CHANDIGARH, September 12:

Drawing a sharp contrast between the era when Akali and Congress leaders traded charges over gangsters on the floor of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha and the Bhagwant Mann Government’s crackdown that has now brought a wanted gangster back from Europe, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab President and Cabinet Minister Aman Arora on Saturday said the first-ever extradition of a gangster from Europe marks the Mann Government’s uncompromising stand against gangsterism. He said that while the previous Akali-BJP and Congress governments allowed gangsterism to flourish to the extent that leaders were openly debating in the 2021 Budget Session over “whose gangster” Jaggu Bhagwanpuria was, the AAP Government has pursued such fugitives across borders and ensured they are brought back to face the law.

The AAP Punjab President said that the Mann Government has left no stone unturned to eradicate drugs and gangsterism from Punjab and will not allow such elements to operate either from Punjab or from foreign soil. He said the Overseas Fugitive Tracking and Extradition Cell (OFTEC), established on January 20, 2026, has already secured the deportation or extradition of 10 wanted fugitives in seven months, while 21 more extradition proposals are pending with the Central Government.

Addressing a press conference at Punjab Bhawan, AAP Punjab President and Cabinet Minister Aman Arora said that the Bhagwant Mann Government had made the fight against drugs and gangsters a firm resolve since coming to power. “Our resolve throughout the tenure of the Bhagwant Mann Government has been that we will leave no stone unturned in eliminating drugs and gangsters from Punjab. We believe these are the very elements that previous governments allowed to flourish, whether it was the 10-year Akali Dal-BJP government or the five-year Congress government,” he said.

The AAP Punjab President stated that the situation during the previous regimes had reached such a stage that gangsterism had become a major issue even inside the Punjab Vidhan Sabha. “If you take out the speeches from the 2021 Budget Session of the Vidhan Sabha, when the Akali Dal was in Opposition and Congress was in power, you will see how gangsters had become so emboldened that they were openly being discussed on the floor of the House,” he said.

Referring to the records of the 2021 Budget Session, Aman Arora said Congress leader Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia had openly argued with each other over alleged links of political leaders with gangsters. “On one side Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and on the other side Bikram Singh Majithia would argue on record—‘Jaggu Bhagwanpuria is your product’, ‘that gangster is your product’. These things were happening inside the sacred Punjab Vidhan Sabha. This was the extent of the degradation that these parties had brought into Punjab’s politics,” he said.

The Cabinet Minister also recalled the incident in which a police personnel laid down his life while trying to protect his daughter. “That was also the time when a police personnel was trying to protect the honour of his daughter and bullets were fired into his chest. Punjab has emerged from those circumstances. The morale of the people is high today,” he said.

“Since the day our government came to power, we have tried to ensure that such elements are not allowed to operate on the soil of Punjab,” he added.

The AAP Punjab Chief said that as Punjab Police intensified action against such elements, many fugitives, hardcore criminals and gangsters fled abroad. “You have yourselves been reporting that whenever an incident takes place, an attempt is made to carry out an incident, or an extortion call is received, these activities often originate from foreign countries or other states,” he said.

He said the AAP government’s objective was to ensure that criminals sitting abroad could not disturb Punjab’s peace and security. “With the specific purpose that nobody sitting abroad should be able to disturb peace and harmony on the soil of Punjab, Punjab Police, on the directions of the government and CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, established the special Overseas Fugitive Tracking and Extradition Cell (OFTEC) on January 20, 2026,” he said.

The Minister said, “The specific purpose of this cell was to identify such elements, track them, trace them and ultimately bring them to jail and ensure that they face their consequences.”

He said the cell had achieved significant success within just seven months by coordinating with agencies at every level. “Whether it is state investigation, the Bureau of Investigation, the CBI, Interpol, the Ministry of Home Affairs, local-level police, the Ministry of External Affairs or the National Investigation Agency (NIA), OFTEC remains in coordination with all these agencies,” he said.

Aman Arora said this coordination was particularly important in cases where a crime or attempted crime in Punjab originated from abroad. “If a complaint comes that an attempt is being made to commit a crime here but it has originated in a foreign country, the cell works to connect the dots and reach the person behind it,” he said.

Congratulating CM Bhagwant Singh Mann and Punjab Police for the success achieved by OFTEC, the Minister said 10 wanted criminals have now been brought back to India through deportation or extradition, while 21 extradition proposals are pending with the Central Government. “The extradition process involves the state police sending proposals to the Central Government, which coordinates with the Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs for bringing the fugitives back from foreign countries,” he added.

Among those brought back is notorious gangster Amritpal Singh alias Amrit Dalam, who faces three serious cases and was brought back from Moldova on Saturday.

The AAP Punjab Chief said several other wanted gangsters have also been brought back from Malaysia, Indonesia, the UAE and the USA. “Ajay Singh alias Ajay Malaysia and Pawandeep Singh, both wanted in FIR No. 150 dated 27.10.2025 under the BNS and Explosive Substances Act at Police Station Jodhewal, Ludhiana, were brought back from Malaysia on 19th August of this year,” he added.

Aman Arora noted, “Jaspreet Singh alias Jass Behbal, wanted in three FIRs at Police Station City Kotkapura, Faridkot, and Police Station Tapa, Barnala, was also brought back from Malaysia on 19.08.2026. Manjeet Singh and Gurvinder Singh, both wanted in FIR No. 76 at Police Station Kotwali, Patiala, were brought back from Malaysia on 18.06.2026. Jobanjit Billa, wanted in FIR No. 94 dated 24.05.2023 under the IPC and Arms Act at Police Station Beas, Amritsar, was brought back from Indonesia on 24.07.2026.”

He pointed out, “From the UAE, Amritpal Singh Mehron, wanted in two FIRs at Amritsar and Barnala, was brought back on 10.04.2026. Bhuvnesh Chopra, wanted in seven FIRs registered in Ferozepur, Kharar, Fazilka and Patiala, was brought back from the UAE on 12.03.2026. Kamal alias Kamal Athwal alias Kamalpreet Singh Billa, wanted in FIR No. 132 at Police Station Machhiwara, Khanna, was brought back from the USA on 24.03.2026.”

Aman Arora said that the Bhagwant Mann Government and Punjab Police are effectively pursuing fugitives across countries and ensuring that those trying to disturb Punjab’s peace from abroad were brought back to face the law. While it is the state government’s duty to ensure that crime does not take place in Punjab, the Centre also has an important responsibility in dealing with gangsters operating from outside the state,” he added.

“I will appeal to the Central Government and the BJP Government, and I will also appeal to the Akali Dal, which is trying to enter into an alliance with the BJP, that gangsters who are sitting in jails in BJP-ruled states and operating from safe havens must be curbed,” he said.

The AAP Punjab President said that these gangsters were not merely running local operations but were operating national and international criminal networks. “These gangsters, sitting in jails and safe havens in BJP-ruled states, are running not only national but international rackets. They have hundreds and thousands of gangsters operating under them. They target whichever person they want, whichever state they want and whichever country they want to target,” he said.

He said, “They are in the custody of the Central Government or in the custody of BJP governments. There must be a check on them as well.”

Aman Arora reiterated that Punjab would continue its uncompromising action against gangsters. “As far as Punjab is concerned, I will reiterate once again that the Bhagwant Mann Government and Punjab Police will not allow such elements to operate here. Punjab Police is the force that sacrificed its lives to bring Punjab out of the dark days of terrorism. This is nothing compared to what Punjab Police has already faced,” he said.

However, he stressed that the nature of organised crime had changed with technology. “Today is the age of technology. There are encrypted messages and encrypted voice calls. Tracking these cannot be the responsibility of the state police alone. For this, there is a need for central agencies and a national-level campaign, a national-level movement,” he said.

Aman Arora congratulated Punjab Police on bringing the Moldova-based gangster back to Punjab and said the action reflected the success of the Mann Government’s directions and the work being carried out by OFTEC. “I congratulate Punjab Police on this major success achieved on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann in bringing this gangster back from Moldova,” he said.

Reassuring the people of Punjab, Aman Arora appealed to citizens to immediately inform the local police about any criminal incident, attempted incident or extortion call that comes to their notice. “If any such incident takes place, if you come to know that an incident is going to happen, or if you receive any extortion call, report it to the local police so that the government and police can take firm action,” he said.

The AAP Punjab President assured the people of Punjab that the Bhagwant Mann government would continue to act decisively against criminal networks and protect the state’s peace and security.

Chandigarh,September 12:

          Punjab State Legal Services Authority successfully organized the National Lok Adalat of the year 2026 today across the State of Punjab under the patronage of Mr. Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra, Chief Justice, Punjab & Haryana High Court and under visionary leadership of  Mr. Justice Deepak Sibal, Judge, Punjab and Haryana High Court and Executive Chairman, Punjab State Legal Services Authority.

           Giving information in this regard Mrs. Jagdeep Kaur Virk Member Secretary Punjab state legal services  authority Punjab said that this mega initiative aimed at facilitating speedy, cost-effective and amicable settlement of disputes, thereby advancing access to justice in line with Article 39-A of the Constitution of India.

              The Lok Adalat recorded active participation from litigants, judicial officers, advocates and allied stakeholders. A broad range of cases including civil, matrimonial, property, motor accident claims, banking, insurance and other compoundable matters were taken up and settled through conciliation and mutual consent. The exercise brought instant relief to litigants and also contributed significantly to the reduction of pendency of cases in courts.

               A total of 404 Lok Adalat Benches were constituted across all Districts and Sub-Divisions of the State. Total 6,54,612 cases were taken up, out of which total 5,99,283 cases were settled amicably settled and awards amounting to Rs. 1116,10,96,635/- were passed.

               This National Lok Adalat enabled thousands of litigants across Punjab to resolve disputes within a short span. Several long-pending matters, including disputes spanning over a decade, were successfully settled, leading to substantial decongestion of court dockets. In this Lok Adalat the married couple have been regenerated through after having a prolonged matrimonial dispute and one such success story related to district SAS Nagar in which the court has settled the dispute of the young couple in the case titled as “Karmajeet Kaur Vs Ravinder Singh”. The brief of the case was that the petitioner has filed the petition against the respondent under section 125 Cr.P.C. The Court persuaded the parties to affect the compromise. Finally, the parties settled the dispute in the National Lok Adalat and both husband and wife agreed to live together.

            The Courts witnessed an overwhelming response from Banking Institutions, Insurance Companies, Government Departments, and the general public, reflecting the growing faith in the Lok Adalat mechanism.

              On this occasion, Hon’ble Mr. Justice Deepak Sibal, Executive Chairman, Punjab State Legal Services Authority, appreciated the dedicated efforts of Judicial Officers, District Legal Services Authorities and volunteers across the State, whose collective commitment ensured the successful conduct of this mega event.

Punjab State Legal Services Authority also extends its deep gratitude to the Hon’ble High Court of Punjab and Haryana, all District Legal Services Authorities, the State Judiciary, Members of the Bar, Police Authorities and the Civil Administration for their invaluable support and cooperation.

CHANDIGARH; 12th September 2026:

Punjab Power and Public Works Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond today apprised the people of Punjab about the prevailing power situation in the state, stating that Punjab is currently receiving 1,051 MW less power against its share from the Central Power Pool.

Highlighting the importance of uninterrupted electricity supply for Punjab’s agriculture sector, Power Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond said, “Punjab is an agrarian state and adequate and uninterrupted power supply is essential for our farmers and the state’s economy. The Centre should immediately provide Punjab its due share from the Central Power Pool.”

The Power Minister informed that he has also urged the Union Power Minister, through a written communication, to immediately ensure that Punjab receives its full and rightful share from the Central Power Pool.

Refuting the false allegations regarding shortage of coal, Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond clarified that there is no shortage of coal in the thermal power plants owned by the Punjab Government. “Due to the concerted efforts of CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab has already operationalised the Pachhwara coal mine, ensuring adequate availability of coal for the state’s own power generation facilities,” he added.

“Punjab has started operations at its Pachhwara coal mine and we now have sufficient coal available. The issue is with the supply of coal to the private thermal power plants, for which Coal India is responsible,” he said.

Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond further pointed out that the private thermal power plants at Talwandi Sabo and Rajpura are facing issues pertaining to coal supply, which is to be ensured by Coal India.

The Power Minister further informed that Punjab has 10 thermal power generating units, including four units each at Lehra Mohabbat and Ropar and two units at Goindwal Sahib. Besides these, the Talwandi Sabo and Rajpura thermal power plants are being operated by private companies.

He said, “The technical fault in one of the units has been resolved by our PSPCL officials. Our government and PSPCL are closely monitoring the power situation and taking all necessary measures to ensure reliable electricity supply. Efforts are underway to restore the remaining units of the private thermal power plants at the earliest.”

Minister Tarunpreet Singh reiterated that the state government is committed to safeguarding the interests of Punjab’s farmers and ensuring adequate power availability, particularly during periods of high demand.

PSPCL Chairman–cum–Managing Director (CMD Dr. Basant Garg and Director (Generation) Er. Punerdeep Singh Brar were also present on the occasion.

CHANDIGARH:

Dr. Kusum Sharma, Professor in the Department of Medical Microbiology and Nodal Officer for Extra-Pulmonary Tuberculosis (EPTB) at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, has been selected for the prestigious *National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS) Women in Medicine Award for 2026.

The national honour recognizes Dr. Sharma’s pioneering, two-decade-long contributions to molecular diagnostics, clinical microbiology, and translational research in extrapulmonary and drug-resistant tuberculosis.

 She will be officially honoured with a Scroll of Honor during the NAMSCON 2026 convocation, scheduled for October 10, 2026, at SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre in Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu.

Working in a high-burden nation where complex forms of tuberculosis present severe diagnostic challenges, Dr. Sharma has fundamentally transformed the landscape of EPTB and Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) management. Her research group has successfully bridged the gap between advanced genomic science and routine clinical care, impacting patient outcomes across India.

Key Scientific and Academic Milestones:

 Patented Multiplex PCR Innovation (Indian Patent No. 340788 ): Developed and internationally validated (including at the Jacksonville State Laboratory, USA) a novel multiplex PCR assay that significantly enhances diagnostic sensitivity in paucibacillary conditions such as Tuberculous Meningitis (TBM), ocular TB, and gastrointestinal TB.

 Point-of-Care & Decentralized Diagnostics : Pioneered magnetic bead-based and multi-targeted Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) assays, enabling accurate, battery-operated, instrument-free testing designed for rural and resource-constrained settings.

 Global Breakthroughs in Ocular TB: Led the world’s first global report on drug resistance in ocular tuberculosis, establishing clinical criteria that revolutionized intraocular TB diagnosis and care.

National Leadership on INDEX-TB Guidelines: Served as the Lead Microbiologist for the national Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis Guidelines for India (INDEX-TB Guidelines), formulated by the Central TB Division, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, in collaboration with the WHO and AIIMS, New Delhi.

 Advanced Genomic Surveillance & Make-in-India Integration: Extensively evaluated indigenous platforms like the Truenat MTB-plus assay under the Make in India initiative, while leading cutting-edge research projects involving High-Resolution Melting (HRM) analysis, Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS), Targeted Next-Generation Sequencing (tNGS), Long-Read Nanopore Sequencing, and CRISPR-Cas12a diagnostic platforms.

Excellence in NTM Identification: Standardized molecular, sequencing-based, and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry protocols for species-level identification of Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria, transforming PGIMER into a major national referral center for complex NTM cases.

Dr. Sharma’s election to the NAMS “Women in Medicine” 2026 cohort underscores her enduring commitment to medical excellence, academic leadership, and alleviating the suffering of patients with complex mycobacterial infections.

Chandigarh:

The key to success in public health lies in innovation and its effective implementation, said Dr. Navneet Dhaliwal, Additional Professor-cum-Joint Medical Superintendent, PGIMER, Chandigarh, while briefing the delegates on the concept of a green hospital during the field visit of 45 international delegates from 25 countries participating in the 8th Public Health Policy and Management Program, organized by PGIMER, Chandigarh, with the support of the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.

PGIMER has excelled in providing state-of-the-art digital healthcare services to citizens and has emerged as a torchbearer for the Digital Health Mission, said Dr. Sonu Goel, Program Director. He further added that, over the past decade, the successful delivery of the programme to more than 1,800 professionals has enabled participants to gain insights into PGIMER’s best practices and explore their replication in their respective countries.

During the field visit to PGIMER, Chandigarh, the delegates witnessed several state-of-the-art practices, including the Tele-Evidence facility, the first of its kind in the country, which enables doctors to provide testimony through video conferencing rather than requiring their physical presence in court. This facility has resulted in savings of ₹1.92 crore over a period of two years, besides saving approximately 30,000 hours of doctors’ time, shared the Consultant for Tele-Evidence. The innovative practice of telemedicine was also demonstrated. The service is connected with neighbouring states and SAARC countries, facilitating access to basic as well as highly specialized healthcare services.

The delegates also appreciated the visit to the Green Hospital, the first government hospital in the country to receive the prestigious Platinum Rating Award from the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC). They were also briefed about the Regional Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (ROTTO), a national award-winning centre. The participants expressed that the visit provided an important platform for cross-country learning, exchange of experiences, and strengthening of international cooperation in public health.The program reflects India’s continued commitment to sharing its health-system experiences, innovations, and best practices with partner countries since 2016.

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Chandigarh, September 9, 2026: GB Realty, through its sports promotion initiative GB Legends, has joined hands with Chandigarh Golf Club (CGC) as Title Sponsor of the Chandigarh Golf League (CGL) 2026, marking a significant step towards strengthening competitive golf and creating greater opportunities for the next generation of golfers in the region.

The 24-team league, featuring 384+ players, will be played from September 30 to October 30, 2026, bringing together Chandigarh’s golfing community on a larger competitive platform.

The agreement was signed by Jatinder Bajwa, Vice President, GB Realty, and Amarbir Singh Lehal, Honorary Secretary, Chandigarh Golf League. Amit Sood, CEO, GB Legends, was also present.

Building on a Strong Golfing Legacy
The partnership brings together the rich legacy, sporting infrastructure and institutional strength of Chandigarh Golf Club with GB Realty and GB Legends’ commitment to sports promotion, talent development, community building and CSR.

Jatinder Bajwa, Vice President, GB Realty, said:”Our association with Chandigarh Golf Club and the Chandigarh Golf League goes beyond the title sponsorship. CGC has built a remarkable golfing legacy in Chandigarh, and we want to complement that legacy by creating more opportunities for the next generation. Together, our vision is to strengthen competitive golf while expanding access through junior programmes, women’s golf, grassroots initiatives, mentorship and CSR.”

RS Virk, President, Chandigarh Golf Club, said: “The future of golf depends on nurturing young talent while expanding participation. We are pleased to partner with GB Realty and GB Legends, whose vision aligns strongly with our commitment to developing the sport. CGL provides a strong platform to bring the golfing community together, and this association can help create meaningful opportunities for juniors, women golfers and emerging talent.”

A Vision Beyond the League:

The association is envisaged as a long-term collaboration extending beyond CGL 2026, with a shared focus on Junior & grassroots golf development, Women’s golf and increased participation.

The partnership aims to establish a structured Golf Academy and talent pathway, CSR support for promising golfers, Coaching, mentorship and competitive opportunities. These initiatives will complement GB Legends’ existing grassroots programmes.

With Chandigarh Golf Club’s legacy and sporting ecosystem combined with GB Legends’ focus on the future of sport, the collaboration aims to further establish Chandigarh as a leading centre for golf — growing the game from the grassroots to the highest level of competition.

Chandigarh:

Artificial Intelligence will fundamentally transform healthcare by augmenting the capabilities of doctors, enabling greater knowledge, efficiency and reach,” stated the Chief Guest Prof. Ajit Kumar Chaturvedi , Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi at the 63rd Institute Foundation Day celebrations of PGIMER, Chandigarh, held at NINE Auditorium.
The Foundation Day celebrations were attended by dignitaries including Dr. Alka Rao, Director, IMTECH Chandigarh, Prof. Yogesh Chawla, Former Director, PGIMER, Prof. Sanjay Jain, Dean (Academics), Prof. Sanjeev Handa, Dean (Research), Prof. Ashok Kumar, Medical Superintendent-cum-Head, Department of Hospital Administration, Sh. Ravinder Singh, Financial Advisor, former and present Deans, Heads of Departments, senior faculty, resident doctors, nursing officers and members of the PGIMER fraternity.
Delivering the Foundation Day address on “ AI in Healthcare”, Prof. Chaturvedi described PGIMER as a “true national asset” and lauded its pioneering contributions to healthcare, education, research and innovation.
“ PGIMER Chandigarh is, without doubt, a true national asset—not limited to one region, but making a significant contribution to healthcare, education, research and innovation across the country. I congratulate each and every member of the PGIMER family for this remarkable journey and for keeping the institution at the forefront of Indian healthcare,” said Prof. Chaturvedi.
Emphasising that AI should be viewed as an enabler rather than a replacement for medical professionals, Prof. Chaturvedi said, “The most successful healthcare deployments today are not examples of AI replacing doctors. They are examples of AI helping doctors perform at their best.”

Vice Chancellor BHU noted that AI had moved beyond being a technological novelty and was making deep inroads into healthcare, research and decision-making. “AI is no more something like a fashionable toy or something that is a status symbol. It has made very deep inroads in the market, and naturally, we cannot be just watching it from a distance,” he observed.
Highlighting its potential to process vast volumes of medical information, he said AI could assist doctors in extracting information from clinical records, pathology reports and scientific literature. “The assistant does not replace expertise, but it dramatically expands the amount of knowledge a physician can effectively utilise,” he said.
On medical research, Prof. Chaturvedi observed, “The real transformation is that researchers can now ask questions that were previously too expensive or time-consuming to investigate.”

Prof. Chaturvedi also cautioned against adopting AI without considering Indian healthcare realities. AI systems trained predominantly on Western datasets may not adequately reflect Indian disease patterns, patient populations and clinical practices. He stressed the need for India to move from being merely a consumer of healthcare AI to becoming a creator of solutions rooted in Indian realities.
Prof. Chaturvedi highlighted AI’s potential in remote healthcare, radiology, hospital management and evidence-based decision-making, while noting that complex physical tasks such as surgery remain a frontier for further development. He also stressed that medical education would increasingly focus on clinical judgement, evidence evaluation, critical thinking and patient communication rather than memorisation alone.

Concluding, Prof. Chaturvedi said, “The first generation of AI helped humans find information. The next generation is helping humans make decisions. The generation after that will help humans take action.”
Earlier, Prof. Vivek Lal, Director, PGIMER, highlighted the Institute’s remarkable expansion, growing patient capacity, affordable healthcare initiatives and declining waiting lists.
Referring to the recent inauguration of two major centres by the Prime Minister, Prof. Lal said, “ The Prime Minister inaugurated two major centres on July 17th, which was a boost in our arm. The Advanced Mother & Child Centre and the Advanced Neuroscience Centre directly gave us 800 beds. From 2,200 beds, we have 3,000 beds now for taking care of our patients.”
Highlighting PGIMER’s commitment to affordable healthcare, Prof. Lal said, “We don’t see that we have spent five lakhs. We don’t see how much we have saved in crores.”
Describing the Institute’s standing among leading global institutions, Prof. Lal said, “I consider PGI as one of the best institutions in the world. I will not say everything is 100% fine here, but considering our infrastructure, considering our patient trust, I think we are miles ahead of many top institutes across the world.”

Director PGIMER credited the Institute’s dedicated workforce for its continued progress and highlighted PGIMER’s commitment to strengthening infrastructure, diagnostic services, manpower and collaborations with emerging healthcare institutions.
Highlighting PGIMER’s commitment to making advanced healthcare affordable, Prof. Lal spoke about the benefits reaching patients through Ayushman Bharat and the availability of affordable generic medicines through Amrit Pharmacy outlets. He noted that the savings generated for patients run into crores, particularly in the treatment of serious and prolonged illnesses.
Pointing to improving service delivery despite increasing patient footfall, Prof. Lal said, “You must have seen, our waiting list is decreasing day by day. The patient rush is increasing. The waiting list is decreasing. So, PGI is moving in the right direction.”
On institutional collaboration, particularly with BHU, he assured continued support, saying, “We promise you all help of any kind for BHU. You just name it and we will do it. We are very happy to help and handhold centres.”
Thirty-five PGIMER employees were honoured by Chief Guest Prof. Ajit Kumar Chaturvedi, along with Prof. Vivek Lal, Director; Prof. Sanjay Jain, Dean (Academics); and Prof. Sanjiv Handa, Dean (Research), for their outstanding service. The awardees were presented appreciation certificates and mementoes:
Mr. Alel Singh Negi, Hospital Attendant, Histopathology
Mr. Sushil Kumar, Hospital Attendant, Training Branch
Mr. Bhuram Singh, Hospital Attendant, Cytology & Gynae Pathology
Mr. Sate Singh, Hospital Attendant, Physiotherapy
Mr. Pratap Chand, Hospital Attendant, General Branch
Mr. Durga Singh, Hospital Attendant, Office of Deputy Director (Admn.)
Mr. Kiran Pal, MTS (Sanitation), Office of Sr. Admn. Officer
Mr. Vinod Kumar, MTS (Sanitation), Forensic Medicine
Mr. Dhan Singh, MTS (Sanitation), Central Animal House
Mr. Deepak, MTS (Sanitation), Medical Microbiology
Mr. Sonu, MTS (Sanitation), Medical Record Department
Mr. Kali Das, Mali, Engineering Department
Mr. Rajinder Singh, Work Inspector, Engineering Department
Mr. Surinder Kumar, Security Guard, Security Department
Mr. Paramjit Singh, Assistant Administrative Officer, General Branch
Mr. Ashok Kumar, Junior Administrative Officer, Establishment Branch-I
Mr. Ravjit Singh, Senior Lab Technician, Biochemistry
Ms. Lalita Arora, Technical Assistant, Hepatology
Mr. Ashwani Kumar, Senior Lab Technician, Gastroenterology
Mr. Mandeep Saini, Senior Lab Technician, Pulmonary Medicine
Mr. Ominder Kumar, Private Secretary, Pediatrics
Ms. Rajni Gupta, Senior Nursing Officer, Pulmonary Medicine
Ms. Reeta, Officiating DNS, Nursing (Infection Control)
Ms. Jyoti, Senior Nursing Officer, Clinical Hematology & Medical Oncology
Ms. Manpreet Kaur, Nursing Officer, APC PICU
Ms. Rajni, Nursing Officer, Renal Transplant OT
Mr. Rajesh, Nursing Officer, Pediatric Gastroenterology Ward
Mr. Lalit Chand Pant, Junior Administrative Officer, Establishment Branch-II
Mr. Sachin Sharma, Senior Administrative Assistant, Establishment Branch-II
Ms. Shweta, Senior Administrative Assistant, Establishment Branch-II
Mr. Vivek Kumar, Senior Administrative Assistant, Establishment Branch-II
Ms. Surbhi Sharma, Junior Administrative Assistant, Establishment Branch-I
Mr. Sourabh Sharma, Junior Administrative Assistant, Establishment Branch-II
Ms. Ambika Saini, Administrative Officer, Establishment Branch-I & II
Ms. Anand Yadav, Assistant Administrative Officer, Recruitment Cell
Prof. Sanjeev Handa, Dean (Research), PGIMER, proposed the vote of thanks, formally concluding the celebrations.

Chandigarh, September 6: Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that the youth of Haryana have resolved to fight a decisive battle against drugs, and this enthusiasm among the youth will give a new direction to the campaign to make the state drug-free. He said that the Haryana Government has put in place a robust system focusing on enforcement, awareness, treatment and rehabilitation to tackle the challenge of drug abuse.

Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini was addressing the Half Marathon organised in Rewari on Sunday as the Chief Guest, with the objective of taking the resolve of ‘Nasha Mukt Haryana-Khel Yukt Haryana’ to every section of society and connecting youth with sports to create a strong social environment against drugs. The grand marathon was organised on the theme ‘Nashe se jung, Rewari ke sang’. Rewari MLA Sh. Laxman Yadav, Bawal MLA Dr. Krishan Kumar, Kosli MLA Sh. Anil Yadav, Nalwa MLA Sh. Randhir Panihar, Sh. Pankaj Nain, and the marathon’s brand ambassador, Commonwealth Games 2026 para-athletics gold medallist Sharmila Dhankhar, among other dignitaries, were present on the occasion.

Before flagging off the marathon, Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that there can be no place for a social evil like drug abuse on the land of Rewari, known for valour, hard work and patriotism. He said that the drug problem did not emerge suddenly but is a long-standing challenge that was not given serious attention earlier. Over the past 12 years, the Haryana Government has viewed this problem not through a political lens, but in the context of the future of Haryana’s families and youth. The government is committed to taking effective and concrete steps against drugs and providing youth with a safe and positive environment.

The Chief Minister said that a drug-free youth is the foundation of a happy family, skilled youth will build a prosperous Haryana, and determined youth will become the strength of a developed and self-reliant India.

Chief Minister seeks cooperation from youth in raising public awareness against drugs

Calling upon the youth to actively participate in the public awareness campaign against drugs, Chief Minister Saini said that if they find anyone around them involved in drug sales or activities such as drug peddling, they should not remain silent. One piece of information from them can save the life of a young person and prevent a family from losing its hope.

He said that if every young person takes responsibility for making at least 10 other youngsters aware of the harmful effects of drugs, this resolve can soon take the form of a massive mass movement. He informed that a toll-free anti-drug helpline number, 9050891508, has been launched to assist drug-affected persons and provide information about drug-peddling activities. In addition, complaints related to narcotic substances can also be registered through the ‘MANAS’ portal and helpline number 1933.

The Chief Minister said that the identity of complainants is kept completely confidential. Therefore, citizens should participate in the campaign against drugs without any fear. On the occasion, the Chief Minister also administered an oath to those present to participate in the ongoing campaign against drugs.

Chief Minister boosts the morale of over 50,000 runners

During the Half Marathon, Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini showered flowers on more than 50,000 runners and other participants from the flag-off stage, boosting their enthusiasm. Flowers were also showered on over 50,000 runners through drones along the marathon track.

The warm welcome extended by the Chief Minister created an atmosphere of enthusiasm and excitement among the runners. The sight of flowers raining down from the sky, along with the energetic participation of the runners, remained one of the major attractions of the event. Amid the flower shower, the runners also enthusiastically greeted the Chief Minister and participated in the marathon with full zeal.

Chief Minister reaches marathon track and encourages runners

After flagging off thousands of runners participating in the run, Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini himself reached the marathon track and ran alongside the participants, encouraging them. Seeing the Chief Minister running among them generated considerable enthusiasm and excitement among the runners.

During this, the Chief Minister waved to the participants taking part in the marathon and encouraged them. He also planted saplings in the greenbelt along the marathon track, conveying the message of environmental conservation.

Cultural performances boost the enthusiasm of youth

Various cultural performances, from the flag-off stage to the marathon track, remained a major attraction during the marathon. Performances by singers Naveen Poonia and Satyan Lamba at the flag-off stage filled the atmosphere with enthusiasm and excitement.

At various cultural points set up along the marathon track, students from different schools of the district presented cultural programmes and worked to energise the runners. Sand art and exhibitions conveying the message of a drug-free Haryana also spread awareness among the participants.

Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini honoured the winners of the Rewari Marathon, which concluded with record participation, by presenting them cash prizes and certificates of appreciation at the stage set up in front of Rao Tula Ram Stadium.

The 10-kilometre Half Marathon, which started at 6 a.m., was won by Monu Kumar in the men’s category. Dharmendra secured second place, while Ramsangrup won the third prize. In the women’s category of the same marathon, Sarita Pal secured first place. Sonika won the second prize, while Neeta Rani secured third place and received the award from the Chief Minister.

The 5-kilometre marathon, which started at 7 a.m., saw Yash secure the first prize in the men’s category. Pankaj stood second, while Shankardayal secured third place. In the women’s category, Pooja finished first, followed by Sonia in second place and Neelam in third place.

The Chief Minister awarded cheques of Rs. 1 lakh, Rs. 50,000 and Rs. 21,000, respectively, along with certificates of appreciation, to the first three winners of the 10-kilometre race. Similarly, the runners securing the first three positions in the 5-kilometre race were awarded incentive amounts of Rs. 5,100, Rs. 3,100 and Rs. 2,100, respectively. Para-athlete Sharmila Dhankhar was also honoured on the occasion.

Nainital

The Nainital Police have busted an alleged international cybercrime racket operating from the Mukhani area and arrested six people, including the alleged kingpin, while two juveniles in conflict with law were taken into protective custody.

The breakthrough came during a joint operation by the Mukhani police, SOG and Cyber Cell under ‘Operation Hotspot-2026’, a statewide drive against cybercriminals, mule bank accounts, suspicious mobile numbers and illegal cash withdrawals.

Acting on specific intelligence, a joint police team raided a house in Laxman Vihar Colony under Mukhani police station during the intervening night of September 5 and 6. The operation was conducted under the supervision of senior police officials and on the directions of Nainital SSP Dr Manjunath TC.

Police identified Rahul Yadav, 30, a resident of Indore, Madhya Pradesh, as the alleged kingpin of the network. Five other accused — Harshit Kumar, Kamal Goswami, Sahil Kumar, Mohammad Ayan and Mohammad Shubhan — were also arrested.

According to police, the syndicate allegedly used mule bank accounts, ATM/debit cards, SIM cards and an unauthorised application to facilitate and layer illicit financial transactions. Investigators suspect that the racket was involved in cyber fraud involving more than ₹5 crore over a period of four months.

Crypto transactions and mule accounts

Police said Rahul Yadav allegedly used the Binance app to purchase USDT cryptocurrency after collecting cash. The cryptocurrency was then allegedly sold through an unauthorised application called UMASTER, which investigators said was obtained through Telegram and operated without valid documentation, KYC or source verification.

According to police, USDT worth around ₹4-5 lakh was allegedly transacted daily, with participants being lured by an additional three per cent profit and bonus.

The gang allegedly recruited local youths by offering them commissions and obtained bank accounts, ATM/debit cards, cheque books and passbooks from account holders. These accounts were allegedly used as mule accounts to layer and route illegally obtained funds.

Police further alleged that gang members withdrew cash from the mule accounts through ATMs. When the cash involved was substantial, the money was allegedly deposited or transferred into other bank accounts through Cash Deposit Machines (CDMs).

The gang allegedly retained the SIM cards linked to the bank accounts, allowing its members to control the accounts and restricting account holders from independently accessing or monitoring transactions.

24 ATM cards, 11 smartphones seized

During the raid, police recovered ₹1,18,800 in cash, a Dell laptop, an Apple iPad and 11 smartphones, including iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro, Samsung Galaxy S24 and Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra models.

The police also seized 24 active ATM/debit cards belonging to different banks, 12 active SIM cards, six cheque books, four passbooks and 16 bank deposit/CDM slips.

Police said efforts were underway to arrest two other wanted suspects allegedly linked to the network.

The two juveniles taken into protective custody were produced before the competent authorities for further legal proceedings under the Juvenile Justice framework.

A case has been registered at Mukhani Police Station under FIR No. 141/2026 under Sections 66(C) and 66(D) of the Information Technology Act and Sections 3(5) and 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

SSP Nainital announced a cash reward of ₹2,500 for the police team involved in the operation.

Police appeal

Nainital Police have appealed to the public not to hand over their bank accounts, ATM/debit cards, passbooks or cheque books to anyone in exchange for commissions or financial incentives.

Police warned that account holders may also face legal action if their accounts are found to have been used for cybercrime.

The public has been advised to report suspicious financial activity immediately to the nearest police station or through the National Cyber Crime Helpline at 1930.