Chandigarh, February 2

Punjab Revenue and Housing & Urban Development Minister S. Hardeep Singh Mundian today held marathon meetings with various unions.

During separate meetings held at Punjab Bhawan here with representatives of the Revenue Patwar Union, Kanoongo Union, Sanjha Mulazim Manch PUDA and the All India Terrorism Victims Association, the Cabinet Minister assured that all their legitimate demands would be addressed on priority.

S. Hardeep Singh Mundian said that under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government is fully committed to the welfare of every section of society. The Revenue Minister sympathetically listened to the demands put forth by various associations and unions.

He said that demands which can be resolved at the departmental level will be settled expeditiously on a priority basis, while matters requiring intervention at the level of the Chief Minister or the Finance Department will be taken up soon through meetings with Chief Minister and Finance Minister.

The Revenue Minister informed representatives of the Patwari and Kanoongo associations that Patwaris and Kanoongos showing commendable performance in discharge of their duties will be honoured and encouraged. He also urged all employees to perform their duties with dedication, honesty and responsibility.

While deliberating seriously on the demands of the Sanjha Mulazim Manch PUDA, the Cabinet Minister said that the issue of extending pension scheme benefits to PUDA retire employees will be effectively taken up with Chief Minister at the earliest.

During the meeting with representatives of the All India Terrorism Victims Association, S. Hardeep Singh Mundian said that assistance, security and rehabilitation of terrorism-affected families remain a priority of the Punjab Government. He assured that the genuine demands raised by the association would be examined seriously in coordination with the concerned departments and all possible and appropriate steps would be taken for their redressal.

Prominent amongst others who were present in the meetings included Additional Chief Secretary-cum-Financial Commissioner Revenue Sh. Anurag Verma and Housing and Urban Development Principal Secretary Mr. Vikas Garg and others.

CHANDIGARH, 2nd February 2026:

Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Sunday called out the BJP-led Centre for completely ignoring Punjab’s needs and sacrifices in Union Budget 2026, pointing out that there is no mention of Punjab anywhere in the budget and no reference to the long-pending Rural Development Fund (RDF) of ₹8,500 crore that is legitimately due to the state.

Declaring the budget anti-farmer, anti-education and anti-health, the Punjab Finance Minister said Punjab has once again been pushed to manage on its own despite bearing the burden of national food security, facing the impact of repeated natural calamities and responsibly handling RDF-related obligations, while receiving no relief for common people and no meaningful support from the Centre for the 12th consecutive year.

Addressing a press conference at Punjab Bhawan, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said the budget represents a deliberate attempt to derail the growth of Punjab, a state that has made unparalleled sacrifices for the nation. “The mindset of the BJP in power at the Centre has become a big threat to the country’s democracy and especially Punjab. The Union Budget 2026 is anti-education, anti-health and inimical to the farmers, the poor, traders and even the security of Punjab. Through this budget, a nasty attempt has been made to derail the growth of Punjab, which has made great sacrifices for the country,” he said.

The Finance Minister said that Punjab has been completely sidelined for the 12th consecutive year in the budget presented by the BJP-led Central Government. “The memorandum submitted by Punjab to the Union Finance Minister has been blatantly ignored. Punjab has always stood firm in the defence of the country and has not reduced its contribution to the Central food pool. In fact, our contribution has increased every year. Because Punjab has continuously replenished the country’s food reserves, 117 blocks of the state’s groundwater have gone into the dark zone,” he said.

Taking strong objection to the approach of the 16th Finance Commission, the Punjab Finance Minister said the Centre has turned a blind eye towards the states. “The poor financial condition of states has been completely ignored. The vertical devolution, which is the total share of all states in the tax pool, has been kept unchanged at 41 percent. There is no increase at all despite the fiscal stress faced by states. The 16th Finance Commission has not recommended any Revenue Deficit Grants, whereas the 15th Finance Commission had done so. Conditions imposed on the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) are overly restrictive and will severely affect states like Punjab in effectively mitigating and managing disasters,” he said.

Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said the Union Government has once again ignored the legitimate concerns of Punjab’s farmers, exposing its hollow claims of being pro-farmer. “There is neither any increase in the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund nor any concrete assistance to strengthen mandi infrastructure. There is absolutely nothing for farmers of Punjab in terms of increased allocation to the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund or for strengthening mandi infrastructure in Union Budget 2026. States will now be forced to do all this from their own funds. The budget talks about high-value crops but has completely left out Punjab,” he said.

The Punjab Finance Minister pointed out that farmers of Punjab feed the nation, yet the Union Government continues to neglect investment in systems that ensure food security. “The selective approach towards high-value crops is deeply discriminatory. The budget mentions crops like coconut, cashew, sandalwood and dry fruits, but there is nothing for farmers in North India who depend on crops suited to their agro-climatic conditions. This budget clearly reflects the Centre’s bias and its continued indifference towards farmers of food grain producing states, especially Punjab. These farmers deserve respect, support and appropriate investment, not empty slogans,” he said.

Criticising the reduction in subsidies and the absence of relief for common citizens, Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said, “Urea subsidy has been reduced from ₹1,26,475 crore last year to ₹1,16,805 crore this year. There is nothing for the common people in this budget. There is zero tax relief at a time when incomes are stagnant and inflation is eating into the savings of common people. Instead, the Government of India has increased the Securities Transaction Tax, which will adversely impact the common man. There is also no relief on Long-Term Capital Gains. It is like squeezing the common man from all sides.”

On defence, the Punjab Finance Minister said expectations have been completely belied. “Given last year’s tensions with Pakistan, we were expecting major announcements to strengthen defence production and a meaningful increase in the defence budget. Nothing of that sort has happened. Defence finds mention only four times in the Union Finance Minister’s speech,” he said.

Referring to the PM-Vishwakarma Scheme, he said, “This scheme was launched last year with much fanfare to provide holistic, end-to-end support to traditional artisans and craftspeople. Instead of strengthening it, the budget allocation has been reduced from ₹5,100 crore to ₹3,861 crore. On one hand, the government claims this is a Yuva-Shakti Budget aimed at developing legacy industries, and on the other hand, it cuts the budget for a scheme meant exactly for that purpose.”

On education, Minister Harpal Singh Cheema termed the budget “deeply uninspiring”. “There is less than 10 percent growth, around 8 percent, in the education budget compared to last year. The allocation for the PM-SHRI scheme remains unchanged at ₹7,500 crore. There is no mention at all of Special Assistance to States for Capital Creation. All states had requested extension and enhancement of this scheme to sustain high levels of capital expenditure, but the Centre has ignored this demand,” he said.

On the health front, he said, “The Ayushman Bharat scheme budget remains unchanged at ₹9,500 crore. The Swachh Bharat Mission budget has been halved to ₹2,500 crore from ₹5,000 crore last year. Allocation under VB-G-RAM-G has been increased to ₹95,692 crore from ₹88,000 crore under MGNREGA, but at the same time, the Border Infrastructure and Management Scheme budget has been reduced from ₹5,597 crore last year to ₹5,577 crore in the current budget,” he added.

Summing up, the Punjab Finance Minister said the Union Budget 2026 reflects the Centre’s apathy towards Punjab and its people. “This budget ignores Punjab’s contribution, overlooks its challenges and undermines its future. It neither strengthens the nation’s security nor supports farmers, workers, youth or states. Punjab and its people deserve far better than this,” said Minister Harpal Singh Cheema.

CHANDIGARH, 2nd February 2026:

A delegation of the National Defence College, New Delhi, currently on a study tour of Punjab, called on Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday, during which he highlighted the state’s unparalleled contribution to the nation’s unity and sovereignty, its legacy of valour and communal harmony, and Punjab’s enduring role as the sword arm and food bowl of India.

Interacting with a delegation of the National Defence College that called on him here today, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Punjab has given the Indian Armed Forces distinguished military leaders and braveheart soldiers who have always made supreme sacrifices for the country.” He said, “It is heartening to learn that the National Defence College, New Delhi, is on a visit to Punjab from February 2 to 6.”

Welcoming the delegation upon their arrival in the state, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “This socio-political study tour is aimed at understanding and learning about Punjab’s social, economic, political and other sectors.”

Extending a warm welcome to the delegation on the sacred soil of Punjab, the Chief Minister said, “The state government feels privileged to host you.” He apprised the delegation, saying, “Punjab is the holy land of great Gurus, saints, seers, prophets and martyrs, and it is known as the land of brave and hardworking people.”

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The youth of the state protect the borders, and our farmers keep the country’s granaries secure, due to which Punjab is proudly known as the ‘Food Bowl and Sword Arm of India’.”

The Chief Minister said, “Punjab’s farmers contribute the most to the country’s grain production, and 40 percent of the food grains in the national pool are contributed by the state.” He added, “The brave soldiers from Punjab have sacrificed their lives to protect the country’s unity, integrity and sovereignty, and it is a fact that Punjabis made the maximum sacrifices in the country’s freedom struggle.”

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Punjab is a peaceful state where peace, mutual love and communal harmony are so strong that the seeds of hatred cannot germinate here.”

The Chief Minister said, “Despite being a border state, Punjab has never been divided along sectarian lines. Instead, Punjabis have set beautiful examples of communal harmony before the world during times of crisis.” He further said, “The holy city of Amritsar is known as a symbol of all-inclusive coexistence and is home to sacred sites like Sri Harmandir Sahib, Durgiana Mandir, Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Sthal, Jallianwala Bagh and others.” He added, “Punjab shares a 532-kilometre-long international border with a hostile country, yet it has remained an epitome of secularism, peace and amity.”

The Chief Minister said, “As part of the study of India’s socio-political and economic aspects, a week-long tour has started in Punjab.” He added, “This course provides an opportunity to visit states and gain in-depth knowledge about their social, political, economic, cultural and religious aspects.”

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “It also allows a better perspective on the challenges of implementing administration, governance and law and order at the state level down to the village level.” He said, “The delegation consists of a total of 16 officers, with 31 percent representation from foreign officers, as five of the 16 officers are from abroad.”

The Chief Minister said, “The delegation includes one officer each from Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Malaysia and Nepal.” He added, “There are 11 Indian officers, including Army five, Navy two, Air Force two, AFHQCS one and DoLR one.” CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The delegation includes officers from the Army, Navy and Air Force at Brigadier or Secretary level, as well as civil officers.”

The Chief Minister said, “Civil officers from services including IAS, IPS, IRS, IFS, Coast Guard and DRDO are also part of this ambitious course.” He added, “The course covers areas such as knowledge about India and strategic orientation, economic security, science and technology, global issues, the international security environment, strategic aspects of neighbouring countries, and strategies and structures for national security.” On the occasion, Bhagwant Singh Mann also felicitated the members of the visiting delegation and said, “I wish them a comfortable stay in the state.”

CHANDIGARH, February 2:

          As the decisive ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’ campaign launched on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to make Punjab a gangster-free state completed two weeks, Punjab Police has arrested 4,233 individuals including gangsters and criminals associated with them after conducting 14,382 raids across the state since the launch of the campaign.

          As per the information, the “Gangstran Te Vaar”— a decisive war to make Punjab a gangster-free state was launched by the Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav on January 20, 2026. Police teams from all the districts in coordination with Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) Punjab have been conducting raids at the identified and mapped locations linked to associates of gangsters.

          As part of the ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’ campaign, well-coordinated strong nakas were set up under the supervision of Inspectors/DSPs on Monday, and an extensive checking of vehicles and suspicious people is being conducted across the state.

          Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla, while interacting with media after inspecting the naka at Godrej Chowk in Mohali, said that police teams have recovered 116 weapons along with 262 live cartridges and 23 magazines from the possession of arrested individuals.

          Apart from this, preventive action has been initiated against 2,311 persons, whereas, 4,008 persons were verified and released after questioning, he said, while adding that Police teams have also arrested 283 proclaimed offenders (POs) in last 14 days.

          On Day 14, Police teams arrested 172 individuals after conducting 613 raids, while, preventive action has been taken against 159 persons and arrested nine proclaimed offenders (POs).

          People can anonymously report information related to wanted criminals and gangsters, and also share tips on crime and criminal activity, through the Anti Gangster Helpline number 93946-93946.

          Meanwhile, Police teams have continued its drive against drugs “Yudh Nashian Virudh” for 338th day with 81 drug smugglers arrested on Monday and recovered 1.3 kg heroin, 1053 intoxicant tablets/capsules and Rs 1.23 lakhs drug money from their possession. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 47,498 in just 338 days. As part of De-addiction, the Punjab Police has convinced 11 persons to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment today.

Chandigarh February 2, 2026:

 The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its ongoing drive against the corruption in the state, has apprehended Clerk David, posted at Regional Transport Office Bathinda, red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs. 2700/-.

 Disclosing this here today, an official spokesperson of the state VB said the above-mentioned accused has been arrested based on a complaint lodged by a resident of Kanhiya Nagar, district Bathinda.

He said that the complainant is working in the office of agent Raja Mittal as a daily wage worker and looking into the work related to RTO Bathinda. He said accused is performing the duties of verifying the registration certificate (RC) of  vehicles  online in RTO Bathinda. But the accused was not verifying the complainant files and was demanding Rs. 300/- per file to get those files verified. The accused called the complainant to reach bus stand of  Bathinda and took Rs. 2100/- as bribe and further demanded Rs. 3000/- as illegal gratification. The complainant did not want to pay the bribe, due to which he contacted the Vigilance Bureau Unit, Bathinda.

After a preliminary enquiry on his complaint, the VB team laid a trap during which the accused was arrested red handed while accepting  bribe money of Rs 2700/- from the complainant in presence of two official witnesses.

In this regard, a case under prevention of corruption act has been registered against the accused at VB police station Bathinda and further investigation into this case is under progress.

Chandigarh, February 2 – Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini has expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi for naming Punjab’s Adampur Airport after Sant Shiromani Guru Ravidas Ji. He said that Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi has taken a historic decision. Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini was speaking to the media at Haryana Bhawan in New Delhi on Monday.

During this, he said that it is a matter of great pride for us that on the sacred occasion of Sant Shiromani Guru Ravidas Ji’s birth anniversary, Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi has named Adampur Airport as “Sri Guru Ravidas Maharaj Ji Airport.” This naming is a true tribute to the immortal ideals of Sri Guru Ravidas Maharaj Ji. The values of equality, compassion and service given by him continue to inspire society even today and guide us towards building a harmonious, just and humane society. This initiative will not only honour his great thoughts but will also provide future generations an opportunity to draw inspiration from his message. He said that this step also reflects that our nation continues to remember those great personalities who worked to give direction to society.

Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi has been continuously naming major institutions of the country after saints and great personalities, which is a true tribute to them. Recently, Ayodhya Airport was named after Maharishi Valmiki. Similarly, Hisar Airport has been named after Maharaja Agrasen.

Budget presented keeping every section of society in mind

Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that this time’s Union Budget has been presented keeping every section of society in mind. Haryana has been given a special place in this budget. The issue of waterlogged (salinity-affected) land has been addressed in the budget, and special emphasis has been laid on MSMEs, industry and AI, which will directly benefit Haryana. Taking a dig at the Congress, he said that the Congress was in power for 55 years but could not present such a budget. This budget empowers women. It provides employment to youth. It strengthens farmers. It is a budget that fulfils the aspirations of 140 crore countrymen, including farmers, youth, women and the poor.

BJP government will be formed in Punjab

Responding to a question related to Punjab, Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi, a Bharatiya Janata Party government will be formed in Punjab. The people there have made up their mind that if Punjab has to move forward, a BJP government will have to be formed. The Congress and Aam Aadmi Party governments have only shown false dreams to the people. Recently, floods occurred in Punjab and farmers’ crops were damaged. The Chief Minister there said that they gave farmers compensation of ₹20,000 per acre, while the head of his party went to Gujarat and claimed that they had given ₹50,000 compensation to farmers. They are only trying to fool the people. Farmers suffered losses, and they are only doing politics over it. Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi understood the problems of Punjab’s farmers and provided ₹16,000 crore assistance to them.

Chandigarh, February 2 — Haryana’s Forest and Environment Minister, Rao Narbir Singh, said that animals and birds have held a special place in human life since ancient times. They are also closely associated with deities, symbolizing our religious and cultural traditions. He emphasized that along with government efforts, public participation is extremely necessary for their conservation.

He was speaking as the Chief Guest at a programme organized in Panchkula on the occasion of World Wetlands Day today. On this occasion, the Forest Minister released the poster of the first Haryana Bird Festival–2026, which will be held across the state from February 2 to February 21, and formally inaugurated the festival by unveiling the calendar of activities planned during the event.

Appreciating the programme’s theme, “Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge – A Celebration of Nature and Culture,” Rao Narbir Singh said that Haryana has two major wetlands — Sultanpur (Gurugram) and Bhindawas (Jhajjar) — where thousands of migratory birds arrive every year from different countries. He stated that during the COVID period, some species had reached the brink of extinction, but the government is now making efforts to provide all necessary facilities at wetlands so that more migratory birds visit every year.

He informed that in Basai, Chandu and three to four nearby villages of Gurugram, thousands of acres of land remain waterlogged. Out of this, a lake can be developed over 200–300 acres and transformed into a tourist destination, which would attract visitors from Delhi-NCR and also help rid the area of polythene and plastic waste.

The Forest Minister said that the manufacture of single-use plastic and polythene has been banned in Haryana since 2013, yet their use continues. He stressed that the success of this law is not possible without public participation and urged people to take a pledge to stop using single-use plastic and polythene.

He explained that burning polythene releases toxic gases that pollute the environment, while burying it in the ground takes about 450 years to decompose and also blocks urban sewerage systems. The Environment Minister said that his goal is to make Haryana polythene-free, which requires public cooperation. He also stated that nearly 40 percent of pollution is caused by the use of polythene.

He added that the Haryana Wetland Authority and Pond Authority have been constituted, but they have not yet fully achieved their objectives. He stressed that local community participation is essential for cleaning and conserving water bodies such as johads and ponds.

On this occasion, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Vivek Saxena, highlighted the importance of World Wetlands Day and said that it began in 1975. He noted that it is necessary to maintain a balance between development and environment, which is why this day is observed every year with a new theme. This year’s theme is “Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge – A Celebration of Nature and Culture.”

The programme was attended by MLA Shakti Rani Sharma, Principal Chief Conservator Vineet Kumar Garg, K.C. Meena, other departmental officials and employees, and a large number of schoolchildren.

Chandigarh, February 2 – The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has invited applications from serving and retired government employees for allotment of ready-to-move flats under its ‘Karmayogi Awaas Yojana, 2025’. In this regard, Haryana Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi has received an official communication from the DDA.

According to the communication sent by DDA Vice Chairman Sh. N. Saravana Kumar, the scheme provides for the allotment of 1,168 ready-to-move residential flats located in Pocket-9 (Sectors A-10 to A-14), Narela, Delhi. The entire housing pocket has been exclusively earmarked for applicants under this scheme, which is intended for the benefit of serving and retired employees of the Central Government, State Governments, public sector undertakings, public sector banks, local bodies and government universities.

The housing units include one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom flats, equipped with parking facilities, lifts, spacious balconies, a community centre or club house and ample open green spaces. The flats are being offered at discounted rates of up to 25 per cent. The DDA has also clarified that there is no restriction on ownership of property in Delhi or elsewhere, and eligible applicants may apply for one or more flats, subject to fulfilment of the scheme conditions.

The housing complex forms part of a planned urban area and is expected to benefit from ongoing and proposed infrastructure projects, including metro connectivity under Phase-IV, improved road networks, proximity to the proposed Education City and connectivity through national highways and major urban roads. The authority has described the location as well connected and suitable for long-term residential investment.

As per the scheme timeline, registration for the Karmayogi Awaas Yojana opened on 19th December 2025, while booking started on 14th January 2026. The scheme will remain open till 31st March 2026. Applications are to be submitted online through the DDA’s portal, where detailed information regarding eligibility conditions, layout plans and category-wise pricing has been made available through an official brochure.

Following receipt of the letter, the Haryana Chief Secretary has circulated the information among state government employees through appropriate official channels, including departments and subordinate offices, so that eligible personnel may apply within the prescribed timeframe.

The DDA has stated that further clarifications, including details regarding unit-wise availability and site visits, can be obtained directly from the authority through its website or helpline. The scheme is being projected as an affordable and secure housing option for government employees, particularly in view of the rapid urban and infrastructure development planned in the Narela area.

Chandigarh, February 2 – Haryana Additional Chief Secretary, Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Sumita Misra, today reviewed the overall functioning of the State Health Department and issued a series of important directions aimed at strengthening patient safety, improving healthcare quality and promoting a comprehensive women-centric healthcare approach across government hospitals in the state.

During the review meeting, Dr. Misra laid special emphasis on hospital safety, particularly in view of recent fire incidents reported from hospitals in different parts of the country. She directed all Deputy Commissioners and Civil Surgeons to conduct comprehensive inspections of electrical wiring, power panels and other electrical installations in hospitals. Regular safety audits, preventive checks and timely maintenance of electrical systems were made mandatory to prevent fire-related accidents and ensure the safety of patients, attendants and healthcare staff. To support these initiatives, Dr. Misra assured that requisite funds would be provided for revamping Community Health Centres, Primary Health Centres and District Hospitals, with special focus on upgrading infrastructure, safety mechanisms and patient care facilities.

Dr. Misra also reviewed the biomedical waste management system in government hospitals and directed officials to ensure strict compliance with prescribed norms for segregation, collection and scientific disposal of hospital waste. She stressed the need for regular monitoring, proper documentation and close coordination with authorised biomedical waste disposal agencies to prevent health and environmental hazards, warning that lapses in waste management would not be tolerated.

Highlighting the importance of patient welfare, Dr. Misra instructed that the Hospital Welfare Fund must be utilised transparently and strictly for its intended purposes. She directed health authorities to prepare and follow clear Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for utilisation of the fund, ensuring that expenditure directly benefits patients and contributes to strengthening hospital infrastructure and essential services.

The Additional Chief Secretary emphasized that healthcare policies should adopt a comprehensive and inclusive approach to women’s health, extending beyond maternal and adolescent care. She underlined the importance of addressing women’s health needs across all stages of life, including preventive care, nutrition, mental health, and age-related health concerns, to ensure holistic well-being and improved health outcomes for women. She directed officers to strengthen screening and preventive care for cervix cancer, breast cancer, anaemia and osteoporosis among women. Emphasis be laid on early detection, awareness campaigns and accessible screening facilities. She also instructed the department to include menopause management and counselling services as an integral part of women’s healthcare. Dr. Misra underlined the importance of menstrual hygiene management and called for increased awareness, wider availability of hygienic products and integration of hygiene practices into routine public health programmes. Improving overall hygiene practices in healthcare institutions was also identified as a priority area.

The review meeting also focused on improving neonatal healthcare facilities across the state. Dr. Misra directed that Neonatal Intensive Care Units and newborn care services should be further strengthened to reduce infant mortality and improve survival outcomes.