this project, which ensured alleviation of rural distress amid these trying times. He also mentioned that the officials were asked to register maximum numbers of the rural workforce under MGNREGA so that they could be provided with employment opportunities and urged them to demonstrate utmost professional commitment and dedication in this task.
HK Trehan is 1st woman Engineer-In-Chief of PSPCL
Patiala: Punjab State Power Corporation limited has promoted Harsharan Kaur Trehan as Engineer-In-Chief /Material Management. She became the first woman technocrat to attain the position of Engineer-In-Chief in PSPCL, a statement from the organisation said. An alumnus of Delhi College of Engineering, Harsharan Kaur Trehan joined PSPCL (erstwhile PSEB) in 1987 as AE and rose to the level of Engineer-In-Chief. During 34 years ongoing service, she served on various important assignments including Transmission design, Substation design, Hydel design, Thermal design, GGSSTP, Ropar, IPC, Commercial org. , MM Org. etc.
In a message, she stated that she feels proud while serving PSPCL which is the life line of Punjab and contributing a fundamental role in the progress of the State.