Chandigarh, August 27 – Haryana Labour Minister Sh. Anil Vij said that once the construction of the ESI hospital building in Bawal Industrial Area is completed and handed over, the hospital will be equipped with furniture, equipment and staff within three months, inaugurated, and dedicated to the public. He further said that his effort is to ensure that wherever there is a higher demand from workers, a 100-bedded hospital must be established to provide them with health facilities. He informed that 100-bedded hospitals are to be built in Rohtak, Hisar, Ambala, Sonipat and Karnal, for which the process of land transfer is progressing rapidly so that these projects can be completed at the earliest.

Sh. Vij was responding to a question asked by Bawal MLA Dr. Krishan Kumar during the ongoing Monsoon Session of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha. He said that the government has decided to provide land at concessional rates for such hospitals wherever there is greater demand from workers.

He clarified that the ESI hospital in Bawal is not being constructed by the Haryana Government, but rather by ESI, New Delhi, with the construction being carried out by CPWD. Sh. Vij informed that about 85 percent of the construction work of this hospital has been completed, and he has written to the Union Labour Minister to expedite its completion.

Highlighting various projects, Sh. Vij said that he has also written regarding several ESI projects in the state, including a 100-bedded ESI hospital at Ballabhgarh, an ESI dispensary at Panchkula and the construction of the ESI hospital and dispensary in Sonipat. He added that officers of the State Labour Department are in constant coordination with the Central Ministry/Department to ensure speedy completion of these projects.

Sh. Vij said about MLA Dr. Krishan Kumar that he is happy that this is his first time being elected and that he is actively raising issues of Bawal, striving to ensure that the people of the area get benefits as soon as possible.

Chandigarh, August 27:

In a significant recognition to Punjab’s exemplary work in animal husbandry, the Government of India has lauded the state’s Animal Husbandry department for its innovative use of social media platforms like YouTube and Facebook to disseminate crucial information and promote extension activities among livestock farmers. The Centre has also appreciated the department’s doorstep artificial insemination services and exhorted other northern states to adopt this successful model.

The Punjab Animal Husbandry department received accolades during the Regional Review Meeting (RRM) for Northern states and Union Territories, hosted by the Punjab Government and chaired by Ms. Varsha Joshi, Additional Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India. The meeting reviewed the progress of the Livestock Health Disease Control Program and National Livestock Mission. Eight northern states and UTs – Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Ladakh, Chandigarh and Punjab – came together to review the progress of livestock health and development schemes for 2024-25 and formulate plans for 2025-26, aligning with their approved annual action plans.

Principal Secretary Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries, Punjab, Mr. Rahul Bhandari, highlighted the department’s key achievements, which include procurement of 3.75 lakh doses of sex-sorted semen for producing female calves to tackle stray cattle issues and achieving 100% FMD vaccination coverage of the target population. The department has made significant strides by conducting 22.26 lakh Artificial Inseminations (AIs) in FY 2024-25, supported by the production of 18.50 lakh semen straws (6.47 lakh for cows and 12.03 lakh for buffaloes), he added.

Mr. Rahul Bhandari also presented the physical and financial progress reports for 2024-25 and 2025-26. The centre’s team led by Ms. Varsha Joshi, comprising Additional Secretary DAHD (GoI) Mr. Rama Shankar Sinha, Joint Secretary DAHD (GoI) Dr. Muthukumarasamy B., and Adviser (Statistics) DAHD (GoI) Mr. Jagat Hazarika, commended the Animal Husbandry Department, Punjab’s efforts and assured additional funding for approved schemes. They also lauded Punjab’s effective implementation of the Punjab Bovine Breeding Act, which regulates breeding activities in cattle and buffalo.

Expressing gratitude to the Centre’s team for their support and appreciation, Mr. Rahul Bhandari noted that the meeting provided a valuable platform to participating states and UTs to share experiences, best practices, and challenges in implementing various programs and policies. The discussions aimed to identify areas for improvement, explore collaboration opportunities, and find solutions to common problems, ultimately fostering inter-state cooperation, idea exchange and knowledge sharing among the participating entities.

He reaffirmed the Punjab Government’s commitment on collaborating with other states and UTs to drive growth and development in animal husbandry, dairy development and fisheries. The meeting was also attended by senior officials from participating states and UTs engage in productive discussions, fostering a spirit of cooperation and collective progress in the region.

Chandigarh, August 27 – Haryana’s Energy, Transport and Labour Minister Sh. Anil Vij today, during the ongoing Monsoon Session of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha, placed a resolution regarding the tragic loss of lives and property in Vaishno Devi, Jammu’s Doda, and Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu and Manali, as well as other affected regions. Under this resolution, all members of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha stood in silence for two minutes to pray for peace to the departed souls of those who lost their lives in these disasters.

While moving the resolution, Sh. Vij said that the previous day, over 30 lives were lost due to a landslide on the route leading to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine. Similarly, the popular tourist destinations Kullu and Manali also witnessed heavy loss of life and property. In Jammu’s Doda district, cloudbursts caused major devastation, although the complete figures are still awaited. Therefore, he urged that prayers be offered for the peace of those who lost their lives in these calamities.

Following this, Speaker Sh. Harvinder Kalyan directed all members of the Assembly to stand in silence for two minutes in memory of the departed souls.

Chandigarh, August 27:

          Punjab has registered a record labour cess collection of Rs 310 crore in the financial year 2024–25, the highest in the past four years. This marks a significant increase from Rs 203.94 crore in 2021–22, Rs 208.92 crore in 2022–23, and Rs 180 crore in 2023–24.

          Labour Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond said that this achievement reflects the concerted efforts of the Punjab Government to enhance compliance, improve transparency, and strengthen monitoring mechanisms related to labour welfare. The Labour Department, under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has streamlined cess collection processes, and leveraged digital platforms to ensure accountability and efficiency.

          He said that the government has reiterated its commitment to utilizing the collected funds for the welfare of construction workers, including better access to healthcare, education, skill development, and social security schemes. Sond further said that the robust increase is not only a financial milestone but also an indicator of improved governance and proactive policy implementation in the labour sector. It is pertinent to mention that the Labour Cess is primarily collected from construction-related activities and projects within the state to ensure safety, health and welfare of workers.

          Labour Minister said that the Punjab Building & Other Construction workers welfare board & the Punjab Building Workers Welfare Board has simplified the terms and conditions of the various welfare schemes including Stipend Scheme, LTC Scheme, Shagun Scheme and all services/industrial schemes provided by Labour department under various Acts have been digitized.

Chandigarh, August 27

Punjab Finance Minister and Chairman of the Cabinet Sub-Committee for resolving employees’ issues, Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema, today met with delegations from the various Art and Craft Teachers’ Unions, ETT TET Pass Adhyapak Association (Jai Singh Wala), AIE Kacche Adhyapak Union, Associate Pre Primary Adhyapak Union, All Punjab DST/CTS Contract Instructor Union and Beruzgar Multipurpose Health Worker Union. During these meetings held at the Finance Minister’s office in the Punjab Civil Secretariat, Minister Harpal Singh Cheema listened to the issues and demands raised by the union leaders with sympathy and discussed with senior officials from the concerned departments to find solutions.

In a joint meeting with the Art and Craft Teachers’ unions, Minister Cheema urged the leaders to create a Common Minimum Program to help identify a suitable solution. He also asked them to submit their arguments and supported documents to the Education Department, which will then initiate further action. The Finance Minister also heard the concerns of leaders from the ETT TET Pass Teachers Association (Jai Singh Wala), AIE Temporary Teachers Union, and the Associate Pre-Primary Teachers Union. He gave directives to the Education departments to resolve their legitimate demands soon.

Similarly, during his meeting with the All Punjab DST/CTS Contract Instructors Union and the Unemployed Multipurpose Health Workers Union, the Finance Minister directed the concerned departments to ensure swift action is taken to address the unions’ genuine demands.

In meeting with the Art and Craft Teachers’ unions, President Sandeep Singh of the Berujgar Drawing Masters Sangharash Committee, President Ranjit Singh of the B.Ed PST TET Pass Arts and Craft Teachers Union, President Harjinder Singh of the Art and Craft TET Pass Berujgar Adhyapak Union, and President Rakesh Kumar of the Berujgar PS TET Pass Art and Craft Sangharsh Union, presented their respective cases.

Representatives from other unions including Kamal Thakur (President), Sohan Singh (General Secretary), and Gurmukh Singh (Committee Member) from the ETT TET Pass Adhyapak Association (Jai Singh Wala); Tejinder Kaur (President), Kiranjeet Kaur (Secretary), and Tejinder Singh (Treasurer) from the AIE Kacche Adhyapak Union; Sukhchain Singh (President), Makhan Singh (Secretary), and Sukhbir Kaur from the Associate Pre Primary Adhyapak Union; Sandeep Singh (President) and Jaswinder Singh (General Secretary) from the All Punjab DST/CTS Contract Instructor Union; and Sukhwinder Singh Dhilwan (President) and Raman Kumar (Convener) from the Beruzgar Multipurpose Health Worker Union also presented their demands and issues.

Chandigarh, August 27:

Punjab Water Resources Minister Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal today said that state-wide flood control rooms are working 24×7 for public assistance during emergency situations. He urged the people to contact these numbers in case of any emergency.

The Cabinet Minister said that district flood control room numbers are Ludhiana: 0161-2433100, Ropar: 01881-221157, Gurdaspur: 01874-266376 and 18001801852, Mansa: 01652-229082, Pathankot: 0186-2346944 and 97791-02351, Amritsar: 0183-2229125, Tarn Taran: 01852-224107, Hoshiarpur: 01882-220412, Jalandhar: 0181-2224417 and 94176-57802, SBS Nagar: 01823-220645, Sangrur: 01672-234196, Patiala: 0175-2350550 and 2358550, SAS Nagar: 0172-2219506, Sri Muktsar Sahib: 01633-260341, Faridkot: 01639-250338, Fazilka: 01638-262153, Ferozepur: 01632-245366, Barnala: 01679-233031, Bathinda: 0164-2862100 and 0164-2862101, Kapurthala: 01822-231990, Fatehgarh Sahib: 01763-232838, Moga: 01636-235206 and Malerkotla: 01675-252003.

All these control rooms are operational 24×7 to ensure immediate response during emergency situations, said Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal, adding that the state government has implemented robust flood mitigation measures and comprehensive preparedness protocols to tackle every potential scenario.

Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal said that the control rooms are equipped with modern communication systems and are manned by trained personnel who can coordinate rescue and relief operations effectively. He urged citizens to remain vigilant and immediately contact the control rooms in case of any emergency.

Chandigarh, August 27:

The Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission has summoned the Director Social Justice and Empowerment , taking suo moto notice of the news regarding Dr. Ambedkar Institute of Careers and Courses, Mohali.

Giving information in this regard, the Chairman of the Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission said that it has come to his notice through the newspaper that the Punjab Government’s Dr. Ambedkar Institute of Careers and Courses, Mohali located in Mohali is in a dilapidated  position, for which the Commission has taken suo moto notice and has asked the Director Social Justice and Empowerment to appear in person on September 2, 2025.

CHANDIGARH, August 27:

          Continuing the war against drugs “Yudh Nashian Virudh” waged by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to eradicate drug menace from state consecutively for the 179th day, Punjab Police conducted raids at 333 locations on Wednesday leading to the arrest of 99 drug smugglers after registration of 68 first information reports (FIRs) across the state. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 27,409 in 179 days.

          The raids have resulted in recovery of 985 grams heroin, 21 kg poppy husk, 1625 intoxicant tablets/capsules and Rs 9850 drug money from the possession of arrested drug smugglers.

          The operation was conducted on the directions of Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav simultaneously in all 28 Police districts of the state.

          Notably, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann has asked the Commissioners of Police, Deputy Commissioners and Senior Superintendent of Police to make Punjab drug free state. The Punjab government has also constituted a 5-member Cabinet Sub Committee led by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema to monitor the war against drugs.

          Divulging details, Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla informed that over 100 Police teams, comprising over 900 police personnel, under the supervision of 64 gazetted officers have conducted raids across the state. Police teams have also checked as many as 364 suspicious persons during the day-long operation, he added.

          The Special DGP said that with the state government has enforced a three-pronged strategy— Enforcement, Deaddiction and Prevention (EDP)— to eradicate drugs from the state, the Punjab Police as part of ‘De-addiction’ has convinced 54 persons to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment today.

Chandigarh, August 26, 2025: In a significant move, the Haryana Human Rights
Commission has taken a stern stance against arbitrary rejections and delays in the Deen
Dayal Upadhyaya Antyodaya Parivar Suraksha Yojana (Dayalu) caused by clerical
errors.
While adjudicating Complaint No. 519/8/2025, the Commission observed that a claim under
the scheme was rejected solely because of a mismatch in the deceased’s age recorded in the
death certificate and the Family ID. The Commission ruled that such rejections are arbitrary
and defeat the very purpose of the welfare scheme.
The complainant had stated that the variation in age was a minor clerical mistake that had
since been corrected. Despite submitting a revised death certificate, authorities failed to
reopen and reconsider the claim.
The Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Antyodaya Parivar Suraksha Yojana is designed to provide
financial assistance to families of deceased earning members from economically weaker
sections, as per the verified Family ID. Denying benefits even after correction of official
records, the Commission said, undermines the scheme’s objective and reflects administrative
apathy.
Justice Lalit Batra, Chairperson of the Commission, observed in his order:
“Denying any eligible person the benefits of welfare schemes due to clerical errors amounts
to a violation of basic human dignity under Article 21 of the Constitution. As an organ of the
State, authorities are duty-bound to ensure timely delivery of welfare benefits, particularly to
the economically weaker sections.”
The Commission directed that the Chief Executive Officer of the Haryana Family Security
Trust, the Deputy Commissioner of Jind, and the Administrative Officer of the Trust submit
detailed reports explaining why the case was not reopened despite submission of corrected
documents. The reports were also required to outline the provisions for review and measures
to prevent such lapses in future.
Subsequently, reports received from the authorities confirmed that the complainant’s claim
has now been reopened, revised documents uploaded, and the case is under process.
However, Justice Batra expressed concern that earlier rejection letters merely cited
discrepancies without guiding the applicant on corrective measures. He emphasized the need
for reasoned (speaking) orders that clearly state the grounds for rejection and provide the
applicant with options for rectification.

Dr. Puneet Arora, Protocol, Information & Public Relations Officer, informed that The
Commission strongly recommended the following systemic reforms:
 Reopen claims upon submission of corrected documents without subjecting applicants
to a fresh process.
 Establish a clear correction mechanism, allowing applicants to reactivate claims
through a simple application and revised documents.
 Set up district-level grievance redressal cells comprising representatives from the
Social Welfare Department and the Birth & Death Registrar.
 Ensure that grievance cells record complaints, provide guidance, and deliver time-
bound solutions.
 Launch public awareness campaigns and display scheme-related information at key
public locations.
Justice Batra concluded: “Clerical errors cannot become a ground to deprive eligible
beneficiaries of welfare rights. Transparency and reasoned orders are the backbone of
welfare governance.”