NEW RULES OKAYED BY PUNJAB CABINET TO MANAGE RIGHTS IN LAL LAKIR VILLAGES
CLU TO BE WAIVED FOR SETTING UP RETAIL OUTLETS IN PRISONS, NEW MOHALI BLOCK TO BE CREATED
Chandigarh, August 16: To compile the Record of Rights of properties in Lal Lakir villages
the Punjab Cabinet led by the Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Monday approved ‘The Abadi Deh (Record of Right) Rules, 2021’ to deal with issues arising out of the rights relating to these properties.
The Cabinet also authorized the Chief Minister to approve the final draft after it is vetted by the Legal Remembrancer.
The move is aimed at helping the state government prepare the Record of Rights of properties within the Lal Lakir in the villages, for the purpose of implementing Mission Lal Lakir (with the cooperation of Government of India under its SVAMITVA Scheme). The rules would also facilitate villagers/owners monetise property rights and avail various benefits provided by Government departments/institutions and banks.
Under SVAMITVA Scheme, there is a provision for mapping the land, households, habitation and all other areas falling within the Lal Lakir. The Abadi Deh (Record of Rights) Act, 2021 provides legal framework to finalize the record of ownership on the basis of survey conducted and recorded in the activity above, with proper provision and set-up for resolution of objections and disputes to create and update a Record of Rights, which once finalized will have same legal status as the record of rights for the agricultural land.
It may be noted hat at the time of settlement and consolidation of agricultural land in the state, the abadi in the village was placed within the Lal Lakir. No Record of Rights was prepared or created for the area within the Lal Lakir. Possession has been considered as the ruling point for the ownership of any land within the Lal Lakir. In certain cases, some registered sale deeds have taken place on the basis of Chulha Tax etc. However in most of the places, the ownership of the area within the Lal Lakir is usually passed on through an informal agreement etc. and the possession is the basis of ownership.
DECIDES TO WAIVE OFF CLU FOR SETTING UP RETAIL OUTLETS IN PRISONS
The Punjab Cabinet also approved waiver of (Change of Land Use) for setting up Retail Outlets (Petrol/diesel/CNG etc.) in 12 locations at various prisons in the state under the aegis of Punjab Prison Development Board (PPDB).
With this, the CLU charges of Rs. 48,77,258 would be waived off to set up the retail outlets at Central Jails in Patiala, Faridkot, Ferozepur, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Hoshiarpur and Gurdaspur besides District Jails of Sangrur and Ropar, New District Jail and District Jail of Nabha and Sub Jail, Fazilka.
APPROVES CREATION OF NEW BLOCK IN SAS NAGAR DISTRICT
To give further impetus to the developmental activities in the rural areas, the Cabinet also approved the creation of New Block Mohali in SAS Nagar district by taking out seven Panchayats from Majri Block and 66 Panchayats from Kharar Block. With this new block, the number of total blocks in Punjab would go up to 153.
APPROVES ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS OF FORESTS & WILDLIFE PRESERVATION
The Cabinet has cleared the Annual Administrative Reports of Forests & Wildlife Preservation department for the year 2016-17 and 2017-2018.
PUNJAB CABINET APPROVES DEVELOPMENT OF PLAKSHA UNIVERSITY CAMPUS IN MOHALI
Chandigarh, August 16: To attract best quality educational Institutions of National and International repute to the State, the Punjab Cabinet on Monday approved the establishment of Private Self-Financed ‘Plaksha University’ in Mohali’s IT city.
This decision, which will pave the way for the development of the Mohali region as a major educational hub, was taken during a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh here this afternoon through video conferencing. The university will become functional from this academic session.
The Cabinet gave the nod to the draft of ‘The Plaksha University Ordinance 2021’, and authorized the Chief Minister to approve the final draft prepared by the Legal Remembrancer, without placing it again before the Council of Ministers.
An official spokesperson said after the meeting that the self-financed private ‘Plaksha University’, being established as a highly research and innovation driven university on a 50.12 acre state-of-the-art campus, will be developed at a prime location in Mohali, SAS Nagar, with an investment of Rs. 244 crore in Phase-1 and total Rs.1145 crore over five years.
The upcoming University would be instrumental in imparting world-class higher education to students to empower them to compete globally and be gainfully equipped. It will have an annual intake of 300-400 students in the beginning, and up to 1500 students when the campus is fully established.
The 21st century technology university will be at the forefront of contemporary technologies like AI, ML, IoT, Robotics and Data Science. The University will also set up research centers to help and solve some of the biggest challenges of the region, including digital health, digital agriculture, cyber security and future of mobility.
The Punjab government has made it mandatory to reserve 15% seats exclusively for students from Punjab in the upcoming University, and full tuition fee concession/freeship to not less than 5% of the total strength from among the candidates belonging to the weaker sections of the society, as part of the ordinance and its terms and conditions. The University would be recruiting teaching and non-teaching staff as per UGC Guidelines. It would also undertake industry-oriented teaching, training and research extension programmes, to provide employable skills with a view to contributing to the development of the society.
CAPT AMARINDER LED GOVT ANNOUNCES OTS FOR REGULARIZATION OF UNAUTHORISED WATER SUPPLY & SEWERAGE CONNECTIONS IN ULBs
Chandigarh, August 16: The Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Monday approved One Time Settlement (OTS) scheme for regularisation of unauthorised connections and recovery of arrears on account of water supply and sewerage charges.
The move is expected to lead to regularization of approximately 93000 connections, which would lead to increase in revenue of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).
According to a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office, under the domestic category, Rs.200 per connection (Rs.100 each for water supply and sewerage) would be charged as one-time fee for regularization of water supply and sewerage connection for plot measuring up to 125 sq. yd, Rs.500 per connection (Rs.250 each for water supply and sewerage) would be charged for plot size between 125 to 250 sq. yd. and Rs. 1000 per connection (Rs.500 each for water supply and sewerage) for over 250 sq. yd. plot.
In the Commercial/Institutional category, Rs. 1000 per connection (Rs.500 each for water supply and sewerage) would be charged for plot measuring upto 250 sq. yd. and Rs.2000 per connection (Rs.1000 each for water supply and sewerage) for plot above 25 sq. yd.
No penalty would be charged if said fee is deposited within three months from the date of notification. For users who do not get their connection regularized in this period, 100% penalty would be charged on the above fee while regularizing their connection. Users who do not get their connection regularized within six months from the date of notification will face disconnection, and applicable penalty and interest would be charged on pending user charges.
After the deposit of the fee, no other charges, like road cutting, connection fees and security, will be chargeable. Upon the satisfaction of technical official of the Urban Local Bodies regarding quality of pipe, size of connection and alignment of water supply line (not below or adjoining sewer line), the connection will be regularised.
No interest and penalty on arrears of water supply and sewerage charges/tax/fees would be charged if the principal amount payable on the date of notification is paid within a period of three months from the date of issue of notification. Also, no penalty would be charged if the principal amount of arrears and interest payment is paid after 3 months but within 6 months from the date of issue of this notification.
The failure to deposit arrears within 6 months from the date of issue of this notification will attract both applicable interest and penalty, in addition to disconnection by the Municipal Bodies. It is clarified that arrears mean only the principal amount of water supply and sewerage charges.
PAJL & PAGREXCO SET TO MERGE AFTER PUNJAB CABINET GO-AHEAD
Chandigarh, August 16: To promote Agri-business and horticulture in the state by boosting the crop diversification programme, the Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Monday approved the merger of Punjab Agro Juices Limited (PAJL) with Punjab Agri Export Corporation Limited (PAGREXCO).
The cabinet approved the proposal of the Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department for the merger of PAJL with PAGREXCO as per the recommendations of the Board of Directors of PAGREXCO and PAJL and the Officers’ Committee headed by the Chief Secretary.
The merged entity would be called ‘Punjab Agri Export Corporation Limited’, an official spokesperson disclosed afrer the Cabinet meeting, which also authorized the Managing Director, Punjab Agro Industries Corporation Limited (PAIC), to perform all such acts and deeds which are necessary for the implementation of the merger scheme and to make the merger scheme effective.
The merger would lead to better utilization of resources of PAJL with PAGREXCO, creation of synergy, better economies of scale, expansion of operations, stronger farmer connect with forward/backward linkages, common branding/marketing to have a better consumer outreach, which will ultimately benefit the farmers and the agriculture sector of the state.
As per the merger terms and conditions, the new entity is envisaged as a company, and the entire decision making would be vested in the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the merged entity will be an eminent horticulturist with experience in agribusiness. The Board of Directors shall be appointed based their professional competencies from the areas of horticulture, marketing, finance etc.
The objectives of the merged entity include promotion of Agri exports and global agricultural practices like seed traceability etc., encouragement of Farmer Producer Organizations and promotion of Organic Farming, besides processing of F&V with backward linkages with farmers through contract farming and market linkages through professional marketing approach, as well as marketing of all products such as Organics, Condiments, Juices, Fruits & Vegetables.
A professional sales & distribution network will be established on the lines of FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) companies to scale up volumes and promote products under modern retail, besides incentivizing sales personnel on performance basis. Management of two F&V processing facilities at Abohar and Hoshiarpur, as well as 12 pack houses and 4 primary processing Centers, new HR structure based on mature personnel management structure through performance-based salary and incentives.
PUNJAB CABINET PAVES WAY FOR SUBSISTENCE ALLOWANCE FOR KIN OF 8 MOSUL TRAGEDY VICTIMS
OKAYS COMPENSATION FOR VICTIMS OF HIV +VE BLOOD TRANSFUSION DUE TO MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE
Chandigarh, August 16
The Punjab Cabinet led by the Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Monday gave ex-post facto approval for payment of subsistence allowance @ 10,000 per month, with effect from October 24, 2019, for family members of eight of the 27 Punjabis killed in Mosul (Iraq) in 2014.
While seven cases of the cases relate to the parents of the deceased, one is the wife of a
Mosul victims who was not eligible for jobson compassionate grounds under the state policy. The Cabinet also approved the grant of lifetime subsistence allowance to these affected families.
It may be recalled that in the tragic incident, 39 Indians were kidnapped and killed by ISIS in Mosul (Iraq) in 2014. The bodies of the deceased were exhumed and DNA tests were conducted, following which the mortal remains of 27 deceased Indians from Punjab were brought back to Amritsar on April 3, 2018.
The deceased hailed from eight districts, namely Amritsar, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Sangrur, Kapurthala and Gurdaspur.
On the directives of the Chief Minister, an ex-gratia of Rs.5 lac each to 26 dependent family members has already been disbursed from the CM’s Relief Fund, and as per records, one victim from Jalandhar had no legal heir.
The state government has also already provided employment to one dependent family member each of the victims, as per their educational qualification and government’s policy, besides ex-gratia amount of Rs. 5 lakh.
As per information received from the DCs of Amritsar and Kapurthala, seven cases from Amritsar and one case of Kapurthala were not covered under the policy, where job on compassionate grounds could not be provided to the family members as the deceased’s wife rejected the job offer and desired that it may be given to her minor son (now of 11-12 years of age).
However, the Cabinet gave ex-facto approval for grant of monthly subsistence allowance of Rs. 10,000 per month to them from October 24, 2019, and also gave its concurrence for grant of lifetime subsistence allowance to the victim families.
APPROVES AMENDMENT TO ‘PUNJAB VICTIM COMPENSATION SCHEME, 2017’
The Punjab Cabinet also gave approval to the draft notification of ‘Punjab Victim Compensation (First Amendment) Scheme-2017’, to grant compensation to the victims of transfusion of HIV positive blood due to medical negligence. The amendment will also enable recovery of the compensation amount from the accused, for which the Superintendent of Police of the concerned district would file an application in the court and thereafter Director, Prosecution and Litigation, Punjab, shall pursue the case.
Notably, Member Secretary, Punjab State Legal Services Authority, taking notice of the incident regarding transfusion of HIV positive blood to a patient in Bhai Mani Singh Hospital, Bathinda, had filed a CWP-PIL No. 205/2020, titled as Punjab State Legal Services Authority vs. State of Punjab and Others in Punjab and Haryana High Court, whereby an amendment in Punjab Victim Compensation Scheme, 2017 for providing the compensation to victims of transfusion of HIV positive blood due to medical negligence under the said Scheme was sought.
The State Government had implemented the Punjab Victim Compensation Scheme, 2017 for providing compensation to the victims of various crimes, such as acid attack, rape etc. Out of the funds received under the said Scheme, the Punjab State Legal Services Authority allocates the requisite compensation to the victims.
PUNJAB CABINET OKAYS AMENDMENTS TO SERVICE RULES OF 5 DEPTS TO FAST-TRACK RECRUITMENT
Chandigarh, August 16: To fast-track the process of recruitment to five government departments, the Punjab Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, on Monday gave approval for amendments to the relevant service rules.
The departments are Home Affairs & Justice; Jails; Animal Husbandry, Fisheries & Dairy Development;` School Education; and Rural Development & Panchayats.
The move will accelerate the government’s State Employment Plan 2020-22, to fill vacant jobs in these departments in a time-bound manner, as part of the restructuring process to improve efficiency through rationalisation of manpower.
According to a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office, the Cabinet gave approval to amend ‘The Forensic Science Laboratory, Punjab Group-A Rules, 2021’ and ‘The Forensic Science Laboratory, Punjab Group-B Rules, 2021’. These Rules would govern the recruitment/appointment and the conditions of service of the staff of Forensic Science Laboratory, Punjab.
The Forensic Science Laboratory, Punjab, earlier had 48 sanctioned technical posts, which has now been enhanced to 189. Three Regional Testing Forensic Science Laboratories for the examination of cases related to NDPS Act came into existence in the year 2015. New divisions like DNA Analysis and Audio/Voice analysis have been established, while Cyber Forensic Division and Polygraph Division are likely to be established soon in the main Forensic Science Laboratory.
In the light of changes in the nature of crime & advancements in technology, the Cabinet felt there was an urgent need to upgrade the qualifications of the Technical Staff, and also increase the direct recruitment and promotion quota in the existing rules to infuse young blood with advanced/modern Scientific/computer skills and better creative ideas. The amendments thus relate to qualifications, recruitment quota number of posts and addition of new posts in the existing rules.
Following the Cabinet’s nod on December 30, 2020 for restructuring of the department of Prosecution and Litigation, the Cabinet today also accorded approval to the Punjab Prosecution and Litigation (Group-A) Service (First Amendment) Rules, 2021 and Punjab Prosecution and Litigation (Group-B) Service (First Amendment) Rules, 2021, thereby enhancing the posts of District Attorney to 42, Deputy District Attorney to 184 and Assistant District Attorney to 399 respectively. Besides, the Punjab Prosecution and Litigation (Group-A) Service (First Amendment) Rules, 2021 has reduced the minimum experience required for promotion of Joint Director, District Attorney and Deputy District Attorney by one year.
The Council of Ministers also approved Chemical Examiner Laboratory, Punjab (Group A) Service Rules, 2021, Chemical Examiner Laboratory, Punjab (Group
Service Rules, 2021 and ‘Chemical Examiner Laboratory, Punjab (Group C) Service Rules, 2021. These Rules would enable the department to urgently recruit dedicated manpower for serious crime based viscera and blood alcohol cases in Chemical Examiner Laboratory Punjab, Kharar. On the directions of Punjab & Haryana High Court, the Chemical Examiner Laboratory’s control has been handed over to the Home department from Health & Family Welfare. Moreover, the High Court is maintaining close surveillance, especially on pendency of samples, non-production of challans in court, viscera and blood alcohol/drug for blood & urine and alcohol cases without testing and analysis.
The Punjab Jail Department State Services (Class III Executive) (First Amendment) Rules, 2021 have also been introduced to provide for compulsory Punjabi at Class 10th level in the direct recruitment rules of Warders, Matrons and Armors and physical efficiency test in direct recruitment of Warders, Matrons and Assistant Superintendent.
Further, to regulate bovine breeding activities, which includes production of bovine semen, processing, storage, sale and artificial insemination in the state, the Cabinet has okayed the Punjab Bovine Breeding Rules, 2021 for implementation of Punjab Bovine Breeding Act, 2016, in a better and more effective manner.
The Cabinet also gave the go-ahead to the Punjab Rural Development and Panchayats (Technical Wing) Group B Technical Service Rules, 2021, governing service conditions of the Junior Engineers employed in the Engineering Wing of the Rural Development of Panchayats department.
The Cabinet also approved amendment in the Punjab State Elementary Education (Pre Primary School Teachers) Group-C Service Rules, 2020, which provides teaching experience of at least three years in case of Education Provider, Education Volunteer, Education Guarantee Scheme Volunteer (EGSV), Alternative or Innovative Education Volunteer (AIEV), Special Training Resource Volunteer (STRV) or Inclusive Educational Volunteer (IEV) in Government Schools of Punjab. However, the other educational qualifications of minimum 45% marks in Class XII and Diploma or Certificate obtained by the candidates in Nursery Teacher Training of not less than one year, recognized by NCTE remains unchanged.
CAPT AMARINDER LED PUNJAB CABINET APPROVES LIST OF NOCs FOR MSMEs TO BOOST EASE OF BUSINESS
Chandigarh, August 16: To boost ‘Ease of Doing Business’ for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), the Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Monday approved a list of NOCs required for setting up of industry in the state.
With this move, Punjab has become the first state in the country to take systematic proactive steps for improving Ease of Doing Business in matters of NOCs to enable MSMEs to flourish and prosper in the State.
The Chief Minister had, in his Independence Day speech yesterday, announced the state government’s decision to promote MSME business in the state, and the list approved today is in line with the same. It is based on recommendations of the Global Alliance for Mass Entrepreneurship (GAME) – an organization engaged by Punjab Government to make Punjab a progressive industrial hub.
Notably, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Department of Industries & Commerce, Punjab and Global Alliance for Mass Entrepreneurship (GAME) in November 2020, with a tenure of two years i.e. from 02.11.2020 to 02.11.2022, to initiate new industry reforms.
According to a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office, the approved exhaustive list of NOCs will be a definitive source for entrepreneurs to access all NOC related information for establishing and operationalizing business. In future, any addition in the approved list of NOCs shall be made by the concerned Administrative Department after approval from the Council of Ministers.
One of the areas identified by GAME is streamlining NOCs required by an investor from various departments during the pre-operationalization and post-operationalization stages. However, a full and final list of such NOCs and NOC related information, such as the purpose of NOC, checklist of accompanying documents, and NOC forms, are currently not easily available. At present, most of the NOCs are also issued manually.
Paucity of such information and lack of clear procedure for obtaining NOCs was causing major problems for entrepreneurs wanting to set up business in Punjab, the cabinet noted. It was thus felt necessary to put a detailed list of NOCs in place in order reduce the compliance burden on enterprises and to fulfill the mandates of the Punjab Right to Business Act, 2020, and the Punjab Anti-Red Tape Act, 2021.
APPROVES POLICY AMENDMENT FOR STANDALONE ALCOHOLIC PRODUCTS’ MANUFACTURING UNITS
In a bid to boost the utilization of agro waste available in the state for manufacturing of Bio-fuels, the Cabinet also approved amendment to the Industrial & Business Development Policy-2017 to exempt the standalone units that are manufacturing alcoholic products.
It may be recalled that the Government of India had notified the National Policy on Biofuels –2018 under the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme, with an indicative target of 20% blending of ethanol in petrol by 2025. The programme aims at achieving multiple outcomes, such as addressing environmental concerns, reducing import dependency and providing boost to agriculture sector.
In order to promote production and supply of Ethanol for Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Program of Government of India, the Punjab Government has exempted the standalone units manufacturing alcoholic products, like ethanol, which are not included in Division no. 11 – “Manufacture of Beverages” of NIC Code 2008 from the negative list of industry under Industrial & Business Development Policy, 2017, provided only those Bio-ethanol units will become eligible for incentive which shall install paddy straw fuel based boilers.
The ethyl alcohol is generally manufactured from maize and rice grains, and the government is also promoting the usage of broken/damaged grains by the distilleries for manufacturing of ethanol. Therefore, the diversification of agriculture to maize crop may also get boost with the requirement of ethanol for blending in the petrol as per National Bio-fuel Policy.
OKAYS SALE OF HOUSES BUILT UNDER SIHS FOR INDUSTRIAL WORKERS
The Council of Ministers further approved the proposal mooted by the Labour department to sell the houses built under the Subsidised Industrial Housing Scheme (SIHS) for Industrial Workers under Punjab Industrial Housing Act, 156. In case of sale of houses constructed under SIHS for industrial workers under the said Act, no financial burden would be imposed on the exchequer. The resultant revenue on the sale would be deposited in the Government Treasury and poor workers will get housing.
Post Views: 311
