Chandigarh, August 5:

The e-KYC process is gathering momentum with each passing day and till now the process has been completed with regard to 1,27, 84000 (1.27 Crore) beneficiaries. The Districts of Mansa, Sri Fatehgarh Sahib and Patiala are the top 3 places respectively in this regard.

In a review meeting held here today at the Anaj Bhawan, the Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak was apprised by the senior officers of the department about the latest position concerning the e-KYC process.

It is noteworthy that e-KYC is a digital method to verify the identity and address of the beneficiary primarily using the Aadhaar Card Number and the Biometrics for authentication. The wheat to eligible beneficiaries is distributed under Public Distribution System (PDS) in 2 categories. Under Antyodaya Ann Yojna (AAY), 35 Kg of Wheat is given on per family and per month basis while under the Priority Households (PHH) category, 5 Kg Wheat on per person per month basis is provided free of cost under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013.

Regarding the status of tarpaulins in connection with preparations for the upcoming Paddy procurement season 2025-26, it was brought to the notice of the Minister that the PUNGRAIN, which is the Nodal Agency for procurement of tarpaulins, has floated an e-tender for purchase of 47500 LDPE polythene tarpaulins on behalf of all the State Procurement Agencies. Besides, the department already has 95000 tarpaulins from previous year.

The Minister also reviewed the progress of construction of 46 LMT covered godowns allocated by Government of India. He directed the department to impress upon the bidder to complete the construction of covered godowns at 3.75 Lakh MT for which Letters of Award have been already issued and also directed to complete the formalities of awarding the covered godowns of 9.55 LMT capacity at the earliest. Further, he also instructed the department to complete the tendering of covered godowns of remaining 32.70 LMT capacity to ensure the maximum space is available for storage of rice during the ensuing paddy procurement season 2025-26.

Among others present on the occasion included the Principal Secretary Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Rahul Tiwari, Director Varinder Kumar Sharma, Additional Secretary PUNGRAIN Kamal Kumar Garg and Additional Director Dr. Anjuman Bhaskar along with GM (Finance) Sarvesh Kumar Sharma.

Chandigarh, August 5

A high-level delegation comprising 32 elected members and office staff from the City Municipal Council, Gowribidanur, Chikkaballapur District, Karnataka, visited the Municipal Corporation Chandigarh today on a study tour aimed at gaining technical insights into the city’s solid waste management and water supply management systems in city.

The visit began with a detailed orientation session by Joint Commissioner Sh. Himanshu Gupta, who explained the functioning of the Municipal Corporation Chandigarh, highlighting various ongoing projects, innovative campaigns, and the city’s structured approach to urban governance. 

He provided insights into the planning and execution of sanitation, solid waste management, water supply schemes, and citizen engagement models that have helped Chandigarh maintain its high cleanliness and livability standards.

As part of the study tour, the delegation visited several key infrastructure sites, including the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) Centre, Composting Plant, Horticulture Waste Processing Plant, Construction & Demolition (C&D) Waste Plant, and the City Dumping Ground. These visits gave the delegation a firsthand experience of Chandigarh’s waste management cycle and sustainable practices.

The delegation undertook this tour to enhance their understanding of live projects and adopt best practices that can be replicated in their local governance framework. The officials were also briefed on smart water supply monitoring systems, waste segregation initiatives, and active citizen participation in cleanliness drives.

Chandigarh, August 5:

In a major step towards technological advancement in the cooperative banking sector, the SAS Nagar Central Cooperative Bank and The Ropar Central Cooperative Bank have successfully upgraded their Core Banking Solution (CBS) from Finacle 7 to Finacle 10. With this achievement, Under the umbrella of NABARD, Punjab becomes the first state in India to initiate and complete this significant digital transition in its cooperative banking network.

This milestone reflects the State’s growing commitment to modernising cooperative banks, ensuring faster, secure, and more customer-friendly banking services at the grassroots level. This progress has been achieved under the able leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, whose focus on digital transformation and rural empowerment has provided the necessary direction and support for such reforms.

The successful migration was made possible through the strategic leadership and support of Financial Commissioner Cooperation Alok Shekhar who played a vital role in driving this initiative forward. His guidance was instrumental in shaping the vision and execution of this project.

Speaking on the development FCC Alok Shekhar stated, “The successful upgrade to Finacle 10 reflects Punjab’s commitment to strengthening rural banking infrastructure through technology. It is a major step toward delivering efficient, secure, and transparent banking services across the cooperative network. I congratulate all teams involved for achieving this milestone.”

MD Punjab State Cooperative Bank (PSCB) Harjit Singh Sandhu highlighted that the transition to Finacle 10 was a long-awaited step in reinforcing the IT backbone of cooperative banks. He said, “With Finacle 10, our banks are now equipped to offer better customer service, quicker transactions, and robust cybersecurity features. This upgradation positions us to meet the evolving needs of our customers, especially in rural and agricultural sectors.”

He also congratulated the MDs/DMs and IT teams of SAS Nagar and Ropar District Central Cooperative Banks for their dedication and efforts in successfully implementing this complex and significant migration.

Registrar Cooperative Societies Girish Dayalan was also actively involved in facilitating coordination and implementation during the migration process.

The transition is now being viewed as a model for cooperative banking reforms nationwide. Other cooperative banks in Punjab are scheduled to upgrade to Finacle 10 in a phased manner over the coming months.

This initiative marks a pivotal point in the evolution of Punjab’s cooperative banking system, setting a national benchmark for innovation, efficiency, and farmer-centric development in the sector.

Derabassi (SAS Nagar), August 5, 2025:
Amidst the ongoing drive against organised crime and dreaded and wanted criminals, launched on the directions of Punjab Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Maan, DGP Gaurav Yadav and DIG Ropar Range Harcharan Singh Bhullar, SAS Nagar Police in a joint operation with Anti-Gangster Task Force, Punjab has arrested two operatives of Lawrance Bishnoi gang after a brief exchange of fire at Gulabgarh road in Dera Bassi, said Harmandeep Singh Hans, SSP, SAS Nagar

Divulging the details, the SSP SAS Nagar said that arrested duo have been identified as Sumit Bishnoi, a resident of village Lakhasar of district Hanumangarh of Rajasthan and Pankaj Malik, a resident of village Saragthal of district Sonipat of Rajasthan. “Accused Sumit Bishnoi was declared wanted in the sensational murder of Mahavir Sihag at village Lakhasar in district Hanumangarh of Rajasthan on May 18, 2025. FIR no 112/2025 u/s 103(1),3(5) BNS, 27 Arms Act was registered at PS Golu wala District Hanumangarh in this connection and Inspector General (IG) Bikaner Range had also announced a reward of Rs 50,000 this for information leading to his arrest” said the SSP.

Sharing the operational details, the SSP said that a tip off was recieved in the morning today about presence of Sumit bishnoi in Dera Bassi area. “Acting swiftly, an operation was planned and joint teams of AGTF Punjab and SAS Nagar Police tracked him down along with his associate Pankaj at a PG located on Gulabgarh road, Dera Bassi. However, when the team tried to apprehend the accused, he opened fire. In the retaliatory fire, Sumit was injured in his left leg” said the SSP while adding that a .32 pistol along with four live cartridges has also been recovered from the accused.

The SSP further said that preliminary investigations have revealed that foreign based gangster Arzoo Bishnoi was handling the accused. “At Arzoo’s directions, Sumit was involved as a shooter in the Mahavir Sihag’s murder while Pankaj was carrying logistics for them. They were staying on a Fake ID of Vishal in the PG from last few days”, added the SSP.

The injured accused had been shifted to civil hospital for treatment. Further investigation is going on, added SSP.

CHANDIGARH, August 5:

          In order to make Punjab a safe and secure state as per the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav on Tuesday chaired a state-level meeting with all range IGPs/DIGs, Commissioners of Police (CPs) and Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) to review ongoing drug enforcement efforts under Yudh Nashian Virudh, the overall law and order situation, and the internal security landscape across the state.

          The DGP was along with Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla, Special DGP Intelligence Praveen Kumar Sinha, ADGP Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) Nilabh Kishore, ADGP Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) Promod Ban and ADGP Counter Intelligence Amit Prasad.

          During the meeting, senior officers have also briefed the field officers on critical issues such as cross-border drug trafficking, Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, organised crime networks, and key law and order concerns.

          “We also reviewed the progress of the state-wide anti-drug campaign ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’, launched on March 1, 2025, and discussed strategic interventions to strengthen this ongoing war against drugs,” said DGP Gaurav Yadav, while asserting the ANTF’s dual approach— aggressive enforcement on the ground and robust, community-led prevention — to create a drug-free and secure Punjab.

          Sharing outcome of the ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign, he said that Punjab Police has registered 15,671 FIRs and arrested 24,639 drug smugglers since March 1, 2025, and recovered 1020 kg heroin, 330 kg opium, 21 ton poppy husk, 14 kg charas, 377 kg ganja, 6.3 kg ICE, 3.3 kg cocaine, 31.74 lakh intoxicant pills/tablets and Rs 12.25 crores drug money from their possession.

          During the meeting, the DGP has also reviewed the state-wide preparedness for upcoming Independence Day celebrations and directed all field units to remain on high alert and ensure foolproof security arrangements.

          “Security arrangements were reviewed and suitable instructions have been given to maintain peace and harmony by ensuring police presence at all important places, intensify domination operations and other preventive and detective measures ahead of forthcoming Independence Day celebrations,” said DGP Gaurav Yadav.

          He also directed CPs/SSPs to conduct manpower audit of all police establishments and pull out police personnel from non-core duties to ensure visible police presence especially in crowded places. He also directed the district police chiefs to increase the Police Checkpoints in their respective jurisdictions and ensure the checking of a maximum number of vehicles at every Naka.

          The DGP said apart from ongoing decisive war against drugs, action against organised crime, gangsters and Pak-sponsored terror activities have been the Punjab Police’s topmost priority and perpetrators in all the major cases have been identified.

CHANDIGARH, August 5:

          Amidst the heightened security to ensure peaceful celebrations of forthcoming Independence Day-2025 as committed by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab Police on Tuesday conducted a cordon and search operations (CASO) at and around all the District and Sub-Divisional Courts across the state to ensure foolproof security arrangements at all the Judicial Complexes.

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

          Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla said that the CPs/SSPs were directed to personally monitor this operation and make sufficient number of Police teams to carry out checking under the the supervision of SP rank officers. He said that CPs/SSPs were also asked to conduct checking of all suspicious persons in and around the court complex, besides, carrying out checking of all the vehicles parked around the complex by using the Vahan app.

          He said that Police teams were also asked to make sure that Door Frame Metal Detector (DFMDs) and Closed-Circuit Television (CCTVs) cameras installed at premises of Judicial Complexes are functioning.

          Sharing more details, the Special DGP said that Police teams have frisked as many as 694 suspicious people found roaming around the court complexes. As many as 1160 vehicles stationed at different parkings around court premises were also checked during which Police teams have also issued 129 challans and impounded four vehicle.

          Meanwhile, Police teams have continued its cordon and search operation (CASO) against drugs on Day 157, and conducted raids at 397 locations on Tuesday leading to the arrest of 109 drug smugglers after registration of 89 first information reports (FIRs) across the state. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 24,748 within 157 days.

          The Special DGP said that the raids have resulted in recovery of 1.5 kg heroin, 1.1 kg opium, 35 quintals poppy husk and Rs 44,910 drug money from the possession of arrested drug smugglers.

          He informed that over 180 Police teams, comprising over 1300 police personnel, under the supervision of 82 gazetted officers have conducted raids across the state and checked as many as 437 suspicious persons during the day long operation.

          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 79 persons to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment today.

New Delhi/Chandigarh, August 5

Rajya Sabha Member and Environmentalist Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal has written a letter to the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and the Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, expressing concern over the ongoing disruptions in Parliament. In his letter, he alleged that while crores of rupees from taxpayers are being spent, no productive work is being done in Parliament.

In the three-page letter, Sant Seechewal claimed that during the ongoing session of Parliament, ₹2.5 lakh is spent every minute. On average, one day of Parliament proceedings costs around ₹10 crore. In the last 12 days alone, approximately ₹120 crore has been spent, even though the session has failed to function properly during this period.

He stated in the letter that raising the issues of the people is the primary duty of the opposition, but the environment in Parliament is being made such that the opposition is forced to resort to protests and disruptions.

Sant Seechewal emphasized that a Member of Parliament gets the opportunity to raise public issues during Zero Hour, Question Hour, and through Special Mentions. But when Parliament is not in session or not functioning properly, all these rights are effectively taken away from the MPs. He noted that no one wins from the disruptions in Parliament; rather, it is a loss for the common people of the country—those who elected their representatives with the hope that one day their voice would be echoed in the House.

He pointed out that even after more than 75 years of independence, the country still struggles to provide clean drinking water, pure air, and healthy food to its people—all of which are constitutional rights essential for human life.

Due to unemployment, the youth of the country are either falling into the trap of drug addiction or migrating abroad. Those who move overseas for better job opportunities often face great hardships. Parliament, he said, has never seriously discussed their plight.

He also referred to how the newly elected President of the United States once had Indian nationals handcuffed and deported like criminals. Similarly, 13 young Indian men, who had reportedly joined the Russian army, are still missing, and their families continue to await their return. Yet, such crucial issues have never found space for discussion in the Parliament.