Punjab CEO constitutes state level MCMC, Certification of Advertisement committees

Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Electoral Officer Sibin C on Wednesday constituted state-level Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC) and Certification of Advertisement Committee as per the directions of the Election Commission of India. A six-member committee has been formed for MCMC – chaired by the CEO; while the Certification of Advertisement Committee will have four members – chaired by Additional Chief Electoral Officer Abhijeet Kaplish. Sibin C said that MCMC Committee will dispose of cases related to appeals against the orders of District Level MCMC and Additional or Joint CEO Committees on certification of advertisements and examining all cases of paid news on appeal against the decision of District Level MCMC and all cases in which the concerned Returning Officer is directed to issue notices to the candidates. On the other hand, the Certification of Advertising Committee will deal with applications by political parties and organizations, relating to advertisements.

Bajwa applauds RaGa’s 5 guarantees for women

Chandigarh:  The Leader of Opposition in Punjab Vidhan Sabha Partap Singh Bajwa on Wednesday applauded former Indian National Congress president Rahul Gandhi's five pertinent guarantees for the women of the country. “The five Nari Nyay Guarantees announced by Rahul Gandhi include — Mahalaxmi, Aadhi Abadi-Pura Haq, Shakti ka Samman, Adhikar Maitri, and Savatribai Phule Hostels scheme. The Congress has always believed that the country cannot progress without empowering the women. That is why the party has come up with five remarkable guarantees for the women in particular,” he said. He said that the Mahalaxmi guarantee involves the help of Rs one lakh per year to a woman from a poor family. “With this amount, women can become financially independent. The Aadhi Aabaadi-Pura Haq will ensure a 50 per cent share or rights of women in new appointments of the Central Government,” he said. Stating that women often feel hesitant to take opportunities that are away from their hometowns, Bajwa added that the Congress is committed to redress this issue with the Savatribai Phule Hostels scheme. “The Centre will create at least one working women's hostel in all district headquarters across the country and the number of these hostels will be doubled across the country later on,” he said.

Mann spending Punjab funds to spread AAP’s network in other States: Sukhbir

Baghapurana: Making an appeal to Punjabis to rally behind the SAD to bring back the era of development, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Wednesday said that the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) governments had taken the State back by 20 years. Sukhbir, participating in Nihal Singh Wala and Bagha Purana leg of ‘Punjab Bachao Yatra’, said: “No development has taken place in Punjab during the last seven years of Congress and AAP rule. The State has gone down on all parameters – be it financial, infrastructure building, rural development, civic amenities or provision of social welfare benefits.” Asserting that only the SAD could ensure all round development, Sukhbir said that the Delhi-based parties have looted the people of Punjab repeatedly. “Even the present Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is dancing to the tunes of his boss Arvind Kejriwal and is busy in spending Punjab funds to spread AAP’s network in other States.” Stating that the need of the hour was to strengthen the SAD, he said that SAD had a track record of not only bringing in big projects like thermal plants, airports and four lane highways but was also responsible for unique social welfare schemes including the Aata-Daal scheme, old age pension scheme and Shagun scheme besides path breaking steps like providing free power to farmers.


Punjab Finance Minister reaffirms zero tolerance policy against corruption

Chandigarh: Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Wednesday reiterated the State Government’s commitment to its policy of zero tolerance towards corrupt practices. The announcement comes in the wake of the swift action taken by the Department following the apprehension of senior assistant Subhadesh Kaur from the District Treasury Office in Amritsar, who was allegedly caught accepting a bribe. Cheema emphasized that such decisive measures are integral to establish a governance structure that is transparent and accountable to the citizens of Punjab. “The arrest, on March 12, 2024, prompted immediate departmental action, resulting in the suspension of the employee from service with immediate effect. During the period of suspension, her headquarters will be fixed at the District Treasury Office, Tarn Taran,” he said. He asserted that the government's zero tolerance policy is not a mere slogan but a concrete action plan aimed at rooting out corruption from all levels of governance. Regardless of their positions or connections, individuals involved in financial misconduct will face the full force of the law. “The days of corruption and impunity are numbered. The government is actively investigating and prosecuting cases of corruption, sending a strong signal that the era of accountability has begun,” Cheema added.

Himachal CM  launches Auto-DCR system for approval of buildings blueprints

Shimla: Himachal Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday launched the Auto-DCR (Developments Control Regulation) Building Permission System that will automate the process of building plan scrutiny and approval of blueprints and designs of the buildings. He said it will not only ensure transparency but also the accountability in the building permit process and approval of building maps. Another feature will be that the registered architect is authorised to give permission and approval for construction of residential accommodation in an area of up to 500 square feet. This will provide much relief to the people as they will not have to go to the office of TCP for approvals of residential accommodation, Sukhu said. He said that from today onwards, the applicants can apply on the online DCR system within all the planning area under Town and Country Planning (TCP) on http://www.hptcp.hp.gov.in in six urban local bodies namely Shimla, Solan, Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh Development Authority (BBNDA), Municipal Council Theog and Baddi and Nagar Panchayat Arki can apply online on the portal.