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Top of Page Top Categories Chandigarh Haryana Punjab Himachal National International Global News Religious Business Lifestyle Education Sports Editorials Flash ABOUT Us Founder Aditi - Chief Patron Gurpreet Delhi based parties trying to capture Punjab in same manner as East India Company – Sukhbir S Badal Post not marked as liked Former President of India Launches Eighth Edition of "Gita Acharan: A Beginner's Perspective" Post not marked as liked CHIEF SECRETARY ANURAG VERMA VISITS GRAIN MARKET KHANNA, TAKES STOCK OF WHEAT PROCUREMENT Post not marked as liked “Environmento Fabio Quiz” on Environment marks the Earth Day Celebrations at KBDAV-7 Post not marked as liked Intellectual Property Rights for a Creative and Prosperous Society Post not marked as liked VB NABS READER OF SHO NRI POLICE STATION TAKING RS 20,000 BRIBE Post not marked as liked Sensitisation on Voting for Persons with Disabilities Post not marked as liked After denying compensation to farmers, CM sprinkling salt on their wounds by not lifting the wheat crop from Mandis – Sukhbir S Badal Post not marked as liked DRUGS, CASH AND OTHER VALUABLES WORTH RS. 321.51 CRORE SEIZED SINCE ENFORCEMENT OF MCC IN PUNJAB: CEO SIBIN C Post not marked as liked PVS SPEAKER KULTAR SINGH SANDHWAN CONDOLES DEMISE OF SURJIT SINGH MINHAS Post not marked as liked Ideathon 2K24 held at CGC Jhanjeri, 160 teams from various colleges participated Post not marked as liked Mann in Amritsar - When the people of Majha make up their minds, they do not sway, this time they have decided to make AAP win Post not marked as liked India Alliance candidate will win from Chandigarh with a big margin: Jarnail Singh Post not marked as liked AAP’s hard hitting attack on Channi: Post 1st June you will be arrested Post not marked as liked Chandigarh gears up to facilitate a seamless and inclusive voting process for all citizens Post not marked as liked नंदिता हुड्डा चंडीगढ़ महिला कांग्रेस की अध्यक्ष नियुक्त Post not marked as liked Congress dancing to the tunes of foreign forces for cheap electoral abmibitions: Chugh Post not marked as liked GHSC-10 Organises Awareness Campaign on Voting for Persons With Disabilities Post not marked as liked MD MARKFED VISITS MANDIS IN LUDHIANA, MOGA AND FEROZEPUR ALONG WITH DCS TO ENSURE SMOOTH PROCUREMENT OPERATIONS Post not marked as liked Panjab University, Chandigarh organised a Special Lecture on the theme, “Effective Search Strategy for Accessing E-Resources in Social Science Research”, Post not marked as liked NVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION RULES TEDx TALK COMPETITION Post not marked as liked Latest News IMPORTANT LINKS Hospitals PGI AIIMS GMCH All News globalnewsnetin a few seconds ago 2 min Delhi based parties trying to capture Punjab in same manner as East India Company – Sukhbir S Badal 0 Post not marked as liked globalnewsnetin 1 minute ago 2 min राजू शूटर फऱार मामला: पंजाब पुलिस ने फऱार गैंगस्टर और उस के 10 गुर्गों को पंजाब और जम्मू-कश्मीर के अलग-अलग हिस्सों से किया गिरफ़्तार 0 Post not marked as liked globalnewsnetin 3 minutes ago 2 min Former President of India Launches Eighth Edition of "Gita Acharan: A Beginner's Perspective" 0 Post not marked as liked globalnewsnetin 4 minutes ago 3 min CHIEF SECRETARY ANURAG VERMA VISITS GRAIN MARKET KHANNA, TAKES STOCK OF WHEAT PROCUREMENT 0 Post not marked as liked globalnewsnetin 6 minutes ago 1 min “Environmento Fabio Quiz” on Environment marks the Earth Day Celebrations at KBDAV-7 0 Post not marked as liked globalnewsnetin 8 minutes ago 2 min Intellectual Property Rights for a Creative and Prosperous Society 0 Post not marked as liked globalnewsnetin 1 day ago 2 min VB NABS READER OF SHO NRI POLICE STATION TAKING RS 20,000 BRIBE 0 Post not marked as liked globalnewsnetin 1 day ago 1 min Sensitisation on Voting for Persons with Disabilities 0 Post not marked as liked All News

VIGILANCE BUREAU REGISTERS CASE AGAINST DFSC Chandigarh : he Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB), during its ongoing campaign against corruption in the state, has registered a case against a District Food and Civil Supplies Controller (DFSC), two inspectors from PUNGRAIN, and three commission agents (Aartiyas) for their involvement in the misappropriation of wheat stocks purchased during 2018-19 in four godowns located in Ferozepur district. Disclosing this here on Tuesday, a spokesperson of the state VB said the individuals booked in this case include Balraj Singh, DFSC Ferozepur (now retired), Suresh Kumar, Inspector PUNGRAIN, Incharge Purchase Center Ferozeshah, Balraj Singh, Inspector, Incharge of godowns at villages Lalle, Haraj and Talwandi Bhai, Hardev Singh, owner of Happy Commission Agents, Pawan Kumar, owner of Dhaliwal Trading Company and Iqbal Singh, owner of Gill Trading Company. In this regard a case has been registered under FIR No. 25 dated 26-09-2023, invoking sections 13 (1)(a) read with 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act and sections 409, 420, 467, 468, 471, 120-B of the IPC at VB Police Station Ferozepur range. Providing more details, he informed that the wheat procured by the procurement agency, 'PUNGRAIN' Ferozepur, for the 2018-19 procurement season from purchase centers in Talwandi Bhai, Wada Bhai Ka, and Ghall Khurd was stored at PUNGRAIN's godowns located in villages Lalle, Haraj, and Talwandi Bhai, where Inspector Balraj Singh was responsible for overseeing these facilities. During a joint surprise inspection on 30-05-2018 and 31-05-2018, it was discovered that 10,716 bags, each weighing 50 kgs, were missing from the registered stock, while an excess of 60 bags, each weighing 30 kgs, were found in the existing stock. Additionally, the weight of many wheat sacks in the warehouse was found to be less than the specified quantity. In another joint inspection at a godown in village Firozshah, it was found that Happy Commission Agent owner Hardev Singh, Dhaliwal Trading Company owner Pawan Kumar and Gill Trading Company owner Iqbal Singh, in collusion with Inspector Balraj Singh, who oversaw the PUNGRAIN warehouse at Shivam Enterprises in village Lalle, had falsely prepared records for purchase of 13,134 bags of wheat. Payments related to these fake procurement were transferred to the bank accounts of the aforementioned commission agents. Subsequently, as this scam surfaced, Dhaliwal Trading Company had deposited 2,200 bags of wheat between May 25th and 27th, 2018, without any gate passes, etc. in the same warehouse at Shivam Enterprises. The spokesperson also informed that the then Assistant Food and Supply Officer had inspected the grain market at village Firozshah on 21-05-2018 but found no bags of wheat in the market at that time. During further investigation by the VB, it has came to light that Inspector Suresh Kumar, who was in charge of the purchase center at Ferozshah, had conspired with Happy Commission Agents, Dhaliwal Trading Company and Gill Trading Company to falsely report the purchase of 13,134 bags of wheat, amounting to Rs. 1,13,93,745 in value. This unscrupulous act resulted in a financial loss to the state exchequer as payments were made directly to the said commission agents. Additionally, then DFSC Balraj Singh failed to initiate criminal action against Incharge Inspector Balraj Singh and the said commission agents despite being aware of the scam. The DFSC colluded with the Inspector and the commission agents, enabling the collection of wheat sacks and the recovery of money from them. Consequently, the government officials failed to collect the mandated 3 percent market fee and 3 percent rural development fund associated with this purchase, which should have been deposited with the treasury, thus causing a direct financial loss to the state government. In light of these findings, a case has been registered, and further investigation in this case was under progress, he added.

ई-टेंडरिंग और महंगाई के खिलाफ राज्यपाल को ज्ञापन सौंपेगी कांग्रेस, मांगा समय चंडीगढ़ (अदिति) पंचायतों पर थोपी गई ई-टेंडरिंग और बढ़ती महंगाई के खिलाफ हरियाणा कांग्रेस राज्यपाल को ज्ञापन सौंपने जा रही है। पार्टी ने महामहिम राज्यपाल से मिलने के लिए 6 मार्च का समय मांगा है। पूर्व मुख्यमंत्री और नेता प्रतिपक्ष भूपेंद्र सिंह हुड्डा व प्रदेश अध्यक्ष चौधरी उदयभान के नेतृत्व में पार्टी नेता और विधायक राज्यपाल से मिलने पहुंचेंगे। हुड्डा का कहना है कि बीजेपी-जेजेपी सरकार लगातार जनता की आवाज को कुचलने और लोकतांत्रिक संस्थाओं को कमजोर करने का काम कर रही है। सरकार ने पहले किसानों, फिर नौजवानों, उसके बाद कर्मचारियों और अब चुने हुए पंचायत प्रतिनिधियों पर लाठीचार्ज करके अपनी अलोकतांत्रिक सोच का सबूत दिया है। ई-टेंडरिंग की व्यवस्था लागू करके सरकार पंच व सरपंचों को शक्तिविहीन और गांव को विकास से वंचित रखना चाहती है। ई-टेंडरिंग के जरिए सरकार पंचायती राज को ठेकेदार व अधिकारियों के हवाले करके भ्रष्टाचार का नया अड्डा स्थापित करना चाहती है। इसीलिए सरपंच पंच व सरपंच इस फैसले का विरोध कर रहे हैं। क्योंकि वह चुने हुए प्रतिनिधि हैं और जनता के प्रति उनकी सीधी जवाबदेही होती है। नेता प्रतिपक्ष ने कहा कि अपनी जायज मांगों के लिए आवाज उठाने पर पंचकूला में सरपंचों पर किया गया लाठीचार्ज बेहद निंदनीय है। लोकतंत्र में जनता की आवाज को लाठी व गोली के दम पर नहीं दबाया जा सकता। ऐसे में संविधान के संरक्षक होने के नाते राज्यपाल को हस्तक्षेप कर इस मामले में प्रदेश सरकार को जरूरी निर्देश देने चाहिए।

Sky rocketing inflation owing to llogical economic policies of Union Government-Randhawa Dy CM comes down heavily on BJP Government for increasing LPG gas rates by Rs. 300 in past 10 months Chandigarh, (Gurpreet) Punjab Deputy Chief Minister S. Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa has come down heavily on the NDA Government for everyday sky rocketing inflation due to the disastrous economic policies being pursued by the Centre. In a press communique issued here today, the Deputy Chief Minister said that during the last 10 months the LPG gas rates have increased by Rs. 300 which has broken the back of the common man. He further said that this enormous increase comes at a time when the farmers are passing through a financial crisis due to black farm laws and every section of the society is reeling under economic distress because of the Covid-19 battered economy. "This increase is all the alarming considering the fast approaching festival season as every spectrum of our society is closely connected to it", said the Deputy Chief Minister. Divulging more, S. Randhawa said that in the last November the price LPG gas was Rs. 600 which has touched a new high of Rs. 900 due to the anti-people fiscal policy framework of the Union Government. He further said that the NDA Government has caused the LPG gas prices to double during the previous 7 years which in May 2014 stood at Rs. 400. The Deputy Chief Minister also said that not only the LPG gas cylinder but the prices of Petrol-Diesel have also touched a record high in the last 7 years which has only added to the woes of common masses. Taking a dig at the Ministers in the Union Cabinet, S. Randhawa questioned that why is the same BJP silent today over ever increasing inflation which created a furore over a nominal increase in the oil and gas cylinder prices during the UPA rule? He also mentioned that today the entire country is cursing the NDA Government which has its roots in the destructive economic policies being implemented by it.

GOVT DECLARES LOCAL HOLIDAY IN SRI MUKTSAR SAHIB DISTRICT ON JANUARY 14 CHANDIGARH, (Gurpreet) : The Punjab Government has declared local holiday in Sri Muktsar Sahib District on January 14, 2021. Disclosing this here, an official spokesperson of the Punjab Government said that all the offices of the Punjab Government, Boards, Corporations and Educational Institutions in the district would remain closed on the auspicious occasion of Maghi Mela. A notification has been issued by the Personnel Department, Punjab in this regard

Gilzian launches 'Punjab Registered Usari Kirti Sewawan' mobile app Registered construction workers can avail benefits of different welfare schemes through this App Chandigarh, (Gurpreet) Punjab Labour Minister Sangat Singh Gilzian on Monday launched 'Punjab Registered Usari Kirti Sewawan' mobile App for registered construction workers of the state. Accompanied by Special Chief Secretary Smt Ravneet Kaur and Labour Commissioner Punjab Parveen Kumar Thind, the Cabinet Minister said that the Punjab Government led by CM Charanjit Singh Channi is being working diligently for the welfare of Construction Worker and their families. He informed that 3.78 lakh workers are registered with Building & Other Construction Workers Welfare Board of the Labour Department and benefits of different welfare schemes have been extended to them and their families. Speaking about the salient features of the App, Mr. Gilzian said that this App is being available on website of Punjab Building & Other Construction Workers Welfare Board https://bocw.punjab.gov.in and would soon be available on Play Store. ''Construction workers can register themselves through this App and take benefits of various welfare schemes such as Scholarship Scheme, Shagun Scheme, Pension Scheme and Ex-gratia after submit the applications on this app and approval of the same”, he added. Mr. Gilzian said that a massive registration campaign has been initiated for construction workers by the Labour Department on the directions of Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi. “Punjab Registered Usari Kirti Sewawan'' App has been developed by the Department for the convenience of the beneficiaries in this regard. He particularly mentioned that this is being launched on a pilot basis in two districts Hoshiarpur and Mohali and that every construction worker in the age group of 18-59 years could apply with the proof of work of 90 days within Punjab. They can register themselves as beneficiary for the period of one year to three years with registeration fee of Rs. 25 and Rs. 10 per month as contribution. The worker can become a registered beneficiary with fee of Rs. 145 /- for one year and Rs. 385 for three years. Every registered beneficiary can avail the benefits of various welfare schemes run by Punjab Building & Other Construction Workers Welfare Board for himself and his family by applying through the App. Mr. Gilzian also urged to all the construction workers of the state to take benefit of this mobile App on priority basis to ensure their registration so that they can avail the benefits of various welfare schemes being run by the Board. Apart from this, the Labour Minister also informed that the department would also request various other departments like Forest Department, Rural Development and Panchayat Department, Water Resources Department and Public Works Department to register their construction workers as eligible as per the BOCW Act working under the contractors through Sewa Kendras and under provisions of Punjab Building & Other Construction Workers Welfare Act, 1996. All these services can be availed through the Sewa Kendras as well besides the App.

PUNJAB INCREASES RATES OF GROUP INSURANCE SCHEME FOR GOVT EMPLOYEES The amount to be over four times from January 2023 Chandigarh,(Gurpreet) The Punjab Government has increased the rates of Group Insurance Scheme (GIS) to almost four times for government employees. Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema has given his assent in this regard to brighten the future of Punjab Government employees and their family members. Disclosing this here today, an official spokesperson said that in case of death or retirement of an employee, he/she was paid Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 1.20 lakh which has now been increased from Rs. 60,000 to Rs. 4.80 lakh. This decision will be effective from January 1, 2023. Divulging details, he said that at present Rs.120 / - per month is deducted from the salary of Group A officers in the form of GIS and in case of retirement or death of the officer Rs.1.20 lakh is paid. From January 1, 2023, the deduction will be Rs 480 per month and the payment will be Rs 4.80 lakh. Similarly, for Group B employees the rate is Rs.60 and payment is Rs.60,000. It will now be increased to Rs 240 per month and the payment will be Rs 2.40 lakh. The rate for Group C employees is Rs 30 and the payment is Rs 30,000. It will now be increased to Rs 120 per month and the payment will be Rs 1.20 lakh. For Group D employees, the rate is Rs. 15 and the payment is Rs. 15,000. It will now be increased to Rs 60 per month and the payment will be Rs 60,000. The spokesperson further said that the rates of Group Insurance Scheme had not been revised since 1990 and now this decision has been taken due to increase in salaries of employees after the implementation of Pay Commission. It may also be mentioned that the deduction and payment of group insurance plan will be effective from January 1, 2023.

ई-विधान सभा में नए युग का सूत्रपातमुख्यमंत्री ने किया पेपरलैस विधान सभा का उद्घाटन चंडीगढ़ (अदिति) हरियाणा विधान सभा के लिए 8 अगस्त का दिन ऐतिहासिक रहा। इस दिन विधान सभा का डिजीटलाइजेशन कर दिया गया। मानसून सत्र से ठीक पहले विधान सभा अध्यक्ष ज्ञान चंद गुप्ता की अध्यक्षता में सदन में ई-विधान सभा का उद्घाटन समारोह आयोजित किया गया। मंत्रियों और विधायकों की उपस्थिति में मुख्यमंत्री मनोहर लाल ने टैब पर टैप कर ई-विधान सभा का शुभारंभ किया। इस दौरान विधान सभा अध्यक्ष ज्ञान चंद गुप्ता ने राज्यसभा के उप-सभापति एम. वेंकैया नायडु का संदेश पढ़कर सुनाया तो वहीं केंद्रीय संसदीय कार्य मंत्री प्रह्लाद जोशी का वीडियो संदेश कार्यक्रम के दौरान प्रसारित किया गया। कार्यक्रम को मुख्यमंत्री मनोहर लाल, उपमुख्यमंत्री दुष्यंत चौटाला, संसदीय कार्य मंत्री कंवर पाल, विस उपाध्यक्ष रणवीर गंगवा, नेता प्रतिपक्ष भूपेंद्र सिंह हुड्‌डा ने भी संबोधित किया। इस अवसर पर विधान सभा अध्यक्ष ज्ञान चंद गुप्ता ने कहा कि आज हम एक नई क्रांति का सूत्रपात कर रहे हैं। हालांकि यह क्रांति बिना किसी शोर शराबे के दस्तक दे रही है, लेकिन इसका असर व्यापक, त्वरित और दूरगामी होने वाला है। लोकतंत्र का यह पवित्र मंदिर हरियाणा विधान सभा का सदन उच्च तकनीक से संपन्न हो गया है। नई तकनीक हर स्तर पर प्रभावी रहेगी। इससे जहां सदन की कार्यशैली में निखार आएगा, वहीं जनता का जनप्रतिनिधियों से संपर्क भी सुगम हो सकेगा। जनता इस प्लेटफार्म के माध्यम से आसानी से अपनी बात जनप्रतिनिधियों तक पहुंचा सकेगी। नई व्यवस्था से विधान पालिका और कार्य पालिका के बीच विधायी कामकाम के लिए संपर्क भी प्रभावी और समयबद्ध ढंग से हो सकेगा। गुप्ता ने कहा कि देश के प्रधान मंत्री नरेंद्र मोदी ने डिजीटल इंडिया मुहिम शुरू की है। इस मुहिम के तहत ही हरियाणा विधान सभा को डिजीटल किया गया है। देश भर से 19 राज्य और केंद्र शासित प्रदेश इस परियोजना के तहत एमओयू साइन कर चुके हैं, लेकिन हरियाणा ने काफी तीव्रता से इस परियोजना को मूर्त रूप दिया है। विधान सभा अध्यक्ष ने कहा कि विधान सभा के डिजीटलाइजेशन के साथ ही सदन की कार्यवाही, जिसमें कार्यसूची, नोटिस, बुलेटिन, विधेयक, तारांकित और अतारांकित प्रश्न तथा उनके जवाब, पटल पर रखे जाने वाले दस्तावेज, विभिन्न कमेटियों की रिपोर्ट इत्यादि सभी कार्य बिना कागज का प्रयोग किए प्रभावी ढंग से किए जा सकेंगे। विधायकों की जरूरत के अनुसार उपयोगी तथ्य तथा नियमावली समेत अनेक प्रकार की जानकारी इस डिजीटल प्लेटफॉर्म पर सुगम रहेगी। सदन में बोलने वाले विधायकों का पूरा विवरण समय गणना के साथ बड़ी स्क्रीन्स पर प्रदर्शित होगा। इससे कार्य में पारदर्शिता और तीव्रता बढ़ेगी। उन्होंने कहा कि हरियाणा विधान सभा के डिजीटलाइजेशन के लिए करीब 12 करोड़ रुपये का अनुमान लगाया गया था, लेकिन नेवा समिति की कुशलता के कारण यह परियोजना मात्र 8.53 करोड़ रुपये की लागत से सिरे चढ़ गई। इसके क्रियान्वयन के लिए 25 फरवरी 2021 को त्रिपक्षीय एमओयू साइन किया गया। इस एमओयू में हरियाणा विधान सभा, हरियाणा सरकार और केंद्रीय संसदीय कार्य मंत्रालय प्रमुख रूप से सहभागी रहे। 23 दिसंबर को 2021 को हरियाणा विधान सभा की डीपीआर को स्वीकृति मिली। 25 जनवरी 2022 को इस परियोजना के लिए पहली किस्त प्राप्त हुई थी।

PUNJAB SPORTS MINISTER ASKS BCCI TO RECONSIDER DECISION NOT TO HOLD WORLD CUP MATCH AT MOHALI Chandigarh : Punjab Sports Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer while expressing displeasure and objection over not including Mohali in the list of hosting cities for ODI World Cup-2023, has asked BCCI to reconsider this decision. Meet Hayer has written D.O. to BCCI President Roger Binny and Secretary Jay Shah, citing Punjab's rich heritage, contribution to sports and the great cricketers Punjab has given to the country, raided demand to hold the match at Mohali. Speaking about the rich heritage of Punjab, the Sports Minister referred to the contribution of Punjab in sports and the great cricketers that the land of Punjab gave to the country. He wrote, “ Punjab is renowned throughout the length and breadth of the globe for its age old traditions of peerless bravery, unmatched hospitality and unwavering faith in secular ideals. This land of warriors blessed by Gurus, Saints, Philosophers, and Poets has nurtured the ideals of peace, compassion, and communal amity since the primordial times. In the sporting arena too, Punjab has the distinction of being frontrunner and flag bearer of the Nation. When it comes to the National craze i.e. Cricket, Punjab has the honour of producing legends viz., Lala Amarnath, Bishan Singh Bedi, Mohinder Amarnath, Yashpal Sharma, Madan Lal, Navjot Singh Sidhu, Harbhajan Singh, Yuvraj Singh, Reetinder Sodhi, Dinesh Mongia, Harvinder Singh, Vikram Rathore, Sharandeep Singh and the latest sensations Shubman Gill and Arshdeep Singh, the list is endless.” Mentioning the better infrastructure of Mohali and hosting in the past, Meet Hayer wrote “In terms of sporting infrastructure too, Punjab has rubbed shoulders with the best in the world. The I.S. Bindra Punjab Cricket Association (P.C.A.) stadium at Mohali has the distinction of playing host to 2 World Cup Semifinal ties, one in 1996 Wills World Cup and the other time in 2011 (Apart from two league encounters) besides 2 matches in the 2016 World T-20. In the media statement of the Vice President BCCI, Mr. Rajiv Shukla, he has said that the PCA Stadium Mohali does not meet the criteria of the ICC to hold the match. I want to know what is the ICC criteria based on which Mohali was considered ineligible for the match. Apart from this, any change made in the norms at present should also be brought to light as the India-Australia International T20 match was played in September 2022. Besides, ODI World Cup matches including two Semi Finals were also played at PCA Stadium in the past. It should also be stated whether the ICC team visited the Mohali Stadium to inspect the standards. In his letter describing PCA Stadium Mohali as one of the best stadiums in the world, Meet Hayer wrote, “PCA Stadium Mohali is not only one of the top stadiums in India but also comes in the list of prominent stadiums in the world. Mohali is always the first choice of cricket fans. Mohali has an international airport and the city also has better infrastructure and adequate hotels for the teams to stay.“ Meet Hayer further wrote, “However, the schedule for the upcoming ICC World Cup-2023 to be held in October and November this year is sans any allotment of matches to Punjab which belies completely the sense of fair play. This anomaly needs to be rectified at the earliest and it would be in the interest of justice to allot a few encounters to Punjab and not leave it in the lurch. I have full confidence that justice would be done to Punjab in this matter of utmost urgency.”

Strict instructions to expedite campaign for reclaiming encroached panchayat land Chandigarh : Punjab Rural Development and Panchayat Minister S. Laljit Singh Bhullar, on Thursday, issued stern instructions to all the field officers to expedite the campaign for reclaiming encroached panchayat land. Presiding over an important meeting with all divisional directors and DDPOs at his office here at Punjab Civil Secretariat, S. Laljit Singh Bhullar asked to furnish their respective progress reports within 15 days. The Cabinet Minister informed that so far, the department has successfully vacated 11,859 acres of panchayat land from illegal possession. However, possession warrants for 6,657 acres of panchayat land across the state have been issued, but no action has been taken yet by the field officers. He assertively directed the district officials to promptly address these pending possession warrants. While taking block-wise report of encroached panchayat land, the Rural Development and Panchayat Minister noted that cases pertaining to 6,926 acres of panchayat land are still pending with the DDPOs under Section-7 of the PP Act, while cases under Section-11 related to the possession of 20,734 acres are pending with the Divisional Directors and Additional Deputy Commissioners. Besides this, no case has been registered under Section-7 of the PP Act about 42,381 acres of land. The Cabinet Minister instructed the concerned officials to expedite the resolution of pending cases through prompt hearings and take action in remaining cases. Emphasizing effective follow-up on pending cases in higher courts, S. Laljit Singh Bhullar directed the senior field officers to personally attend court hearings, adding that BDPOs will attend hearing of cases in high court, while DDPO level officers will attend Supreme Court hearings to ensure the effective representation of the department. S. Bhullar categorically directed that an investigation should be conducted regarding some irregularities in the revenue records related to the ownership rights of panchayat land. "If this has been done deliberately, stern action will be taken against the erring officials", said the Cabinet Minister. He asked all the Deputy Commissioners and SSPs to provide necessary administrative support to the department officials involved in vacating encroached Panchayat land. Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included Finance Commissioner Rural Development and Panchayat Mr. Tejveer Singh and other department officials.

Five Advisors With Focus Partner Firm Escala Partners Named to Australia's Top 100 Financial Adviser NEW YORK, USA (Global News) - Focus Financial Partners Inc. (NASDAQ: FOCS) ("Focus"), a leading partnership of fiduciary wealth management firms, announced today that five advisors with Melbourne-based Escala Partners Limited ("Escala"), a Focus partner firm, were named to Australia's Top 100 Financial Advisers List 2020. The list is based on an extensive, national survey conducted by Barron's and The Australian 's business magazine The Deal , and is a guide to the country's leading wealth management advisors. Escala was established with the collective ambition to become the new standard of personalized wealth management in Australia. The firm quickly emerged as a leading fiduciary wealth advisor to individuals, families, foundations and institutional investors across Australia, providing them with customized investment solutions through a collaborative, team-based approach. Escala's client relationships are sustained over time through their dedication to highly personalized service and an ongoing commitment to innovation in defining the standards for excellence in the Australian wealth management industry. Mason Allamby, Scott Carmichael, Steve Collins, Amanda Fong and Ben James are Partners and members of the original group of Escala founders who started the firm in 2013. They each have deep expertise in multiple areas of wealth management, including financial planning, asset allocation, tax strategy and, in Ms. Fong's case, the not-for-profit space. "We are honored to have such an impressive group of our advisors named to the Top 100 Financial Advisors list," said Pep Perry, CEO of Escala. "They embody the collaborative approach and dedication to client service that are the foundation of Escala and make our firm uniquely successful." "We are thrilled for Escala on receiving this important recognition," said Rajini Kodialam, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Focus. "Their team of talented advisors are leaders in their field and have been at the forefront of the evolution of the Australian wealth management industry. Their passion for excellence is at the core of everything that they do for their clients and positions them for strong growth in the years ahead."

आदर्श चुनाव आचार संहिता लागू होने के उपरांत राज्य से 407.15 करोड़ रुपए की संपत्ति ज़ब्त चंडीगढ़ (गुरप्रीत) नशा मुक्त और प्रलोभन रहित ढंग से विधानसभा चुनाव करवाने को सुनिश्चित बनाने के मद्देनजऱ, राज्य में आदर्श चुनाव आचार संहिता लागू होने के उपरांत विभिन्न प्रवर्तन दलों द्वारा चुनाव आचार संहिता के उल्लंघन के सम्बन्ध में 407.15 करोड़ रुपए की कीमत की संपत्ति ज़ब्त की गई है। इस सम्बन्धी जानकारी देते हुए पंजाब के मुख्य निर्वाचन अधिकारी (सी.ई.ओ.) डॉ. एस. करुणा राजू ने आज बताया कि विभिन्न निगरानी दलों ने अब तक 1.18 लाख लीटर वैध शराब, 34,650 लीटर अवैध शराब, 15.53 लाख लीटर लाहन, 4,170 किलोग्राम भुक्की, 32.70 किलो अफ़ीम, 164 किलो गाँजा, 33,141 ग्राम हेरोइन, 263 ग्राम स्मैक, 7,456 ग्राम चरस, 10,784 कैप्सूल, 479 शीशियाँ और 4,73,733 नशीली गोलियाँ बरामद की गई हैं। उन्होंने बताया कि इसके अलावा निगरानी दल ने 27.85 करोड़ रुपए की नकदी, 8778.73 ग्राम सोना, 9775.72 ग्राम चाँदी और 913.76 ग्राम गहने बरामद किए हैं। उन्होंने कहा कि चुनाव आचार संहिता लागू होने के बाद राज्य में अब तक 121 हथियार, 6 किलोग्राम विस्फोटक सामग्री, 709 कारतूस और 11 बम ज़ब्त किए गए हैं और कुल 14 गैंगस्टरों को गिरफ़्तार किया गया है। उन्होंने बताया कि उचित संख्या में केंद्रीय अर्धसैनिक बल जिनमें सी.आर.पी.एफ., बी.एस.एफ., सी.आई.एस.एफ., आई.टी.बी.पी और एस.एस.बी. शामिल हैं, के जवानों द्वारा पहले ही भारत-पाक सरहद के साथ लगते क्षेत्रों और लुधियाना, अमृतसर और जालंधर जैसे बड़े जि़लों में सुरक्षा अभ्यास किए जा रहे हैं। डॉ. राजू ने बताया कि सुरक्षा की दूसरी पंक्ति पर कुल 56 नाके लगाए गए हैं, जिनमें अमृतसर ग्रामीण में 7, बटाला में 6, गुरदासपुर में 10, पठानकोट में 6, तरन तारन में 7, फिऱोज़पुर में 12 और फाजि़ल्का में 8 नाके लगाए गए हैं। उन्होंने आगे बताया कि कुल 276 अंतरराज्यीय नाके भी लगाए गए हैं। मुख्य निर्वाचन अधिकारी ने बताया कि 1,346 संवेदनशील स्थानों को चिन्हित किया गया है। इसके अलावा अशांति फैलाने की संभावना वाले 4,272 व्यक्तियों की पहचान भी की गई है, जिनमें से 3,674 व्यक्तियों के विरुद्ध पहले ही कार्रवाई शुरु की जा चुकी है जबकि शेष व्यक्तियों के विरुद्ध भी जल्द मामला दर्ज कर लिया जाएगा। उन्होंने यह भी बताया कि सुरक्षा के नज़रिए से सी.आर.पी.सी. अधिनियम की निवारक धाराओं के अंतर्गत 2,260 व्यक्तियों को काबू किया गया है। उन्होंने बताया कि सभी 3,093 ग़ैर-ज़मानती वॉरंटों के मामलों पर कार्यवाही की जा चुकी है। उन्होंने आगे कहा कि राज्य भर में 24,141 नाके लगाए गए हैं। डॉ. राजू ने बताया कि चुनाव आयोग की हिदायतों के अनुसार राज्य में कुल 3,90,170 लाइसेंसी हथियारों में से अब तक 3,79,258 हथियार जमा करवाए जा चुके हैं जबकि राज्य में 121 बिना लाइसेंस वाले हथियार ज़ब्त किए गए हैं। डॉ. राजू ने कहा कि पंजाब पुलिस इन कर्मचारियों के साथ मिलकर निष्पक्ष, सुरक्षित और प्रलोभन मुक्त मतदान को सुनिश्चित बनाने के लिए कोई कसर बाकी नहीं छोड़ रही है।