Chandigarh, October 24:

Punjab Water Resources Minister Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal today directed that a special committee be constituted to visit other states and study innovative as well as economical flood protection techniques suitable for Punjab’s topography.

Chairing a high-level meeting at the Committee Room of the Irrigation Building, the Water Resources Minister said that such comparative studies would help in adopting cost-efficient and practical methods to strengthen the state’s flood management infrastructure. He issued strict directions to the department for timely completion of all flood protection and desilting works ahead of the next monsoon season. The Minister reviewed the ongoing and proposed measures for flood prevention and effective water management across the state.

Taking up the matter of recurring flooding in Baupur Island, the Cabinet Minister expressed concern over the hardships faced by local residents and instructed the department to work out suitable technical solutions to provide permanent relief. He also reviewed the situation in waterlogged areas and asked officials to plan and execute long-term projects to ensure sustainable mitigation.

Sh. Goyal stressed that all flood protection works must be executed with full diligence and completed well before the onset of the next monsoon season. He directed officials to ensure close monitoring of field execution and timely completion of tendering processes.

While discussing the desilting programme, the Cabinet Minister stressed that field execution should commence at the earliest to ensure the natural flow of water through rivers and drains. He further directed that plantations and other obstructions from river courses must be removed without delay. Officials informed that notices have already been issued to those responsible for encroachments.

The meeting also reviewed the status of breach repair works undertaken during recent floods. The Water Resources Minister lauded the dedicated efforts of field officers and district administrations for executing these works swiftly and effectively.

Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included Principal Secretary Sh. Krishan Kumar, Chief Engineer (Drainage) S. Hardeep Singh Mendiratta, Chief Engineer (Designs) Mr. Vijay Kumar Garg and senior officers of the department.

Chandigarh, October 24, 2025 :

 Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan on Friday organised a soulful Gurbani Shabad Kirtan at his ancestral residence in village Sandhwan, district Faridkot, where he honoured the Ragis, Granthis and Pathi Singhs who performed Kirtan with deep reverence. On this sacred occasion, he presented robes of honour (Siropas) to them as a mark of gratitude for their spiritual service to the Sikh Panth and the community.

Among the distinguished guests was Bhai Amandeep Singh, one of the ‘Panj Pyare’ from Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, Talwandi Sabo, who lauded Speaker Sandhwan’s significant efforts to rectify the errors in the recently republished Mahan Kosh by Punjabi University, Patiala. He said that the corrective steps taken by the Speaker reflect his deep respect for Sikh heritage and scholarly authenticity. Bhai Amandeep Singh further appreciated Sandhwan’s dedicated supervision of the conservation and restoration work at the historic Haveli of Diwan Todar Mal at Sri Fatehgarh Sahib, a site that holds immense reverence in Sikh history for its association with supreme sacrifice and faith.

He also commended the Speaker’s initiatives to outline the 350th centenary observance of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji and his consistent efforts to propagate the universal message of Bhai Kanhaiya Ji, the message of seva, compassion and humanity beyond caste, creed and religion. On the occasion, Jathedar Baba Kulwant Singh Chanakya offered ardaas before Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and expressed gratitude for divine blessings.

In his address, Speaker Sandhwan emphasised the need for institutional responsibility within the Sikh religious administration, particularly the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) and other global Gurdwara management bodies, to ensure that Ragis, Granthis and Pathi Singhs receive fair and dignified remuneration. He said that these individuals, who dedicate their lives to preserving and spreading the message of Gurbani, must be financially supported so they can provide for their children, care for their parents and meet their family’s needs with honour.

Sandhwan announced that he would soon submit a written representation to the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib urging him to consider issuing suitable directions to fix a minimum salary structure for Ragis, Granthis and Pathi Singhs across all Gurdwaras. He said he would also meet the Jathedar personally to pursue this cause of collective concern for the Panth.

Expressing his humility before the Sangat, the Speaker said that his home and family would always remain open to serve devotees and scholars engaged in promoting Sikh principles and community welfare. His family members, Mata Gurmail Kaur, Bibi Gurpreet Kaur Sandhwan, Bibi Paramjit Kaur, and Advocate Birinder Singh, along with several Panthic leaders and representatives of various organisations, also participated in the event, which concluded with a collective prayer for peace, unity and Chardi Kala of the Sikh Panth.

Chandigarh, October 25

The General Secretary of All India Congress Committee, former Union Minister, and Member of Parliament from Sirsa, Kumari Selja has said that while the BJP government in the state talks about Vikas Raj, in reality, Haryana is witnessing “Jungle Raj. Officials are not listening to the government, and government officials are not listening to the public. Criminals have no fear of the police uniform, and incidents such as murder, loot, robbery, kidnapping, and rape are taking place openly across the state. Kumari Selja said the root cause behind most crimes is the flourishing drug trade, which continues unchecked. People are dying daily due to drug abuse, and in Sirsa, drug traffickers are destroying the lives of young people.

In a statement released to the media, MP Kumari Selja said that the government in Haryana is not functioning; it is asleep. As per the Social Progress Index (SPI) report of the Central Government, Haryana is listed among the most unsafe states in India. Crime in the state is increasing rapidly, and criminals act fearlessly. Kumari Selja accused the state government of neglecting crime control, saying that there is no longer any control of the government over the police, allowing criminals to act with impunity. Whenever the public raises its voice, the Chief Minister, ministers, and MLAs claim that crime is under control and that anyone breaking the law will not be spared. However, the ground reality is the opposite murders, loots, robberies, kidnappings, and rapes are happening openly every day. Kumari Selja cited a recent shocking incident in Kharkhoda (Sonipat), where a father and son were shot dead in broad daylight with twelve bullets, while the police were seen doing nothing more than their usual post-incident formalities. Kumari Selja said that a large number of people are going missing across the state a very alarming trend. Between January and March this year alone, 4,100 people went missing in Haryana, and over 1,000 people were kidnapped. Cases of murder and culpable homicide have shown a startling increase compared to previous years. These figures, she said, are clear evidence of the total collapse of the public safety system under the BJP government. 

Kumari Selja said that these are only the cases officially registered in police stations; a large number of cases never even reach the police or get recorded. Referring to last year’s Social Progress Index report, Selja pointed out that the Central Government itself ranked Haryana as the most unsafe state in the country. According to NCRB (National Crime Records Bureau) data, Haryana ranks number one in crimes against women and children, including rape, kidnapping, and robbery. Kumari Selja said that the data reveals that three to four murders occur in the state every day, four to five women are raped daily, around a dozen kidnappings, and nearly 100 cases of theft, loot, robbery, and extortion take place every single day. Kumari Selja said that districts such as Gurugram, Faridabad, Hisar, Karnal, Sonipat, Rohtak, and Panipat have emerged as high-crime zones, with a significant rise in criminal cases being recorded.

Chandigarh, October 24

The French Institute in India, in collaboration with the Alliance Française network, is set to present a captivating cine-concert — Paris qui dort, a 1924 French silent film reborn with an electrifying live score by acclaimed French drummer and composer Stéphane Scharlé.

The performance will take place on Sunday at Café Théâtre, Alliance Française, Sector 36, Chandigarh at 5 PM. Entry is free and open to all.

We are thrilled to welcome Stéphane Scharlé and this poetic revival of Paris qui dort as the first event in our newly refurbished theatre. As the new director of the Alliance Française of Chandigarh, I am particularly proud to reopen this space to the city’s audiences and to celebrate French creativity in such a meaningful way”, said, Fiona Guerra, Director, Alliance Française de Chandigarh

Having performed over 500 concerts across 40 countries, Scharlé now brings Tricity audiences a deeply immersive experience, one where cinema, sound, and imagination collide.

This unique event blends classic cinema with modern rhythm, reviving René Clair’s visionary film where Paris freezes under a mysterious ray. Scharlé, founder of the jazz collective OZMA, reimagines this century-old masterpiece using his self-invented Augmented Drum, merging percussion, loops, and electronic textures to create a mesmerising soundscape.

The Chandigarh performance is part of Scharlé’s India Tour presented by Compagnie Tangram, with support from the French Institute in India and the Alliance Française network, bringing audiences an immersive journey where cinema, sound, and imagination intertwine.

Chandigarh, 24 October 2025:

In a significant diplomatic engagement, Cabinet Ministers Sanjeev Arora and Gurmeet Singh Khudian paid a courtesy visit to Chief Minister Revanth Reddy of Telangana. During the meeting, the ministers formally extended an invitation to the Chief Minister to participate in the upcoming commemorative events marking the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, organized by the Government of Punjab.

The event is scheduled to take place from 20th November at Anandpur Sahib, a historic city of great spiritual and cultural importance in Sikh tradition. The ministers highlighted the importance of this occasion as a symbol of sacrifice, spiritual strength, and unity, emphasizing its significance in promoting harmony and understanding across different communities.

On this occasion, the Chief Minister expressed his appreciation for the invitation and conveyed his consideration and intent to participate in the event.

Additionally, during the meeting, the Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and the ministers engaged in detailed discussions on their respective state’s health and education systems. They exchanged insights, best practices, and explored avenues for further improve these sectors in Telangana and Punjab. The conversations reflected a shared commitment towards enhancing public welfare and fostering cooperative development initiatives.

The meeting underscored the importance of cultural and social ties between the two states, emphasizing the shared values of sacrifice, service, and progress.

Chandigarh, October 24

The Ministers of the Punjab Cabinet, on Friday, called on the Chief Ministers of various states to formally extend invitations for the upcoming events commemorating the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji, being organised by the Government of Punjab.

Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains, along with Deepak Bali, Advisor to the Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, met with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to invite him to attend the commemorative events.

In a separate engagement, Cabinet Minister Dr Balbir Singh and Hardeep Singh Mundian met with Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren to extend an invitation for him to attend the functions being organised to mark the 350th Shahidi Purab of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji.

Furthermore, the Cabinet Minister Tarunpreet Singh Saund called on the Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, to invite her to the events marking the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji.

The meetings are part of the Punjab Government’s initiative to ensure wide participation in the historic events being organised in Punjab to commemorate the 350th martyrdom anniversary of ‘Hind Di Chadar’ Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, the Ninth Sikh Guru.

Chandigarh, October 24:

The Finance & Contract Committee of Municipal Corporation Chandigarh has approved permission for setting up temporary stalls for three days during the upcoming Gurpurab Celebration. The decision aims to facilitate the smooth conduct of religious festivities and provide necessary amenities to devotees and visitors while ensuring proper regulation and cleanliness in the area.

This significant decision was taken during the Finance and Contract Committee (F&CC) meeting held today under the chairpersonship of Smt. Harpreet Kaur Babla, Mayor, MCC. The meeting was attended by MC Commissioner Sh. Amit Kumar, IAS,  Sh. Pardeep Kumar, IAS, Special Commissioner, committee members Sh. Gurpreet Singh, Sh. Saurabh Joshi, Smt. Suman Devi, Smt. Poonam, Sh. Jasmanpreet Singh and other senior officers of MCC.

The Committee also disused and accorded approval to the following agenda items:

·        Procurement of one new Sawraj Mazda (Water Tanker) in place of old condemned water tanker to provide water supply service in the area of Maninmajra including village Kishangarh at an estimated cost of Rs. 23.63 lacs.

·        Providing and laying of 450mm (18”) i/d RCC NP-2 SWD line along with construction of machine hole & road gully chambers for proper disposal of rain water at various locations of Sector 48, Chandigarh at an estimated cost of Rs. 27.97 lacs.

·        Strengthening of existing SWD line for smooth disposal of rain water at H. No. 223, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238 & 239 of Judges House Sector 16, Chandigarh at an estimated cost of Rs. 38.15 lacs.

·        Rough cost estimate for installation of CCTV Cameras in IDLE Truck parking, Sector 26, Chandigarh at an estimated cost of Rs. 17.44 lacs.

·        The F&CC of MCC has approved the organization of Chhath Puja celebration at the Pond, Green Belt Part-I, Indira Colony Manimajra, Chandigarh. Earlier, the General House of MCC had already passed an agenda for organizing Chhath Puja at Sundar Nagar, Mauli Jagran, Chandigarh. Accordingly, the Municipal Corporation Chandigarh will conduct Chhath Puja celebration at two locations this year to facilitate devotees in different parts of the city.

Chandigarh, October 24

Punjab Public Works Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO on Friday instructed the officials to speed up the work of road projects and complete the projects before November 15, 2025 in wake of Martyrdom Day celebrations.

In a press briefing issued here, the Cabinet Minister said that the Chandigarh Circle of the Public Works Department has finalized a comprehensive plan for the upgrading and maintenance of key roads and lighting infrastructure in Shri Anandpur Sahib, coinciding with the 350th Martyrdom Anniversary of Shri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji. The total estimated grant for the planned works and associated maintenance activities amounts to approximately ₹24.51 Crore .

Harbhajan Singh ETO said that the plan includes the upgrading of vital roads such as the Sri Anandpur Sahib to Dashmesh Academy Road, internal city roads and the route from Sri Anandpur Sahib to Sri Naina Devi Road, among others. A major component involves the improvement of road surfaces, bridges and connected lanes with an estimated cost of ₹23 crore. An additional ₹77.58 lacs has been allocated for special repair and maintenance works.

The Cabinet Minister further said that repair works covering strategic road stretches and electrical maintenance of road lighting have also been prioritized. Regular and special repairs, replacement of damaged electrical poles, installation of LED lighting and the upgrade of aluminum and copper wiring are part of the initiative, addressing both functional efficiency and safety.

Harbhajan Singh ETO informed that total sanctioned amount for these works stands at ₹24.51 crores. The department reaffirms its commitment to ensuring top-quality infrastructure to facilitate smooth travel for pilgrims and residents as well as to enhance the overall environment during this historic commemoration.

Chandigarh, October 24 – The Haryana Government today announced an enhancement in the rates of Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) payable to its employees and pensioners/family pensioners. Those drawing their pay and pension/family pension as per the 7th Pay/Pension Commission Structure will now receive DA and DR at the rate of 58 percent, increased from the existing 55 percent of the basic pay and pension/family pension, with effect from 1st July, 2025.

According to the letter issued by Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi, who is also holding the charge of Additional Chief Secretary, Finance Department, the enhanced rate of DA and DR shall be paid with the pay and pension/family pension for the month of October, 2025, while the arrears for the months of July to September, 2025 shall be paid in November, 2025.

The payment on account of DA and DR involving fractions of fifty paise and above shall be rounded off to the next higher rupee, and fractions of less than fifty paise shall be ignored.

Chandigarh, October 24 – Haryana is taking significant steps to establish itself as a leading hub for electronics manufacturing by actively seeking to attract investments under the Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS) of the Government of India. The state will soon announce a slew of incentives under its Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) Policy, which aims to offer a wide range of fiscal and non-fiscal incentives to attract investment. In this direction, Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi chaired a high-level meeting today to review strategies for setting up electronic component manufacturing plants in the state and to accelerate the growth of the electronics component manufacturing ecosystem.

The Chief Secretary emphasized that the core objective of the state’s initiative is to attract major investments, create employment opportunities and strengthen Haryana’s integration into the global electronics value chain. He noted that while India’s domestic electronic production has witnessed impressive growth—rising at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17% since FY15— the design and component manufacturing ecosystem remains at a nascent stage.

Currently, Haryana contributes about 2.9% (USD 0.8 billion) to India’s total electronics exports and supports around 1.3 million jobs in the sector. Sh. Rastogi underlined that Haryana has immense potential to expand this contribution through targeted policy support, strategic investor engagement, and the creation of enabling infrastructure such as the Electronics Manufacturing Cluster at IMT Sohna.

Under the draft new Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) Policy, incentives offered include reimbursement of capital and operational expenditures, including expenditure incurred for green energy projects, technology acquisition etc., support for capacity building and support for development of research and development and innovation facilities.

Commissioner & Secretary, Industries & Commerce Department, Dr. Amit Kumar Agrawal informed that the Government of India’s ECMS provides multiple incentive options, including turnover-linked and capital investment-based benefits ranging between 1% and 25%. To complement these, Haryana is also exploring the provision of additional top-up incentives similar to those offered by other progressive states such as Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh, thereby enhancing the state’s competitiveness in attracting ECMS-approved investors.

The Chief Secretary directed the Industries and Commerce Department to prepare a detailed plan in this regard and undertake proactive investor outreach. As part of this exercise, one-on-one meetings will be held with 11 applicants who have already shown interest in establishing ECMS-approved manufacturing units in Haryana by November 10. In addition, outreach efforts will target 50 other companies that are yet to finalize their project locations.

To ensure smooth coordination and investor facilitation, the state government will appoint dedicated relationship managers for each potential investor. These officers will provide end-to-end assistance, including land identification, regulatory clearances, coordination with departments, and incentive processing.

Sh. Rastogi emphasized that Haryana’s approach would be both facilitative and competitive, ensuring that investors find a conducive ecosystem to set up advanced electronic component manufacturing facilities.

Additional Chief Secretary, Citizen Resources Information Department, Smt. G. Anupama, Director General, Industries & Commerce, Sh. Yash Garg, and other senior officers were present in the meeting.