CM of Punjab | Business Upturn

Punjab CM: No increased electricity tariff, free power for farming community

Aayush Agarwal — Sat, 16 Apr 2022 07:47:27 +0000

The newly elected Chief Minister of Punjab Bhagwant Mann has announced 300 units of free electricity in the state. This will be made effective from July 1.

Free electricity was one of the promises that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) made during their election campaign in Punjab. “Government of Punjab announces 300 units of free electricity for households from July 1st, 2022″. As per the statement released by the state government.

From 1st July 2022, every household in Punjab will have 300 units of free electricity every month. Whereas, 600 units for 2 months. BC, BPL, freedom fighters households used to get 200 units of free electricity earlier, they too will now get 300 units free stated Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann.

Punjab CM brings relief

The Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said, there will be no increase in electricity tariff for industrial consumers while free power to the farming community will continue. While addressing the great state of Punjab he delivered his declaration to the people.

The Punjab State Government has also waived off dues of old electricity bills. Which were said to be due up till 31st December of 2021. Mainly, of households having load up to 2 kilowatts of electricity said the Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann.

Charanjit Singh Channi is set to take oath as the new CM of Punjab tomorrow at 11 am

News Desk — Sun, 19 Sep 2021 15:49:38 +0000

On September 20, Congress leader Charanjit Singh Channi going to take an oath as a new Punjab chief minister. “We have presented our stance, unanimously supported by party MLAs, before the Governor. Oath taking ceremony to take place at 11 am tomorrow,” said the Punjab CM to be appointed.

On September 19 it was being announced by the Congress party that Channi will be appointed as the new chief minister of Punjab. Congress veteran Harish Rawat who is the party’s state in charge in poll-bound Punjab told a day after resignation given by former CM of Punjab Captain Amarinder Singh.

Punjab CM-designate Charanjit Singh Channi leaves from JW Marriott Hotel in Chandigarh for Governor's House, says "I will speak after leaving from Governor's house." pic.twitter.com/ClLO2c5NqI

— ANI (@ANI) September 19, 2021

Channi was born on April 2, 1973, in Bhajauli, Mohali who belongs to the Ramdasia Sikh community is going to be the first Dalit leader to become a chief minister of Punjab.

Earlier, from Kharar town of Punjab’s Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar (Mohali) district, civic bodies polls were being won by Channi on a Congress ticket in the year 2000. He also won the assembly in 2007 as an Independent candidate and from that time he won again in 2012 and 2017. Channi was acting as minister of technical educational and industrial training from March 2017 in Amarinder Singh cabinet. From 2015-2016 Channi was an opposition leader in Punjab Assembly during the previous SAD-BJP government, he has also won three-time legislator from Chamkaur Sahib Assembly Constituency in Rupnagar district.

Channi has been expressing his opinions freely and loudly against Amarinder Singh for not paying attention to issues raised by party leaders, last month he has also gone to meet Harish Rawat in Dehradun.

Notably, Channi has been vocal against Amarinder Singh for not paying attention to issues raised by party leaders and was among those who went to meet Harish Rawat in Dehradun last month. Channi also got in attention in the year 2018 when a woman IAS officer accused him of sending inappropriate messages, whereas according to Channi he was being targeted as he was a Dalit.

Ambika Soni refuses to become the next CM of Punjab

News Desk — Sun, 19 Sep 2021 05:58:41 +0000

On Saturday, after the resignation given by Captian Amarinder Singh, Congress leader Ambika Soni was asked to become Punjab’s next Chief Minister late at night at a meeting with Rahul Gandhi but Soni refuses the offer to become the next CM of Punjab, said the sources to NDTV.

According to the anonymous sources, it was being made clear by Ambika Soni at the meeting that not having a Sikh as the Chief Minister has “ramifications.”

The next Chief Minister of Punjab is yet to be decided for which three political observers from Congress are meeting with MLA’s to get their opinions on who to be next CM of Punjab, and the final decision would be reported to the party high command. The resignation was given by Amarinder Singh as Punjab Chief Minister yesterday when only a few months are left for the Punjab assembly election saying he had been “humiliated thrice” and that the Congress is free to “appoint whoever they trust”.

Whereas the sources say that Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar, current state unit president Navjot Singh Sidhu, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, party leaders Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa, Brahm Mohindra, Vijay Inder Singla, Punjab Congress working president Kuljit Singh Nagra and MP Partap Singh Bajwa also in the race for the becoming the CM of Punjab.

Punjab Congress working president Pawan Goel said, “A meeting of MLAs was held with Harish Rawat and Ajay Maken yesterday. A resolution was passed that Sonia Gandhi’s decision will be final on this matter. Today, you will get to know her decision.”

Punjab: Schools to reopen from August 2, says Punjab CM

Nishita Sharma — Sat, 31 Jul 2021 09:33:18 +0000

Since the second wave of COVID-19, the educational institutions and offices came to a halt. Now, as the cases are reducing in some parts of the country, states are all set to reopen schools for the betterment of students who are unable to cope up with the online medium.

Punjab government today announced that it will allow reopening of schools for all classes from Monday, with proper protocols to ensure COVID appropriate rules and behaviour.

In a letter written by the Additional Chief Secretary, it said that other restrictions shall remain in place till 10 August to curb the spread of Covid-19 in the state.

Meanwhile, Punjab on Friday reported 49 new cases, taking the total count to 5,99,053, officials said. No Covid-related death was reported on Friday.

The poll, which stands at 16,292, includes two deaths that were not reported earlier. There are 544 active cases in the state.

Even in some parts of Maharastra and Delhi, the schools were opened up earlier but after opening up of the schools in Maharastra Solapur, COVID-19 cases were reported.

Recently, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has also given his point of view in the reopening of schools. The final call will be taken tomorrow for the reopening of the schools in Delhi.

Night, weekend curfews to be removed in Punjab for those who are vaccinated

Govindraj Muttepawar — Fri, 09 Jul 2021 12:25:13 +0000

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh ordered the lifting of the weekend and night curfew on Friday. He allowing gatherings of hundred persons indoor and 200 people outdoor from Monday, after the state’s positivity rate increasing by 0.4 %.

During a meeting, he ordered the state police to fine political leaders violating the restrictions while conducting protest meetings and rallies.

He further added that opening up bars, restaurants, cinema halls, swimming pools, malls, sports complexes, gyms, restaurants, museums, etc to eligible staff members and visitors who have received at least the first dose of the vaccination.

Colleges, coaching centers, and schools will still remain closed and other institutions of higher learning will be open and will be subject to submission of a certification showing that all non-teaching and teaching staff and the students have been given at least the first dose of their vaccination at least two weeks prior.

Hussan Lal, Punjab Health Secretary, said that the four districts had shown an increment of positivity of the COVID-19 cases of 1% or lower but it’s in Ludhiana, Gurdaspur, Firozpur, Amritsar, and Roop Nagar that the situation still remains vigilant.

Lastly, the Chief Minister also mentioned that as they have all the recipes in place and the safety level of Covid-19 and post Covid-19 care, Punjab as a state has very few cases and death accounts then compared to other states including Haryana and Delhi.

Haryana and Delhi have witnessed over 1,600 cases each and 193 to 236 deaths respectively, whereas Punjab has 623 cases and less than 51 confirmed deaths so far.

6th Pay Commission: Huge increment for Punjab government employees

Govindraj Muttepawar — Sat, 19 Jun 2021 07:21:42 +0000

In a move that is expected to benefit over five lakh serving and retired government employees, the Punjab administration has decided to implement a majority of the recommendations of its sixth pay commission with effect from 1 January 2016. The decision, taken in a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, comes in the run-up to the assembly elections in the state.

“The move will benefit over 5,40,000 serving and retired state government employees,” an official government statement said, adding that it was approved by the government despite the “precarious financial health” of Punjab.“With this decision, taken today at the state cabinet meeting, the Amarinder Singh government has fulfilled another major promise to people, despite the precarious financial health of the state,” the statement read.

In May this year, Punjab’s sixth pay commission had recommended an over two-fold jump in salaries of all state government employees, with retrospective effect from 1 January 2016. An official spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office had then said that the recommendations of the commission were likely to lead to an additional expenditure of ₹3,500 crore per annum from 2016.

1) According to a statement, the minimum pay for state government employees will increase from ₹6,950 to ₹18,000 per month.

2) The implementation will entail 2.59 times increase in salaries and pensions over the previous pay commission recommendations, with an annual increment rate of 3%, resulting in pay scales of all existing employees continuing to be higher than in neighbouring Haryana.

3) The expected amount of arrears from 1 January 2016 to 30 June 2021, is nearly ₹13,800 crore.

4) The disbursal of salaries and pensions under the new structure will begin from 1 July.

5) Under the new structure, the minimum pension will go up from ₹3,500 to ₹9,000 per month.

6) The minimum family pension will increase to ₹9,000 per month.

7) Divorcees or widows will be eligible for family pension.

8) The government has also accepted the restoration of the commutation of pension to 40% with effect from 1 July 2021.

9) Death-cum-retirement gratuity (DCRG) has been enhanced from ₹10 lakh to ₹20 lakh and the existing rates of ex-gratia have been doubled.

10) Both the DCRG and ex-gratia have been extended to employees covered under the New Pension Scheme.

11) House rent allowance and other benefits have been rationalised under the new structure. Special allowance to chowkidars and drivers has been doubled.

12) A higher education allowance, in the form of a lump sum incentive to all employees who attain higher educational qualification during the course of employment and in the field directly relevant to an employee’s job, is being introduced by the government.

13) New employees will, however, be paid as per the central government pay scales, which now apply to all new recruits.

14) The decision will put an additional burden of ₹8,637 crore on the exchequer with a prospective additional net annual burden expected to be nearly ₹4,700 crore.

Punjab Cabinet approves Malerkotla as 23rd district in state

Govindraj Muttepawar — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 13:13:52 +0000

The Punjab Cabinet on Wednesday gave formal approval to the creation of Malerkotla as the state’s 23rd district.

Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had announced the creation of a new district of Malerkotla, carving the state’s Muslim-majority town from Sangrur district, on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr on May 14. The cabinet meeting which was chaired by Mr Singh was held in Chandigarh on Wednesday.

The cabinet also gave its go-ahead for upgrading Amargarh, which was part of the Malerkotla sub-division, as sub-division or tehsil. Malerkotla district would now consist of three sub-divisions –Malerkotla, Ahmedgarh and Amargarh, according to an official statement

A total of 192 villages will be included in the Malerkotla district. The cabinet has authorised the chief minister to approve the creation of new posts for offices of 12 departments which include the police, rural development and panchayats, social justice and minorities, agriculture and farmer welfare, social security and women and child development, health, and education.

Punjab CM Capt Amarinder Singh commits to celebrate 400th Birth Anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji in a befitting manner

Govindraj Muttepawar — Thu, 08 Apr 2021 08:33:09 +0000

PM Narendra Modi chaired a meeting of the High-Level Committee (HLC) to commemorate the 400th Birth Anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, on 8th April 2021 at 11 AM through video conferencing. Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah has also attend the meeting. The meeting was to discuss the year-long calendar of events planned to mark this special occasion.

Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh shared some glimpse of the meeting on his official Twitter handle and wrote, “In a Meeting of High level Committee regarding the 400th Prakash Purab celebrations of Hind Di Chadar Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur ji. We are all committed to celebrate this momentous occasion in a befitting manner.”

In a Meeting of High level Committee regarding the 400th Prakash Purab celebrations of Hind Di Chadar Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur ji. We are all committed to celebrate this momentous occasion in a befitting manner. pic.twitter.com/jG4FzCxWjI

— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) April 8, 2021

The Punjab CM also urged the PM to clear the state government’s proposal for launching various projects worth Rs 937 crore, including the development of Sri Anandpur Sahib as Smart City, to pay befitting tributes to the Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur.

The CM further requested the PM that the Centre should release a special commemorative stamp on this occasion. He suggested that the commemorative events should be held all across the country, as well as at all Indian missions abroad, the Punjab CMO said. Guru Tegh Bahadur is the ninth of the ten Gurus who founded the Sikh religion. He was the head of the followers of Sikhism from 1665 until his killing in 1675.

The HLC was constituted by the Union Government on 24th October 2020, to approve policies, plans and programs related to the commemoration of the 400th birth anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji along with supervision of the events. The HLC has 70 members including the Prime Minister Narendra Modi as its Chairman.

Punjab Government imposes night curfew from 9 PM to 5 AM till 30 April

Nitin Anand — Wed, 07 Apr 2021 08:54:26 +0000

On Wednesday, April 7, Punjab government announced about the night curfew and imposed night curfew from 9 PM to 5 AM across the entire state till April 30 and also banned political gatherings.

Punjab Government imposes night curfew from 9pm-5am across the entire State till April 30, also bans political gatherings in the State pic.twitter.com/8lKIXxF3MP

— ANI (@ANI) April 7, 2021

Witnessing a sudden spike in coronavirus cases, Punjab’s administration announced night curfew in the city from 10 PM to 5 AM till April 30th. Only essential services will be allowed to function during the curfew.

Punjab also adds to the list of state who is imposing night curfew in the state. On April 6, Delhi government also announced about imposition of night curfew with immediate effect until April 30. “Night curfew imposed in Delhi from 10 pm to 5 am with immediate effect till 30th April, in the wake of Covid-19 situation,” reports ANI. Essential services and emergency movements of vehicles will be allowed like in previous round of night curfew.

Punjab CM had already urged PM Narendra Modi to expand COVID-19 vaccination process as the report shows that UK variant is affecting more young people. Captain has also said that the process needs to be expedited, pointing that experts have found that existing Covishield vaccine to be equally effective against the UK variant – B.1.1.7.

India recorded over 1.15 lakh new COVID cases in the last 24 hours for first time since the beginning of the pandemic, setting an unprecedented, grim record during the second wave. 630 deaths were reported in the last 24 hours. Eight States account for 84.44% of the new deaths. Maharashtra saw the maximum casualties of 297. Punjab follows with 61 daily deaths.

81% of latest samples shows new UK Covid variant in Punjab

Nitin Anand — Tue, 23 Mar 2021 09:25:22 +0000

On Tuesday, March 23, genome sequencing report has shown that 81% of latest 401 samples sent by Punjab has new UK Covid variant.

Raveen Thukral, the media advisor to Punjab CM said that, “Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh expresses concern as 81% of latest 401 samples sent by Punjab for genome sequencing show new UK Covid variant, affecting more young people. Urges PM Narendra Modi to expand COVID19 vaccine to under 60″, as quoted by ANI.

Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh expresses concern as 81% of latest 401 samples sent by Punjab for genome sequencing show new UK Covid variant, affecting more young people. Urges PM Narendra Modi to expand #COVID19 vaccine to under 60: Raveen Thukral, Media Advisor to Punjab CM

— ANI (@ANI) March 23, 2021

Punjab CM has urged PM Narendra Modi to expand COVID-19 vaccination process and include the people of under age 60, as the report shows that UK variant is affecting more young people. Captain has also said that the process needs to be expedited, pointing that experts have found that existing Covishield vaccine to be equally effective against the UK variant – B.1.1.7.

The B.1.1.7 variant is now spreading rapidly in many parts of the world, representing 98% of the new cases in the UK and 90% in Spain. The UK authorities have suggested it is up to 70% more transmissible than the original virus.

CM has also appealed the people to get vaccinated and to strictly follow the guidelines of wearing masks and maintaining social distancing. The Punjab Government has already announced fresh restrictions to contain the spread of the viral disease.

Punjab government passed four farm bills in the state assembly

Shravan Kanade — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 11:44:22 +0000

Punjab Assembly passed four bills, adopting a resolution against Centre’s new farm laws. The Punjab government under the leadership of CM Captain Amarinder Singh is against the Farm Acts that were passed by the Union Government from both the houses of parliament. The Punjab government is protesting against these atcs since these were proposed in the parliament.

The Punjab CM has already said that the Farm Acts are anti-farmer and they are going to pass a resolution against these acts. The Punjab CM also held several protests in Punjab against the Acts.

The Punjab Government said that there is no provision for Minimum Selling Price (MSP) under the Farm Acts proposed by Union Government and this will benefit the corporates, not farmers, thus they have proposed four bills in their state assembly. The Punjab government named these bills as “Farmers Produces Trade & Commerce Promotion & Facilitation (Punjab Amendment) Bill 2020.”

The First Bill provides that no sale/purchase of wheat or paddy shall be valid unless the price paid for it is equal to or greater than MSP. Anyone buying below MSP will be imprisoned for 3 years.

Bill 1- Farmers Produce Trade & Commerce Promotion & Facilitation (Punjab Amendment) Bill 2020 provides that no sale/purchase of wheat or paddy shall be valid unless price paid for it is equal to or greater than MSP. Anyone buying below MSP will be imprisoned for 3 years. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/xe1Orqy6Zq

— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) October 20, 2020

While the second bill protects the consumers from hoarding & black marketing and the livelihood of farmers and farm laborers.

Bill 2 – The Essential Commodities (Special Provision & Punjab Amendment) Bill protects the consumers from hoarding & black marketing of agriculture produce and secures and protects the livelihood of farmers & farm labourers. (2/3) pic.twitter.com/WFK1D3yac3

— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) October 20, 2020

The third bill prevents any agreement below the MSP and decided imprisonment for up to 3 years.

Bill 3 – The Farmers Agreement on Price Assurance & Farm Services(Punjab Amendment)Bill 2020 provides that no sale/purchase of wheat and paddy under a farming agreement will take place below MSP, and those who violate it will be punished upto 3 years. pic.twitter.com/J7NCZgl6xL

— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) October 20, 2020

The fourth bill ensures that landholdings up to 2.5 acres shall not be attached in any recovery.

Bill 4 – We have also passed a Bill "Amendment to the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908" to protect the farmers from Kurki in any recovery proceedings. Land holdings upto 2.5 acres shall not be attached in any recovery.
"Karza Kurki Khatam, Fasal Di Puri Rakam" pic.twitter.com/itNgW4vVAc

— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) October 20, 2020

Punjab CM Amarinder Singh announces Rs 50 Lakh compensation for family of martyred soldier

Akanksha Yadav — Fri, 02 Oct 2020 09:18:35 +0000

Punjab’s Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Friday announced a compensation of ₹ 50 lakh and a government job to a family member of Late Havildar Kuldeep Singh of the Sikh Light Infantry Regiment who was martyred on Thursday as Pakistani troops resorted to unprovoked ceasefire violations at multiple places along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir.

Kuldeep Singh laid down his life fighting valiantly for the country and the grateful nation will always remember his supreme sacrifice which would act as an inspiration for the future generations. Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said as he paid tribute to the late soldier and extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.

Late Kuldeep Singh’s father, Mohan Singh, had retired from the Army as Honorary Captain and had served in the Sikh Light Infantry Regiment as well. The soldier’s three brothers are currently serving in the same regiment. He belonged to Raju Dwakhri village in Hoshiarpur and had his parents, wife, a daughter (10) and a son (8) to look after.

Two soldiers were killed and four were injured in an unprovoked ceasefire violation by Pakistani troops along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Naugam sector on Thursday.

On Shaheed Bhagat Singh’s Birth Anniversary, Punjab CM held a sit-in protest against ‘farm bill’ at martyr Bhagat Singh’s village

Shravan Kanade — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 11:01:26 +0000

The Chief Minister of Punjab held a sit-in protest at the Village of Martyr Bhagat Singh opposing Farm Bills passed by the Parliament. 28th September is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, He was also from a family of farmers’, and was a great patriot. Thus the captain decided to hold a sit-in protest at his village Khatkar Kalan in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar.

Despite protests of farmers, three Farm Bills have been passed by Parliament and received the assent of President Ram Nath Kovind on Sunday. Captain said that most of the farmers in Punjab were marginal and they will be severely impacted by these legislations.

“I along with my colleagues from @INCPunjab held a protest against Centre’s Anti-Farmer Laws at Khatkar Kalan in SBS Nagar. Most of our farmers are small & marginal who will be severely impacted by these legislations. We stand by Punjab’s farmers & will do everything to oppose it,” Singh tweeted.

The workers of Youth Congress are protesting against these Bills. “Our country thrives on the blood and sweat of our farmers. From fighting the British to feeding the entire Nation, our farmers are the Nation’s backbone. On [freedom fighter] #BhagatSingh’s birth anniversary, Youth Congress set ablaze a tractor in protest against the government’s anti-farmer bills,” the Youth Congress said in a tweet.