Chandigarh, July 11:

Launching a scathing attack on previous regimes for undermining the interests of the state, Aam Aadmi Party Punjab President and Cabinet Minister Mr. Aman Arora said that the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government would fight tooth and nails to protect interests of Punjab.

He was addressing the house on an official resolution moved by Water Resources Minister in Punjab Vidhan Sabha against the deployment of CISF at BBMB installations in the state.

Mr. Aman Arora said that Punjab is an agrarian state and its life revolves around farmers, their fields and water. He slammed previous governments for their short-sightedness and overly prioritising electoral gains over long-term planning, while noting that agriculture’s significant contribution to Punjab’s economy and the fact that around 70% of the state’s population depends on it.

“The people of Punjab are well aware that during the Congress regime, under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, when Congress ruled Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Rajasthan, the Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal construction commenced from Kapuri. Punjab knows who challenged it in the Court and how it was later withdrawn during the same Congress regime”, said Mr. Aman Arora while adding that this is a very emotional issue for every Punjabi. The BJP led Centre Government also attempted to unilaterally alter the BBMB selection committee, which historically included Member (Power) from Punjab and Member (Irrigation) from Haryana. Given that Punjab bears 60% of the expenses of the BBMB project but the centre overlooked the interests and rights of the state.

He further highlighted that the BSF’s jurisdiction expansion was also done during the Congress regime. In June 2018, then Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh wrote a letter to the central government, suggesting that the security of Punjab’s jails should be handed over to the CISF, implying that the Punjab Police was not competent. This raises questions about the consistency of their stance on the state’s autonomy and security matters. He also noted that three out of the four partner states in BBMB had given consent for the deployment of central forces during the Congress party’s term.

While strongly supporting the resolution, Mr. Aman Arora reaffirmed the AAP led Punjab Government’s strong stance to protect the state’s interests and rights, while ensuring that Punjab’s rights are not compromised.

Punjab Police is competent to protect all the installations of BBMB, Mr. Arora said while dismissing the need for CISF deployment. He emphasised the state’s capability to manage its own security affairs.

Chandigarh, July 11:

In a significant step towards administrative reform and strengthening the horticulture sector of the state, the Punjab Government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has issued a Gazette notification amending the Punjab Horticulture (Group A) Service Rules, 2015. The reform has been spearheaded by Horticulture Minister Shri Mohinder Bhagat, who has been consistently advocating for better service conditions for officers working in the horticulture sector.

Lauding the notification, Horticulture Minister Mohinder Bhagat said, “This amendment is a major reform aimed at uplifting our dedicated officers. I am grateful to Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann for his support in implementing this step. It will ensure better motivation, fairness, and service delivery in the horticulture sector.”

He informed that as per Notification No. G.S.R.106/Const/Art.309/Amd.(3)/2025 dated July 2, 2025, and published in the Punjab Government Gazette (Extra) on July 4, 2025, the rules have been amended to rationalize the pay scales of Horticulture Development Officers and Sericulture Officers. This long-awaited structural reform will bring uniformity and clarity in service matters, especially with regard to the applicability of pay levels under the 7th Central Pay Commission.

The amendment covers multiple specializations within the horticulture cadre including Protected Cultivation, Biotechnology, Beekeeping, Marketing Intelligence and information, Aeroponics, Nursery Production, Citrus Production and Training, Post-Harvest Management, Mushroom, Entomology, Pathology, Soil, and Sericulture. These changes will bring parity among officers recruited on or after July 17, 2020.

He further added that Punjab is rapidly moving towards crop diversification and value addition through horticulture. “A strong cadre is essential to support farmers and bring innovation into the system,” Bhagat emphasized.

The notification issued by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare (Agriculture-4 Branch) also lays down guidelines for promotions and pay scale applicability, ensuring long-term clarity and transparency in service conditions.

Chandigarh, July 11:

A significant moment unfolded today in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha as the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2025 was tabled for discussion. Applauding this progressive initiative, Punjab Cabinet Minister for Social Security, Women and Child Development, Dr. Baljit Kaur, termed it a crucial step towards preserving the state’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage.

Speaking during the discussion, Dr. Baljit Kaur emphasized the ancient and inseparable bond between humans and animals. She reflected on the evolution of mankind from forests to modern society, highlighting how language and intellect enabled human advancement, but regrettably, also led to increasing acts of cruelty and neglect towards animals.

The Minister narrated a thoughtful anecdote to illustrate how humans, despite being the most powerful species, often misuse their dominance over animals. She remarked that where humans should have shouldered the responsibility of animal welfare, they instead imposed oppression and exploitation.

Addressing the House, Dr. Kaur stressed that the earth was not created solely for humans, but for all living beings — animals, birds, insects, and even invisible micro-organisms — each contributing to the natural balance. She cautioned that disrupting this delicate ecological harmony could have serious consequences for humanity itself.

Referring to Punjab’s age-old traditions, she said animals have always been treated as family in Punjabi households. Cattle like cows, buffaloes, and oxen were nurtured and cared for like one’s own children, and their well-being was considered a moral duty.

Expressing her gratitude towards Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, Dr. Baljit Kaur lauded his vision for reviving Punjabi culture and safeguarding the rights and dignity of animals. She particularly appreciated the revival of traditional practices like bullock cart races as part of the state’s heritage.

Dr. Baljit Kaur underlined that this was the first time such a comprehensive animal welfare bill had been introduced in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha — a landmark move aimed at strengthening both human values and animal rights while protecting the natural environment.

In conclusion, the Minister reiterated that ensuring the protection, care, and respect of animals is a collective social responsibility, and pledged her full support to the bill.

Chandigarh, July 11:-

The Punjab Government is set to expand its educational infrastructure with plans to establish new government colleges in the state, having a special focus on border areas and underserved regions, announced S. Harjot Singh Bains, Minister for Higher Education, Punjab.

While moving the Rayat Bahra Professional University, Hoshiarpur Bill-2025 and C.G.C. University, Mohali Bill, 2025 in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Friday, S. Bains highlighted the state’s remarkable progress in the field of education, citing an 85% increase in enrolment in government colleges.

The Education Minister stated that the all the colleges in the state— Government, Private, Aided— saw a significant rise in student enrolment, from 7 lakh in 2022 to 9 lakh in the last academic session. Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University, Bathinda, witnessed a notable surge in enrolment, growing from 1,400 to 2,480 students. Furthermore, the state has expanded its ITI seats by approximately 35,000 in the past three years, with an impressive 99% seat fill-up rate last year, and further, plans to add 5,000-7,000 more seats this year.

He attributed this growth to the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab government’s commitment to transform Punjab into a global education hub. Notably, the government has provided over 54,000 government jobs to the youth, which has significantly helped in curbing brain drain.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is the only party in the country’s history to have made education a central plank of its agenda during the 2022 Punjab Assembly polls, S. Harjot Singh Bains said while adding that education is the topmost priority of the Punjab Government.

He highlighted that the state has introduced new-age courses in emerging fields such as Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Banking, Financial Services, Digital Marketing, Hospitality & Tourism, and Event Management. Furthermore, the state government has also ensured timely disbursement of Scheduled Caste scholarship so that no student should be deprived of quality education due to financial constraints.

The Education Minister said that just three years ago, a staggering 90% of professors’ posts were vacant, and some faculty members were working on a meager salary of Rs 20,000 per month. However, CM Mann-led Government has increased their remuneration to Rs 50,000. He also assured all guest faculty professors that their services are valued and their jobs are secure. The state has made significant progress in recruiting young and talented faculty members to government colleges, filling vacancies that had vacated for decades.

Punjab has become a preferred destination for international students, with students from 70 countries currently studying in the state, he added.

The Education Minister said that concerted efforts are being made to foster meaningful collaboration between academia and industry for empowering students to acquire practical skills and experience. Additionally, initiatives like the Business Blaster program aim to promote entrepreneurship and innovation among students. Through this program, students receive seed money and mentorship support, encouraging them to think creatively and develop their own business ideas, thereby transforming them from job seekers to job providers.

CHANDIGARH, July 11:

          With the war against drugs “Yudh Nashian Virudh” waged on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to eradicate drug menace from state completed 132 days, Punjab Police on Friday arrested 116 drug smugglers and recovered 4.5 kg heroin and 1 kg opium from their possession. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 21,495 in just 132 days.

          The operation was conducted on the directions of Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav simultaneously in all 28 Police districts of the state.

          Notably, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann has asked the Commissioners of Police, Deputy Commissioners and Senior Superintendent of Police to make Punjab drug free state. The Punjab government has also constituted a 5-member Cabinet Sub Committee led by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema to monitor the war against drugs.

          Divulging details, Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla informed that over 180 Police teams, comprising over 1300 police personnel, under the supervision of 86 gazetted officers have conducted raids at as many as 459 locations across the state leading to the registration of 85 first information reports (FIRs) across the state. Police teams have also checked as many as 459 suspicious persons during the day-long operation, he added.

          The Special DGP said that with the state government has enforced a three-pronged strategy— Enforcement, Deaddiction and Prevention (EDP)— to eradicate drugs from the state, the Punjab Police as part of ‘De-addiction’ has convinced 75 persons to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment today.

Chandigarh, July 11:

In a surprise move, Punjab’s Health and Family Welfare Minister, Dr Balbir Singh on Friday inspected at the residences of his cabinet colleagues and LOP as a part of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s initiative ‘Har Shukarvar Dengue Te Var’. The drive revealed a concerning presence of mosquito larvae in Desert coolers ,Flower pots & water-containers for birds etc , highlighting the need for immediate preventive measures.

“Dengue can become deadly if it turns hemorrhagic, leading to severe complications. However, collective efforts can halt its spread,” Dr. Balbir Singh said while emphasising the importance of eliminating breeding spots and urged caretakers, ministers, LOP and the public to work together to make Punjab dengue-free.

The Health Minister directed officials,from ASHA workers to senior officers, to intensify awareness drives and mobilise communities. He emphasised that Health Committees in every village and mohalla must conduct home inspections every Friday from 9-10am to ensure no mosquito larvae survive.

Dr Balbir Singh urged for mass participation for a better impact to defeat dengue, he also advised everyone to cover water containers, cleaning the desert coolers weekly and not accumulate any stagnant water around their houses.

On the occasion, Principal Secretary Health Kumar Rahul, Director Health and Family Welfare Dr Hitinder Kaur, State Program Officer (NVBDCP) Dr Arshdeep Kaur and other health officials were also present.

Chandigarh, July 11:

The Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, is committed to the welfare of every section of society and is according special priority to the progress and welfare of the Scheduled Castes. This was stated today by the Minister for Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities, Dr. Baljit Kaur, while addressing a meeting held at the Punjab Civil Secretariat.

During a special review meeting with the Director of Punjab Scheduled Castes Land Development and Finance Corporation (PSCLDFC), Mr. Ravinder Hans, Dr. Baljit Kaur issued directives to ensure that the benefits of welfare schemes being run by the Corporation effectively reach every eligible beneficiary.

In the meeting, Director Ravinder Hans gave a detailed presentation about the various schemes of the Corporation and informed that a large number of needy families are availing benefits from these government initiatives. He also suggested that special camps should be organized in every district to spread awareness about these schemes and to ensure their benefits are delivered directly to the rightful beneficiaries.

During the meeting, issues such as shortage of staff in the Corporation, administrative difficulties being faced by officials, and some pending matters were also brought to the Minister’s notice.

After giving a patient hearing to all the issues, Dr. Baljit Kaur issued immediate directions to resolve some of the important matters on the spot. She assured that all other pending issues would also be addressed promptly. The Minister further emphasized that the implementation process of the Scheduled Castes welfare schemes would be made more efficient, prompt, and organized to ensure maximum outreach and timely delivery of benefits to the eligible individuals.

The Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, has reached a remarkable milestone: Over 1000 pituitary adenoma surgeries have been performed endoscopically by a single surgeon, Prof. Rajesh Chhabra, Senior Neurosurgeon, over the past 7 years—a distinction that places this achievement among the largest single-surgeon series globally.

“Despite advances in medicine, we continue to see patients presenting with large or even giant pituitary tumors, often due to delayed diagnosis or limited awareness,” said Prof. Rajesh Chhabra. “This milestone reflects not only surgical success but also the importance of early detection and the collaborative strength of a dedicated team.”

This achievement would not have been possible without the skilled multidisciplinary team at PGIMER:

          •        Prof. Rajesh Chhabra and Dr. Apinderpreet Singh — Neurosurgery

            •          Dr. Ramandeep Virk — ENT (Otorhinolaryngology)

            •          Dr. Pinaki Dutta and Dr. Rama Ahluwalia — Endocrinology

            •          Dr. Chirag Kamal Ahuja — Neuroradiology

            •          Dr. Nidhi Panda and Team — Neuroanaesthesia

The Hidden Power of the Master Gland

The pituitary gland—a pea-sized structure at the base of the brain—plays a crucial role in regulating many of the body’s vital functions. Known as the “master gland,” it controls the production of essential hormones including those responsible for growth, thyroid function, stress response, reproductive health, and fluid balance. Despite its small size, the pituitary gland holds the key to our body’s hormonal harmony.

Due to its strategic location near optic nerves (responsible for vision) and critical blood vessels (carotid arteries), abnormalities of the pituitary gland—especially pituitary tumors (adenomas)—can lead to serious health problems. These tumors account for nearly 15% of all brain tumors, making them the third most common brain tumors after gliomas and meningiomas. Fortunately, the vast majority are non-cancerous, but if left untreated, they can cause vision loss, hormonal imbalances, life-threatening crises, and even coma.

Surgical Evolution: From Open Surgery to Minimally Invasive Endoscopy

In earlier decades, pituitary tumors were operated on by opening the skull (craniotomy)—a procedure associated with considerable post-operative risks. With medical advancements, the microscopic transnasal approach gained popularity, significantly reducing morbidity. The real breakthrough, however, came with the advent of endoscopic transnasal pituitary surgery, which has now become the gold standard worldwide for most pituitary tumors, offering a safer, scarless, and faster recovery.

Together, we employ minimally invasive endoscopic transnasal techniques that enable:

 Safe and scarless surgery through the natural nasal passage

 Minimal hospital stay and faster recovery

 Preservation of vision and hormonal function

 Reduced complication rates

Why Do Giant Pituitary Tumors Still Occur?

In India, patients often present with giant or advanced pituitary tumors due to:

•      Late diagnosis: Early warning signs such as headaches, vision changes, or subtle hormonal disturbances are frequently ignored.

•      Limited public awareness: Many are unaware that these symptoms could point to a pituitary problem.

•   Fragmented healthcare: Smaller centers may manage minor cases, while complex or   larger tumors require timely referral to tertiary care centers like PGIMER. Early Detection Saves Sight—and Lives

The team at PGIMER urges the public to watch for warning signs such as:

          •        Persistent headaches

          •        Gradual vision loss

          •        Unexplained weight gain or changes in body features

          •        Menstrual irregularities or hormonal disturbances

A simple MRI scan and hormonal evaluation can lead to early diagnosis, enabling safer and more effective treatment.

Managing pituitary tumors requires not only technical excellence but also: Meticulous surgical planning,Continuous post-operative monitoring, A well-trained team of resident doctors, nurses, and paramedical staff.

The high volume of cases at PGIMER ensures world-class training for young doctors, who carry forward this expertise across India and abroad.

The Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, is India’s premier academic and healthcare institution, known for: the State-of-the-art facilities, Advanced neurosurgical innovation and Excellence in multidisciplinary patient care

The successful treatment of over 1000 pituitary tumor cases endoscopically by a single surgeon underscores PGIMER’s role as a national and regional leader in skull base and pituitary surgery—aligning with high-volume global standards where experience is key to superior patient outcomes.

Chandigarh:

The General Secretary of All India Congress Committee, former Union Minister, and MP from Sirsa, Kumari Selja, has expressed concern over the serious flaws in the crop insurance scheme in the state and the injustice being done to farmers. Kumari Selja has demanded immediate intervention from the central and state governments. Kumari Selja said that the primary objective of the crop insurance scheme was to provide financial relief to farmers during natural disasters, but it has now become a means of profit for insurance companies. Strict action should be taken against officials involved in scams under the guise of insurance.

In a statement released to the media Kumari Selja said that thousands of farmers across various districts in the state have been struggling for years to get their crop insurance claims. However, they are not receiving any satisfactory response. Farmers are being forced to run from one office to another. The collusion between officials and insurance companies has become a cause of distress for farmers. Such officials should be identified and punished. When farmers insure their crops, the companies neither conduct timely surveys nor maintain transparency in assessing the damage. Many farmers are not even given any documentation regarding their claims, whereas in sectors like vehicle insurance, consumers are handed the full policy. This double standard is an injustice to farmers. It clearly shows that companies have always been profit-driven and have no concern for farmers’ interests.

Kumari Selja said that the insurance companies treat an entire village as a single unit while assessing damage. If a particular field suffers actual loss but the entire village is not declared as a damaged area, that farmer does not receive a claim. This system is anti-farmer and must be changed immediately. Kumari Selja said that in the era of climate change, disasters like floods, excessive rainfall, and hailstorms have become common. If a farmer’s crop is destroyed, they should receive compensation immediately so they can prepare for the next crop. However, under the current system, delays of 2 to 3 years are common, pushing farmers deeper into debt.Selja said that governments take responsibility only up to collecting premiums, but when it comes to disbursing claims, farmers are left at the mercy of insurance companies. This situation must be changed immediately. Kumari Selja further alleged that in the cotton-producing regions, a ₹300 crore insurance scam occurred during the determination of Kharif-23 cotton claims in Bhiwani and Charkhi Dadri due to the collusion between the agriculture department and CIC company officials. To date, neither have the guilty officials been punished, nor have the affected farmers received any compensation.

Kumari Selja has demanded from the government that farmers should be given individual insurance policies, just like in other insurance sectors. The insurance survey must be transparent, and assessment of damage should be done at the individual field level. The claim amount should be paid within a fixed timeframe, with a maximum of 60 days. Companies profiteering in the name of insurance should be closely monitored, and fines should be imposed for negligence. Kumari Selja said that the Congress Party will raise this issue of farmers’ pain at every level and continue the struggle to ensure that farmers receive their rights.

Chandigarh, July 12 – Haryana’s Energy, Transport and Labour Minister Sh. Anil Vij today strongly criticized Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge, and said that “Kharge Ji does not trust his own country, its people or the Prime Minister—he has more trust in foreigners.” He added that “Kharge Ji may not trust us, but at least he should trust his dear Pakistan and what their Prime Minister/Deputy Prime Minister said—that Trump did not hold any talks or mediation to stop the India-Pakistan war.”

Sh. Vij made these remarks today while responding to questions asked by the media personnel regarding Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge’s statement that, “Modi Ji and the BJP lie so much. When the India-Pakistan war was ongoing, Donald Trump said that he stopped it, that he asked them to halt… Trump said this 16 times. Modi didn’t respond. Why? Because he didn’t have the courage to speak against Trump.”

The Energy Minister responded that “When the Prime Minister of India has clearly said there were no talks or mediation of any kind, and when the Deputy Prime Minister of Pakistan has also confirmed there were no talks, then at least Kharge Ji should believe the Pakistani Deputy PM, after all, Pakistan is close to his heart.”

*”During the present government’s tenure, all kinds of direct benefits go straight into beneficiaries’ accounts” – Vij*

In response to a question regarding Rahul Gandhi’s recent comment that “the sole aim of the crop insurance scheme is to steal farmers’ money and funnel it into the pockets of three or four billionaires by looting government funds,”on this,  Sh Vij hit back and said that “Rahul Gandhi Ji, this is not your late father Sh. Rajiv Gandhi Ji’s time, when one rupee sent from the top used to result in only 15 paise reaching the ground, and 85 paise was eaten up by your system. Today, every rupee reaches the beneficiary’s account—whether it’s from the Kisan Nidhi, a pension, or disability support. Today, all money goes directly into the accounts of beneficiaries, so how can it end up in anyone’s private coffers?”

*”Former Chief Minister Sh. Manohar Lal made considerable efforts to improve infrastructure in Gurugram” – Vij*

In response to a question about the recent heavy rainfall and waterlogging in Gurugram, which led to the death of nine to ten people, Sh. Vij said that “When Gurugram was first established, it was under opposition governments. Proper planning of drainage, sewers, and roads should be done before settling a city. But now, breaking and rebuilding an already settled city is extremely difficult. No government at that time paid attention to this. However, in the last 10 years, former Chief Minister Manohar Lal made significant efforts to improve Gurugram. But when the initial design and planning of the city were flawed, making major improvements becomes difficult. He added that he is deeply saddened by the deaths in Gurugram.