Punjab CM | 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.

Prashant Kishor resigns as political strategist to Punjab CM

Aayushi Singh — Thu, 05 Aug 2021 05:39:41 +0000

Prashant Kishor has requested Captain Amarinder Singh, the Punjab CM, to relieve him from the responsibilities of their Principal Advisor. He said that he made the decision to take a temporary break from an active role in public life and has not been to take over the responsibilities as their Principal Advisor.

The poll strategist, Prashant Kishor, has resigned as Principal Advisor to Punjab Chief Minister, Amarinder Singh, where he cited in a letter that he had decided to take a temporary break from an active role in the public interest.

However, Kishor, in his letter to the Punjab CM, has said that he is yet decided on his next step.

In the letter, Kishor mentioned that he was yet to decide on his future course of action and that he requests Captain to relieve him of the responsibility as the Principal Advisor.

Amarinder Singh had appointed Kishor in March 2021, and the Chief Minister’s Office has also accorded Prashant Kishor with the rank and status of a cabinet minister and they were also prepared to provide him with government job benefits such as an official residence, telephone facilities, free of cost transportation, and etc.

Prashant Kishor is an Indian Political Strategist and Tactician. He had been employed under Janata Dal in September 2018, as the political strategist and tactician. However, he was later suspended from the party on January 29, 2020, due to his criticism of Nitish Kumar, the party head’s supportive stand on the Citizenship Amendment Act.

Milkha Singh will get state funeral, announces Punjab Chief Minister

Himanjali Mahanta — Sat, 19 Jun 2021 08:34:13 +0000

Milkha Singh will be given a state funeral by the Punjab government and as a mark of respect to the track legend a day’s mourning will also be observed, Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh said on Saturday.

“Have directed that late Milkha Singh Ji will be given a State Funeral by our Government. Also, Punjab will observe one day of State mourning as a mark of respect to the departed legend,” Amarinder Singh tweeted.

Have directed that Late Milkha Singh Ji will be given a State Funeral by our Government. Also Punjab will observe one day of State mourning as a mark of respect to the departed legend. pic.twitter.com/V5ewngTO0j

— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) June 19, 2021

Milkha Singh died aged 91 following a long battle with Covid-19, a four-time Asian games gold medalist and dubbed the “Flying Sikh”, passed away at a hospital in Chandigarh late on Friday. Nirmal Kaur, former India volleyball captain, and his wife also died from Covid-19 earlier in the week.

The track-and-field athlete became the first Indian man to reach the final of an Olympic athletics event when he was placed fourth in the 400m race at the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the tributes for Milkha Singh, saying Indians had “lost a colossal sportsperson, who captured the nation’s imagination and had a special place in the hearts of countless Indians.”

Milkha Singh’s family informed about the legend’s death in a statement. “It is with extreme sadness that we would like to inform you that Milkha Singh Ji passed away. He fought hard but God has his ways and it was perhaps true love and companionship that both our mother Nirmal Ji and now Dad have passed away in a matter of 5 days,” the family said. They are survived by their son, former Asian Tour number one golfer Jeev Milkha Singh, and three daughters.

Punjab Government imposes ‘daily Night Curfew’ and ‘Full Lockdown on weekends’- Check timings

Shreejit Shelar — Mon, 26 Apr 2021 16:55:08 +0000

Amid the unprecedented spike in the Covid-19 cases, the Punjab Government on Monday has ordered a slew of strict restrictions and extended the night curfew by two more hours. It has also ordered the closure of shops by 5 pm.

As per the new directive announced by Punjab Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh decreed a daily lockdown will continue from 6 pm to 5 am till further notice.

Meanwhile, a weekend lockdown will be in force from Friday 6 pm to Monday 5 am. Presently, the curfew restrictions remain in place from 8 pm to 5 am daily.

Urging everyone to stay at home and step out only if necessary, Mr Singh added that the government seeks full cooperation from the masses.

“Due to continuous & rapid rise of #Covid19 cases in Punjab, Cabinet today has decided to impose daily lockdown from 6 PM to 5 AM and weekend lockdown from Friday 6 PM to Monday 5 AM. Urge you all to stay at home & step out only if absolutely necessary. Seek your full cooperation”, Punjab CM Capt. Amarinder Singh wrote in a tweet on Monday.

Due to continuous & rapid rise of #Covid19 cases in Punjab, Cabinet today has decided to impose daily lockdown from 6 PM to 5 AM and weekend lockdown from Friday 6 PM to Monday 5 AM. Urge you all to stay at home & step out only if absolutely necessary. Seek your full cooperation. pic.twitter.com/gS4TFlw5lZ

— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) April 26, 2021

Furthermore, Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar said, all shops will remain open till 5 pm, news agency PTI reported.

In retrospect, 76 more people died from coronavirus in Punjab as the state reported another record single-day spike of 7,014 cases on Sunday. The state has taken its infection tally to 3,39,090 and saw 6,762 cases on April 23.

With 76 more fatalities in the past 24-hours, the death toll in the state reached 8,432, according to a medical bulletin issued on Sunday, reported the LiveMint.

The Chief Minister has reportedly directed the Health Department to follow up with the Centre for vaccine supplies as the state presently had only 1.76 lakh Covishield and 22,000 Covaxin doses in stock.

Health Secretary Hussan Lal disclosed that in response to directives from the Chief Minister, 2,000 beds would be added to strengthen the L2 and L3 bed capacity in government and private hospitals.

COVID-19 situation in Punjab is expected to worsen: CM Amarinder expresses concern

Shreejit Shelar — Mon, 26 Apr 2021 16:26:03 +0000

Punjab Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh on Monday reflected upon Punjab current COVID-19 situation and said that he is against the imposition of a coronavirus lockdown even as he predicted that the pandemic situation is expected to get worse in the state.

Mr Singh made the recent comment at a meeting in Chandigarh, a day after Punjab crossed the 7,000-mark and recorded the highest single-day rise since the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus pandemic last year.

He also hypothesized that the situation is expected to worsen, especially in south Punjab, where Ludhiana district alone reported 1,300-plus cases on Sunday, reported NDTV.

In a meeting on Monday, Punjab CM said, while stringent measures are being taken to tackle the surge in cases, he is not “proposing” a lockdown in the state as it leads to economic problems and the exodus of migrant workers.

Most of the states in India decreed a slew of more stringent laws ahead of the rising Covid-19 cases forcing numerous businesses to observe a complete shutdown.

Earlier this month, Hundreds of migrant workers in Delhi and Mumbai on Thursday flocked railway and bus stations to return to their villages, as a record surge in coronavirus cases sparked fears of another lockdown in India.

Punjab CM Capt. Amarinder Singh said at another meeting that the state government is making all efforts to secure medical oxygen to supplement its depleting stocks.

According to the recent NDTV report, the state is only getting 85 tonnes of the 105 tonnes of medical oxygen quota as the rest is being diverted to the PGIMER, Chandigarh, he said.

Mr Singh has also directed the Health Department to follow up with the Centre for vaccine supplies as the state presently has only 1.76 lakh Covishield and 22,000 COVAXIN doses left.

Amid the depleting oxygen supplies, Punjab Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh on Sunday sent another SOS to the Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan, for the second time in two days, for an urgent increase in allocation of quota.

Earlier this month, the rural medical officers in Punjab threatened to boycott the Covid-19 duties if their demand for Dynamic Assured Career Progression (DACP) of cadre is not fulfilled. Demanding Pay revision and DACP of a cadre, Dr Jagjit Singh, state president, Association of Rural Medical Officers, threatened to go on strike if the demands are not met and – boycotting COVID duties from April 25.

Reacting to the threats made by the healthcare workers, Punjab CM said such actions will be met with dismissal “as we cannot tolerate this kind of nonsense in a war-like situation”.

Meanwhile, Lt Gen RP Singh, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Command, in a virtual meeting with the CM has offered to help the staff run a 100-bed COVID facility. In the meeting, it was proposed that a makeshift hospital can be set up at the building loaned to the state government by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research for the treatment of Covid-19 patients.

The recent NDTV report quoted Lt Gen RP Singh as he mentioned that 15-trained nurses have already been dispatched to Patiala to support the civic staff.

Furthermore, Army officials said that they will extend all possible help to Punjab to tackle the situation.

Mr Singh mentioned that the state government also aims at approaching the Union Home Ministry to provide manpower and ICU beds through the Border Security Force (BSF).

In a meeting hosted by the CM, Health Secretary Hussan Lal informed that 2,000 beds will be added at government and private hospitals. While 900 beds will be added at government medical colleges in Patiala, Amritsar and Faridkot, 542 will be added at private colleges, he said, reported NDTV.

Punjab CM seeks urgent increase in oxygen supply; sends another SOS to Centre!

Shreejit Shelar — Sun, 25 Apr 2021 16:39:15 +0000

Amid the depleting oxygen supplies, Punjab Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh on Sunday sent another SOS to the Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan, for the second time in two days, for an urgent increase in allocation of quota.

“With Oxygen supplies in the state depleting fast, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Sunday sent another SOS letter to Union Health & Family Welfare Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan, for the second time in two days, for an urgent increase in allocation of quota”, reported the news agency ANI.

With Oxygen supplies in the state depleting fast, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Sunday sent another SOS letter to Union Health & Family Welfare Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan, for the second time in two days, for an urgent increase in allocation of quota: Punjab CMO pic.twitter.com/6ZrctIICHc

— ANI (@ANI) April 25, 2021

In the letter, Singh directed Chief Secretary Vini Mahajan to pursue with the government of India for urgent supplies – as the demand for oxygen increases successively – triggered by the amplifying patient load due to influx from Delhi and other states.

Requesting the Chief Secretary to rush urgent supplies to Amritsar – where many lives were lost on Saturday due to shortage of oxygen in a private hospital.

The recent reports suggest that the Chief Minister has sought four-hourly reports from Principal Secretary Industries on the state’s hospital-wise demand-supply situation of Oxygen.

Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh on Saturday, wrote to the Union Health Minister requesting for an increase in Punjab’s liquid oxygen quota to 250 MT daily due to the unprecedented spike in the Covid-19 cases and sought his urgent personal intervention.

Punjab isn’t the only state that has been facing the brunt of a shortage in oxygen supply. Maharashtra followed by the Delhi Chief Minister sent out letters to the centre highlighting the lack of medical supplies in the respective states amid the surging Covid-19 cases.

While the entire country is reeling under the fury of coronavirus, the nation’s crippling healthcare infrastructure nation has flagged concerns amongst the masses.

Punjab’s daily allocation of medical oxygen from the Centra pool is 105 MT. This excludes the production of the local ASUs which generate around 60 MT of liquid oxygen within Punjab and meet the requirements of various re-fillers, bottling plants and distributors.

While the daily consumption and requirement as per the present caseload for Covid-19 patients for Punjab is around 200 MT as of April 25. Around 50 MT for non-Covid patients (emergency and other essential requirements that cannot be stopped).

This makes the total daily requirement and consumption for Punjab healthcare services of 250 MT of liquid medical oxygen.

Punjab’s requirement is expected to rise around 250-300 MT in the next two weeks as per the projections of the caseload. The state’s capacity for storage of medical oxygen for all healthcare facilities, including both government and private facilities in Punjab, is around 370 MT.

Students of class 5, 8, & 10 to be promoted without exams: Punjab CM Capt Amarinder Singh

Meemansa Shekhawat — Thu, 15 Apr 2021 12:45:46 +0000

Amid the daunting pandemic, CBSE has announced the cancellation of the 10^th board exams and postponement of the 12^th board, on Wednesday. While on the other hand, Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh, on Thursday, declares the cancellation of class 5^th, 8^th, and 10^th exams and students will be promoted without having to sit for exams.

The Chief Minister made it apparent during a virtual Covid review meeting with top officials and medical experts. Captain Amarinder also said, “While the state had closed all educational institutes till the 30^th of April, bringing down the positivity rate in the 11-20 age group; relief was needed to be provided to school children gong for exams; as quoted by ANI.

Students in classes 5, 8, and 10 to be promoted without exams in Punjab: CM

Read @ANI Story | https://t.co/SauG0mSmKV pic.twitter.com/wqFSy6BJ7b

— ANI Digital (@ani_digital) April 15, 2021

Furthermore, the Chief Minister directed the education department to promote children of standard 8^th and 10^th on the basis of Pre-board examinations or the internal assessments of the respective schools. Though, exams for standard 5^thhave already been conducted in four out of the five subjects; so it was decided that the Punjab State Education Board (PSEB) would promote the children on the basis of the marks obtained in four subjects, thus overlooking the fifth subject.

In addition to this, talking of the class 12^th PSEB exam that has already been postponed, Punjab CM has clarified that the decision regarding the board exams will be taken after reviewing the situation further, as quoted by ANI,

Also, Captain Amarinder Singh, who had penned a letter to the center requesting the cancellation of board exams, has expressed his contentment over the decision in this regard.

Well, even Punjab hasn’t dropped behind in the surge in Covid cases. Due to the rise in the cases, the state has to go for a night curfew last week, thus restricting the gatherings in public places plus schools to remain closed till the 30^th of April, 2021.