The Punjab Government will soon come up with a quick response (QR) code-based track and trace mechanism for liquor supply to prevent the smuggling and sale of spurious liquor in the border state. Besides, a technical support unit (TSU) will be set up for faecal sludge and septage management (FSSM) implementation in rural areas of Punjab.These decisions were taken at the 157th meeting of the executive committee of Punjab Infrastructure Development Board (PIDB), chaired by the Chief Secretary, Ms Vini Mahajan, to review the various infrastructure projects including those being executed on public private partnership, in the state, here.Instructing the concerned officials for bringing reforms to check the smuggling and sale of spurious liquor in the state, the Chief Secretary said the QR code-based track and trace mechanism has been designed in public private partnership (PPP) mode, which will help in keeping an effective check on spurious and illicit liquor by real time data monitoring and verification of production and supply.To give further impetus to infrastructure development in the state, Ms Mahajan directed the departments concerned to expedite the execution of the second phase of the urban environment improvement programme in the state.
The PIDB executive committee approved raising a loan of Rs 300 crore for phase 3 of the urban environment improvement programme to accelerate the urban development in the state.Reviewing the progress of ongoing work on Sangrur Kothi, Durbar Hall and Gol Kothi in Kapurthala, Ran Baas, and Qila Mubarak in Patiala, the Chief Secretary said the Captain Amarinder Singh-led state government was committed to preserve the rich heritage of the state.She asked the officials concerned to ensure time-bound completion of the work, while discussing development, operation, and maintenance of circuit house in Amritsar on PPP mode.The meeting also approved the projects of commercial complex-cum-convention centre in Mohali and Amritsar over an area of 6 acres and 8.26 acres, respectively, with revised parameters to attract investment.The progress of eco-tourism around Ranjit Sagar lake was also reviewed, the bidding for which was under process.It was further decided to take up three new projects -- old PWD headquarter building at Mall Road in Patiala as heritage hotel on PPP mode, multi-level car parking and office space in Ludhiana, and multi-level parking with commercial development space in Patiala on PPP mode.