PUNJAB CABINET ACCORDS APPROVAL FOR SETTING UP OF GEETA ADHYAYAN AND SANATANI GRANTH INSTITUTE AT JAGAT GURU NANAK DEV PUNJAB STATE OPEN UNIVERSITY, PATIALA

 ALSO APPROVES SETTING UP OF FILM & TELEVISION DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

Chandigarh, December 23: The Punjab Cabinet accorded approval for setting up of Geeta Adhyayan and Sanatani Granth Institute at Jagat Guru Nanak Dev Punjab State Open University, Patiala to carry out teaching research into wisdom and belief of these faiths.

According to a spokesperson of Chief Minister’s Office, this Centre will promote a considerate attitude towards the other’s spiritual, religious, ethnic and metaphysical perspectives, principles and customs fortifies the societies and helps overcome the social, economic and environmental trails the world is facing today. With the belief that discord exists at various levels of faith, cultural communities, and religious institutions, the Institute will also work to uproot these challenges.

The setting up of Geeta Adhyayan and Sanata Granth Institute would require wide range consolidation and also monitoring mechanisms so that the institute can be set up early and also start delivering the desired outcomes. Accordingly, a foundation would be constituted under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister. Further, a managing committee for the institute under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary would also be notified separately after obtaining the approval of the Education Minister and the Chief Minister to oversee the implementation of the Institute. This foundation shall be fully empowered to decide the name of the Institute, its detailed activities, recruitment of staff and all other related decisions both relating to capital expenditure, operation and maintenance of the Institute. 

APPROVES SETTING UP OF FILM & TELEVISION DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

To promote art, heritage and culture to the outer World as well as connecting to the people through film, television and OTT Platform, the Cabinet gave its assent for setting up of Film & Television Development Council (FTDC) in the state.

This Council would be constituted of 11 members having a Chairperson who would be nominated by the State Government and Administrative Secretary of Tourism & Cultural Affairs to be its Chairperson. This Council will consist of two Artists, one Director, one Producer, one Cinematographer, one Line Producer, one Film Educationist and one Digital Promoter/Distributor/Syndication & Marketing Promoter whereas Director, Tourism and Cultural Affairs would be the Member Secretary of the Council. One third of the members would be women. The Cabinet also authorized the Chief Minister for making any changes in future and for approval of its terms and conditions.

Notably, Punjabi films are now released in other states as also in other countries like Australia, Canada, America, UK and New Zealand. The Punjabi film Industry approximately produces about 55 films annually.

APPROVES FOR CREATION AND FILING UP OF ADDITIONAL 69 POSTS FOR THEME PARK, SRI CHAMKAUR SAHIB

The Cabinet also gave its assent for creation and filling up of additional 69 new posts on contract basis for Theme Park, Sri Chamkaur Sahib. The Cabinet also allowed the Department to recruit/engage the manpower as recommended by the Officers’ Committee. The Cabinet also authorized the Chief Minister to approve for making any changes in future in this regard.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Department of Cultural Affairs has constructed a World class Theme Park called Dastan-e-Shahadat at Sri Chamkaur Sahib which was inaugurated on November 11, 2021. It has 11 galleries wherein the extraordinary history of Sikh Religion and sacrifices of Guru Sahibans with special emphasis on importance of Chamkaur Sahib have been shown in a beautiful manner. This infrastructure requires manpower for its operation and maintenance.

ALSO APPROVES ANNUAL ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS OF POWER DEPARTMENT

The Cabinet also approves annual administrative reports of PSPCL of power department for the year 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19.