Chandigarh June 9: While giving major push to the infrastructure development projects in Sonipat Metropolitan Area, the Sonipat Metropolitan Development Authority (SMDA) which met under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister, Sh Nayab Singh Sain here today approved a budget of Rs 349.8 crores for the Financial Year 2025-26.

        Haryana Cooperation Minister, Dr Arvind Sharma, MP Sonipat Sh Satpal Brahamchari, MLAs Sh Nikhil Madaan, Sh Devender Kadyan and Smt Krishan Gahlawat and Mayor Sh Rajiv Jain were also present in the meeting.

        While chairing the 2nd meeting of the Authority, the Chief Minister directed that the new building for the Municipal Corporation, Sonipat, be constructed at the earliest. He emphasized that to ensure citizens do not have to visit multiple offices for their work; the office of the Sonipat Metropolitan Development Authority should be relocated to the Municipal Corporation building once it is completed.

The Chief Minister directed that new schemes and projects be planned with consideration of the area’s projected population, ensuring maximum benefits for the people from the development works. He directed that officers must ensure contractors complete development works within the stipulated time frame, and strict action should be taken against those who fail to do so.

Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) to be established under Sonipat Metropolitan Development Authority

 In the meeting, the Authority approved the establishment and monitoring of an Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) under the aegis of the Sonipat Metropolitan Development Authority.

 The ICCC will serve as a central nerve centre for managing urban infrastructure and services in a growing city like Sonipat. Key components of the ICCC include a city-wide surveillance system, ICT infrastructure for smart parks and smart roads, an adaptive traffic control system, traffic enforcement systems, variable messaging signs, smart street lighting, an emergency response system, and a public address system.

3 MLD STP at DCRUST, Murthal to be upgraded to 7.5 MLD capacity

Recognizing the rapid growth of the town in the food sector and industries, the Authority approved the upgradation of the 3 MLD Sewage Treatment Plant at Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science and Technology (DCRUST), Murthal, to a 7.5 MLD capacity plant based on SBR (Sequencing Batch Reactor) technology, at an estimated cost of Rs. 15.75 crore.

Additionally, approval was granted for a project costing Rs. 35.50 crore for the construction of a 10 MLD Ranney well and a rising main from Village Bega, near the Yamuna River, to Gannaur town. This project aims to enhance the drinking water supply for Gannaur and the surrounding areas.

New theme-based Waste to Wonder Park to be developed behind the stadium in Sector-4

With the aim of providing a refreshing environment for children to play, families to bond, and elders to relax, a new theme-based Waste to Wonder Park will be constructed behind the stadium in Sector-4, Sonipat.

To be developed at an estimated cost of Rs. 26.38 crore, the park is expected to attract a large number of visitors, offering a significant economic boost through increased footfall and public engagement. The park will feature recreations of world-famous landmarks from various continents, created using waste and scrap materials transformed into artistic installations.

Road dividing Sectors 29/7, 28/6, and 4/5 in Urban Estate to be widened for improved traffic flow

To ease traffic congestion in Sonipat city, particularly on Bahalgarh Road, the Authority approved the widening of the road dividing Sectors 29/7, 28/6, and 4/5 at an estimated cost of Rs. 26.86 crore. The project will involve expanding the existing 7-meter-wide carriageway to a 14-meter-wide dual carriageway, along with the construction of a 2-meter-wide cycle track and a 2-meter-wide footpath on both sides of the road to accommodate increasing traffic demands.

Additionally, the Authority approved the implementation of a stormwater drainage project in Kundli Town, with an estimated cost of Rs. 28.15 crore. The stormwater will be directed to Drain No. 6 for proper disposal. Approval was also granted for the construction of a Dussehra Ground in Sector-17, near Village Rewali.

The Authority also approved providing storm water disposal and construction of drains at Kharkhoda Town at a cost of Rs 42.37 crore and augmentation of water supply by installation of 2 new ranney wells, rising main upto existing MBS and other connecting infrastructure for Sonipat Town at a cost of Rs 47.54 crore.

CEO, Sonipat Metropolitan Development Authority Smt A.Mona Sreenivas briefed the Chief Minister on the actions taken regarding decisions made during the previous meeting, as well as on upcoming projects.

Among those present in the meeting included Chief Secretary Sh Anurage Rastogi, Principal Advisor, Urban Development Sh DS Dhesi, Additional Chief Secretary Health and Family Welfare Sh Sudhir Rajpal, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Sh Arun Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary Town and Country Planning and Urban Estates Department Sh A.K Singh, Commissioner and Secretary Urban Local Bodies Department Sh Vikas Gupta, Chief Executive Officer PMDA Sh KM Pandurang, Chief Administrator, Haryana Shaheri Vikas Pradhikaran, Panchkula Sh Chander Shekhar Khare, Director, Town and Country Planning, Sh Amit Khatri, OSD to Chief Minister Sh B.B Bharti, Additional CEO Sonipat Metropolitan Development Authority Smt Veena Hooda and other senior officers.

Chandigarh, June 9:

Ushering in a new era of trust, transparency, and transformation, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday will launch FastTrack Punjab Portal which will ensure all the approvals to the investors within 45 days of application. 

“These reforms are not the end rather they are the beginning of a movement, a movement where ease of doing business becomes a culture, not a slogan”, said the Chief Minister.

Divulging more details, the Chief Minister said that Punjab has always been a land of courage, enterprise, and resilience and now, it stands ready to lead India’s industrial resurgence with the same spirit. He said that this is a bold declaration to every investor that Punjab is open for business on their terms, with full commitment. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that FastTrack Punjab Portal represents more than a technological upgrade adding that it is the backbone of a re-imagined industrial governance model.

The Chief Minister said that the state government is replacing discretion with discipline, delay with digital, and confusion with clarity. He said that from getting approvals in a maximum of 45 days to eliminating red tape, Punjab’s system is no longer reactive; it is proactive, precise, and professional. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that whether the industrialist was a startup founder, a global conglomerate, or a first-time entrepreneur, Punjab welcomes him not just with incentives, but with integrity and intention.

The Chief Minister said that every reform be it a unified regulator , unified portal, deemed approval, In-Principle approval, or robust monitoring protocols has been designed to earn their trust and support their journey. He said that the officers of the state government are no longer just regulators but they will act as facilitators adding that escalation mechanisms ensure that when there is silence, there is action and no investor will ever feel unheard or stuck. Bhagwant Singh Mann further said that compliance has been made intelligent, powered by self-declaration, enabled by digital scrutiny, and backed by legal certainty.

The Chief Minister said that the state government firmly understands that industries don’t thrive on paperwork rather they thrive on roads, power, people, and vision. That’s why, he said that the state government is investing in industrial parks, unlocking land potential, enabling lease-to-freehold policy, and creating new avenues to monetize industrial assets. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that a Rs 200 crore infrastructure fund has been established to ensure that last-mile gaps within Industrial Focal Points do not derail the expansions of industrialists.

The Chief Minister said that after parleys with industrialists policy Incentive disbursal is now expedited, monitored, and mission-driven. He said that the state government has already disbursed more in this quarter than in the past two years combined, adding that this is the new Punjab where promises are kept, not just made. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that in near future, Punjab will not be a follower—it will be a front-runner and a state where industry is empowered by policy, enabled by infrastructure, and supported by a responsive government.

Chandigarh, June 9:

 In view of the ongoing paddy sowing season, Punjab Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO on Monday held a high-level meeting with senior officials of Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) and Punjab State Transmission Corporation Limited (PSTCL) to review power supply arrangements for farmers across the state.

During the meeting, the Minister was informed that the state has adopted a phased schedule for paddyh sowing, including Direct Sowing of Rice (DSR). As per the government’s directive, DSR was permitted from May 15 to May 31, 2025, followed by phased transplantation across districts.

Sowing activities were initiated on June 1 in border and canal-irrigated districts such as Faridkot, Bathinda, Ferozepur, Sri Muktsar Sahib, and Fazilka. From June 5, the activity extended to Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Tarn Taran, Amritsar, Rupnagar, SAS Nagar (Mohali), Fatehgarh Sahib, and Hoshiarpur. The remaining districts—Ludhiana, Malerkotla, Mansa, Moga, Patiala, Sangrur, Barnala, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, and Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar—began sowing operations from today, June 9.

PSPCL officials apprised the Minister that comprehensive measures have been undertaken to ensure uninterrupted power supply during this crucial agricultural period. A daily 8-hour power supply to areas under DSR has already been in effect since May 15, while other districts are receiving assured supply as per the sowing schedule. Additionally, uninterrupted power continues to be provided to residential and industrial sectors.

Reaffirming the state government’s commitment to the welfare of farmers under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO stated, “The government is fully dedicated to ensuring smooth and sufficient power availability during the paddy sowing season. Every necessary step has been taken to support our farmers in during this paddy season.”

He emphasized that the proactive planning and coordination between PSPCL and PSTCL exemplify the government’s efficient and farmer-friendly approach towards agricultural needs.

The meeting was attended by PSPCL CMD Ajoy Kumar Sinha, Director Generation Er. Harjit Singh, Director Finance CA SK Beri, Director Distribution Er. Inderpal Singh, and Director Technical Er. Sanjeev Kumar Sood.

Chandigarh, June 9:

Punjab’s crop diversification efforts got a major fillip with cotton cultivation witnessing around 20% surge, taking the area under cotton from 2.49 lakh acres last year to 2.98 lakh acres this year, an increase of over 49,000 acres, informed S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian, Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Punjab.

While chairing a meeting to review the ongoing Kharif season and departmental projects here at Kisan Bhawan on Monday evening, S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian stated that Fazilka district leads in cotton cultivation with 60,121 hectares, followed by Mansa (27,621 hectares), Bathinda (17,080 hectares), and Sri Muktsar Sahib (13,240 hectares).

The Agriculture Minister said that the Punjab government would provide a 33% subsidy on cotton seeds to growers, with over 49,000 farmers have already registered online. He directed Chief Agriculture Officers to ensure all cotton growers complete online registration by June 15.

The Agriculture Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian expressed satisfaction over the enthusiastic response of the state’s farmers towards Kharif maize cultivation, with over 54,000 acres already sown in just nine days since sowing commenced on June 1 across the state.

The Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government will give incentive of Rs. 17,500 per hectare to farmers for shifting from paddy to Kharif maize under a pilot project covering six districts- Bathinda, Sangrur, Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Jalandhar and Kapurthala. The project aims to bring 12,000 hectares under Kharif maize, promoting agricultural diversification and groundwater conservation. To facilitate this transition, the state government has appointed 200 Kisan Mitras to guide and encourage farmers.

The state’s agricultural sector is showing positive trends, with these numbers reflecting the combined efforts of farmers and the state government’s initiatives to promote crop diversification and boost agricultural productivity.

The Agriculture Minister also reviewed the status of Direct Sowing of Rice (DSR), fertilisers availability, and other projects, while directing district agriculture chiefs to ensure quality agricultural inputs to farmers as safeguarding the farmers’ interests remains the top priority of the Punjab Government.

The Administrative Secretary Agriculture Dr. Basant Garg, Special Secretary Ms Baldeep Kaur, Agriculture Commissioner Ms. Babita, Director Mr. Jaswant Singh and other senior officials of the department were also present in the meeting.

Chandigarh 9 June 2025:

 Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker  S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan met Dr. Tejinder Pal Singh, Chairman Council of Homeopathic System of Medicine Punjab and Padam Shri Bhai Harjinder Singh Srinagar Wale Ji a great personality among Sikh Panth at Ludhiana and received their valuable suggestions which is a part of the campaign launched to get suggestions from various religious, social and political personalities pertaining to commemorate 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.

Bhai Sahib gave important suggestions for this event and he prayed to Guru Sahib to shower His choicest  blessings so that this centenary can be observed with true spirit and in a grand manner.

Chandigarh: The 4th Postgraduate International Vaccinology Course (PGIVAC 2025) began today at the Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, PGIMER, Chandigarh, with the participation of nearly 70 professionals from across India. The inauguration ceremony featured an esteemed lineup of dignitaries. Dr. Arun K. Aggarwal, Head of the Department, delivered the Welcome Address. *Dr. Rajeev Raghuvanshi, Drug Controller General of India,* delivered the Distinguished Address emphasising the importance of innovation, regulation, and India’s leadership in vaccine research; Dr Bhupinder Tripathi Director, Infectious Diseases and Vaccine Delivery, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, delivered a Special Address on importance of Advancing Vaccinology for a Healthier Tomorrow: Leadership, Equity, and Innovation in Public Health and Dr Rupinder Bakshi a representative from the Punjab Medical Council spoke on credit hours.

The Keynote Address was delivered by *Chief Guest Dr. Vinod Kumar Paul, Member, NITI Aayog, Government of India*, who highlighted the critical role of immunisation in India’s public health strategy. *Dr. Madhu Gupta, Course Director,* delivered the Vote of Thanks, marking a successful start to the academic event. The first module of the course focused on the Introduction and History of Vaccine Development, with Dr. Rajesh Kumar, former Dean and HOD, and Dr. Madhu Gupta, jointly presenting an insightful session on the historical evolution of vaccines. This was chaired by Dr. Jayaprakash Muliyil, renowned epidemiologist and former Principal of CMC Vellore. A case study on Smallpox eradication was followed by a session on the National Vaccine Policy in India, delivered by Dr. Nirmal K. Ganguly, Former Director General of ICMR. Dr. Jayaprakash Muliyil also presented on the impact of vaccination on disease epidemiology and strategies to control vaccine-preventable diseases. The post-lunch session opened with Dr. Ananda Bandyopadhyay from the Gates Foundation presenting on the role of vaccines in solving public health challenges, particularly lessons from polio eradication. This was followed by sessions on Measles and Rubella control by Dr. Shivani Gupta of WHO, and managing outbreaks with vaccines by Dr. Kapil Goel of PGIMER. Dr. Prasad Kulkarni of the Serum Institute of India spoke on the pivotal role of the vaccine industry in development efforts. The day concluded with a Special Legacy Lecture by Dr. Stanley A. Plotkin, Professor Emeritus at the University of Pennsylvania and a global authority in vaccinology, who reflected on the public health importance of vaccines and lessons for the future. The session was chaired by Dr. Ananda Bandyopadhyay. Dr. Madhu Gupta wrapped up the day with a summary and session feedback. PGIVAC 2025 continues through the week with high-level sessions from national and international experts, aiming to strengthen India’s capacity in vaccine science, research, and public health policy.

Chandigarh, June 9:

Punjab’s crop diversification efforts got a major fillip with cotton cultivation witnessing around 20% surge, taking the area under cotton from 2.49 lakh acres last year to 2.98 lakh acres this year, an increase of over 49,000 acres, informed S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian, Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Punjab.

While chairing a meeting to review the ongoing Kharif season and departmental projects here at Kisan Bhawan on Monday evening, S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian stated that Fazilka district leads in cotton cultivation with 60,121 hectares, followed by Mansa (27,621 hectares), Bathinda (17,080 hectares), and Sri Muktsar Sahib (13,240 hectares).

The Agriculture Minister said that the Punjab government would provide a 33% subsidy on cotton seeds to growers, with over 49,000 farmers have already registered online. He directed Chief Agriculture Officers to ensure all cotton growers complete online registration by June 15.

The Agriculture Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian expressed satisfaction over the enthusiastic response of the state’s farmers towards Kharif maize cultivation, with over 54,000 acres already sown in just nine days since sowing commenced on June 1 across the state.

The Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government will give incentive of Rs. 17,500 per hectare to farmers for shifting from paddy to Kharif maize under a pilot project covering six districts- Bathinda, Sangrur, Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Jalandhar and Kapurthala. The project aims to bring 12,000 hectares under Kharif maize, promoting agricultural diversification and groundwater conservation. To facilitate this transition, the state government has appointed 200 Kisan Mitras to guide and encourage farmers.

The state’s agricultural sector is showing positive trends, with these numbers reflecting the combined efforts of farmers and the state government’s initiatives to promote crop diversification and boost agricultural productivity.

The Agriculture Minister also reviewed the status of Direct Sowing of Rice (DSR), fertilisers availability, and other projects, while directing district agriculture chiefs to ensure quality agricultural inputs to farmers as safeguarding the farmers’ interests remains the top priority of the Punjab Government.

The Administrative Secretary Agriculture Dr. Basant Garg, Special Secretary Ms Baldeep Kaur, Agriculture Commissioner Ms. Babita, Director Mr. Jaswant Singh and other senior officials of the department were also present in the meeting.

CHANDIGARH, June 9:

          The ongoing relentless anti-drugs campaign ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ launched on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has delivered a big jolt to the financial backbone of drug syndicates with Punjab Police freezing illegally acquired properties of 157 drug smugglers worth Rs 78.52 crores and recovering Rs 13.03 crores drug money in first 100 days.

          Since the launch of this anti-drug drive on March 1, 2025, Punjab Police, under the directions of Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav,  has been conducting operations daily simultaneously in all the 28 Police districts of the state. Notably, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann had 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.

          Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla said that Hawala network has been effectively disrupted with the arrest of as many as 48 big Hawala operators, resulting in recovery of Rs 13.03 crore drug money. The freezing of illegally acquired properties and seizure of drug money from arrested drug smugglers have given a substantial setback to the economic infrastructure of drug smugglers and their network, effectively disrupting their funding channels and undermining their operational capacity, he added.

          During 100 days of ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign, the Special DGP said that Punjab Police has registered 9693 first information reports and arrested 16,533 drug smugglers since March 1, 2025, and recovered 627 kg heroin, 252 kg opium, 15 ton poppy husk, 9 kg charas, 264 kg ganja, 2.7 kg ICE, 2.6 kg cocaine and 26.51 lakh intoxicant pills/tablets from their possession.

          Sharing details of outcome of Day 100, the Special DGP said that Punjab Police on Monday has arrested 127 drug smugglers and recovered 4.1 kg heroin, 20 kg poppy husk and ₹2.20 lakhs drug money from their possession.

          Over 200 Police teams, comprising over 1400 police personnel, under the supervision of 90 gazetted officers have conducted raids at as many as 466 locations across the state leading to the registration of 99 first information reports (FIRs) across the state, he said, while adding that police teams have also checked as many as 489 suspicious persons during the day long operation.

          Meanwhile, 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 46 persons to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment.

Chandigarh, June 06:

Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities Minister, Dr. Baljit Kaur, today informed that the Punjab Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has provided significant financial relief to the people of the state by releasing ₹16.36 crore under the Ashirwad Scheme for 3,207 beneficiaries belonging to Backward Classes and Economically Weaker Sections during the current financial year 2025-26.

Giving further details, the Cabinet Minister stated that applications under the Ashirwad Scheme were received this year through the Ashirwad Portal from 3,207 beneficiaries belonging to Backward Classes and Economically Weaker Sections across 18 districts, namely Barnala, Bathinda, Faridkot, Sri Fatehgarh Sahib, Fazilka, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Mansa, Moga, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Patiala, Pathankot, SAS Nagar, Sangrur, Malerkotla and Tarn Taran.

To cover these beneficiaries, the government has sanctioned a total financial assistance of ₹16.36 crore.

The Minister added that, through this released amount, 94 beneficiaries from Barnala, 219 from Bathinda, 80 from Faridkot, 41 from Sri Fatehgarh Sahib, 137 from Fazilka, 135 from Gurdaspur, 602 from Hoshiarpur, 123 from Jalandhar, and 27 from Kapurthala have been provided financial benefits.

Similarly, financial assistance has also been disbursed to 254 beneficiaries in Mansa, 64 in Moga, 43 in Sri Muktsar Sahib, 616 in Patiala, 127 in Pathankot, 200 in SAS Nagar, 288 in Sangrur, 16 in Malerkotla, and 141 in Tarn Taran.

Dr. Baljit Kaur highlighted that under the Ashirwad Scheme, the state government provides financial assistance of ₹51,000 for the marriage of girls belonging to families with low income backgrounds.

She further informed that to avail benefits under the scheme, the applicant must be a permanent resident of Punjab, belong to a family falling below the poverty line, and should belong to a Scheduled Caste, Backward Class, or Economically Weaker Section. The total annual family income should not exceed ₹32,790, and up to two daughters from such a family are eligible for assistance under the scheme.

The Minister stated that the financial aid is disbursed directly into the beneficiaries’ bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), ensuring transparency and efficiency.

Dr. Baljit Kaur reaffirmed that the Mann Government is committed not only to the welfare of all sections of society but is also actively working for the upliftment and socio-economic empowerment of Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes and Economically Weaker Sections across the state.