MOHALI (SAS NAGAR), 13th March 2026:

The Progressive Punjab Investors Summit 2026 began on a strong note in Mohali on Friday, with investment commitments worth over ₹10,000 crore on the opening day and major industry leaders announcing expansion plans in the state. Addressing investors and industry leaders, AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal said the Punjab government would provide every facility needed for industries to compete with China, asserting that a business-friendly environment had already helped attract ₹1.50 lakh crore in investments in four years.

The AAP Supremo highlighted how the Bhagwant Mann government has introduced a 45-day single-window clearance system and is building a business-friendly ecosystem focused on human capital, industrial growth and large-scale job creation for youth. Punjab CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the summit marked the beginning of a new phase of economic growth, employment and industrial expansion, as the state positions itself as a major investment destination with faster approvals, pro-industry policies and a focus on education, healthcare and skilled manpower.

Addressing the Progressive Punjab Investors Summit, Punjab CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “In a major boost to the industrial development of the state, the Punjab government has roped in leading industries to invest in Punjab. It is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that on the very first day of the Progressive Punjab Investors Summit 2026, the state has secured investments worth more than ₹10,000 crore. Major industry leaders such as HMEL, Tata Steel, JSW, Trident Group, Hero Industries and several others have announced plans to expand and set up their ventures in the state.”

He continued, “Punjabis are known for their entrepreneurial abilities, innovation and problem solving spirit. You will rarely find a Punjabi begging because our people believe in hard work and are doers who can perform even in the most difficult conditions. Punjabis can work for 20 hours a day with unmatched dedication, commitment and resilience. This quality is unparalleled across the world.”

Highlighting the global identity of Punjabis, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Punjabis are a martial community, courageous and enterprising, and they have excelled in every field across the world. Whenever any tragedy strikes anywhere in the world, Punjabi ‘langar’ is often the first to reach those in need, following the teachings of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji of service and humanity. Punjab is also blessed with rich culture, fertile land and strong unity. Everything can grow on the fertile land of Punjab, but the seed of hatred can never take root here. Following the message of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji and the great Sikh Gurus, every Punjabi prays for the well being and progress of all. Since 2022, when our government assumed office, Punjab has witnessed remarkable progress across sectors such as power, health, real estate, infrastructure and education.”

Highlighting education reforms, he added, “Today the youth of Punjab are excelling in competitive examinations such as UPSC, JEE, NEET and IIT entrance tests because the state government has significantly strengthened the education sector. Thirty school principals from Punjab are currently in Singapore undergoing advanced training so that their expertise can further benefit students across the state. Punjab currently has operational airports in Mohali, Halwara, Amritsar, Bathinda, Pathankot and Adampur. At the same time, road infrastructure in the state is also developing rapidly. I invite industries to come, invest and work in Punjab so that together we can build a progressive and prosperous state.”

Citing examples of local success stories, he said, “Punjab based enterprises such as Sonalika, Preet Tractors, Duke, Monte Carlo and many others are shining examples of local entrepreneurship. The doors of Punjab are open to all investors and we welcome them with a red carpet. Our policies are flexible and designed to meet the needs of industry. I urge all of you to invest here, create jobs for Punjabis and help Punjab write a new success story. The state government is aligning skill education and training with the needs of industry so that a strong pool of skilled manpower is created in Punjab. Whatever the industry requires, the government will ensure that the youth receive the necessary training. This will create employment opportunities and accelerate economic growth in the state.”

Welcoming business leaders, Bhagwant Mann further said, “I welcome all business tycoons to the land of Gurus and Pirs. We are honoured to have such eminent personalities among us today. Punjab is one of the most favourable investment destinations in the country and we will leave no stone unturned to facilitate investors. Our vision is to build a strong partnership between the government and industry to make Punjab a leading industrial hub.”

Appealing to entrepreneurs, the Punjab CM stated, “Entrepreneurs are a source of inspiration for everyone and represent the opportunities that the youth of Punjab and India aspire to achieve. Whether we work in the public, private or non profit sectors, each one of us has a responsibility to fulfil if we are to realise our hopes and aspirations for our country, society and families. This summit is not merely about signing MOUs but about sharing knowledge, brainstorming and learning from each other.”

Speaking about the future vision, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann shared that ghe state government has chosen a path that will make the future of Punjab bright by accelerating economic growth. I have seen that the young generation of Punjab wants to achieve something big in life. They are natural leaders who cannot live in isolation. I firmly believe that God has given me this opportunity to lead Punjab so that we can bring meaningful change in the lives of our people.”

Highlighting innovation and technology, he continued, “Punjab is now at the threshold of transitioning toward a new culture of innovation and technology driven enterprise. The youth of the state are coming up with new ideas and innovations and it is our responsibility to support them. We are leaving no stone unturned for this noble cause. World class infrastructure, excellent connectivity, premier educational institutions and supportive government policies together make Punjab one of the most preferred investment destinations globally.”

Thanking industry leaders, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “I thank all the business leaders for becoming part of Punjab’s growth story. Our government is committed to transforming Punjab into a major industrial and export hub in the world. Punjab is among the top performing states in the Ease of Doing Business ranking conducted by the Government of India. Invest Punjab, the unified regulator of the Government of Punjab, has been recognised by the Government of India as one of the top performing investment promotion agencies.”

Explaining the governance approach, he added, “Our government seeks holistic economic and financial success for Punjab. I firmly believe that the pillars of our growth are good governance, digitisation, decisiveness, transparency and sensitivity. Combined with Punjab’s rich heritage and culture, these factors create a conducive environment for investors from across the globe to grow exponentially here. Punjab plays a crucial role in strengthening global value chains and supply chains through its manufacturing and infrastructure capabilities. I welcome all captains of industry to invest in Punjab, invest in the best. The world is going through challenging times, but we must recognise that each of us has the ability to contribute positively and that is the objective of this summit.”

Concluding his remarks, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The future is a shared responsibility for all of us. Punjab is perhaps the only place in the world whose people have a presence across the globe because Punjabis excel wherever they go. Punjabis possess an indomitable spirit to work hard and succeed. Wherever they go they make a mark. Punjab means business and I invite industry leaders to join hands with the government to build a prosperous future together.”

Meanwhile, AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal stated, “Punjab is the land of gurus and pir paigambars who gave such messages that for centuries have inspired not only Punjab, not only the country, but the entire world. Punjab is the land of hardworking people. Whenever the country faced a crisis of food, the hardworking farmers of Punjab ensured that the nation received food through their labour and filled the stomachs of the country.”

He said, “Punjab is also the land of patriots. In the freedom struggle, Punjabis made the highest sacrifices, and even today you will find the largest number of Punjabis serving in our armed forces. Punjab is also the land of entrepreneurs and businessmen. Entrepreneurship runs in the blood here. There is a joke that if one day humans begin living on the moon, the first establishment there will be a ‘Punjabi dhaba’.”

Reflecting on Punjab’s economic history, Arvind Kejriwal continued, “There was a time in the 1980s when Punjab ranked number one in the country in terms of per capita income. Economically, Punjab was the most developed and progressive state in the entire country. But over the last 40 years,  Punjab gradually slipped down to the 18th position. When we took charge of the government in 2022, there was a very gloomy atmosphere and industries were leaving Punjab. Industries were moving to Madhya Pradesh, some to Himachal Pradesh, and some to Uttar Pradesh. The economic condition of Punjab was extremely poor and the state was burdened with huge debt. It was in that situation that we took charge of Punjab.”

Explaining the approach taken by his party, the AAP Chief said, “I do not consider the Aam Aadmi Party to be just a party, or a political start up, and in industry language it is a ‘unicorn’. The progress that the Aam Aadmi Party has made in the last few years is remarkable. It has been barely 10 to 12 years, and within this short span Aam Aadmi Party has become a national party. Aam Aadmi Party is a party of youth and educated people. In our party you will find IIT engineers, IIM managers, chartered accountants, people educated at Oxford, lawyers, journalists. Therefore whenever a problem arises, we try to analyse it scientifically.”

“When we took charge of the government in Punjab and saw darkness everywhere, we tried to understand how many countries that were once behind India have progressed so much today. Take South Korea, Japan, Germany, Singapore, or China. Japan and Germany were completely devastated after the Second World War, yet today they are among the most developed countries. When Singapore became independent, it had almost nothing and its condition was extremely poor. At that time Singapore was far behind us, yet today Singapore has one of the highest per capita incomes in the world. South Korea was in terrible condition after the Korean War, but today it is one of the most developed countries. China was far behind India a few decades ago, but today China has become the number one country in the world,” he added.

Highlighting the lessons drawn from these examples, Arvind Kejriwal said that two broad things emerged from studying these countries and we drew inspiration from them. First, they sat down with their industrialists and discussed what needed to be done to achieve large scale industrial development. They asked what industries need, what people need, and what those doing business require. If you want exponential growth in industrial development, not just 4 percent or 5 percent growth, then what needs to be done. The second thing they did was invest in their human capital. Keeping these two points in mind, we followed the same path.

Explaining the consultations held with industry, he continued, “Over the last two to three years, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann and I travelled across Punjab and organised numerous meetings with industrialists, traders, and businesspeople, and listened to them about what they need. If we sit in our air conditioned rooms or if officers sit and think that we know everything, that is not true. We do not have expertise on how the textile industry works, or the hospitality industry or the challenges faced by real estate. What difficulties industries face and what they require can only be understood by listening to them.”

The AAP Supremo shared that after all these meetings one major conclusion emerged. People were unhappy with the government and troubled by government interference. There was only one demand that the government should stop interfering and allow them to do their work and run their businesses. Businesspeople were constantly entangled with government departments, approvals, penalties, threats, and inspections. All businesspersons and entrepreneurs were trapped in this system. Taking inspiration from these discussions, we started several reforms.

He said, “The first step we took was launching the Fast Track Punjab portal in June last year. If you want to set up a new industry or expand an existing one, you will receive approval within a flat 45 days through a single window system. You simply apply online. There is no need to meet anyone and no need to go anywhere. If approval is not granted within 45 days, then on the 46th day the software automatically grants all approvals. You receive deemed approval from all departments automatically and you do not have to go anywhere.”

“Everywhere people claim there is a single window, but in reality it never exists. However Punjab is different. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann personally monitors it. Cabinet minister Sanjeev Arora personally monitors every proposal. No proposal can go beyond 45 days. Approval is guaranteed within 45 days whether it is a large industry or a small one. I hope that in the coming years we will bring this timeline down to even 10 or 15 days,” he asserted.

Contrasting the new system with the earlier one, Arvind Kejriwal added, “There was a time before our government when unless you paid offerings to some minister or officer, approvals were not granted. It would take months and sometimes years. If you wanted to set up an industry, you needed recommendations and bribes, and even after that the work did not happen. Now that is no longer the case. You simply apply and by the 45th day you will receive approval.”

Explaining relief measures for small businesses, he further added, “Another major step has been taken for MSMEs (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises). If your investment is up to ₹15 crore, then you do not need any approval at all. You do not even have to wait for 45 days. You simply apply and within 5 days you will receive the letter. We take self certification, as an affidavit from the entrepreneur. I believe that such a facility that provides deemed approvals does not exist anywhere else in the country.”

Arvind Kejriwal said that after this, we started investing in human capital. Because if you do not have educated people, if you do not have healthy people, then who will run the industries and how will the industries function. When we studied other countries we found that Japan, Germany and Singapore invested the most in health and education. I have read Lee Kuan Yew’s book and all these countries invested heavily in these sectors. We did the same first in Delhi and now we have started investing in Punjab. Today I feel extremely happy to say that the Central Government conducted a study of all the states. When we took charge, Punjab ranked 18th in the country in the field of education. Last year Punjab became number one in the entire country in education. In just three years we reached the number one position in education.

Sharing outcomes of education reforms, he continued, “Today the children of Punjab’s government schools, who earlier did not even know what JEE is or what NEET is and were not aware of these exams, have begun achieving remarkable results. Last year, 300 students from government schools cleared JEE and 800 students from government schools cleared NEET. Today teachers from our government schools are being sent to Finland, Singapore and Canada for training. A very positive atmosphere has developed where children also feel that they are receiving a good education.

Speaking about healthcare reforms, Arvind Kejriwal said, “Earlier if someone from a poor family fell ill, it often led to tragedy. One major reason behind farmer suicides was illness in the family, as when someone fell sick they had to take loans, and when they could not repay those loans they ended up committing suicide. Now if someone falls ill they do not have to take such drastic steps. Government hospitals have been significantly improved. Under the new ₹10 lakh scheme, even the biggest hospitals, provide free treatment up to ₹10 lakh to poor farmers and poor labourers, irrespective of the illness. Such universal healthcare and universal security cover is rarely seen anywhere else.”

Connecting reforms to investment inflows, he emphasised, “The results of all these efforts have started showing. In the last four years Punjab has received investments worth ₹1.5 lakh crore. I am not talking about MOUs. I am talking about ₹1.5 lakh crore worth of investments that have already begun. Land has been purchased and projects have started on the ground. These investments will generate 5.5 lakh jobs for our youth.”

Arvind Kejriwal said that our country is a great nation and a very ancient civilisation. God has given everything to this country. When God created the earth, the most prosperous and beautiful land he created was ‘Bharatvarsh’. We have mountains, rivers, medicinal herbs, minerals, iron, coal and countless other resources. God did not leave anything out while giving us these gifts. When God created human beings, he created the most intelligent people in India. Wherever we go in the world, we excel. If you look at global CEOs around the world, you will see that many of them are Indians. The CEOs of Microsoft, Alphabet, IBM, Adobe, Chanel, Novartis, and Palo Alto are of Indian origins.”

“But I feel extremely sad when we import toys from China. We import plastic buckets, stationery, even the plastic containers in which we keep spices in our kitchens are imported from China. We import LED bulbs, decorative lights, electric kettles, wires, mobile phone chargers, alarm clocks, plastic toys and battery operated toys. Even the Lakshmi and Ganesh idols that we worship during Diwali are imported. The list is very long, including even things like Kumbhkaran, Ravan and Meghnath idols. Can we not make these ourselves? Someone told me that Chinese products are cheaper, but why can we not produce cheaper products ourselves? Give Punjabis the opportunity and they will manufacture products cheaper than China and even export to them,” he asserted.

The AAP Chief shared that in the last 75 years the governments of our country have not trusted the talent of our people. But our systems have been so weak that they do not allow anyone to do anything. We must be given opportunities. India must become number one and that we must defeat China. That should be our target. There was a film called Tezaab starring Madhuri Dixit and Anil Kapoor. It had a song that said defeating ordinary opponents means nothing, defeat Dara Singh if you really want to prove yourself. Tell us what you need to defeat China and we will provide it to you in Punjab. CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, the entire Punjab government and I stand with you.

He added, “My blood boils when I see that even after 75 years of independence we import plastic buckets and phone chargers from China. We cannot make our own Lakshmi and Ganesh idols. This is a matter of patriotism. You must do this for the country. Tell us what you need and start exporting to China. Whatever environment you require, we will provide it. This is not a hollow promise. You have already seen that the guarantees given by Arvind Kejriwal before the last elections have been fulfilled. I am giving this guarantee to all industries. If you guide us and tell us what you need, we will provide everything required.”

“The AAP leadership, especially CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, is known to be a very popular people’s leader. He stays among the people and you can meet him anytime, even at midnight or two in the morning. I do not think you will find such a Chief Minister again. Minister Sanjeev Arora has truly won the hearts of the industry. Yesterday an industrialist came to me and said that no one knows when he even sleeps. When we organised meetings with industries across different places earlier, we used to hear many negative things from industrialists and traders. People complained about the difficulties they faced and the number of rounds they had to make to government offices. There was a lot of negativity in the environment. But last night during the dinner with industrialists where CM Bhagwant Singh Mann and I were present, the atmosphere was extremely positive. Many people said that they had never seen a government so positive towards industry,” he shared.

Acknowledging the progress made, Arvind Kejriwal said, “In the journey of any state or country, three or four years is a very small period. But if in four years we have managed to change the direction of the wind and bring new energy and positivity about Punjab, then I believe this is a major achievement of the Punjab government.”

Chandigarh /Mohali, March 13:

On the sidelines of the Progressive Punjab Investor Summit – 2026, which commenced here today at Plaksha University, the Global Network Japan Co.Ltd. make a strong committment of partnering with the Punjab Government led by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann in promoting clean and green energy.

Dr. Rohit Bakshi from the Global Network Japan company disclosed that the main aim of the company is to effectively manage paddy waste by purchasing the paddy directly from the farmers and make ethanol as it is eco-friendly and renewable. The motive is to promote green energy and make such value added products from the waste which would boost economy.

Punjab produces 20 crore tonnes of waste every year and if that is recycled in a proper way then it can work wonders in promoting green energy concept.

Experience with Punjab Government was good as we were guided very patiently in detail at each and, every step.

We are on agreement stage & intend to set up a plant as pilot project initially with Rs. 500 crore investment. For that we require 20 acre land to begin with, added Dr. Rohit Bakshi.

On the occasion, CEO – Mobutoki Ito, Masahiro Saito, Dr. Manpreet Singh, Dr. Rohit Bakshi were present.

CHANDIGARH/MOHALI, March 13:

          Asserting that Mohali is rapidly emerging as a major technology and startup hub under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Cabinet Minister for Industries & Commerce, Investment Promotion, Power and Local Government Sanjeev Arora on Friday envisioned a transformative future for Mohali, stating that the city is rapidly on its way to becoming the “Silicon Valley”.

          Addressing a high-powered session titled “Brand Mohali” on the first day of the Progressive Punjab Investors’ Summit 2026 at Plaksha University, the Minister emphasised that Mohali is no longer just a satellite town but a global technology and start-up destination.

          Minister Sanjeev Arora announced that the Punjab government is establishing a dedicated start-up hub at Kalkat Bhavan, modeled after the world-renowned Pangyo Techno Valley in South Korea. “Just as South Korea has its Silicon Valley, Punjab will soon have its own in Mohali. Our Chief Minister has already granted permission for this project, which will serve as a nerve centre for innovation,” said the Minister.

          Highlighting the competitive edge of the new Industrial Policy, the Minister informed the gathering that power reforms have been a cornerstone of the state’s strategy. “We have moved IT companies and data centres from commercial to industrial power rates. Consequently, IT firms in Mohali will now receive the cheapest power in the entire country,” he stated.

          He further detailed the lucrative worker subsidies, offering ₹5,000 per worker per month for IT firms and ₹7,000 for Global Capability Centres (GCCs), with significantly lowered eligibility barriers to encourage small and medium enterprises.

          During the session, which saw participation from leaders in the hospitality, IT, education and medical sectors, Sanjeev Arora addressed the growing infrastructure needs.

          He noted the recent auction of the Mohali Convention Centre and the opening of an Infosys Centre as milestones in the city’s urban expansion. “Mohali is emerging as a destination not just for business, but for destination weddings and international conferences, given its proximity to the hills and the international airport,” he added.

          Touching upon the IT talent pool, Sanjeev Arora remarked that Punjabis constitute a massive portion of the workforce in global tech hubs like Silicon Valley. “By investing in Mohali, companies can hire the top 1% of Punjabi talent who prefer to stay close to their roots and culture, ensuring a much lower attrition rate compared to other tech hubs,” the Minister said.

          On the healthcare front, the Minister congratulated the expansion of local medical facilities, including a ₹900 crore investment in hospital infrastructure, while urging private players to focus on “affordable healthcare” for the common man.

          Regarding air connectivity, the Minister shared insights from recent discussions with Air India and Air India Express leadership, noting that while aircraft shortages are a global challenge, the state is pushing for more international slots to match Mohali’s growth trajectory.

          Earlier, Principal Secretary Housing and Urban Development Department Vikas Garg highlighted that over the past one year, more than Rs 10,000 crores worth of land has been auctioned in the Mohali. Further, plans are in place to acquire 7,000 acres land in the city for full development infrastructure of Mohali, he said, while stating, “Our focus is to bring Mohali on map of Asia.”

          The session featured prominent panelists including Chief Development Officer of ITC Hotels Limited Bhaskar Baruah, Founding Vice Chancellor Plaksha University Dr Rudra Pratap, Regional COO of Fortis Healthcare Ashish Bhatia, Co-Founder and CEO of Netsmartz Manipal Dhariwal and Founter TT Consultants, Xlscout Jitin Talwar, while, MDP of Boston Consulting Group was Moderator of the session. Vice Chairperson of the Punjab Development Commission Seema Bansal was also present on the occasion.

Chandigarh:

The Governor of Punjab and Administrator, U.T. Chandigarh, Gulab Chand Kataria, today reaffirmed the importance of citizen-centric planning in shaping the cities of the future. Addressing the Urban Innovation Summit, he emphasized that urban development should focus on enhancing the well-being, convenience and overall quality of life of citizens through balanced, sustainable and inclusive planning.

The Administrator noted that well-planned cities can become vibrant, inclusive and livable spaces where residents enjoy easy access to essential services, community facilities and a healthy environment. He underlined that thoughtful planning, strong infrastructure and sustainable policies play a key role in building future-ready cities that create opportunities and improve everyday life.

 Highlighting the importance of innovation and collaboration in urban governance, Shri Kataria described the summit as a valuable platform that brings together policymakers, industry leaders and urban planners to exchange ideas and develop solutions for smart, sustainable and inclusive urban development.

Shri Kataria further observed that modern cities must focus on the happiness, well-being and convenience of citizens to ensure that development remains people-oriented. Emphasizing citizen-focused governance, the he highlighted the importance of accessible civic facilities, vibrant community spaces and people-friendly urban design that promote social interaction and strengthen community life, making cities more livable for residents while also enhancing their appeal as welcoming and vibrant destinations for tourists.

The summit was jointly organised by the Municipal Corporation Chandigarh and Elets Technomedia, and witnessed participation from over 150 delegates and more than 30 speakers, including policymakers, urban planners, technology leaders and governance experts from across the country. The programme commenced with a Nukkad Natak by the Municipal Corporation highlighting civic awareness and citizen participation, followed by the ceremonial lamp lighting and the National Song.

Welcoming the delegates, Sh. Amit Kumar, IAS, Commissioner, Municipal Corporation Chandigarh, said that cities today are engines of economic growth and innovation. He noted that India’s urban population is expected to reach nearly 600 million by 2030 and contribute close to 70 percent of the country’s GDP. He added that the Municipal Corporation Chandigarh is actively integrating digital technologies in civic administration and has already implemented the first phase of smart parking systems, while the second phase is expected to roll out soon.

In his address, Sh. Saurabh Joshi, Mayor of Chandigarh, emphasised that as India moves towards becoming a developed nation, cities must evolve into smarter, greener and more inclusive spaces. He stated that future cities should remain citizen-centric, environmentally responsible and technologically empowered, and highlighted the importance of collaboration between government, industry and citizens in shaping sustainable urban ecosystems.

The summit featured several policy dialogues, industry presentations and panel discussions focusing on digital governance, cybersecurity, sustainable infrastructure and innovations in urban services such as water management, waste processing and sanitation. Experts from government departments, academia and the technology sector shared insights on building resilient infrastructure, leveraging data-driven governance and promoting sustainable urban growth.

The Urban Innovation Summit 2026 concluded with a shared commitment among policymakers, civic authorities and industry leaders to strengthen innovation, sustainability and citizen-centric governance in order to build smarter, resilient and future-ready cities across India.

At the summit, Gulab Chand Kataria also highlighted the importance of innovation and collaboration in shaping future-ready cities and described the gathering as an important platform for policymakers, industry leaders and urban planners to develop solutions for smart, sustainable and inclusive urban development.

New Delhi/Chandigarh, March 13
Former Union Minister and Member of Parliament from Chandigarh Manish Tewari today raised vital issue of healthcare in Chandigarh in the Lok Sabha. With entire focus on the state of healthcare in the Union Territory of Chandigarh, Tewari vide his unstarred question number 3521, sought clarity from the Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare on several pressing matters.

Tewari began by asking about the sanctioned strength of doctors in Chandigarh’s Health Department – cadre-wise and post-wise. “The date on which new posts of doctors were last created in Chandigarh and the number and categories of such posts, along with details of the relevant orders issued”, he asked the Minister.

The Chandigarh MP then pressed for details on vacancies, emphasizing the need for specialty-wise information –Medicine, Surgery, Anesthesia, Radiology, Pediatrics – so that the true picture of shortages could be understood. From there, he turned to the question of new posts, inquiring when the regular recruitment to doctors’ posts was last conducted, along with the number of posts filled and the specialties covered.

Tewari also asked about how many doctors are currently serving in Chandigarh on deputation, broken down State and Union Territory-wise. Finally, he asked whether the deputations are guided by specialty-specific requirements along with the details of the policy or criteria governing such deputation.

Meanwhile, responding to the questions put forward by Tewari, the Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav instead of giving Chandigarh-specific figures, emphasized that Public Health and Hospitals are state subjects. He shifted responsibility to the Union Territory administration, saying that the primary duty to create posts and fill vacancies lies with the State/UT.

“The Minister did not answer the specific questions raised – no numbers, no dates, no specialty-wise breakdown, no recruitment details and no deputation figures. This is a classic case of a diplomatic ducking”, said Tewari, adding that the Minister avoided committing to hard data by framing the answer in general policy terms.

While Tewari asserted that his intervention was about transparency and accountability in Chandigarh’s healthcare staffing, the Minister’s reply sidestepped the specifics, offering instead a generic policy narrative. “In parliamentary practice, this is often seen as a way to avoid admitting gaps or shortages publicly. So while the reply may be formally valid, it does not satisfy the intent of the question – it’s more of a diplomatic evasion than a substantive answer.”

Box

Meanwhile, in a moment that cut through the usual diplomatic evasions, Tewari laid bare the startling reality of Chandigarh’s health infrastructure. “I am given to understand by informed people that the break-up of the total number of doctors in Chandigarh stands at 164 Medical Officers (MO), 28 Senior Medical Officers (SMO) and approximately 29 Dental SMOs – totaling around 221 doctors out of which 180 are serving on deputation. Strip those away and the city is left with barely 41 doctors locally or otherwise deployed”, he said. Mincing no words Tewari added, “Perhaps the reason why the Chandigarh Administration and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare did not want to disclose the Health Infrastructure personnel profile of Chandigarh.

Chandigarh:

Aam Aadmi Party’s National Media In-charge Anurag Dhanda launched a sharp attack on the BJP governments at the Centre and in Haryana over the growing LPG gas shortage in the state. He said that due to the government’s negligence, a serious cooking gas crisis has emerged across the state, causing immense hardship for the common people.

Anurag Dhanda said that in many cities and towns of the state, long queues are forming outside gas agencies from early morning. People are forced to wait for several hours and still have to return empty-handed. In districts such as Panipat, Karnal, Hisar and nearby areas, the situation has become so severe that people are unable to get cylinders even after standing in line for 7 to 9 hours. At several places, gas agencies are shutting their shutters after stock runs out, forcing people to return disappointed.

He said that according to reports, gas deliveries in several districts have dropped significantly compared to normal days. In some places, 300–350 cylinders at a single agency are getting exhausted within minutes, while hundreds of people remain in line. Dhanda said that work has stopped in 220 LPG-based factories in Panipat. Domestic gas deliveries have reportedly dropped by nearly 80 percent. From small tea vendors to dhaba and hotel owners, many are being forced to shut down their businesses. Not only domestic consumers but also hotels, dhabas, tea stalls and small traders are severely affected.

Anurag Dhanda further said that in many parts of the state the situation has become so difficult that people are being forced to return to wood-fired stoves or other alternatives. Due to the gas shortage, small businesses are on the verge of closure. There are also reports of black marketing of cylinders in several areas, where people are being charged between ₹2000 and ₹3000 for a single cylinder. This clearly reflects the failure of the government.

He said that in many villages of Haryana, women are spending the entire day visiting gas agencies in search of cylinders. Elderly people and labourers are forced to leave their work and stand in queues. It is extremely unfortunate that in a country where the government constantly promotes the “Ujjwala Yojana,” poor and middle-class households are now struggling to even cook food.

Anurag Dhanda said that the BJP government only indulges in propaganda and slogan-based politics, while the ground reality is completely different. If the government had proper planning and management, such a gas crisis would never have arisen in Haryana. He added that the Aam Aadmi Party government in Delhi has shown that with honest intentions and efficient administration, people do not have to face such hardships.

He demanded that the central and state governments immediately increase gas supply, take strict action against black marketing, and ensure adequate stock at gas agencies across all districts. He also said that the Aam Aadmi Party stands with the people of Haryana and will continue to strongly raise this issue until relief is provided to the public.

Chandigarh, March 12

The Department of Experimental Medicine and Biotechnology at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, has brought laurels to the institution by securing several prestigious awards at recent national and international scientific events.

During the Annual Research Day of PGIMER held on March 7, 2026, Dr. Ashok Yadav was awarded the Second Prize, while Dr. Sheetal Sharma secured the Third Prize in the Best Paper Award category for their research presentations.
Further recognition came at the ANRF-sponsored International Conference on “Antimicrobial Resistance & Biotechnology for Global Health,” organized by the Faculty of Applied Science and Biotechnology at Shoolini University, Solan (Himachal Pradesh), on March 9–10, 2026. At the conference, Dr. Jyoti Kundu and Dr. Sheemona Chowdhary were honoured with the Women Scientist Award in the categories of Clinical, Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Environmental Sciences, respectively.In addition, Ms. Sumanpreet Kaur received the Early Research Career Award for her promising research contributions. Ms. Parul Yadav, an M.Sc. student, and Mr. Vishal, a Ph.D. scholar, were awarded Best Poster Awards for their research presentations.
These achievements highlight the strong scientific contributions and innovative research being carried out by the faculty members and students of the department. The department congratulated all the awardees for their accomplishments and for bringing pride and recognition to the institute.