Chandigarh, November 1 – The 60th Foundation Day of Haryana was celebrated today with great enthusiasm and joy at the Haryana Raj Bhavan. The ceremony commenced with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp by Haryana Governor Prof. Ashim Kumar Ghosh, his wife Smt. Mitra Ghosh, and Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini. Union Minister Sh. Manohar Lal was also present on the occasion. The Governor announced a grant of Rs 6 lakh for the artists who participated in the event.

The atmosphere turned spiritually uplifting with the presentation of a devotional song by Dr. Monika, a national award-winning artist. A series of cultural performances followed, beginning with the traditional folk dance of Haryana. The event also featured Punjab’s energetic Bhangra performance, West Bengal’s folk dance Natua, Haryana’s Ghoomar, and a patriotic song that added glory to the celebration.

Among those present on the occasion were Speaker of the Haryana Legislative Assembly Sh. Harvinder Singh Kalyan, Cooperation Minister Sh. Arvind Sharma, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Sh. Shyam Singh Rana, Health and Family Welfare Minister Arti Singh Rao, Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Dr. Sumita Misra, Additional Chief Secretary (SEWA) Smt. G. Anupama, Director General of Police Sh. O. P. Singh, Additional Chief Secretary (Town & Country Planning and Urban Estates) Sh. Apoorva Kumar Singh, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Sh. Arun Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary (Public Works Department) Sh. Anurag Aggarwal, Additional Chief Secretary (Cooperation) Sh. Vijayendra Kumar, Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Dr. Saket Kumar, Director General of Information, Public Relations, Languages & Culture Department Sh. K. Makarand Pandurang, Secretary to Governor Sh. Dusmanta Kumar Behera, Deputy Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Sh. Yash Pal, along with several senior officers, employees, and a large gathering of people.

Chandigarh, November 1:

Launching a scathing attack on the BJP-led Central Government for its decision to unilaterally dissolve the 59-year-old Senate and Syndicate of Panjab University, Punjab Education Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains today termed it an brazen attack on Punjab’s pride, democracy and intellect.

S. Harjot Singh Bains stated that it is not governance—it is political vandalism. The reckless move by the Centre tramples on Punjab’s hard-earned autonomy, academic freedom and constitutional rights. It is a blatant assault on the very soul of Punjab.

The Education Minister highlighted the historical and emotional significance of the Panjab University, which has been built and nurtured through decades of Punjab’s collective efforts, sweat, intellectual prowess and sacrifices. He questioned the intent behind the abrupt dissolution, pointing to the overwhelming mandate given by the people of Punjab in the last Senate elections.

“How dare the Centre dismantle a six-decade-old democratic institution?” questioned S. Harjot Singh Bains while highlighting that in the last Senate elections for the Graduate Constituency, the people of Punjab elected their own representatives, winning all seats. This was the people’s clear verdict. Now, the BJP-led centre government that could not win the confidence at the ballot box wants to handpick its favourites and convert this venerable university into a political playground. 

Describing the move not as an administrative reform but as “an act of occupation,” he revealed  a dangerous design behind the decision to centralise control, crush Punjab’s distinct voice and systematically rewrite the principles of federalism enshrined in the Indian Constitution.

The Education Minister asserted that this is a blatant attempt to silence dissent and erode states’ rights. But the Punjab won’t succumb to this authoritarian overreach. He vowed that the Punjab Government, united with the academic community—teachers, students and staff—would strongly oppose the Centre’s move in every democratic forum and explore all legal and constitutional avenues to protect Punjab’s heritage and its rights.

He affirmed that Panjab University belongs to Punjab—its people, its history and its future. It does not belong to a distant, authoritarian Centre that wishes to silence it. The people of Punjab will not allow this political vandalism to stand.

CHANDIGARH/BATHINDA, November 1:

 In a major breakthrough amidst the ongoing drive to make Punjab a safe and secure state as per directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF), Punjab, in a joint operation with Bathinda Police, apprehended a wanted criminal identified as Ranjit Singh alias Sapp of village Bangi Nihal Singh in Bathinda, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Saturday.

 Police teams have also recovered one illegal .32 bore pistol along with four live cartridges from his possession

 DGP Gaurav Yadav said that preliminary investigation has revealed that the accused is a close associate of gangster Rammi Machana and was wanted in two criminal cases.

 He said that earlier, police had recovered 130 grams of heroin, one 9 MM country-made pistol with six live cartridges, and one country-made .12 bore pistol from his residence. His mother, Paramjit Kaur, was arrested at that time, while the accused had managed to flee, he said.

 The DGP said that further investigation is on to establish backward and forward linkages in this case.

 Sharing operation details, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) AGTF Promod Ban said that acting on reliable inputs, police teams from AGTF led by DSP AGTF Rajan Parminder in coordination with Bathinda Police has arrested the accused Ranjit Singh alias Sapp from the village Bhagwanpura in Bathinda.

 Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Bathinda Amneet Kondal said that Ranjit Singh has a criminal background with multiple cases registered against him, including murder, house trespass with intent to cause hurt, Arms Act, Prisons Act, and NDPS Act violations.

 In this regard, a case FIR No. 139 dated 20.09.2025 has already been registered under section 21(b) of the NDPS Act and sections 25 of the Arms Act at Police Station Sangat in Bathinda.

Chandigarh/Lucknow, November 1:

As a part of the Punjab Government’s initiative to invite leaders from across the country for the 350th Martyrdom Anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib ji, Punjab Employment Generation, Skill Development & Training and State President of the Aam Aadmi Party Mr. Aman Arora, along with Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Mr. Tarunpreet Singh Sond, called on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Sh.  Yogi Adityanath in Lucknow.

The primary objective of the meeting was to formally invite the UP Chief Minister to join the state of Punjab in the solemn commemorations of the 350th Martyrdom Anniversary of Ninth Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji.

During the cordial meeting, the ministers highlighted the profound historical and spiritual significance of the martyrdom of the Ninth Guru Sahib, who sacrificed His life in Delhi to protect the right to freedom of belief and religion for all Indians. They emphasised that the event holds immense importance not just for Punjab, but for the entire nation & humanity, as a symbol of supreme sacrifice and the defence of human rights.

Mr. Aman Arora stated, “The sacrifice of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji is a cornerstone of India’s pluralistic ethos. The Guru Sahib Ji’s martyrdom in the capital of that era forever entwines his legacy with the heart of India. The UP Chief Minister’s participation would serve as a powerful testament to national unity and pay tribute to Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib Ji’s unwavering stand against oppression, upholding the rights of all communities.”

Mr. Tarunpreet Singh Sond said that this historic occasion would provide an opportunity to strengthen the cultural and spiritual bonds between Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. The state of Punjab is looking forward to welcoming the leaders across the party-lines to Punjab for this historic occasion, which will also showcase our state’s rich heritage and deep-rooted traditions of ‘Sarbat Da Bhala’.”

Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh CM graciously accepted the invitation and appreciated the gesture of the Punjab Government. He acknowledged the universal and unparalleled legacy of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji.

CHANDIGARH/GURDASPUR, November 1:

 In a major breakthrough amidst the ongoing drive to make Punjab a safe and secure state as per directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Gurdaspur Police has cracked two recent firing incidents linked to extortion with the arrest of two accused and recovered one sophisticated 9MM Glock pistols from their possession, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Saturday.

Those arrested have been identified as Nitish Singh, a resident of Kotla Sultan Singh in Amritsar and Karan Masih alias Ajay alias Ajju, a resident of Deol in Gurdaspur.

As per the information, on September 22,2025, two bike borne persons opened fire at a Medical Store owner, who sustained injuries during the attack. Similarly, on October 15, 2025 two bike-borne persons had opened fire outside a private hospital in Kalanaur. Owners of both establishments had been receiving extortion calls from unknown mobile numbers.

DGP Gaurav Yadav said that preliminary investigation has revealed that arrested accused were being handled by foreign-based radicalised gangsters Gurdev Jassal and Gurlal alias Gullu, associated with the Babbar Khalsa International (#BKI) terrorist organisation.

The DGP confirmed that both the accused were involved in firing incidents targeting the owners of a medical store and a hospital. Further investigations are ongoing to establish forward and backward linkages in this case, he said.

Sharing operational details, DIG Border Range Sandeep Goel said that acting on reliable inputs, police teams from Gurdaspur under the overall supervision of SSP Gurdaspur Aaditya has arrested both the accused T-Point at Village Uppal in Kalanaur. The police teams were led by DSP Kalanaur Gurwinder Singh Chandi, Incharge special team Gurdaspur SI Gurwinder Singh and SHO Kalanaur Insp Jatinder Singh.

The DIG said that more arrests and recoveries are likely in coming days, he added.

SSP Gurdaspur Aaditya said that police teams are also investigating financial trails of Gurlal and the process to issue Red Corner Notice is also underway.

In this regard, FIR No.150 dated 16.10.25 had been registered under sections 308(4), 324(4) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and section 25 of the Arms Act at Police Station Kalanaur.

Chandigarh/SAS Nagar, November 1:

In a move to address pending matters of the general public, promoters and developers, the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) organized a two-day special camp at PUDA Bhawan, SAS Nagar, where as many as 864 cases were resolved on the first day.

Disclosing this here, Housing and Urban Development Minister S. Hardeep Singh Mundian said that Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government has been consistently striving for the welfare of every section of society. As part of this mission, GMADA has launched this two-day camp to facilitate resolution of long-pending issues of citizens, developers and promoters through a single-window approach.

The Cabinet Minister informed that of the total 864 cases settled, 618 pertained to citizen services, 4 to letters of intent, 2 to promoter license renewals, 2 to zoning plans, 3 to project licenses/layout plans, 2 to architectural control, 8 to estate agent certificates, 7 to promoter licenses, 92 to building plans, 11 to demarcation certificates, 30 to DPC certificates, 84 to completion certificates and one case pertained to a conveyance deed.

S. Mundian said that the Housing and Urban Development Department has simplified several procedural formalities, which has resulted in faster and more efficient service delivery. He said that the Punjab Government’s prime objective is to ensure timely and corruption-free disposal of public work across departments and clear directions in this regard have already been issued to all officers and employees.

During the camp proceedings today, Principal Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department, Mr. Vikas Garg handed over certificates related to building plans, layout plans, LOIs, estate agent registrations and promoter licenses to concerned individuals and companies. GMADA Chief Administrator Ms. Sakshi Sawhney personally reviewed public grievances and instructed officials to resolve pending applications from various branches on the spot.

Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included Mr. Amarinder Singh Malhi, Additional Chief Administrator, Mr. Hardeep Singh, Estate Officer (Housing)-cum-Land Acquisition Collector, Mr. Ravinder Singh, Estate Officer (Plots) and other senior officials.

CHANDIGARH, November 1:

          With the ongoing decisive war against drugs ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ launched on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has completed eight months, Punjab Police has registered 23,164 first information reports (FIRs) and arrested 34,727 drug smugglers leading to the recovery of 1512 kg heroin since March 1, 2025.

          Since the launch of this anti-drug drive, Punjab Police, under the directions of Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav, has been conducting operations daily simultaneously in all the 28 Police districts of the state. Notably, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann had 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.

          Apart from the recovery of 1512 kg haul of heroin, police have also seized 533 kg opium, 260 quintals poppy husk, 35 kg charas, 523 kg ganja, 15 kg ICE, 39 lakh intoxicant pills/tablets, and ₹13.45 crore drug money.

          On Day 245, Punjab Police arrested 43 drug smugglers and recovered 4.6 kg heroin, 298 intoxicant pills and Rs 12,700 drug money from their possession.

          Over 100 Police teams, comprising over 80/ police personnel, under the supervision of 45 gazetted officers have conducted raids at as many as 215 locations across the state leading to the registration of 39 first information reports (FIRs) across the state, he said, while adding that police teams have also checked as many as 228 suspicious persons during the day long operation.

          Meanwhile, 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 22 persons to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment.

Chandigarh, 1 November 2025:

Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S Kultar Singh Sandhwan raised serious concerns over the move to dissolve the Senate  Syndicate of Panjab University. This step  cannot be called as a reform, but rather a deep rooted political sabotage.

He further said that it is the part of the series of attacks on institutions across the country by the Central Government. Speaker Sandhwan said that Punjab University belongs to the people and not to those who want to muzzle the voice of the common man.

Sandhwan highlighted that this will lead to a far-reaching consequences and demolishing the federal structure of this country will not be tolerated at any cost.  He will raise  voice against this unfortunate decision of the central government.

Chandigarh, November 1:

Slamming the BJP for misleading the people of the state with baseless propaganda, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday dared the leaders of the saffron party to substantiate their claims regarding ‘Sheesh Mahal’ with valid proofs.

In a video message, the Chief Minister said that the BJP leadership is baffled by the growing base of the Aam Aadmi Party across the country especially in Gujarat due to which it is indulging in such dirty tantrums. He said that in dearth of any tangible issue against the state government, BJP is trying to mislead the Punjabis by spitting venom. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the saffronis party has no roadmap for the state but it is now just banking on morphed videos and such frivolous claims to defame the state government.

Bhagwant Singh Mann said that ever since he assumed charge as the head of the state, house number 45 in Chandigarh is the official residence of the Chief Minister whereas house number 50 is his guest house/ camp office. The Chief Minister said that several important meetings are held here in this house and visiting dignitaries to the state stay in this house. He said that this house has not been allotted to anyone and is used solely as his camp house cum rest house for the visitors.

The Chief Minister said that these are not the Sheesh Mahals but are the residences which are used by the common leaders elected by the Punjabis. He said that those who have palaces, and are now in BJP fold, never stayed back in these houses rather their staff and friends used to occupy them. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that BJP leaders like Captain Amarinder Singh and old friends of saffron party like Sukhbir Singh Badal have constructed huge palaces by acquiring the money illegally but the BJP leadership is mum on them.

Coming down heavily on the BJP, the Chief Minister reminded the saffron party that their Minister of State Ravneet Singh Bittu is illegally squatting in a house at Chandigarh which was once allotted to his uncle Tej Parkash Singh. He said that despite several reminders the Governor of Punjab has never paid heed to get this sheesh mahal vacated by the BJP leader. Bhagwant Singh Mann categorically said that before pointing to them, the BJP should peep into its conscience and see where it stands.

Chandigarh, November 1:

Setting another milestone, the Punjab government led by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh on Saturday created a new record by providing 56856 government jobs to the youth in the last 3.5 years thereby checking the trend of brain drain from the state through migration.

Addressing the gathering in a function to hand over job letters to the youth, the Chief Minister envisioned that these jobs will transform the destiny of youth. He said that this venue has witnessed a number of such events in which youth have got jobs in various government departments. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this reflects the commitment of the state government to ensure the well being of youth and opening new avenues of employment for them.

The Chief Minister further said that it is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that some of the youngsters got two or three jobs during the tenure of the state government. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that ever since his first day in office he has made sure that the deserving youth get the jobs due to which more than 56,000 of them have got government jobs. He said that today 858 youth have joined the family of Punjab Government and now they will become an active partner in social and economic progress of the state.

The Chief Minister said that this is not any favor for the youth of the state but they deserved these jobs due to their caliber but none of the previous governments ever bothered about them. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that these youth have got jobs completely on the basis of merit. He exhorted the newly recruited youth to become integral part of the government adding that now should serve the people with missionary zeal.

The Chief Minister hoped that the new recruits will use their pen for helping the needy and underprivileged sections of society. He said that the newly recruited youth should ensure maximum welfare of the public so that every section of society is benefited from it. He said that it is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that the state government has till now given more than 56,000 government jobs to the youth adding that all the recruitments have been made completely on merit.

The Chief Minister said that the recruitments have been done after adopting a complete transparent process and the youths have been given jobs after clearing the exams in cut throat competition. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the sole agenda of his government from day one has been to empower the youth by giving government jobs to them. He said that today is Punjab Day but whether it is really a moment of rejoicing when the state was divided into so many pieces. 

The Chief Minister said that the previous government had never bothered to give jobs to youth of the state as they were only concerned about their families and their well being. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that now in dearth of any tangible issue, the opposition are defaming him to fulfill their vested interests adding that their conspiracies will not work as people of the state are well aware of their tantrums. He said that the students from the government schools cracked prestigious exams like NEET, JEE and JEE Advanced, which is a clear indicator of change in ground level.

The Chief Minister said that those leaders who had patronized the drug trade have already been put behind bars adding these leaders not only used to patronize drug trade across the state but ironically they even sold/ supplied the drugs in their official government vehicles. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that in the past no one had previously dared to arrest these affluent leaders, but now his government has done so and they will have to pay the price for their sins. He said that, surprisingly, when this Akali leader was arrested, the unholy nexus between the political parties was exposed as they cried for human rights violations and demanded special cells and facilities for the accused.

The Chief Minister bemoaned that as a part of planned conspiracy, Punjab is defamed for pollution in the national capital on pretext of stubble burning whereas the reality is completely different. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that those blaming Punjab for pollution in Delhi forget that Haryana falls between state and national capital whereas they don’t name it for this chaos. He categorically asked the leaders why the AQI of Delhi is so poor nowadays whereas paddy straw burning is not taking place in the state.

The Chief Minister said that previous governments never bothered to change the health system as they received kickbacks and facilities from multi national hospital chains. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that they promoted private Health and Education facilitates due to which the public sector lagged behind in these fields. However, he said that his government has laid stress on rejuvenating these sectors due to which revolutionary changes are being witnessed in them.

On the occasion Cabinet Minister Dr. Balbir Singh and others were also present.