Punjab Mining and Geology Minister Brinder Kumar Goyal on Thursday directed officials to streamline environmental clearances in the mining sector to ensure the easy availability of minor minerals and revitalize the state’s brick kiln industry.
Goyal, chairing an urgent meeting with officials from the State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), and the Mining Department, emphasized the need for timely approvals to prevent delays faced by farmers in excavating soil for land leveling. He instructed that clearances should be granted before crop harvesting to allow farmers to prepare fields without delays.
The Minister also underlined the importance of ensuring local soil availability for Punjab’s brick kiln industry, which plays a vital role in the state's infrastructure development. By reducing dependence on soil imports from other states, the government aims to stabilize brick prices for Punjab’s residents.
To further enhance transparency and efficiency, Goyal announced plans to introduce an online approval system for mining-related clearances and directed officials to regularize 104 new mining sites in Punjab. He also assured that unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles in the crusher industry would be removed to facilitate smooth operations.
The Mann-led Government remains committed to balancing environmental sustainability with economic growth while ensuring that both farmers and industrial stakeholders benefit from policy reforms.
Punjab Govt Allocates Rs 3-cr to Strengthen Spinal Injuries Centre in Mohali
Chandigarh: Punjab Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr Baljit Kaur on Thursday announced the immediate release of Rs three crore for constructing the second floor of the Regional Spinal Injuries Centre in Mohali. The move is aimed at enhancing the institute’s capacity and services, benefiting patients from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Chandigarh. During her visit, the Minister lauded the efforts of Project Director Dr Raj Bahadur and his team, noting that the centre performs around 50 spinal and urological surgeries monthly and attends to 100 OPD patients daily.
Rs 19.65-cr released for SC Beneficiaries Under Ashirwad Scheme
Chandigarh: Punjab Government has disbursed Rs 19.65 crore under the Ashirwad Scheme, benefiting 3,853 Scheduled Caste families across 16 districts. Social Justice Minister Dr Baljit Kaur on Thursday announced that the financial aid, aimed at supporting the marriage of daughters from low-income SC families, has been transferred directly to beneficiaries’ bank accounts. Each eligible family receives Rs 51,000 under the scheme. The Minister emphasized that applicants must be permanent residents of Punjab, belong to economically weaker sections, and have an annual family income below Rs 32,790. Tarn Taran district received the highest number of beneficiaries (1,150), followed by Gurdaspur (554) and Hoshiarpur (325).
Punjab Govt Disburses Rs 4.34-cr to 9,500 Farmers Under DSR Scheme
Chandigarh: Punjab Government has transferred Rs 4.34 crore to over 9,500 farmers as part of the first phase of the Direct Sowing of Rice (DSR) scheme for the Kharif 2024 season. Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian on Thursday said that the initiative, aimed at conserving groundwater, offers an incentive of Rs 1,500 per acre to farmers practicing direct seeding instead of traditional paddy transplantation. Over 24,000 farmers have registered 2.53 lakh acres under the scheme. The Agriculture Department has verified the claims, and funds have been directly transferred via DBT. Minister assured that remaining funds would be released within the month.
