PUNJAB

Punjab has secured fifth position in the recently-announced Swachata Survekshan-2022 among all the states of the country having more than 100 (ULB). Besides, Punjab has emerged as the top state in the northern zone with Moonak, Nawanshahar, and Gobindgarh got the first rank as clean cities.

During the Swachata Sarvekshan, Punjab has scored 2935 points across the country. According to the Population of the city, Moonak, Nawanshahar, and Gobindgarh have got the first rank as clean cities. In addition, Ghagga, Bareta, Bhikhi, Dasuya, Kurali, Nangal, and Fazilka were also honoured with Awards in the cleanliness survey ceremony.

Reviewing the power situation amid shortage of coal supply in the state, Channi said that all the thermal Plants are unable to generate full capacity of power due to insufficient coal receipt. However, he reiterated his govts firm commitment to give power supply for Irrigation of paddy crop where necessary at the fag end of crop yield. He however, said that power cuts on domestic consumers in cities and villages are being imposed to ensure sufficient supply to the Agriculture-notes-for-state-psc-exams”>Agriculture sector as well as to maintain grid discipline.

ThePunjab Agricultural University(PAU), Ludhiana, has been granted an Indian patent on Fermentation Process for Enhanced Glucose Productionfrom Sweet Sorghum Bagasse Using Acidothermophilic Fungal Cellulases by theIndian Patent Office, New Delhi. The patent has been granted for 20 years in accordance with the provisions of the Patents Act.

This is the 15th Indian patent granted to PAU and second to principal microbiologist G S Kocher. The team also included his doctorate student Ritika from the department of Microbiology and H S Oberoi, scientist, Central Institute of Post Harvest Engineering Technology(CIPHET), Ludhiana.

Layout plan, change of land use (CLU), Environmental Clearance under EIA notification, RERA have also been accorded approval for the entire chunk of 378.77 acres land. The project would entail the cost of Rs 365 crore.

He said that the Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh led is working diligently towards setting up such industrial projects in the State which would serve the twin purpose of being environmental friendly and providing EMPLOYMENT avenues to the youth.

A 100-acre plot had been allotted to Hero Cycles Limited, Ludhiana, in December 2018 for setting up of anchor unit on which Hero Cycles Limited has already commenced production from April 2021 after constructing requisite manufacturing Infrastructure.

Further, 61.38 acre plot has been allotted to the Aditya Birla Group and 17 acre plot allotted to the JK Paper Industry.

The Industries and Commerce Minister added that the cycle valley has been connected with the Chandigarh-Ludhiana national highway by constructing a 100 feet wide four-lane and 8.3 Km long, external concrete road, and handed over to the public on 14 April, 2021.

Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr Baljit Kaur on Wednesday instructed all District Social Security Officers in the state to collect income documents from original old-age pension beneficiaries within 15 days to ensure that the pension benefits are provided exclusively to those who are genuinely in need and eligible.

The Minister said that during pension-related actions taken, it was discovered that out of the J Form holders, 63,424 individuals are receiving old-age pension from the Department despite having an annual income exceeding Rs 60,000. However, for old-age pension, the beneficiarys annual income should not exceed Rs 60,000.

The Minister emphasized that the Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, is dedicated to creating a Corruption-free state.

Many pensioners in the Department are farmers. The Punjab State Mandi Board issues J Forms to farmers, providing information about their income from crop sales. To accurately determine their annual income, the Department compared the data with that of the Punjab State Mandi Board, she added.

Punjab Skill development Mission (PSDM) has started States first Skill Development Center for Divyangs physically challenged like deaf and dumb, visually impaired. After inaugurating the Center, PSDM mission director Deepti Uppal said that it is utmost important to inculcate the Divyang people in the mainstream of Society and provide them skill training, which will certainly help them to gain some specific skill through which they can be made themselves self dependent and start earning their livelihood.

This will help in making Divyangs an equal partner in the countrys socio-economic Growth on the one hand, and ensuring a life full of dignity and pride for them on the other, she said.

An amount of Rs 117 crore would be spent for transformation of these training and class rooms.

That apart from the improvement in the facilities, few path-breaking initiatives like online teacher transfer policy, smart schools policy, pre-primary Education, digital education and special cadre of teachers working in border areas, which have also led to remarkable improvement in the quality of education across the State.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday gave the nod to organize a series of cultural festivals across the state for emerging the state as a world class tourist destination by showcasing the rich culture, art, and legacy of the state.

The move is aimed at enhancing tourist visits in the state and establishing it as a world-class destination in coming years, said the Chief Minister, after taking the decision during a meeting of the Tourism Department.

Taking part in deliberations, the Chief Minister said that these cultural events will give a major fillip to the tourism sector in the state and will emerge Punjab prominently on the world tourist map. Besides giving impetus to tourists in the State, this move will also act as a Catalyst in making the younger generations abreast of the rich heritage of the state, he added.

Stating that the sacred land of Punjab has huge potential of attracting the tourists due to its age old HISTORY and rich cultural heritage, Mann asked the Tourism Department to prepare a complete table for organizing these cultural festivals regularly so that it emerges as a mass event.

The Minister said that SSBY beneficiaries can directly visit empanelled private hospitals without any need for referral from the public hospitals for Covid-19 treatment. This initiative shall bring an immense relief to the vulnerable and deprived section of the State Population, who will now be able to avail Level II and Level III treatment care in empanelled private hospitals.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said that the had cleared all dues of the state power utility, Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (Pspcl), by clearing the subsidy bill of Rs 20,200 crore. At the same time, the Chief Minister claimed that there would be no power crisis in the state as power generation would be beyond capacity.

At the same time, the Chief Minister made it clear that notwithstanding the mounting debt on the state, the power subsidy would continue.

Besides clearing PSPCLs all dues, the Government has also promised to pay the legacy outstanding of Rs 9,020 crore in instalments in five years. The government has already paid the first instalment of Rs 1,804 core and the interest of Rs 663 crore.