BHAGWANT MANN ASSERTS THAT THIS MOVE IS A MAJOR SETBACK FOR THE INTERESTS OF PUNJAB AND ITS PEOPLE. SAYS THAT THE STATE WILL NOT PAY EVEN A SINGLE PENNY FOR THE WATER QUESTIONS ABSENCE OF THE CONGRESS LEADERS FROM THE ASSEMBLY URGE PEOPLE TO QUESTION CONGRESS LEADERS ON THE ISSUE SAYS CONGRESS PURSUING POLICY OF ‘BHARAT TODO’ INSTEAD OF ‘BHARAT JODO’, DVISES HP GOVERNMENT TO REFRAIN FROM TAKING SUCH STEP WHICH WILL DILUTE THE POWERS OF THE STATES
Face2News/Chandigarh
Asserting that water is our legitimate right as per Riparian law, the Punjab assembly led Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday condemned the act of Himachal Pradesh government to impose Water cess on hydropower projects.
Endorsing the resolution passed by the Water Resources Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer to condemn the move of Himachal Pradesh government, the Chief Minister said that it is a major setback for the interests of Punjab and its people. He said contrary to its name- Punjab (the land of five rivers) is today facing serious challenges in terms of potable water. Bhagwant Mann said that the fresh move of Himachal Pradesh government is a fresh attack on the waters of the state which cannot be tolerated.
Taking the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh to cudgels, the Chief Minister categorically said that this move of the Sukhu government is illegitimate and irrational. He said that Punjab has legitimate right over the river waters and no one can snatch it from the state. Bhagwant Mann said that the state will not pay even a single penny for the water flowing through its land.\
The Chief Minister said that this move of Congress government is aimed at dividing the country adding that this is not ‘Bharat Jodo’ but it is ‘Bharat Todo’ campaign. He also questioned the absence of the Congress leaders of Punjab from the assembly when the state was deliberating a serious issue concerning the waters of the state. Bhagwant Mann said that these leaders have always backstabbed Punjab but the state government will leave no stone unturned to solve all the issues being confronted by Punjab.
The Chief Minister said that this shameless act of the Himachal Pradesh government has exposed that Congress has several faces and they use these masks as per their political convenience. He said that the Congress leaders make tall claims about federal structure but in real terms they act as per their own political interests. Bhagwant Mann said that this time again congress has hatched a conspiracy to divest Punjab of its rights but this will not be allowed at any cost.
The Chief Minister advised the Himachal Pradesh government to refrain from taking such steps which will dilute the powers of the states. He said that the centre already wants a chance to meddle in the affairs of the states adding that by racking up such issues the Himachal Pradesh government is giving a chance to the Union government to unnecessarily intervene in matters pertaining to the state. Bhagwant Mann also said that if the Congress government goes ahead with this plan then with what face they will make claims for federal structure in the country.
Highlighting the plight of state water, the Chief Minister said that the majority of blocks in the state are in extreme dark zones due to depletion of ground water tables. He said that the hard working and resilient farmers of the state have produced paddy for the country by overexploiting water- the only available natural resource in the state. However, Bhagwant Mann said that instead of recognizing the immense contribution of the state such plans are being made to rob the interests of the state.
The Chief Minister said that the situation is so miserable that the district which is even at the centre of the state falls on the tail end of canal water. He said that on one hand the state government is making concerted efforts for development of the state and on the other hand the forces inimical to state are taking such steps. Bhagwant Mann assured the house that the state government will leave no stone unturned for safeguarding the interests of the state at any cost.
—————
Reply of Call Attention by Environment Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer
Punjab Government has already imposed a complete ban to manufacture, stock, distribute, recycle, sale or use of plastic carry bags made of virgin or recycled plastic since 1/2/2016.
Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has not granted any permission to manufacture plastic carry bags in the State of Punjab.
Further, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, GoI vide notification dated 16/2/2022 has issued guidelines on the Extended Producers Responsibility (EPR) for Producers, Importers, Brand-owners (PIBOs) & Plastic Waste Processors (PWPs) and these are being granted registration by CPCB / PPCB on the online centralized portal to manage their plastic packaging waste.
All stakeholder departments are creating awareness and making sincere efforts to control plastic waste menace.
Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has not granted any permission to manufacture plastic carry bags in the State of Punjab.
Regular field inspections are being carried out by officials of Local Bodies along with other departments & PPCB and challans are being imposed on the violators to enforce the ban on the Plastic Carry Bags
During the period of October-December, 2022, 2165 inspections were carried out by the officials of PPCB, out of which 447 violations were observed. During this inspection, 3.026 MT of Plastic carry bags seized and amount of Rs. 6.61 lacs fine has been imposed on the violators.
——-
Information and Public Relations Department, Punjab
Punjab assembly passes three bills on the concluding day of the budget session
Chandigarh, March 22
The Punjab Legislative Assembly on Wednesday unanimously passed three bills. On the concluding day of the budget session, the House passed the ‘The salaries and allowances of Chief Whip in Punjab Legislative Assembly Bill, 2023‘ which was moved by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Inderbir Singh Nijjar.
The assembly also passed another Bill ‘The Punjab state commission for Scheduled Castes (Amendment) Bill, 2023’. The bill was piloted by Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur.
The third bill which was entitled ‘The Punjab Agricultural Produce Markets (Amendment) Bill, 2023’ was also passed by the assembly. The bill was tabled by Agriculture Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal.
———-
CHIEF MINISTER'S OFFICE, PUNJAB
LED BY CM, PUNJAB VIDHAN SABHA UNANIMOUSLY PASSES RESOLUTION TO NAME HALWARA AIRPORT AS SHAHEED KARTAR SINGH SARABHA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
CM ASSERTS THAT IT WILL BE A HUMBLE TRIBUTE TO THE ICONIC MARTYR
BATS FOR CONFERRING BHARAT RATNA AWARD TO SHAHEED BHAGAT SINGH, SHAHEED KARTAR SINGH SARABHA AND OTHER LEGENDARY MARTYRS
SLAMS CONGRESS FOR SHOWING GRAVE RESPECT TO MARTYRS BY BOYCOTTING THE SESSION
ANNOUNCES TO DECLARE HOLIDAY TO MARK THE DEATH ANNIVERSARY OF SHAHEED KARTAR SINGH SARABHA
DOMESTIC FLIGHTS TO START FROM HALWARA AIRPORT BY MAY END OR JUNE
Chandigarh, March 22-
The Punjab Vidhan Sabha, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, on Wednesday unanimously passed a resolution to request the Government of India (GOI) to name the upcoming International Airport at Indian Air force Station Halwara, Ludhiana as Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha International Airport.
The resolution was moved by the Chief Minister today during the session of the Punjab Assembly.
The Chief Minister said that this will be a humble tribute to the iconic martyr who laid down his life at the altar of the motherland. He said that this young martyr had been an inspiration for the young generations since ages to work for their country selflessly. Bhagwant Mann said that the great martyr played a pivotal role in emancipating the country from the clutches of foreign imperialism adding that as an active leader of Ghadar party he worked untiringly for attaining freedom first abroad and then within the country.
The Chief Minister said that due to strenuous efforts of the state government, the Mohali International Airport has already been named after Shaheed Bhagat Singh adding that naming of Halwara airport after Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha will be a humble tribute to the martyr. Bhagwant Mann further said that naming the airports, universities and other institutions in the name of these iconic martyrs is important to perpetuate their glorious legacy. He said that naming these institutions after great national leaders can inspire our youth for selfless service towards the country.
Batting for conferring Bharat Ratna award to Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha and other legendary martyrs who had sacrificed their lives during the national freedom struggle, the Chief Minister said that bestowing the Bharat Ratna award to these legendary martyrs will enhance the prestige of this award. He said that these great martyrs really deserve this award because they had made supreme sacrifices for emancipating the country from foreign clutches. Bhagwant Mann bemoaned that unfortunately this award has not been bestowed to these leaders even after the passing of more than 75 years of independence.
Training his guns against the Congress leaders for boycotting the session when this important resolution is being passed, the Chief Minister said that this is grave disrespect towards these iconic leaders. He said that the awardees for this coveted award are selected by a high level committee led by the Prime Minister of the country. However, Bhagwant Mann quipped that ironically two past Prime Ministers from the Congress party had recommended their own names for this prestigious award.
The Chief Minister also announced a holiday to mark the death anniversary of the legendary martyr. He said that the necessary formalities regarding this will be completed by the state government in the coming days. Bhagwant Mann also profusely thanked the MLAs of opposition including Manpreet Singh Ayaali, Ashwani Sharma and Nachattar Pal for taking part in healthy debate on the issue and supporting the state government on bill.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister also announced that the state government will soon complete the construction work of the civil air terminal at Halwara airport and the domestic flights will commence from it by May end or June. He said that this work is already going on in full swing and will be accomplished at a cost of around Rs 50 crore over an area of 161 acre. Bhagwant Mann said that this project will further put Punjab on the map of air connectivity and save time, money and energy of the commuters adding that it will facilitate the entrepreneurs from Ludhiana thereby giving impetus to socio-economic growth of the state.
————–
Information and Public Relations Department, Punjab
SUB-INSPECTOR RECRUITMENT: MERIT LIST TO BE OUT IN 1st WEEK OF APRIL 2023
Chandigarh, March 22:
The merit list for the posts of Sub-Inspectors (SIs) in different cadres/wings is expected to be out in the first week of April 2023.
Divulging the details, an official spokesperson of Punjab Police on Wednesday informed that the OMR based tests to recruit SIs in four cadres/wings (Investigation, District, Armed Police and Intelligence) of Punjab Police were held on October 16, 2022 at different centres in the state.
The Spokesperson said that the preparation of the Merit List is in process and final results will be out in the first week of April, 2023.
———
Information and Public Relations Department, Punjab
Two ROBs to be constructed with Rs 88.94 crores in Bathinda city: Harbhajan Singh ETO
• 3 years timeline fixed to complete both bridges
Chandigarh, March 22:
Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is continuously working to ramp up the infrastructure in the state, saying this, Punjab Public Works Minister Mr. Harbhajan Singh ETO informed that two railway over bridges (ROBs) will be constructed at a cost of 88.94 crores to smoothen the traffic movement in Bathinda city.
Answering a question asked by MLA Jagrup Singh Gill during the Punjab Vidhan Sabha session today, the Public Works Minister said that RS50.86 crore will be spent on the construction of the railway over bridge to be constructed at Janta Nagar Bathinda. The work of this bridge will be initiated and completed within 3 years as per the budget provision of the financial year 2023-24.
Giving information about Multania Bridge, Mr. Harbhajan Singh ETO said that a committee of 3 supertending engineers was formed to examine the proposal of this bridge, after receiving the report, the project is under the consideration of the government. He said that the construction of this bridge will be started soon. He said that this bridge will be constructed within the stipulated time of 3 years at a cost of Rs 38.08 crore.
The Public Works Minister further informed that during the construction of these bridges, alternate arrangements will be made to keep traffic flowing smoothly and people will not be inconvenienced. He said that during the construction, the traffic will be kept moving through the railway over bridges built on Amarpura Basti and Bathinda-Badal-Ghuda Road.
