Current Affairs Statewise PDF

Punjab Current Affairs - January 2017

PSPCL awarded with Best Performing Power Distribution Utility in Power Sector by
CBIP
i. The Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) was awarded with “Best Performing
Power Distribution Utility in Power Sector” by Central Board of Irrigation & Power (CBIP).
ii. Union Minister Sanjeev Kumar Balyan presented this award to Karan Deep Chaudhri,
Chairman-cum-Managing Director, PSPSCL in New Delhi.

Punjab Royals Wins Pro Wrestling League Season 2

i. The NCR Punjab Royals won the Pro Wrestling League Season 2 on January 19, 2017
defeating two-time finalists Haryana Hammers 5-4 in the finals at the K D Jadhav Indoor
Stadium, New Delhi.
ii. The winners were presented with the Champions trophy along with a prize money
of whopping 1.90 crore. The runners up took home a prize money of 1.10 crore.

Former Chief Minister of Punjab Surjit Singh Barnala Dies at 91

i. Former Chief Minister of Punjab, Surjit Singh Barnala passed away on January 14, 2017 at
the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research in Chandigarh. He was 91.
ii. Barnala served as the Chief Minister of Punjab from 1985 to 1987.
iii. He had also served as the governor of Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and the
Andaman and Nicobar islands

Punjab Current Affairs - February 2017

Punjab bans manufacture, sale of gutkha, pan masala for one year
i. Punjab government lead by Parkash Singh Badal has imposed the one year ban on the
manufacture, storage, sale or distribution of food products containing tobacco or nicotine
like gutkha and pan masala
ii. The decision has been taken in view of the orders issued by Supreme Court
iii. The ban also applicable to processed, flavoured, scented, chewing tobacco.

Veteran theatre personality AsimBasu passes away

i. Eminent stage craft director, theatre personality, actor, director, artist, painter and
writer AsimBasu passed away in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
ii. Basu is well known for his beautiful and graphic stage craft direction and he has received the

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state Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1998.

iii. He had acted in some Odia films and directed a few pla

Punjab Current Affairs - March 2017

Cabinet Approves Settlement of Legacy Food Cash Credit Account in Punjab for Food
Procurement Operations
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its ex-post facto
approval for settlement of Legacy Food Cash Credit Accounts (upto crop season 2014-15) of
Punjab Government for food procurement operations.
• The proposal of Department of Expenditure was approved by Prime Minister on January
2, 2017 under Rule 12 of (Transaction of Business) Rules, 1961.

Punjab Election Result 2017

Punjab has given another chance to Congress under Captain Amrinder Singh to form government
after a gap of a decade, taking away the power from ruling SAD-BJP combine government.
• Congress’ candidates have won in 77 seats in the 117 member Punjab Assembly to
get a majority win.

Punjab Approves 33 Percent Reservation for Women in State Govt Jobs

i. The Punjab government led by new Chief Minister Amarinder Singh chaired his maiden
Cabinet Meeting on March 18, 2017 and announced a series of decision for the welfare of the
entire citizen of the state.
ii. The state government has decided to provide 33 percent reservation for women in all
government jobs.

India’s Largest Tricolour Hoisted on Tallest Flag Post at Attari Border

i. India’s largest flag was inaugurated on March 5, 2017 by Anil Joshi, Cabinet Minister of
Punjab, on the tallest flag post at the Indo-Pak Attari Border in Amritsar just 150 m away from
the border.
ii. The flag post measured 110 metres (360ft) in length, 24 metres in width and 55 tons in
weight.
iii. The flag post was built by Amritsar Improvement Trust Authority of the
Punjab government at an approximate cost of Rs. 3.50 crore.

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Destination North East 2017 Festival Held in Chandigarh

i. The three day long ‘Destination North East-2017’ festival was inaugurated in Chandigarh on
March 6, 2017 by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North
Eastern Region (DoNER), Dr. Jitendra Singh.
ii. The ‘Destination North East-2017’ was organized by Ministry of DoNER
iii. The main focus of the event was the ‘3 H Mission’ that is Horticulture, Handicraft and
Handlooms with the objective to use appropriate technologies in all sectors of development for
North Eastern Region

Amarinder Singh Takes Oath as Chief Minister of Punjab

i. Captain Amarinder Singh took oath as the 26th chief minister of Punjab on March 16, 2017
at the Raj Bhawan in Chandigarh thus paving way for the return of the Congress to power in the
state after a gap of ten years.
ii. The oath of office was administered by Punjab governor VP Singh Badnore..

Punjab, J&K seal fresh deal on Shahpur Kandi project

i. A renewed agreement between Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir has
been sealed for the completion of the Shahpur Kandi Dam project, work on which was halted
two years ago following a dispute.
ii. This move comes days before its annual Indus Water Commission meeting with Pakistan in
Lahore later this month. The dam will help India utilize its share of waters under Indus Water
Treaty.

Punjab University Develops 3 Bt Cotton Varieties

i. Ludhiana based Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has developed India’s
first genetically modified varieties of cotton whose seeds could help the farmers in saving the
cultivation cost.
ii. Three Bt cotton varieties have been identified by the Indian Council of Agricultural
Research (ICAR) namely PAU Bt 1, F1861 and RS2013 for cultivation in Punjab, Haryana and
Rajasthan.
iii. PAU Bt 1 and F1861 were developed by PAU, while RS2013 was developed at Rajasthan
Agricultural University (RAU), Bikaner.
iv. While the PAU Bt 1 was completely developed at PAU, the F1861 and RS2013 were converted
to Bt version by Central Institute for Cotton Research, Nagpur.

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Punjab Defeats Railways to Win Santosh Trophy

i. Punjab defeated Railways by a 2-1 in a Group B final round league match of
the 71st Santosh Trophy football tournament on March 13, 2017 in Goa.
ii. Punjab led by 1-0 at half time with score from Rajbir Singh (16th, 61st).

Former Punjab Minister & SAD Leader Gurdev Badal Dies

i. Former Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurdev Singh Badal passed away on March 28, 2017 at
Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana. He was 85.
ii. Gurdev was a senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader and a member of the Punjab Legislative
Assembly from the Panjgrain constituency in Jalandhar district.
iii. He contested his first election in 1977 with continued victory in the Assembly elections in 1980
and 1985. He had been 5 time MLA from this constituency.

Punjab Current Affairs - April 2017

Punjab CM bans names of Minister MLAs on inaugural stones
Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh announced the prohibition of the names of any Ministers,
MLAs on the foundation stone.
i. This was done because the cabinet minister Sadhu Singh Dharmasot threatened a school
principal for suspending him from school in finding his name was third on the inaugural stone as
minister wanted his name on the top of the inaugural stone.
ii. All the schemes that are announced by the CM or any other minister, MLAs and other officials
from now would be dedicated to the people of Punjab.

Punjab Govt. to set up ‘Book Banks’ in school

Punjab Govt. took a decision to set up ‘Book banks’ in all schools .The old students would be
asked to submit their old books which would be afforded to needy children free of charge.
i. This is very helpful to the needy students who couldn’t purchase the books every academic year
and also to save the spending of considerable amount for books.
ii. Punjab Education Minister Aruna Chaudhary stated that the Education department decided
to initiate book banks in all schools of the state to prevent the paper wastage, precious time and
money of the students.

Dilip Kumar honoured with Living Legend Lifetime Award by Punjab Association
Veteran actor Dilip Kumar was honoured with the Living Legend Lifetime Award by
the Punjab Association.
i. The actor was also honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1994 and the Padma

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Vibhushan in 2015 for his contribution to the Indian cinema.

ii. He is known for films like Devdas, Mughal-e-Azam and Karma.

Punjab Current Affairs - May 2017

Punjab govt makes Aadhar cards mandatory for all financial assistance schemes
Punjab State Government under Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has made
Aadhaar Cards mandatory in place of Ration Cards for all Financial Assistance Schemes. It has
also introduced new forms to get the benefit of old age pensions.
i. This decision has been taken to ensure that only genuine people get the benefits of financial
assistance schemes and pension scheme.
ii. Punjab State’s Department of Social Security and Women & Child Development has
been directed by Chief Minister to undertake a survey of the existing beneficiaries of various
schemes and to weed out the ineligible beneficiaries.

Rajnath Singh chairs Northern Zonal Council meeting in Chandigarh

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh will chair the 28th meeting of the Northern Zonal
Council on 12th of May in Chandigarh.
i. North Zonal Council comprises the Chandigarh, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and
Kashmir, Rajasthan and Delhi.
ii. Five Zonal Councils – Central, Western, Northern, Southern and Eastern—have been
established under the State Reorganisation Act, 1956.

Former DGP of Punjab KPS Gill passes away at 82

Former Punjab Director General of Police Kanwar Pal Singh Gill has died on 26th of May, 2017
i. KPS Gill was 82 years.
ii. He died at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi due to cardiac arrhythmia.
iii. He received a Padma Shri award in 1989 for his work in the civil service.

Punjab Current Affairs - June 2017

Punjab Finance minister ManpreetBadal presented State budget for the year 2017-18
On June 20, 2017, Punjab Finance minister Manpreet Badal presented a state budget of Rs 1.18
lakh crore for the financial year 2017-18.
Highlights of Punjab Budget presented for 2017-18
♦The budget presented by Manpreet Badal, focused on reducing the crushing debt burden
and restoring fiscal stability.

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♦The budget laid special emphasis on education and social sectors.

♦Badal also mentioned that Punjab’s outstanding debt will be Rs 1.95 lakh crore by the end of
the financial year.
Free education for girls in Punjab from Nursery to PhD
i. On June 19, 2017, Punjab Government announced free education for girls in government
schools and colleges from Nursery to PhD.
ii. As a step towards women empowerment, reservation for women in Panchayati Raj Institutions
and Urban Local Bodies has already been increased by the government from 33 per cent to 50
per cent.
Punjab announces loan waiver for small and marginal farmers
On June 19, 2017, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh announced total waiver of entire crop
loans for small and marginal farmers in
1. The loan waiver has been announced for up to Rs 2 lakh for small and marginal farmers
(up to 5 acres) and a flat Rs 2 lakh relief for all other marginal farmers, irrespective of
their loan amount.
2. This move would benefit a total of 25 lakh farmers of the state's 18.5 lakh farming
families, including 8.75 lakh farmers having land up to 5 acres.

Punjab govt launches 'Chief Minister Scholarship Scheme'

On June 6, 2017, Punjab State government launched the “Chief Minister Scholarship
Scheme” with an aim to provide cheaper and quality technical education to the meritorious and
poor students of the state.
i.The scheme was formally launched jointly by the Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal
and Punjab Technical Education Minister Charanjit Singh Channi after approval from Punjab Chief
Minister Captain Amarinder Singh.
ii. Under the scheme, students scoring 60-70% marks in Class 10 will get 70% fee
waiver, 80% fee waiver for those getting between 70% and 80% marks and 90% for
those scoring 80-90% marks. Students with 90-100% marks will get free education.

Punjab & UK join hands to promote skill development

The Punjab government and the United Kingdom join hands for imparting skill training and
technical education to the students to provide better employment opportunities in abroad. Under
the agreement, the UK would send skill development experts to Punjab to impart technical
education and skill development training.
i. It was announced by Technical Education Minister Charanjit Singh Channi with Britain Deputy
High Commissioner Andrew Ayre on June 1st at Chandigarh.
ii. Signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Punjab and UK on June 20 would
be the first step in this direction.
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Punjab govt inks MoU with Centre, AAI

Under the country’s flagship programme UDAN in the presence of Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder
Singh the Punjab government has signed a tripartite agreement with the Centre and
Airports Authority of India(AAI)
i. The tripartite agreement was signed by UshaPadhee (Joint Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation
on behalf of GoI), Tejveer Singh (Secretary Civil Aviation for Punjab Government) and G K
Chaukiyal (Executive Director for AAI).
ii. The four airports of Bathinda, Ludhiana, Pathankot and Adampur have
been connected under the scheme through five proposals.

Federation Cup National Senior Athletics Championships held in Punjab

21st Federation Cup National Senior Athletics Championships was held from 1st – 4th June
2017 in Patiala, Punjab.
♦ The event was organised by Athletics Federation of India (AFI) with support from Punjab
Athletics Association and Sports Authority of India.
♦ The championship provided an opportunity to Indian track and field athletes to qualify for
the Asian Athletics Championships which is scheduled to be held in Bhubaneswar from 6th-
9th July 2017.
♦ More than 700 Indian athletes including top athletes such as Neeraj Chopra (Javelin
Throw),Ankit Sharma (Long Jump), Tintu Luka (800m), Sudha Singh (3000m SC) and Irfan K T
(20km Race Walk) participated in this event.
Neeraj Chopra Wins Gold With Meet Record
Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra won the gold in men's javelin throw contest on the second
day of the Federation Cup National Senior Athletics Championships in Patiala on June 2, 2017.
Sarita Singh sets new national record in Federation Cup
Sarita Singh of Uttar Pradesh set a new national record in the women's hammer throw with
an effort of 65.25m to claim the gold medal at the 21st Federation Cup National Senior Athletics
Championship in Patiala.
Anu Rani smashes own national record, books World Championship berth
On June 4, 2017, Javelin thrower Anu Rani smashed her own national record and won the
gold medal on the fourth and final day of the 21st Federation Cup National Senior Athletics
Championships in Patiala.

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Punjabi playwright Ajmer Singh Aulakh passes away

Eminent playwright Ajmer Singh Aulakh passed away passed away on June 15, 2017, at his
residence at Mansa town of Punjab. He was 75.
i. All through his life, Ajmer Aulakh had been working to uplift the rural theatre with his wife
Manjit Kaur and two daughters by his side.
ii. Ajmer Aulakh was given Sahiyta Akademi award in 2006 for his play 'Ishq bajho namaz
da haz nahi'.

Punjab Current Affairs - July 2017

Punjab unveils new transport policy to 'overhaul system'
Private bus operators in Punjab, including the Badals, may run into financial troubles with the
Congress Government’s “new” transport policy which was approved on 5th July,2017. It also
abolished the system of district transport officers (DTO) and restructuring the transport
department.
Key highlights of the policy
A special task force of the vigilance department has been set up and the state police to crack
down on all illegall buses
• It will complete its function in two phases.
• Cancellation of 78 integral luxury coaches,and another 6,700 minibuses will be done
and allotted afresh.
• Permits issued under this scheme will be valid for a period of five years from the date
of issue and shall be valid for a period of five years from the date of renewal.
• The department will tie up with major taxi operators such as Ola, Uber etc for the
implementation of “Apni Gaddi, Apna Rozgar” scheme, in which the youth can take
loan from the government and no collateral will be required.
• In case of private operators, not more than 25% of the total permits on a particular
route will be issued to one firm/party/person.
• Employment will be created through 'Yaari Enterprises’ scheme in which subsidy
would be provided to youth

Harsimrat Kaur lays foundation of Punjab's first maize-based food park

On July 7, 2017, Union Food Processing Minister, Harsimrat Kaur Badal laid the foundation
stone, of Punjab’s first maize based Food Park at Rehana Jattan village in Kaputhala
District of Punjab. Ms. Badal mentioned that there is an urgent need to turn to maize and the
government is working relentlessly to make maize as the third viable staple crop
of Punjab after wheat and rice.
i. This food park will be set up on 55 acres, at the cost of Rs. 123 crore. The Union
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government is providing a financial assistance of Rs. 50 crore for the project.

ii. It is being developed by Sukhjit Mega Food Park and Infra Limited and will generate turnover of
Rs 450 - 500 crore annually.

DIPP to set up India’s first TISC in Punjab

On July 13, 2017, the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), Ministry of
Commerce & Industry, Government of India, signed an Institutional agreement with
the Punjab State Council of Science and Technology in New Delhi to establish India's first
Technology and Innovation Support Center (TISC) at Patent Information Centre,
Punjab, under the World Intellectual Property Organization's (WIPO) TISC program.
i. The objective of the TISC is to stimulate a dynamic, vibrant and balanced Intellectual Property
Rights (IPRs) system in India to foster creativity and innovation, thereby promoting
entrepreneurship and enhancing social, economic and cultural development.

Punjab signs MoU with Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics

The Punjab government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the
Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND) on 28th of July 2017. The MoU was
signed on the occasion of World Hepatitis Day.
i. It is a global diagnostic firmto help the state diagnose and treat Hepatitis C patients.
ii. The firm would provide rapid test kits for screening of high-risk patients, for disease like
HIV, IVDU (Intravenous Drug Users).
iii. Punjab is also the first state in the country where the injection safety programme is being
implemented in collaboration with WHO.

Punjab launches flagship 'care companion programme' scheme

The Punjab health minister Brahm Mohindra has launched a flagship care companion health
scheme on 28th of July 2017.
i. The main aim is to improve patient outcomes through better family engagement and
education.
ii. The state department of health and family welfare has signed an MoU with Noora Health
India Trust, a healthcare non-profit organisation, for implementation of the 'Care Companion
Programme' (CCP).
iii .The objective is to reduce the number of infant deaths and complications like infections
in the first 30 days post- discharge and ensure adoption of long-term health pro-motive
behaviours.

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Punjab launches ‘Apni Gaddi Apni Rozgar’ scheme

The Punjab government has announced the launch of its flagship 'Apni Gaddi Apna Rozgar'
scheme by flagging off over 100 uber MOTO bikes.
i. Under the scheme the state government will be providing commercial two wheelers and
four wheelers to unemployed youth at subsidised rates.
ii. The scheme aims to generate job opportunities for youth and providing better mobile transport
in Punjab.
iii. In its first phase the Uber bike taxis will run in Mohali, ludhiana, Zirakpur
and Kharar regions of Punjab.

Punjab Current Affairs - August 2017

Harmanpreet Kaur appointed as DSP by Punjab Government
The Punjab state government has appointed Harmanpreet Kaur to the post of Deputy
Superintendent of Police (DSP) in the state police.
Key Points:
i. Harmanpreet, the all-rounder cricketer had made 171 runs from 115 balls against
Australia in the semi-finals and steered India into the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017 final.
ii. Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has directed the state Director General of Police
(DGP)Suresh Arora to complete the necessary formalities for her appointment.
iii. After Kaur’s appointment to the force, they would be setting up a cricket team within the
police department.

Punjab Current Affairs - September 2017

Punjab government forms steering committee to monitor drug de-addiction
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has constituted a steering
committee to monitor and coordinate the states drug de-addiction and rehabilitation
programme announced on 26th of Sept. 2017.
Key Points:
i.The decision to set up the committee, headed by the state chief secretary, was taken by
the chief minister at a meeting of the State Board of Drug De-addiction and Rehabilitation.
ii. He also mentioned the importance of the need for implementing a post- rehabilitation
phase for the victims of drug addiction that would include skill training

Industrialist Rajinder Gupta elected as PCA president

Leading industrialist Rajinder Gupta was elected as the president of the Punjab Cricket
Association on 23rd of Sept. 2017.
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Key Points:
i.Singla, RakeshRathour, Prof S M Verma and AmarinderBindra were elected as the vice presidents
of the PCA.
ii.Arun Sharma and Dr A G S Bawa were elected to the post of honorary joint secretary and Ajay
Tyagi was elected as the treasurer.

Punjab Current Affairs - October 2017

Punjab police launches foot patrolling in all districts
On October 16, 2017 Punjab police launched foot patrolling i.e. an initiative whereby
police personnel will patrol designated areas on foot to keep a watch on anti-social
elements.
Foot Patrolling by Punjab Police:
i. This initiative has been launched in all districts of Punjab.
ii. Objective of foot patrolling is to reduce incidence of crime by increasing the presence of police
in vulnerable locations.

Punjab CM restores special family pension for widows of govt employees killed by
terrorists
On October 19, 2017, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh restored the Special
Family Pension for widows of government employees killed by extremists.
More Details:
i. The scheme was revoked in 2016 by the erstwhile ShiromaniAkali Dal Government.

BBC World offers news services in four more Indian languages

On October 4, 2017, British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) announced the launch of news
services in four more Indian languages — Gujarati, Marathi, Punjabi and Telugu.
BBC’s Expansion in India:
i. With this announcement, BBC’s Delhi bureau will become its largest bureau outside the
United Kingdom.

Punjab CM constitutes committee under Randhir Singh for sports varsity in Patiala
On October 30, 2017, Punjab Chief Minister, Amarinder Singh constituted a steering
committee under International Olympic Committee (IOC) member, Randhir Singh, to work out
the modalities for setting up a sports university in Patiala.

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More information about Committee for sports varsity in Patiala:

i. This committee has been set up under the aegis of the Sports and Youth Affairs
Department.

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