State Election Commissioner conducts video conference with DCs and SSPs

Arrangements for Panchayat Elections reviewed
Chandigarh, December 13, 2018: State Election Commissioner Punjab Mr.Jagpal Singh Sandhu has conducted a video conferencing with all the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSPs) of the State here today to review the arrangements for Panchayat elections. During the video conferencing Mr.V.K.Bhawra, DGP Punjab Police (Nodal Officer for Election), Mr.Jatinder Aulakh IG Headquarters and Mr.Kamal Kumar Garg, Secretary, State Election Commission were present.
Divulging further a Spokesperson of the state election commission said that detailed discussions were made about the primary preparations for elections in this video conference. Mr. Sandhu issued instructions to DCs and SSPs of all the Districts regarding to maintain Law and Order in their respective Districts, so that the voters can use their voting rights without any fear and pressure. He asked the SSPs to make special security arrangements during these elections.
DCs and SSPs assured that they would make every possible effort to create a fearless atmosphere in the Panchayat elections. It is noteworthy that notification for the election of 13276 panchayats in the state is being issued on December 15, 2018.

PUNJAB VIDHAN SABHA PAYS HOMAGE TO EMINENT PERSONALITIES BESIDES 58 PERSONS KILLED IN AMRITSAR RAIL INCIDENT
CHANDIGARH: The Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Thursday paid homage to 58 persons died in a tragic rail incident at Amritsar and 3 persons killed in bomb blast at Nirankari Bhawan at village Adliwal in Amritsar besides remembering several eminent personalities from different walks of life, who had passed since the last session of the Assembly.
The House, at the outset of its winter session, paid respects to freedom fighters, political and other renowned personalities, observing a two-minute silence as a mark of respect to the departed souls, during the obituary references.
Besides two ex-MLAs Bishambar Dass and Ram Rattan Chaudhary, noted defence veteran and hero of Longewala battle Brig. Kuldip Singh Chandpuri and Maharani Deepinder Kaur of old Faridkot royal family were remembered. Rich tributes were also paid to three freedom fighters namely Mela Singh, Sohan Singh and Surjit Singh.
Meanwhile, the Speaker Rana Kanwarpal Singh proposed that homage be paid to all those members who had passed away since the previous session. After the obituary references to the eminent personalities, he passed a resolution for conveying the condolences of the House to their respective families. The Speaker also remembered our brave soldiers, who made supreme sacrifice by foiling the terrorist attack at the Parliament on this day in December 2001.
The Speaker also acceded to the request of MLA Bikram Singh Majitha to pay tributes to all those soldiers of Army and Para military forces, who sacrificed their lives to safeguard the integrity and sovereignty of the country. Besides this, the Speaker also consented to include the name of former Chairman of Central Board of Direct Taxes Avtar Singh Thind, the father of Chief Secretary Karan Avtar Singh.

Soni reviews working of Meritorious Schools; Issued warning to principals to improve results
Chandigarh: Punjab Education Minister Mr. O.P. Soni today reviewed the working of Meritorious Schools and issued stern warning to Principals that they would be held responsible for poor results. He categorically said that he want the results should be 100 percent and Principals and teachers should focus on the target.
In this regard a meeting was today held under the Chairmanship of Education Minister Mr. O.P. Soni. It was observed in this meeting that the strength of the students of Meritorious Schools which was earlier in academic session 2017-18 as 5981 students, now risen to 6600 in 2018-19. It is likely that this figure may touch 8,000 students in coming academic year. Recently 136 Lecturers has been recruited which has joined in Meritorious Schools thus raising the strength 304 in these schools and as such there is no shortfall of lecturers except 17 commerce lecturers for which there is stay by Hon'ble High Court. The Education Department has moved an application for early hearing, to get the stay vacated in the Court to enable the Department to fill these posts.
The Minister was informed that this year migration of students from one school to another school is permitted as a result the drop out of students is negligible this year. Besides this, the policy of transfer of teaching/non-teaching staff is also permitted and as a consequence the tendency of resignation by the staff is therefore eliminated. Five Principals have been taken on deputation from Education Department, so that these schools are run effectively.
The Minister also reviewed the online coaching presently being undertaken in the schools. After reviewing the matter the respective Principals were authorized to convene tenders at their level, in case they are not satisfied with present system of online coaching.
The Education Minister was told that at present, there is contingency fund of Rs. 20,000 per month given to each Principal to meet the local requirements and maintenance of schools, which was ordered to be increased to Rs. 2,00,000. Mr. Soni directed that solar panels should be installed in all schools, he further instructed that the payment of Mess/food should be released upto date till Nov 2018 to ensuring that supply line would not be compromised.
It was also decided in this meeting that the construction work pending at Meritorious School of Talwara and Gurdaspur should be completed expeditiously and there is no problem in holding classes from next academic year. In this regard Education Minister spoke to Principal Secretary, Finance for release of funds.
On this occasion Secretary Education Mr. Krishan Kumar and DGSE Mr. Parshant Kumar Goyal were present.