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India Gazette
6 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
"What would be the definition of sacrilege in the bill?", asks BJP leader Ashwani Kumar on the anti-sacrilege bill
Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], July 14 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party leader and the Party's Punjab in charge, Ashwani Kumar Sharma commented on the Anti-sacrilege bill, introduced today in Punjab Assembly and called it a move to 'divert attention from major issues' and asked the 'definition' of sacrilege in the bill. Ashwani Kumar Sharma raised question as why it was not brought up in the last three years and said to ANI, 'Is the government doing this, do divert attention from the major issues?... This is such a sensitive issue and why has the government not brought this up in three years? They should have sent the bill to us earlier and there should have been a discussion on it. What would be the definition of sacrilege in the bill?...' Meanwhile, Punjab Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond expressed his gratitude to the Punjab Chief Minister for introducing the bill and said, 'I express my gratitude to the Chief Minister of Punjab, as today the anti-sacrilege bill is being introduced in the Punjab Assembly. There have been many governments in Punjab before the Aam Aadmi Party and during their tenure, incidents of sacrilege used to happen in large numbers in Punjab... BJP and the opposition should welcome this bill.' The comments came in response of the 'Punjab Prevention of Offences Against Holy Scriptures Bill 2025' introduction by Punjab CM in the Punjab assembly. Earlier, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government on Saturday decided to introduce and pass a law against sacrilege during a special session of the state legislative assembly scheduled for July 10 and 11. This move marks a major step toward fulfilling a long-standing demand of the people of Punjab for stricter laws to address sacrilege cases in the state. The announcement came from the state government, describing the upcoming assembly session as 'historic for Punjab.' Officials confirmed that the government will present a new legislation aimed at curbing acts of sacrilege and ensuring strict punishment for those involved in hurting religious sentiments. The official added that the Mann government will fulfil the demand of the people of Punjab. (ANI)
Time of India
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Sond distributes 50L cheques for Khanna infra devpt
Khanna (Ludhiana): Cabinet minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond Saturday reiterated the state govt's commitment to transforming Khanna into a model constituency through sustained development efforts. Speaking at a ceremony held at the PWD rest house in Khanna, the minister distributed cheques totalling Rs 48.90 lakh to support infrastructure projects across 12 villages: Beeja, Toormari, Kishangarh, Ismailpur, Beejapur Kothe, Ikolaha, Issru, Ganduan, Kauri, Asgaripur, Malkpur Khanna, and Mahoun. Sond said a cheque of Rs 20 lakh was provided to Beeja for sewage disposal, which includes laying 2km of pipeline for drains, sewers, and sewerage systems. Similarly, Rs 2.50 lakh was allocated for footpaths and roads in Toormari, Rs 2.40 lakh for a playground in Kishangarh, Rs 2 lakh for footpaths and roads in Ismailpur, Rs 1 lakh for footpaths and roads in Beejapur Kothe, Rs 2 lakh for the infrastructure of an SC dharamshala and Rs 4 lakh for footpaths in Ikolaha, Rs 1 lakh for the infrastructure of an SC dharamshala in Issru, Rs 5 lakh for the infrastructure of a Ramdasia dharamshala in Ganduan, Rs 5 lakh for footpaths and pedestrian pathways in Kauri, Rs 1 lakh for footpaths and roads in Asgaripur, Rs 1 lakh for sewer arrangements for public drainage in Malkpur Khanna, and Rs 2 lakh for footpaths and roads in Mahoun village. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo Sond emphasised that under the leadership of chief minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the AAP govt is dedicated to public welfare, with development funds being allocated transparently to meet community needs. He noted that the govt's performance has earned widespread public support, reflected in AAP's consistent electoral success in Punjab. Sond expressed confidence that the party would continue to secure victories in future elections. He urged panchayats to utilise the allocated funds with utmost integrity, stressing that public money must be used exclusively for community welfare projects.
Time of India
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Punjab minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond assures revamp of Talwara bus stand.
Chandigarh: Punjab rural development and panchayats minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond on Thursday informed the vidhan sabha that the Talwara bus stand building will be revamped in coordination with the transport department. Responding to a call attention motion raised by the Dasuya MLA, who highlighted the poor and dilapidated condition of the bus stand in Talwara block, Sond acknowledged the need for urgent repairs and long-term redevelopment. He stated that the panchayat samiti currently lacks sufficient funds for the construction of a new bus stand building. In the interim, essential repair work will be undertaken using available samiti funds or grants under the 15th Finance Commission to ensure the facility remains operational. Sond further noted that while the transport department granted administrative approval of Rs 2.62 crore for the new construction in 2021, the project could not move forward due to the non-release of funds. He assured the House that efforts would now be renewed to coordinate with the transport department to upgrade and improve the bus stand infrastructure. MSID:: 122368280 413 |
Hindustan Times
05-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Punjab cabinet approves amendment to Shops Act
The Punjab cabinet on Wednesday approved an amendment to the Punjab Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1958, aimed at reducing compliance burdens on 95% small businesses and enhancing the ease of doing business in the state. The decision was taken at a meeting of the council of ministers, chaired by Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann here. It was the third cabinet meeting held in a row. A spokesperson from the Chief Minister's Office disclosed that under this progressive amendment, all establishments employing up to 20 workers will be exempted from all provisions of the Act. 'This move will benefit lakhs of shopkeepers across Punjab. However, such establishments will still be required to submit relevant information to the labour department within six months of the Act coming into force or the commencement of their business,' informed the CM after the meeting. He was flanked by labour minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond. The labour minister said shops, offices, stores, godowns, warehouses, banks, entertainment centres, workshops, car mechanics etc are covered under the amendment. 'To enhance employee earnings, the permissible overtime in a quarter has been increased from 50 hours to 144 hours. Additionally, the daily spread-over period of work has been extended from 10 hours to 12 hours, inclusive of rest intervals,' informed the CM while talking to the media. Nevertheless, employees must be paid overtime at double the regular rate for work exceeding 9 hours per day or 48 hours per week, he said. The registration process has also been streamlined and the establishments with 20 or more employees will now receive deemed approval for registration within 24 hours of application submission. Under the amendment, establishments employing up to 20 workers are only required to provide basic information and are not obligated to register. Moreover, penalties under the different sections of the act have been rationalized — raising the minimum fine from ₹25 to ₹1,000 and the maximum from ₹100 to ₹30,000. To prevent harassment and allow businesses time to achieve compliance, a three-month grace period will be provided between the first and second offences, as well as subsequent ones. A new Section 26-A has also been introduced to allow for the compounding of offences, thereby decriminalising the Act and eliminating the need for shopkeepers to attend court. When asked about the amendment being anti-workers, Mann said as per the amendments they can work up to 12 hours and beyond nine hours of daily work schedule, they will be paid double remuneration. 'Where would employees complain? If they go to the labour court, they can lodge a complaint with the inspectors. For the protection of their rights we have increased the penalty,' said the CM. 'In case of any violation, which also includes low payment, we have set in place a system of redressal of grievances at assistant labour commissioner (ALC) level,' he added.
Time of India
31-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
PSIEC announces policy for clubbing and de-clubbing of plots
1 2 Chandigarh: The Punjab govt has unveiled a comprehensive policy for the clubbing and de-clubbing of industrial plots, while also establishing a long-awaited appellate authority to handle appeals over cancelled allotments, industries minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond announced on Saturday here. The new policy, notified on May 19 and which the cabinet approved on April 24, aims to bring procedural clarity and land-use efficiency across the state's industrial estates and focal points under the Punjab Small Industries and Export Corporation (PSIEC). Sond said the policy responds to years of demands from industrialists seeking a streamlined mechanism to merge or divide adjoining plots to support business expansion, improve operational efficiency and optimise land utilisation. The rules apply to all PSIEC-controlled plots, excluding booths and sheds. To be eligible for clubbing or de-clubbing, plots must be owned by the same entity and be of the same type — either leasehold or freehold — with all dues cleared. Applications must be supported by valid lease or conveyance deeds. A fee of 1% of the current reserve price of the total plot area — capped at ₹50 lakh — will apply. De-clubbing will only be allowed in line with the original layout plan and subject to zoning laws, building codes and environmental regulations, the minister said. "This step will not only streamline industrial development but also create opportunities for project growth in a regulated and transparent manner," Sond said. Separately, the PSIEC has also operationalised an Appellate Authority — notified on May 7 — to address grievances related to cancelled plots. The authority will offer relief to affected allottees whose plots were cancelled for reasons such as failing to begin production, violating zoning rules, or defaulting on instalments. The govt had cancelled 700-odd plots in recent years, and efforts to restore those stalled after a previous restoration scheme lapsed in March 2022. Affected allottees now have until Sept 30 to appeal for reinstatement. In future cases, appeals must be filed within six months of the cancellation date. "This authority will reduce unnecessary litigation, provide applicants with fair hearing opportunities, and bring transparency to the reinstatement process," Sond said. MSID:: 121536934 413 |
