225 students returned to Punjab from Ukraine so far: Chief Secretary
Darpan News Desk IANS, 04 Mar, 2022 01:25 PM
Chandigarh, March 4 (IANS) As many as 225 students have returned safely to Punjab so far from the war-torn Ukraine, Chief Secretary Anirudh Tewari said on Friday.
While directing officials to ensure safe return of the remaining students and other persons stuck in Ukraine, he said the state government is sparing no effort to help the distressed families in this hour of crisis.
Reviewing the status of calls recieved on the state government's dedicated 24x7 control room numbers i.e. 1100 (to call from within Punjab) and +91-172-4111905 (to call from outside India), the Chief Secretary was apprised that 476 calls have been received so far on these numbers and the queries are being immediately forwarded to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
He was also informed that 326 affected families have been visited physically by state government officials.
Tewari urged the affected persons and their relatives to immediately contact on the Punjab government's helpline numbers so that they can be provided assistance.
He also appealed the parents and relatives of the stranded persons to ask their children get in touch with the embassy and 'Government of India' officials at border posts and strictly follow the guidelines of the MEA.
Resident Commissioner, Punjab, Rakhee Gupta Bhandari apprised the Chief Secretary that all the necessary arrangements have been made for safe return of stranded students and persons.
She said they are in constant touch with the Indian embassy to ensure that no Punjab resident shall face any kind of problem in returning to their homes.
The Prime Minister conveyed his warm greetings to President Biden and Vice President Harris and his appreciation for the initiatives taken by President Biden including those related to the Quad, Covid-19 and climate change.
Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has ordered Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd (PSPCL) to cancel or revisit all the "one-sided" pacts with private companies that are not contractually obligated to supply sufficient power to meet the state's peak demand during the paddy sowing and summer season.
The new leadership team, led by state chief Navjot Singh Sidhu, had called on the Chief Minister and submitted a letter listing out some issues as needing urgent settlement.
The bodies of Khare Besra, 75 and his wife Curki Devi, 70, were recovered from Baragarda jungle of Giridih. The old couple, residents of Kumharlalo panchayat, had gone into the jungle on Saturday but had not returned and other villagers had filed a missing report with police.
Chairing a high-level meeting to review the demands of the striking employees, he expressed concern over their continued agitation, which has severely impacted the functioning of various state government departments.
