Chandigarh, August 23 – In a proud moment for the Bharat Scouts and Guides, Dr. Rupam Sandhu has been elected as a Member of the Asia-Pacific Regional (APR) Committee for the term 2025–2028. Her election places India alongside Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, the Philippines, and the Maldives in the prestigious regional body.

Dr. Rupam Sandhu, who currently serves as the State Commissioner (Guide) of the Haryana State Bharat Scouts and Guides, was elected through a democratic voting process at the Asia-Pacific Regional Conference held in New Delhi. The conference, hosted by India this year, witnessed participation from over 200 young women representatives from 23 countries. The votes of these delegates led to her well-deserved selection to the Committee.

A Senior Dental Surgeon by profession, Dr. Sandhu has been associated with Scouting for many years and has contributed significantly to the movement. Her vision and dedication were widely appreciated by voters across the region, culminating in this remarkable victory for India.

On this occasion, Dr. K.K. Khandelwal, IAS (Retd.), Chief National Commissioner of the Bharat Scouts and Guides, congratulated Dr. Sandhu and stated that this is the first time India has secured representation in this world body. He further emphasized that this achievement is a matter of immense pride for the Bharat Scouts and Guides, and through the efforts of Dr. Shandhu, the Girl Guide movement in India will become more empowered and stronger.

Chandigarh, August 23 – Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said the State Government is continuously working for the protection and welfare of cows. Along with financial grants for fodder, efforts are being made to make gaushalas self-reliant.

The Chief Minister was addressing a ceremony for distribution of fodder grants to gaushalas at Shri Krishna Gaushala, Badopal in Fatehabad district on Saturday. At the event, the Chief Minister paid floral tributes to Shri Rajendranand Maharaj, calling his life a source of inspiration, and urged citizens to take inspiration from his life and carry forward social work. In the gaushalas premises, he planted a Triveni sapling under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign to give the message of environmental protection. On this occasion, the Chief Minister handed over fodder grant cheques of ₹7.2 crore to managers of 67 gaushalas in the district. He said that this year, a total grant of ₹88.50 crore is being released for 605 gaushalas of the state.

On this occasion, the Chief Minister also announced ₹21 lakh for the development of village Badopal and declared that the wildlife treatment centre in Badopal will be named after Shri Rajendranand Maharaj. He also announced that six demands raised for the Fatehabad Assembly constituency will be fulfilled after checking feasibility at the departmental level. Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare & Animal Husbandry Minister Sh. Shyam Singh Rana, Public Works Minister Sh. Ranbir Singh Gangwa, and Rajya Sabha MP Shri Subhash Barala also announced to give ₹11 lakh each to the Badopal gaushalas.

The Chief Minister said under the leadership of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi, in the past 11 years, the double-engine government has been working for the protection of the cow, the Gita, and the Ganga.

Along with financial aid for fodder, gaushalas are also being supported to become self-reliant by providing machinery as per demand. For Panchagavya production, 101 gaushalas have been given a grant of ₹6.50 crore for purchasing machines.

He said that in the last 10 and a half years, fodder grants worth ₹358.50 crore have been given. Solar power plants have been installed in 330 gaushalas, and the remaining gaushalas will soon get them. The Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi has implemented the Rashtriya Gokul Mission for the protection and promotion of indigenous cow breeds.

The Chief Minister stated that till 2014, there were only 215 registered gaushalas in the state with 1.75 lakh cattle. In the past 10 years, the government has increased this number, and currently there are 686 registered gaushalas where 4 lakh stray cattle are being taken care of. In 2014-15, the budget for the Gau Seva Aayog was only ₹2 crore, which the present government has increased to ₹595 crore. For the rehabilitation of cattle, 200 gaushalas have been given grants of ₹10 lakh each for building sheds, out of which 51 sheds have already been completed. He said that 800 e-rickshaws will be given to gaushalas, and the procurement process is underway.

Haryana contributing to the dream of a ‘Viksit Bharat’

The Chief Minister said Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi has taken a pledge to make India a developed nation by 2047. Haryana is making a significant contribution in this direction. The state government is implementing welfare schemes for the poor and working strongly towards simplifying people’s lives, thereby playing an important role in building a ‘Viksit Bharat’.

Work done for farmers’ welfare

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said the State Government has implemented many schemes for farmers’ welfare. While farmers are being encouraged for natural farming, their crops are also being procured at Minimum Support Price (MSP). He said that between 2004 and 2014, only ₹1,155 crore was given as compensation for crop loss. But between 2014 and 2025, the present government has given ₹15,500 crore as compensation for crop damage. The Chief Minister said a permanent solution will be provided to the problem of waterlogging (sem) in some villages of Fatehabad area, and work has already started. Orders have been issued to HAREDA to check the capacity of solar pumps.

On this occasion, Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Minister Sh. Shyam Singh Rana said the cow is linked to our culture. The cow has historical and mythological importance. The milk of indigenous cows has medicinal properties, and cows embody five elements. He said the main purpose of organizing such a programme is to create public awareness and sensitivity towards serving cows. Every household should have a place for the cow, and citizens should contribute to cow protection and promotion with this spirit. He praised the working style of the Chief Minister and said due to the government’s policies, excellent work has been done in the direction of cow protection and the feeling of ‘gau seva’ has developed among people.

MLA Sh. Randhir Panihar, former minister Sh. Devender Babli, Chairman of Haryana Scheduled Commission Prof. Ravindra Baliyala, former MLA Sh. Dura Ram and a large number of villagers were present at the event.

Chandigarh: A state-of-the-art oncology clinic was launched at Shalby Hospital Mohali on Saturday. The clinic was launched by Deep Inder Kaur Shergill, a philanthropist and social worker. The clinic is designed to provide holistic cancer care, with a strong focus on early diagnosis, prevention, and personalized treatment, said Dr Ashwani Kumar Sachdeva senior consultant surgical oncology.

Chandigarh : A delegation of Chandigarh Beopar Mandal called on Sh. Manish Tiwari, Member Parliament Chandigarh, to discuss long-pending trader issues of Chandigarh. The CBM delegation appreciated Local MP for having been very vocal in Parliament about some chronic issues of Chandigarh.

A memorandum on various issues was handed over by Sanjiv Chadha, President CBM, to the MP highlighting all pending issues related to:
– Building Bye-laws
– Pending VAT assessment cases
– Upgradation of local markets

Diwakar Sahoonja, Vice Chairman brought to the notice of MP, the Need to take measures to boost up commerce and tourism in the city.

Charanjiv Singh, Chairman took up the issue of constituting Trader welfare Board  for specifical welfare of traders of city

Mr Bupender Narad and Mr mandeep took up issue harassment by the Fire Department over NOC for fire safety norms which are impractical.

On request of Sanjiv Chadha ,President CBM  to allocate  M P LAD Fund towards upgradation,beautification  and  cctv network in thee sector Markets ,Member Parliament asked to furnish him with estimates for providing CCTV network in sector 17 market to begin with 

Member Parliament Manish Tiwari, after listening to the various issues, suggested preparing a comprehensive manifesto on individual issues citing available data and suggestions to get them resolved. He promised that he shall not only keep on taking policy-based local issues effectively in the Parliament and Home Ministry but will also take up appropriately with concerned local authorities.

On the suggestion of Manish Tiwari MP, it was decided to have a comprehensive meeting in the next fortnight so that all pending trader issues could be resolved at the earliest and in the most effective way so that commerce of the city gets prosperous rather than its migration to nearby towns in other states.

The delegation consisted of:
– Sanjiv Chadha, President
– Charanjiv Singh, Chairman
– Diwakar Sahoonja, Vice Chairman
– Bhupender Narad, Chief Advisor
– KR Mahajan Kripal Dogra and Sushil Bansal*

Chandigarh, August 23:

Taking a considerate step towards the welfare of differently-abled employees, the Punjab Government has decided to exempt them from night duties. Disclosing this, Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister, Dr. Baljit Kaur, said that clear instructions have been issued to all departmental heads not to assign night duty to visually impaired and physically challenged employees.

Sharing further details, Dr. Baljit Kaur informed that during recent meetings with associations of differently-abled employees, it was strongly highlighted that night duty poses serious challenges for visually impaired and physically disabled staff, particularly in terms of safety and commuting. She said this decision has been taken keeping in view humanitarian concern and the overall well-being of the employees.

The Minister further stated that as per Section 3 and Section 20 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, directions have already been issued earlier to ensure a barrier-free environment in government offices so that differently-abled employees may work in a convenient and accessible atmosphere.

Dr. Baljit Kaur reiterated that under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government is fully committed to safeguarding the rights of differently-abled persons and providing them with all possible facilities in government service. Continuous efforts are being made to ensure their welfare and empowerment.

The Cabinet Minister added that this progressive decision will not only boost the morale of differently-abled employees but will also strengthen their sense of dignity and security in government service.

Chandigarh, August 23 :

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday expressed deep shock and anguish over the tragic mishap in village Mandiala, Hoshiarpur district, where two people lost their lives and 21 were injured following an explosion in an LPG tanker.

Expressing profound grief and sorrow over the incident, the Chief Minister extended his heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families and prayed to the Almighty to grant them strength to bear this irreparable loss, and peace to the departed souls. Meanwhile, he announced financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased and stated that he is in constant touch with the district administration to regularly monitor the situation. Bhagwant Singh Mann further said he has directed the district administration to ensure free treatment for all the injured and wished them a speedy recovery.

Chandigarh, August 23:

In a bold move to revolutionise vocational training and enhance employability in the state, Punjab Technical Education Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains has announced a significant expansion in Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) capacity, increasing seats from 35,000 to 52,000, paving the way for a more skilled and employable generation.

S. Harjot Singh Bains informed that Punjab’s ITI seats have witnessed a remarkable surge, growing from 25,000 in 2023 to 35,000 the next year, and now to 52,000, marking a significant 50% increase in seats. The expansion is fuelled by the introduction of 814 new trades, meticulously designed to meet industry needs and driven by market demand. Following extensive consultations with industry partners, Industrial Management Committees (IMCs), and the Punjab Development Commission, these trades have been carefully curated to equip students with in-demand skills, thereby enhancing their employability and job readiness.

The Education Minister emphasised that the new trades and courses are tailored to equip students with cutting-edge skills and knowledge, focusing on modern technologies and employability, to empower them with the skills needed to thrive in today’s competitive job market. The initiative aims to expand career opportunities and boost employability for thousands of students across Punjab.

The expansion is a significant stride towards addressing Punjab’s skill gap and boosting youth employability, said S. Harjot Singh Bains while adding that Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government is committed to providing students with world-class training and skills for setting them up for success in their future careers.

This substantial expansion showcases the Punjab Government’s dedication to technical education and vocational training. It would have a profound impact on the state’s education sector and economy.

Chandigarh, August 23:

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann today strongly criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for their anti-people stance  aimed at depriving 55 lakh citizens of state from free food grains under the Public Distribution System (PDS).

Addressing media persons here, the Chief Minister said that out of of total 1.53 crore ration cards in the state, the BjP led government has conspired to discontinue free ration being given to 55 lakh poor. He said that making an excuse of not having KYC the centre had already stopped free ration for 23 lakh poor in July this year and now they have threatened to discontinue this benefit from 32 lakh more individuals from September 30 onwards. However, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the centre government will not succeed in its evil motives and he will not allow them to struck off even a single card. 

The Chief Minister said that while the BJP claims to be pro-people and boasts of providing food grains to 80 crore people through the PDS, it is now attempting to cancel 8,02,493 ration cards in Punjab. This, he said, would effectively deprive around 32 lakh people of their entitlement to free rations. Bhagwant Singh Mann accused the BJP of shifting from “vote theft” to “ration theft,” asserting that it is especially unjust to target Punjab—a state that produces food grains to make the country self-reliant.

The Chief Minister criticized the rationale being used to delete ration cards, which includes ownership of four-wheelers, government jobs, small landholdings, and income. He pointed out the absurdity of penalizing entire families when just one member may fulfill one of these criteria. Bhagwant Singh Mann categorically stated that as long as he is the Chief Minister, not a single ration card will be deleted. In the state adding he dared BJP leaders to showcase this “achievement” during their ongoing mass outreach programs.

The Chief Minister also ridiculed the contradictory nature of central government schemes—one offering gas connections to the poor while another withdraws benefits on the same basis. Bhagwant Singh Mann said the BJP’s anti-poor agenda has been exposed, and reiterated that he has urged the Prime Minister and other central leaders to reconsider the exclusionary criteria. He emphasized the need to relax these conditions so that the maximum number of economically weaker and underprivileged people can benefit. 

The Chief Minister made it clear that the Punjab government will strongly oppose this discriminatory move and has already requested a six-month window to thoroughly review the matter. He warned the Union Government to stop treating Punjabis as beggars, adding that the people of Punjab are not dependent on the Centre for their dignity and rights. Bhagwant Singh Mann asserted that Punjabis will not succumb to the pressure tactics of the Union Government and will not surrender their legitimate rights. 

The Chief Minister said that while Punjab has traditionally enjoyed a better standard of living than many other states, it has suffered adversely due to the poor governance of previous regimes. Hence, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Centre must revise the conditions of these schemes to ensure that deserving beneficiaries are not denied assistance. He reminded the Prime Minister that his vision of making India a Vishwaguru (global leader) cannot be realized while 32 lakh people in Punjab are being starved due to technicalities and ill-conceived policies. 

The Chief Minister vowed that the state government would not allow the rights of its people to be usurped by the Government of India. Responding to a query, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that BJP leaders are facing legal action because they are attempting to breach the privacy of citizens by organizing camps to collect personal data—something that will not be permitted. 

The Chief Minister further that the BJP has already been exposed for manipulating voter rolls and attempting to gain power through backdoor tactics in several states. However, he said that such efforts will not succeed in Punjab, and the government will ensure that citizens’ privacy remains protected. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Punjab government is committed to safeguard the interests of the state and its people adding that no stone will be left unturned for this noble cause. 

On a separate question, the Chief Minister said the state government is working on channelizing water sources to prevent devastation in Punjab caused by heavy rainfall in hilly regions. He noted the irony that while rains occur elsewhere in the hilly terrains but Punjab bears the brunt. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that a comprehensive mechanism is being developed to address this issue and that he has already instructed officials to prepare a robust strategy after visiting flood-affected areas.

Chandigarh, August 23:

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann will attend a prestigious function in Chennai as the Chief Guest to mark the expansion of the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme by the Tamil Nadu Government.

Rajya Sabha MP from Tamil Nadu, Shri Wilson, called on Chief Minister Mann today and formally extended an invitation on behalf of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. The function, scheduled for August 26, will mark the expansion of the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme to all government-aided schools in urban areas.

During his interaction with the Rajya Sabha MP, Chief Minister expressed immense pride and satisfaction in being part of the event. He lauded the Tamil Nadu Government, led by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, for launching several progressive and welfare-oriented schemes.Speaking about the initiative, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it is heartening to learn that the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme, launched in 2022, has delivered remarkable outcomes—such as improved school attendance, enhanced attention spans, and a reduction in morbidity rates among primary school children.

The Chief Minister said the scheme has played a vital role in ensuring children attend school without hunger, improving their nutritional status, boosting learning capabilities, and easing the burden on working mothers. He that the scheme has already benefited 7.53 lakh students across 34,987 schools. Bhagwant Singh Mann added that it is an “August opportunity” to witness the expansion of such an ambitious and people-centric initiative.

The Chief Minister emphasized that schemes like this are the need of the hour to ensure the welfare of the most vulnerable and underprivileged sections of society. He further stated that the Aam Aadmi Party, under the leadership of Arvind Kejriwal, has brought education and healthcare to the forefront of national political discourse, emphasizing these sectors as key pillars of governance. Bhagwant Singh Mann profusely thanked the Rajya Sabha MP for extending the invitation on behalf of Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister. “It will be a unique and enriching experience to witness the launch of a major educational reform in Tamil Nadu—a state known for its pioneering role in social and educational transformation”, he added.

CHANDIGARH, August 23:

          Continuing the war against drugs “Yudh Nashian Virudh” waged by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to eradicate drug menace from state consecutively for the 175th day, Punjab Police conducted raids at 470 locations on Saturday leading to the arrest of 134 drug smugglers after registration of 95 first information reports (FIRs) across the state. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 27,039 in 175 days.

          The raids have resulted in recovery of 2.9 kg heroin, 9 kg poppy husk, 963 intoxicant tablets/capsules and Rs 12,420 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 150 Police teams, comprising over 1400 police personnel, under the supervision of 82 gazetted officers have conducted raids across the state. Police teams have also checked as many as 490 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 70 persons to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment today.