Punjab gears up to host two G-20 sessions in Amritsar
Darpan News Desk IANS, 06 Mar, 2023 11:58 AM
Amritsar, March 6 (IANS) Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday asked officers to gear up fully for making two sessions of G-20 slated to be held in the state on March 15-17 and March 19-20 a huge success.
The Chief Minister, who reviewed the arrangements for the mega event here, said Punjab is fully ready to host the sessions and asked the officers to ensure foolproof arrangements for the working sessions slated to take place at the holy city of Amritsar next week.
Batting for flawless planning and execution, he said no stone should be left unturned for making this event a huge success. He said they were fortunate to have got a once in a lifetime opportunity to hold such a mega event in the state, adding rumour mongers will never succeed in tarnishing the image of state.
The Chief Minister said the government is duty bound to make elaborate arrangements for the comfortable stay of the dignitaries participating in the summit.
He said apart from assuring their cozy stay in state, the guests will be offered the traditional Punjabi food, and will also be given a glimpse of rich Punjabi culture during the cultural events in the evening.
Mann hoped the state government will set a new benchmark by successfully hosting the two sessions of G-20 in the state.
He said that it is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that the state has got two sessions of G-20, first in March 15, 16 and 17 on education and then on labour on March 19 and 20.
Mann said that this summit will promote Punjab as a most preferred destination for business on the international level and it will also provide a stage to the government to showcase its achievements and facilities for setting up new businesses.
He said this is a golden opportunity when Punjab can be presented as a land of best opportunities and by bringing maximum investment they can create new employment opportunities for the youth.
Mann said the government will involve every Punjabi in the event so that the rich heritage of state is showcased to the visiting dignitaries.
Tight security arrangements are being put in place for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Ayodhya on Sunday. International guests, diplomats, Union Ministers and celebrities are expected to join the Deepotsav festivities on Sunday. Key events will be organised at the Ram Katha Park.
Paying tributes to the martyrs, Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said the Punjab Police is an exceptional force which served the country both in times of peace and disturbance. He said 1,792 police officers had sacrificed their lives while fighting terrorism during the period from September 1981 to August 1992.
The spokesperson said the employees will be given option for adopting the old pension scheme or the new pension scheme. The old pension scheme was discontinued in 2004 and ever since then the employees are being given the new pension scheme. However, the employees have been since long demanding the restoration of the old pension scheme.
Two petitioners, engaged in storing and selling of green crackers, approached the High Court challenging the Delhi Pollution Control Committee's (DPCC) order to completely ban the manufacture, storage, sale, and bursting of all kinds of firecrackers till next year in the capital city. The plea stated that the air quality in New Delhi has been moderate or better at least since August 15 this year.
Meanwhile, according to sources in the know of things, Tharoor, who got 16 members from Kerala to put their signature in his nomination form, has managed to secure 130 votes out of the 297 votes from his home state, which is a very tall figure given the fact practically all the bigwigs from Kerala stood rock stock and barrel for Malikarjuna Kharge, who beat Tharoor by a mile.
"This is a revolutionary step aimed at supplementing the income of the farmers to bail them out from the agrarian crisis," he said after inaugurating Verka's newly-built milk processing and butter plant here. The Chief Minister said that the state government has inked an agreement with the Delhi government in this regard.