Chandigarh, July 13 – In a significant gesture of support towards preserving Sikh heritage, three individuals have made a generous contribution of Rs 26 lakh to the Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Memorial Foundation Trust, Lohgarh.

The donation cheques were formally handed over to Sh. Manohar Lal, Union Minister of Power, Housing and Urban Affairs in Chandigarh. Also present on the occasion was Dr. Prabhleen Singh, Officer on Special Duty Government of Haryana, who is closely associated with the Memorial Foundation Trust and its initiatives.

The donors who came forward to support the noble cause include Sh. Harkaran Singh Boparai, Director of HBS and Space Five Architect Group, who contributed Rs 11 lakh; Sh. Ashok Sharma, Chairman of AK Construction Group, who donated Rs 10 lakh; and Dr. Avneet Singh Warraich, Member of the International Gita Mahotsav Authority and founder of Warraich Homeopathic Clinic, Pehowa, who extended support with a contribution of Rs 5 lakh.

It may be mentioned here that Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Memorial is being developed under the guidance of the Foundation Trust to commemorate the unparalleled courage and sacrifices of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur — the revered Sikh warrior who established the first sovereign Sikh rule in India. The memorial aims to stand as a symbol of his indomitable spirit and to inspire future generations by preserving the legacy of this iconic figure in Indian history.

Chandigarh, July 13 :  Haryana Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini said that for the past ten and a half years, the youth of Haryana have been actively and unitedly fighting against the menace of drug abuse across the state. Recently, a state-wide Cyclothon Yatra was organized as part of this campaign, witnessing the participation of over 7.5 lakh young individuals. In addition, marathons and similar events are being held in various districts to further strengthen awareness efforts.

Sh Nayab Singh Saini made these remarks while addressing thousands of participants before flagging off a half marathon on Ambala Road in Kaithal on Sunday morning. Paralympic medallist and half marathon brand ambassador Sh Harvinder Singh, along with mountaineer Reena Bhatti, also took part in the event.

Demonstrating his commitment, the Chief Minister took part in the half marathon to inspire the youth to stay healthy and join forces in the fight against drug abuse, aiming to make Haryana a completely drug-free state. He emphasized that drug addiction is a grave social evil that not only destroys the individual but also devastates families and weakens the fabric of society. “It adversely impacts both physical and mental health, and erodes social harmony,” he said. Highlighting the crucial role of young people in nation-building, the Chief Minister stated, “Our youth are the future of the country.” He called upon them to take a firm pledge that they will neither indulge in drug use nor allow others around them to fall into the trap, instead spreading awareness to combat this menace.

Sh Nayab Singh Saini emphasized that ending drug addiction would lead to healthier youth, propelling the progress of society, the state, and the nation. He reaffirmed that the youth will play a pivotal role in realizing Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi’s vision of a developed India by the year 2047.

He said that a drug-free Haryana is not merely a slogan but a collective resolution that requires everyone’s united effort to achieve. Expressing confidence after witnessing thousands of school and college students, athletes, police personnel, and volunteers participating in today’s event, he said, “I am certain that our dream of making Haryana drug-free will undoubtedly become a reality.”

Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini stated that sports facilities across the state have been expanded to promote the health of youth and keep them away from drug addiction. Additionally, youth are being encouraged to avoid drugs through events such as marathons organized under the Haryana Uday program. He further highlighted the launch of the “Dhakad” initiative at schools, colleges, universities, and other educational institutions, aimed at protecting children and youth from drug abuse. The Chief Minister also mentioned that under the Chief Minister’s Community Policing Outreach Program, more such initiatives will be conducted to foster cooperation and harmony between the police and the public.

He said that alongside raising awareness about the ill effects of drug abuse, the state government is taking strict action against those involved in the drug trade. He urged parents to spend quality time with their children and, if a young person falls into bad company, to make every effort to help them escape that harmful environment.

Chief Minister joins youth in Marathon

Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini actively participated in the half marathon alongside the youth, offering encouragement to the participants. Following the event, he visited the stalls set up along the route. At the venue, he honored the winning participants of the half marathon, celebrating their achievements and reinforcing the state’s commitment to promoting health and unity.

On this occasion, the event was graced by the presence of MLA Sh Satpal Jamba, former Minister of State Smt Kamlesh Dhanda, former MLA Sh Leela Ram, Sh Kulwant Bazigar, Special Officer, Community Policing and Outreach, Sh. Pankaj Nain, Deputy Commissioner Preeti, Superintendent of Police Smt Aastha Modi and other senior officers and dignitaries.

Chandigarh July 13: Haryana Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini emphasized that the art of crafting clay utensils is a treasured heritage. “Pottery making is not just an art; it symbolizes the artistic vision, skill, and expertise of the Prajapati Community,” he remarked. The state government is committed to ensuring that every diligent worker in Haryana receives respect, empowerment, and new pathways for advancement.

Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini made these remarks during his address at the state-level Maharaja Daksha Prajapati Jayanti celebrations in Bhiwani today. Earlier, he paid floral tribute to Maharaja Daksha Prajapati.

On this occasion, while giving a gift of development works to district Bhiwani, the Chief Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 19 projects worth Rs 234.38 crore. This included the inauguration of 6 projects worth Rs 87.42 crore and the foundation stone of 13 projects worth about Rs 147 crore. On this occasion, the Chief Minister also made several significant announcements.

Chief Minister distributes land rights letters to Prajapati community beneficiaries of district Bhiwani

Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh announced that in the next 15 days, land will be allocated to Prajapati community in 2,000 villages of the State where panchayat land is available, ensuring the community has access to soil for making earthen pots. Beneficiaries will receive detailed information, including Khasra numbers, about the land. On this occasion, the Chief Minister distributed land rights letters to Prajapati community members in Bhiwani district.

He also announced that financial assistance will be provided to the people of Prajapati community who start micro-enterprises under the ‘Haryana Rural Industrial Scheme’. Under this, capital subsidy at the rate of 15 percent will be given on investment made on machinery and building construction in B, C and D category blocks of the state. Apart from this, interest subsidy of 7 per cent per annum on term loans, with a maximum benefit of Rs 8 lakh annually, for a duration of 7 years would also be provided.

Rs 1.29 crore announced for the development of Prajapati community Dharamshalas in Haryana

Conceding the demand letter, the Chief Minister announced Rs 1.29 crore for various works in the Prajapati community Dharamshalas across the state. This amount includes Rs 31 lakh contributed by the Chief Minister, Rs 21 lakh from Cabinet Minister Sh Ranbir Gangwa, and Rs 11 lakh each from Sh Krishna Lal Panwar, Sh Mahipal Dhanda, Dr. Arvind Sharma, Sh Krishan Kumar Bedi, Smt Shruti Choudhary, MPs Sh Dharambir Singh, and Sh Ramchandra Jangda.

Sh Nayab Singh Saini announces development works worth Rs. 21 Crore for Bhiwani Assembly Constituency

On this occasion, the Chief Minister announced several development works worth Rs 21 crore for Bhiwani Assembly Constituency. These included Rs. 1. 66 crore for the renovation of sub-health centers in the villages of Haluwas Majra, Dhirana Majra, and Devsar, Rs. 3.50 crore for the construction of two additional covered sheds in the Bhiwani new grain market, Rs. 4.50 crore for the construction of a new road in the Bhiwani new grain market, Rs. 80 lakh for the boundary wall of the new grain market, Rs. 3.50 crore for raising the Marketing Board warehouses adjoining the grain market, Rs. 49.33 lakh for connecting Baba Wala Johad from Nandgaon to Rajgarh minor through a pipeline to provide drinking water for cattle, Rs. 2 crore for the beautification and construction of retaining walls for both Johads in Nandgaon, Rs. 1.50 crore  for construction of halls and various other works in six Dharamshalas of Bhiwani, including the Durbalnath Khatik Dharamshala, Dhanak Dharamshala, Kabir Dharamshala, Sanatan Dharamshala, Veerwan Pana Dharamshala, and Bhata Bhagdi Dharamshala, Rs. 3.5 crore for the construction of community centers in the villages of Kot, Haluwas and Haluwas Majra Devsar.

Chief Minister announces Rs 5 Crore separately for various developments works in the city and villages of Bhiwani Assembly Constituency

Apart from this, the Chief Minister announced a separate allocation of Rs 5 crore for various development works in the city and villages of the Bhiwani Assembly constituency. Paying homage to Maharaja Daksha Prajapati, the Chief Minister said that he was a great king, a visionary, an efficient administrator, and an expander of the universe. He provided a disciplined and well-structured foundation to society. The Prajapati community has made a significant contribution to the development of both the country and the state of Haryana.

The Art of making clay utensils and statues is deeply rooted in the country’s civilization

The Chief Minister said that the art of making utensils and statues from clay is deeply connected to the ancient civilization of the country. In all archaeological excavations conducted to uncover historical evidence, clay utensils and statues have consistently been found alongside other artifacts. Notably, excavations in Banwali and Rakhigarhi villages of the state have unearthed clay artifacts dating back to the Indus Valley Civilization. The Prajapati community has played a significant role in preserving and enriching this heritage. With the invention of the potter’s wheel, the community elevated its craft to new heights.

Transforming traditional skills into professional expertise is essential in the scientific era

Sh Nayab Singh Saini emphasized that in this age of science and technology, it is essential to transform traditional skills into professional expertise. Only then can we truly progress in today’s technological era. He stated that while preserving the traditional methods of crafting utensils and decorative items from clay, new and modern techniques should also be adopted wherever possible. He urged the Prajapati community to go beyond making everyday utensils and focus on producing decorative clay items, which are in high demand internationally. He further encouraged the adoption of modern tools such as electric and solar-powered potter’s wheels and advanced furnaces to increase production efficiency and reduce physical effort.

The government launched several schemes for the upliftment and welfare of the backward classes

The Chief Minister said that the present state government has not only introduced various schemes for the upliftment and welfare of poor families but has also ensured that the benefits of these schemes reach the intended beneficiaries. The government’s policies are not targeted at any specific class or caste, but are meant for every citizen of Haryana who wishes to earn a living through hard work and honesty. Sh Nayab Singh Saini added that the Prajapati community falls under Backward Class-A, and several welfare schemes have been launched specifically for their upliftment. The formation of the Mati Kala Board has provided significant encouragement to artisans engaged in making utensils and decorative items from clay.

He said that the BC-A category has been given 8 percent representation in Panchayati Raj institutions. Additionally, Shagun amount of Rs 51,000 is provided for the marriage of daughters belonging to BPL families from the backward classes. He further said that under the Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme, students from OBC families studying in classes 9 and 10 with a family income of up to Rs 2.50 lakh per annum are given an annual educational allowance of Rs 4,000. Besides this, free coaching is also being provided to eligible candidates preparing for various competitive and entrance examinations.

Speaking on this occasion, Haryana Public Works Minister, Sh. Ranbir Gangwa, said that the Prajapati community is known for its hard work and innate craftsmanship. He remarked that previous governments had neglected this community, but the present government has given due respect and recognition to all sections of society, including the Prajapati community. He added that in Haryana, jobs are being provided to the youth purely on the basis of merit.

Haryana Irrigation and Water Resources Minister, Smt Shruti Choudhary, praised Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini for his tireless dedication, stating that he works round the clock for the welfare of all 36 communities in the state. She expressed her gratitude to the Chief Minister for announcing development projects worth crores of rupees for this district, located at the far end of the state.

On this occasion, Development and Panchayats Minister Sh Krishan Lal Panwar, Education Minister Sh Mahipal Dhanda, Cooperation Minister Dr. Arvind Sharma, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Sh Krishan Kumar Bedi, BJP State President Sh Mohan Lal Badoli, MP Sh Dharambir Singh and Sh Ramchandra Jangda, MLA Sh  Randhir Panihar, Kapoor Singh Valmiki, Ghanshyam Saraf, and other dignitaries were present.

Chandigarh July 13: Union Minister for Power, Housing, and Urban Affairs, Sh Manohar Lal, said that Karnal city being included in the list of the cleanest cities in the country under the Swachh Survekshan is a matter of great pride and happiness for all of us. He congratulated the people of Karnal on the city being selected for the President’s Award for cleanliness and urged the public to continue supporting efforts to maintain cleanliness in the future as well.

Union Minister Sh Manohar Lal was interacting with the media persons during his visit to Karnal on Sunday.

 He congratulated the public representatives, sanitation workers, and the residents of Karnal for this achievement, stating that it is a matter of great pride that Karnal city has been selected for the President’s Award for cleanliness. He added that this recognition is the result of the dedicated efforts of the Safai Mitras and the continued support of the citizens.

He said that under the Swachh Bharat Mission, the Swachh Survekshan campaign has been conducted for the past several years by a third-party agency. Based on the data provided by this agency and the population size, cities are divided into five categories. The first category includes cities with a population of over 10 lakh, while the second category includes those with a population between 3 lakh and 10 lakh. Karnal city falls under the second category.

In reply to a question, the Union Minister said that 100 cities across the country were selected by the Government of India as part of a pilot project, and Karnal was one of them. He said that significant development has taken place in Karnal under the Smart City Project, and assured that any remaining work will be completed soon.

On this occasion, MLA Karnal Sh Jagmohan Anand, MLA Indri Sh Ramkumar Kashyap, MLA Nilokheri Sh Bhagwan Das Kabirpanthi, Assandh MLA Sh Yoginder Singh Rana, Mayor Municipal Corporation Smt Renu Bala Gupta, and other dignitaries were present.

Chandigarh July 13: Haryana Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini said that martyr Squadron Leader Lokendra Singh Sindhu will always remain in our memories. Today, the Chief Minister visited the residence of Squadron Leader Martyr Lokendra Singh Sindhu in Dev Colony, Rohtak and paid him a floral tribute. He expressed deep condolences to the bereaved family members and offered them comfort.

He said that Lokendra Singh Sindhu was a brave officer of the armed forces, who dedicatedly served the nation. The Chief Minister prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and for strength and courage to the bereaved family to bear this profound loss.

Earlier, Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini also visited the residence of senior advocate Harbans Lal Malik, who recently passed away after a prolonged illness. The Chief Minister paid tribute by offering flowers at his portrait and expressed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. On this occasion, several dignitaries, including Haryana Education Minister Sh Mahipal Dhanda, were also present.

Chandigarh, July 13- The Haryana Government has suspended mobile internet services (2G/3G/4G/5G/CDMA/GPRS), bulk SMS (excluding banking and mobile recharge) and all dongle services etc. provided on mobile networks except the voice calls in the jurisdiction of District Nuh with effect from July 13, 2025 (21:00 hrs) to July 14, 2025 (21:00 hrs).

Sharing more details in this regard an official spokesperson said that Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, Dr Sumita Misra has issued an order in this regard.

The spokesperson informed that the mobile internet services has been suspended to maintain law and order and to prevent the spread of misinformation and rumours through various social media platforms, such as Whatsapp, Facebook Twitter, etc. on mobile phones and SMS.

The spokesman said that this order has been issued after taking utmost care of public convenience by exempting individual SMS, mobile recharge, banking SMS, Voice calls, internet services provided by broadband and lease lines of corporate and domestic households, thus not affecting the commercial/financial interest of the State and basic domestic needs of individuals.

He said that all telecom service providers of Haryana have been  directed to ensure the compliance of this order.  Any person found guilty of the violation of the order will be liable for legal action under relevant provisions of law, he added.

He said that adequate police arrangements have been made to maintain law and order in Nuh district. In addition, all community groups have been urged to cooperate with the administration.

Chandigarh, July 12 – Haryana Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini said that students are the future of the nation and should play an active role in fulfilling the Prime Minister’s vision of building a developed India by staying away from drugs.

The Chief Minister was speaking as the chief guest at the Medhavi Chhatra Samman Samaroh in Panchkula today to felicitate meritorious students of classes 10 and 12 at both state and district levels.

 On this occasion, the Chief Minister felicitated 275 students who had excelled in various streams at the state and district levels and encouraged them to continue striving for excellence.

 He said that the Haryana Government is continuously working to bring structural reforms in the field of education. In the past ten and a half years, significant progress has been made not only in school education but also in higher education. He said that under the able leadership of Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi, Haryana’s double-engine government has been working towards establishing medical colleges in every district to ensure better healthcare facilities and address the shortage of doctors in the state. Medical colleges have already been established in 15 districts, and work is underway in the remaining districts. With the aim of promoting higher education among girls, the Haryana Government has set up degree colleges within a 20-kilometre radius across the state so that girls do not have to travel far for their studies, he added.

Special encouragement to Scheduled Caste students

 He said that Haryana Government has decided to give special recognition to meritorious students. He said that students belonging to Scheduled Castes who score more than 90 percent marks in Class 12 will be awarded a cash prize of Rs 1,11,000.

 Describing children as future of the nation, he said that it is essential to ensure their holistic development through both education and values, as only then will they be equipped to face life’s challenges with courage. He emphasized that bookish knowledge alone is not sufficient for a successful life; children must also receive moral and spiritual education, as education without moral values is meaningless. The state government is committed to nurturing a future generation that is educated, ethical, healthy, and capable. To achieve this, special focus is being placed on enhancing the quality of education from the primary to higher levels and aligning the curriculum with employment-oriented goals.

 Sh Nayab Singh Saini said that over the past ten and a half years, numerous steps have been taken to bring about change and progress in the field of education. Several welfare schemes have been launched for students, with a strong focus on enhancing infrastructural facilities in schools. Ensuring quality education remains one of our top priorities. To achieve this, schools are adopting innovative methods such as playful teaching, project-based learning, continuous evaluation, and the integration of new technologies.

The Chief Minister highlighted that, under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi, a new National Education Policy has been formulated to propel 21st-century India to new heights in knowledge and scientific advancement. Although the nationwide timeline for its implementation is till 2040, we have set an ambitious goal to fully implement the policy in Haryana by 2025. A key objective of the policy is to introduce vocational and skill-based education from Class VI onwards. In Haryana, steps have already been taken in this direction through the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF), which has been implemented in 1001 schools to date, enabling students to acquire diverse skills from an early age.

 He said that the state is making concrete efforts in the area of early childhood education as well. There are 4,081 Anganwadis operating within school premises across the state, reflecting a strong commitment to foundational learning. In addition, 1,418 Government Model Sanskriti Primary Schools have been established, aimed at creating a stress-free, ‘no-homework’ learning environment that helps eliminate the fear of studies among young children. Furthermore, 138 Government Model Sanskriti Senior Secondary Schools have been set up, where the medium of teaching is English. To streamline and enhance the quality of education, schools across the state have been organized into 1,415 clusters, with every cluster ensuring the availability of all academic streams Science, Commerce, and Arts. He also highlighted the success of the ‘Super-100’ program, launched in 2018, which provides specialized coaching to meritorious students from government schools. This initiative supports their preparation for competitive examinations such as IIT-JEE and NEET, helping them pursue higher academic and professional goals.

 MLA Shakti Rani Sharma, Panchkula Mayor Kulbhushan Goyal, Chairman Haryana School Education Board Dr. Pawan Sharma, former Assembly Speaker Gian Chand Gupta, BJP District President Ajay Mittal, along with various dignitaries, parents, and teachers of meritorious students were also present on this occasion.

Chandigarh, July 12 – In a significant milestone for maternal healthcare services in Haryana, the first Lower Segment Cesarean Section (LSCS) was successfully conducted today at the newly operational First Referral Unit (FRU) at Community Health Centre (CHC), Mullana in Ambala district.

Health Minister Arti Singh Rao said, “This marks the beginning of a new chapter in providing quality maternal care at the grassroots level. Timely access to life-saving services will help reduce maternal and infant mortality in the region,” she said.

She further emphasized that the state government remains committed to strengthening healthcare delivery systems in rural areas. “The operationalization of FRUs like the one in Mullana aligns with our broader mission to improve access to emergency obstetric care, especially for high-risk pregnancies,” she added.

The successful LSCS procedure was carried out by a dedicated team of doctors and nursing staff, reflecting the enhanced capabilities now available at the upgraded facility.

Health Minister Arti Singh Rao has been at the forefront of several impactful health initiatives in Haryana, with a special focus on improving the sex ratio and enhancing services related to women and child health. Her proactive leadership has led to the successful implementation of numerous schemes aimed at ensuring safer motherhood, better child health outcomes, and access to reproductive healthcare across the state.

Chandigarh 11 July 2025:

After the conduct of general election of Gram Panchayats which was held on 15.10.2024, 90 posts of Sarpanches and 1771 posts of Panches are currently vacant in different Districts as per information received from the Department of Rural Development and Panchayats. In order to fill up these vacant posts, the State Election Commission has announced the bye-election schedule.

As per the schedule, 14.07.2025 (Monday) will be the first date for filing of Nominations (between 11 a.m to 3 p.m.), in the Offices of the concerned Returning Officers.  The last date for filing Nominations will be 17.7.2025 (Thursday) upto 3 p.m. Scrutiny of Nominations will be conducted on 18.07.2025 (Friday) and the last date for withdrawal of candidature will be 19.07.2025 (upto 3 p.m.).  Poll will be held on 27.07.2025 (Sunday), from 08.00 a.m. to 04.00 p.m. through the use of Ballot Papers.

The Final Publication of updated Electoral Rolls was published on 23.05.2025 by the concerned District Election Officers.  The polled votes will be counted on the same day at the polling station itself, after the completion of polling of votes. The expenditure limit notified for a candidate contesting for the post of Sarpanch is Rs. 40,000/-, whereas for Panch expenditure limit has been fixed at Rs. 30,000/-.

The Commission has made all the logistical arrangements to conduct these elections in a smooth and peaceful manner.

Chandigarh, July 11:

Punjab Water Resources Minister Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal today presented a government resolution in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha opposing the Union Government’s proposal for CISF deployment at BBMB installations in the state.

While presenting the resolution, Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal stated that in recent years, the Government of India’s Ministry of Power had sent a list of important BBMB installations that were not yet under CISF security and strongly stressed the need for CISF security coverage, stating that complete security should be provided to all important BBMB locations.

He said that Punjab has reconsidered the issue of CISF deployment and has registered strong objections against CISF deployment through letters sent to BBMB on May 27, 2025, and July 4, 2025. He stated that despite Punjab’s strong objections, CISF is considering proceeding with the deployment. Even in the recent BBMB meeting held on July 4, 2025, Punjab strongly opposed the proposal.

He categorically stated that BBMB installations have been completely secured by Punjab Police for around 70 years. Even during very sensitive periods, no untoward incidents have ever occurred.

The Water Resources Minister said that the state police deployed at BBMB are well-acquainted with local conditions and have been serving these projects for many years. As far as technology is concerned, Punjab Police is proficient in using the latest technology. Besides this, Punjab Police has extensive experience in handling such situations in border areas. This force is as professional as any other force in the country, he added.

Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal said that CISF deployment would impose an unnecessary financial burden on Punjab and other partner states. Punjab is the major contributor to BBMB expenses and therefore Punjab would have to bear this additional cost, said the cabinet minister, adding that the installations are within the territorial jurisdiction of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. As per the law, the responsibility of maintaining law and order within their respective boundaries and ensuring security of these installations lies with the concerned state governments.

He said that according to recent proposals, the additional financial impact due to CISF deployment would be Rs.49.32 crore per year. He stated that Punjab is also managing other dams, including Ranjit Sagar Dam and Shahpurkandi Dam. The security of these dams is more critical than BBMB installations because these dams are very close to the international border. The security of these dams is being provided by Punjab Police and the state government.

The Cabinet Minister said that the cost of CISF hybrid model deployment is Rs.49.32 crore more than the current state police deployment, which is unacceptable. Punjab is a major stakeholder in the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) and makes significant contributions to its funding. Therefore, deploying CISF personnel at Bhakra Nangal and other hydro projects would impose an unnecessary and avoidable financial burden on the Punjab Government.

He said that if BBMB still intends to deploy CISF personnel, Punjab will not bear the cost of such deployment or any financial burden arising from it.

During the debate on the resolution, Sh. Goyal revealed that during the tenure of the previous Congress government, consent for CISF deployment was given to the Centre through a letter dated December 6, 2021.

“When Punjab Police is capable of securing the dams, then why is the Centre showing the need for CISF? Actually, this is about the Union Government’s attempt to seize control of dams under the guise of deploying CISF,” he added. He said that recently, the Union Government, in collusion with the Haryana Government, attempted to usurp Punjab’s water rights, which was strongly opposed by the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann-led government. “When attempts were made to pressure the state, we went there and staged protests and protected our waters,” he said.

He said that due to this, the Union Government is attempting to seize control of Punjab’s dams indirectly by deploying CISF. He said that Punjab has sacrificed everything for the country, but the state has always been betrayed. Even during the Ravi-Beas water sharing in 1981, out of 17 MAF water, Punjab was allocated only 4 MAF water. Subsequently, the 13 paras of the Rajiv-Longowal Agreement of July 24, 1985, including one point stating that Chandigarh would be transferred to Punjab on January 26, 1986, were not implemented and no other point was acted upon, but only the provision to take away the state’s water was implemented.

“Punjab needs 30 MAF water, but there is no water available for us,” said Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal, adding that the Chairman of BBMB is working on the Centre’s directions. All work is being done at the behest of the Union Minister and former Chief Minister of Haryana, whereas he should treat the entire states equally.

Considering these aspects, the House unanimously rejected BBMB’s proposal to deploy CISF personnel at all its installations. The House strongly stated that the currently deployed state police are well-acquainted with the location and security requirements of these projects, having served in these areas for many years. The existing arrangement has proven efficient and cost-effective, with no significant security deficiencies reported. Therefore, Punjab State does not agree with CISF deployment at the Bhakra Nangal Project.

The House unanimously recommended that the Punjab Government will raise this matter with the concerned ministries of the Government of India and inform the Government of India and BBMB that CISF personnel should not be deployed at Bhakra Dam projects and other hydro projects of BBMB.