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Chandigarh

Year Ender 2025: Defence Services Welfare Department

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Chandigarh, December 31

During the year 2025, the Defence Services Welfare Department of Punjab remained fully committed to the welfare of families of martyred soldiers, ex-servicemen, widows and disabled soldiers. Under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann and as per the directions of Cabinet Minister Mr. Mohinder Bhagat, several significant steps were taken to strengthen welfare measures for the defence community.

Sharing further details, Defence Services Welfare Minister Mr. Mohinder Bhagat said that the Punjab Government has been discharging its responsibility towards the families of soldiers who laid down their lives for the defence of the nation with utmost sensitivity and respect.

He informed that during 2025, government jobs were provided to the next of kin of 10 martyred soldiers under the Honour and Gratitude Policy in various departments of the Punjab Government.

The Minister further stated that on the occasion of Kargil Day, family members of 65 soldiers martyred during Operation Vijay were honoured in recognition of their supreme sacrifice and dedicated service to the nation.

Mr. Bhagat said that the State Government disbursed ₹3.66 crore as ex-gratia grant to the families of martyred soldiers and disabled soldiers during the year.

He added that during the current financial year, a budget provision of ₹63.22 crore has been made under various schemes for the welfare of families of martyred soldiers, gallantry awardees and ex-servicemen.

The Minister said that pensions of ex-servicemen and widows are being disbursed in a transparent manner through the SPARSH portal. To resolve pension-related issues, 15-day assistance camps were organised at all District Defence Services Welfare Offices across Punjab.

In addition, Mr. Bhagat informed that the State Government distributed electric three-wheel scooters to 10 disabled soldiers to facilitate their mobility and improve their quality of life.

Reiterating the commitment of the State Government, the Minister said that Punjab Government remains fully dedicated to the welfare of martyrs’ families and ex-servicemen and more welfare-oriented initiatives will be introduced in the coming times.

Chandigarh

Unauthorised vending to invite Police Action; MC Steps Up Enforcement Drive

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Chandigarh, December 31: In a bid to ensure smooth pedestrian movement and maintain civic order, the Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh has intensified its action against unauthorised and illegal street vending across the city.

The Enforcement wing has recorded that a large number of vendors are illegally occupying footpaths, pavements and public passages by placing stalls, rehris and tables, resulting in inconvenience to pedestrians and disruption of public movement. It has further been observed that during enforcement and anti-encroachment drives, some of these vendors create disturbances, obstruct official duties and, at times, resort to abusive behaviour and physical altercations, leading to law and order concerns.

Such illegal vending activities have been found predominantly in Sectors 15, 17, 19, 22, 41 and Manimajra. Despite repeated challans and seizure of vending material by the Enforcement Branch, these vendors continue to resume unauthorised vending, showing disregard for civic regulations.

To address this issue firmly, the Municipal Corporation has directed the Chandigarh Police to register cases against illegal and unauthorised vendors under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, on receipt of complaints from the Municipal Corporation, citizens or otherwise.

At the same time, the Engineering Wing of the Municipal Corporation has been instructed to strengthen civic infrastructure within designated vending zones by ensuring proper lighting, adequate water supply, installation of paver blocks and clear demarcation of vending sites for registered street vendors, enabling lawful and organised vending.

The Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh has appealed to citizens to support this initiative, which aims to enhance civic amenities, ensure public convenience and enforce compliance with municipal laws in the interest of the city.

Chandigarh, Haryana

Faridabad Gang Rape Case: Congress State President Rao Narendra Singh Launches Sharp Attack on BJP Government, Calls It a Failure of Law and Order

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Chandigarh, December 31, 2025

The inhuman gang rape of a woman in Faridabad has shaken the entire state of Haryana. Reacting strongly to this heinous crime, Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee President Rao Narendra Singh launched a sharp attack on the BJP government, calling the incident a living example of the complete collapse of law and order under BJP rule.

In his statement, Rao Narendra Singh said,

“Giving a lift, forcing a woman into a car, raping her, roaming around with her for hours and then throwing her on the road—this incident exposes the utter failure of the BJP government. Under BJP rule, criminals are emboldened and women are feeling unsafe.”

Referring to the incident that took place on the Faridabad–Gurugram Road, he said that a married woman aged between 25–28 years was given a lift and made to sit in an Eco van. The accused allegedly gang-raped her inside the moving vehicle for nearly 2–3 hours, assaulted her, and then threw her onto the road while the vehicle was still moving. The victim sustained serious injuries to her head and face, requiring stitches, and is currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital.

Rao Narendra Singh said that this incident raises serious questions about women’s safety in the state. He asked,

“When women are not safe, what claims is the government making? The failure of the police administration and the government’s insensitivity have given criminals a free hand.”

Demanding immediate action, Rao Narendra Singh said:

The accused must be arrested immediately and the case should be tried in a fast-track court.

The victim should be provided adequate compensation and complete security.

He further demanded a high-level investigation into the entire incident and strict action against the responsible officials.

Rao Narendra Singh concluded by saying,

“There will be no compromise on the safety of Haryana’s daughters. The BJP government must take moral responsibility for this crime.”

Chandigarh, Haryana

Kumari Selja writes to Gadkari seeking development of Sirsa–Ellenabad–Hanumangarh road as a National Highway

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Sirsa / Chandigarh / December 31

The demand to develop the Sirsa–Ellenabad–Hanumangarh road as a National Highway has once again gained momentum. In this connection, All India Congress Committee General Secretary, former Union Minister, and Sirsa MP Kumari Selja has written a letter to Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, seeking a feasibility study and preparation of a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the route. In her letter to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Kumari Selja said this road is a very important connectivity route linking the border areas of Haryana and Rajasthan. Granting it National Highway status would significantly benefit agriculture, logistics, trade activities, and industrial development in the region. At present, the narrow road causes serious difficulties in movement, resulting in major hardships for farmers and traders.

MP Kumari Selja said the Sirsa, Ellenabad, and Hanumangarh regions are primarily agriculture-based, with large-scale production of crops such as cotton, wheat, and mustard. Due to inadequate road infrastructure, farmers incur higher costs and delays in transporting their produce to markets. With National Highway development, not only will transportation become smoother, but investment in sectors such as cold storage, warehousing, and food processing will also receive a boost.

Kumari Selja said this route could be linked to the proposed Bikaner–Chandigarh Industrial Corridor and the Bharatmala Project, giving fresh momentum to industrial and border areas of North India. She also emphasized that the route is strategically important, as it connects areas close to the international border. The MP urged the Union Minister to initiate a feasibility study and DPR at the earliest in the public interest so that the road can be developed as a National Highway. People of the region have welcomed Kumari Selja’s initiative and expressed hope that the demand will be fulfilled soon, giving a new direction to regional development.

:-The Vacant posts for reserved categories are against the spirit of the Constitution:-Kumari Selja

Expressing deep concern over the teacher recruitment crisis, Kumari Selja said the current selection process of the Haryana Public Service Commission is weakening the state’s education system. Due to the mandatory requirement of 35 percent qualifying marks, thousands of eligible candidates—many of whom hold PhDs, NET qualifications, and years of experience are being excluded from selection. This is causing the greatest harm to educationally backward regions like Sirsa, which already suffer from a severe shortage of teachers. Kumari Selja said the vacant posts meant for reserved categories go against the spirit of the Constitution. If the government truly wants to reform education, it must immediately abolish impractical policies such as “Not Found Suitable.” Filling all posts, providing opportunities to qualified candidates, and strengthening the education system is the government’s responsibility. She warned that if a decision is not taken soon, the Congress party will raise this issue forcefully from the streets to the legislature.

Chandigarh, Haryana

Minister Anil Vij hits back at Surjewala: “We don’t hide scams; we expose them. It’s possible this scam is from their time

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Chandigarh, December 31 — Haryana’s Energy, Transport and Labour Minister, Sh. Anil Vij strongly responded to allegations of a scam against the government made by Congress leader Randeep Surjewala in the workslip scam case in the Labour Department. He said that “Sh. Surjewala, unlike you, we do not hide scams. If a scam has occurred, it has been exposed. I have written to the Chief Minister for a high-level investigation, and the Chief Minister has also ordered that the investigation be completed immediately in the remaining nine districts so that a decision can be taken in this matter.”

He also said that as elections approach in Bengal, Mamata Banerjee suddenly remembers the entire Mahabharata; once the elections are over, it’s back to ‘Allahu Akbar.’

While speaking to media persons, Labour Minister Anil Vij took a dig at Surjewala, saying that it is possible that this case dates back to their (Congress’s) time. It is not yet clear since when this irregularity has been occurring, nor during whose tenure it happened.

*“As soon as elections approach, Mamata remembers the Mahabharata; once they’re over, it’s back to ‘Allahu Akbar’”: Anil Vij’s sharp jibe at Mamata*

Reacting to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s remarks—made after Union Minister Amit Shah’s entry into West Bengal—that Dushasana came to Bengal at Shakuni’s behest, Energy Minister Anil Vij said in his characteristic style, “Elections have approach in Bengal, so Mamata Banerjee remembers the entire Mahabharata. Once the elections are over, it’s back to ‘Allahu Akbar.’”

*Our BJP government in Haryana is a government that delivers: Vij*

Responding to a question about new roadmaps for his departments with a view to 2026, Energy Minister Anil Vij said that something new happens here every day; the government does something new every day. This is why, for the third time, the aware people of Haryana have formed a BJP government. This has happened for the first time because this is a government that works.

*Anil Vij’s counter to Deepender Hooda on the Aravalli issue: “Is Hooda accusing the Supreme Court?”*

Responding to MP Deepender Hooda’s allegation that the entire Aravalli issue is being played out for donations amounting to Rs.10,500 crore, Energy Minister Anil Vij said that Deepender Hooda is making baseless and unfounded statements. What happened in the Aravalli matter was done by the Supreme Court, and the stay on its decision was also imposed by the Supreme Court. This means he is accusing the Supreme Court. If he is saying that such a decision was taken for that amount of money, then is he accusing the Supreme Court?

Chandigarh

Prof. Vivek Lal, (Director) PGIMER  honours 13 officers/officials on their superannuation today

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Prof. Vivek Lal,(Director) PGIMER Honoured 13 officers/officials on their superannuation today by giving speech & presenting mementos to them; Prof. Ashok Kumar, Acting Medical Superintendent,, Prof. Paramjit Singh, Head, Deptt. of Radiodiagnosis & Prof. Incharge, Clinical Photography; Prof. S. P. Singh, Head, Deptt. of Oral Health Sciences Centre; Prof. Nandita Kakkar, Head, Deptt. of Histopathology; Prof. Sagrika Haldar, Deptt. of Exp. Medicine & Biotechnology; Prof. Balvinder Mohan, Deptt. of Medical Microbiology; Ameena Singh, Law Officer;  Dr. R. Gautham Ram, Officer Incharge (Pharmacy); .Dr. Mahesh Devnani, Officer Incharge (Sanitation); Jaspal Kaur, Chief Nursing Officer were also present on the occasion.

 Ravinder Singh, IA&AS, Financial Advisor-distributed the retirement financial payment letters

 Brij Lal, Sr. Technical Officer,Clinical Photography; Brij Mohan Dhawan, Technical Assistant (Lab), Exp. Medicine & Biotechnology; Smt. Devinder Seedhar, Technical Assistant (Lab),Deptt. of Med. Microbiology; Anita Rani, Asstt. Administrative Officer,Accounts Branch; Rajinder Kaur, Sr. Nursing Officer, PET Centre & Nuclear Medicine; Mariyam, Sr. Nursing Officer,Emergency Ward-5; Yash Pal Singh, Legal Assistant, Legal Cell; Sudesh Paul, Pharmacist, Gr.I; Jagdeep pathania, Stenographer, Deptt. of Oral Health Sciences; Jetha Singh, Senior Laboratory Assistant, Histopathology Deptt.; Ajmer Singh, Hospital Attendant,  Transfusion Medicine Deptt.; Jagtar Singh, Hospital Attendant, Gr. II,Married Doctor Hostel; Janeshwar, Sanitary Attendant, Gr.I.,Old Doctor Hostel retired from PGIMER after devoting 29 to 40 years of their lives to PGI.

Chandigarh

YEAR ENDER 2025: PUNJAB GOVT SCULPTS ACADEMIC REVOLUTION, FORGING GLOBAL-READY YOUTH & SETTING NATIONAL BENCHMARKS

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Chandigarh, December 27:

As 2025 concludes, Punjab’s government school education system stands radically transformed, having delivered tangible, transformative results that set a national benchmark for academic excellence. Under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, classrooms have been reimagined as crucibles where confidence, innovation and resilience are forged, reshaping the future of the state’s youth.

 Punjab’s Education Minister, S. Harjot Singh Bains, highlighted this year’s landmark achievements, stating that the government’s resolve to empower students is matched by its commitment to holistic and future-ready education. “Our initiatives have driven a paradigm shift. Sustaining our top National Achievement Survey (NAS) rank proves improved learning outcomes at the grassroots are now our unwavering standard,” he said.

The most resounding testament to this transformation came from competitive exam results that broke all ceilings. A record 265 government school students cleared JEE Mains, 45 conquered JEE Advanced and 847 cleared NEET, proving these schools are now premier launchpads for the country’s top professional avenues.

Punjab carved a unique national identity by introducing “Entrepreneurship” as a main subject for Class XI in the 2025-26 academic session, igniting an entrepreneurial spirit. Student-led micro-enterprises began sprouting in schools, shifting mindsets from job-seeking to job creation, he added.

In a decisive move for student well-being, S. Bains said that a pioneering drug prevention curriculum was rolled out for Classes XI & XII in all government schools. Reaching over eight lakh students, it empowers them with peer leadership and psychological resilience, creating a student-led barrier against substance abuse and transforming schools into fortresses of well-being.

S. Bains said that the school education system saw a massive infusion of world-class teaching methods, with 234 Principals and Education Administrators trained in Singapore, 216 primary teachers trained at Finland’s University of Turku, and 199 Headmasters received training at IIM Ahmedabad. The revolutionary “School Mentorship Program” pairs students with top bureaucrats, making aspirational careers personal and achievable.

To ensure equitable career planning for all students, the Education Minister said, Punjab Government has recently launched a first-of-its-kind initiative to integrate artificial intelligence-driven career guidance into its public school system. Under the pilot phase, 25 AI-Enabled Career Guidance Labs have been inaugurated in Government and Punjab School Education Board (PSEB)-affiliated schools.

The “English Edge” program matured into an institution, transforming hesitant murmurs into the clear, confident discourse of 3 lakh students in Grades 9-12 across 500 schools, unlocking global gateways for young minds, he added.

S. Harjot Singh Bains further informed that 118 Govt Schools are being transformed into ‘Schools of Eminence’. Strengthening the human resource backbone, 12,316 qualified employees were regularised, 13,765 new teachers recruited, and 1,908 Campus Managers & 1,316 Security Guards hired for government schools.

Chandigarh

CROSS-BORDER DRUG SMUGGLING NETWORK BUSTED IN FAZILKA; ONE HELD WITH 5.11KG HEROIN

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CHANDIGARH/FAZILKA, December 27:

          In a major breakthrough amidst the ongoing drive to make Punjab a drug free state as per directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, State Special Operations Cell (SSOC), Fazilka in a joint operation with Border Security Force (BSF), has apprehended one drug smuggler and recovered 5.11 kg heroin from his possession, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Saturday.

          The arrested accused has been identified as Baljit Singh, a resident of village Dhandi Qadim in Jalalabad, Fazilka.

          DGP Gaurav Yadav said that preliminary investigation has indicated that the recovered heroin consignment was sourced from Pakistan and delivered via drone by Pak-based Smuggler.

          The contraband was meant to be distributed further across the state, said the DGP, while adding that further investigation is underway to establish forward and backward linkages of the network.

          Sharing operational details, AIG SSOC Fazilka Gursewak Singh  said that acting upon a specific tip-off, the police team of SSOC Fazilka along with BSF launched a special secret operation in the Jalalabad area. During the operation, the suspected individual was apprehended from the area of Village Dhandi Qadim in Fazilka. During his personal search, 5.11 kg of Heroin was recovered from his possession, he added.

          In this regard, a case FIR No. 21 dated 27-12-2025 has been registered under section 21-C of the NDPS Act at Police Station SSOC Fazilka.

Chandigarh

Under ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign, assets worth ₹2,730 crore belonging to drug smugglers have been seized: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann

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CHANDIGARH, 27th December 2025:

In a decisive push against Punjab’s entrenched drug and organised crime networks, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday said the state is decisively turning the tide, citing the arrest of 85,418 drug smugglers over the last three and a half years, an unprecedented 88 percent conviction rate under the NDPS (Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances)  Act, and the apprehension of 916 gangsters since January 1, 2025.

Reviewing the performance of the Police department, the Chief Minister noted that sustained enforcement, tighter investigations and zero political interference are translating into outcomes on the ground, marking a clear shift from rhetoric to results in Punjab’s long fight against the drug menace.

During the meeting on Saturday, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that ever since his government assumed the charge of office 63,053 cases have been registered against the drug smugglers. “In 2025 since the ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ was launched 30,144 FIRs have been registered and 40,302 smugglers have been arrested by the Police. This first of its kind drive against the menace was launched on March 1, 2025 and has been successful in checking the drugs to a considerable extent,” he noted.

The Chief Minister said that a multi pronged strategy largely based on three principles of enforcement, de-addiction and prevention was formulated to combat the drugs the results of which have been very fruitful. “As per this drive a major crackdown was launched against drug suppliers and the smuggling network was dismantled. Likewise, in the last 3.5 years 5119.94 kg of heroin, 3,458.53 kg opium, 5.82 kg cocaine, 82.04 kg Ice and 4.98 crore capsules along with 52.46 crore drug money has been recovered,” he added.

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state has accorded the highest priority to the fight against drugs since 2022, adopting a comprehensive, sustained and outcome-oriented approach combining enforcement, financial disruption, technology-enabled policing, conviction certainty, public participation, and humane rehabilitation. “The Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), Punjab Police, has been at the forefront of implementing this strategy, resulting in measurable and sustained impact across all key indicators,” stated the Chief Minister.

He pointed out that enforcement efforts progressively shifted from isolated seizures to targeted action against commercial quantity cases, repeat offenders, and organized trafficking networks, ensuring disruption of the drug supply chain at higher levels.

The Chief Minister said that one of the most significant deterrent outcomes has been achieved through financial investigations as over 1,400 proposals for freezing of illegally acquired properties were confirmed. Likewise, properties worth more than ₹2,730 crore were frozen/confirmed during 2022-2025. “This has sent a clear message that proceeds of drug crime will not be allowed to sustain narcotics networks in Punjab,” he asserted.

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that strong investigation quality and legal follow-up resulted in over 25,000 NDPS cases being decided by courts, with more than 21,600 convictions. “Overall conviction rate stands at approximately 84%, improving steadily over the years and reaching around 88% in 2025, reflecting robust case preparation, forensic support, and prosecution. The technological capacity has been significantly strengthened through PAIS-based analytics, technical cells, digital forensics and intelligence integration,” he emphasized..

The Chief Minister said that ‘SAFE Punjab’ WhatsApp Chatbot emerged as a flagship citizen-participation initiative, generating nearly 30,000 actionable tips, over 11,000 FIRs, and approximately 14,000 arrests, with a conversion rate of about 38%, indicating high public trust and effective response mechanisms. “The Punjab government has significantly enhanced its capability to counter drone-based narcotics smuggling, resulting in the recovery of hundreds of drones in recent years, with a sharp increase in interceptions during 2025,” he added.

Citing the action against the gangsters, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that from January 1 till December 17, the Punjab Police has arrested 916 gangsters, neutralized 13, busted 389 modules, recovered 594 weapons along with 229 weapons.

Chandigarh

Lives of saints and brave martyrs are a source of inspiration for all of us: Krishan Kumar Bedi

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Chandigarh, December 27 – Haryana’s Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Sh. Krishan Kumar Bedi said that Baba Bhuman Shah Maharaj is a source of inspiration for all of us. His life was always devoted to the service of the needy. We should draw inspiration from his life and actively contribute to social service.

Sh. Krishan Kumar Bedi today participated in the 278th Mahaparinirvan Day at the main shrine of Baba Bhuman Shah Ji, Sangar Sada, in Sirsa, where he paid obeisance and prayed for peace and prosperity for the country and the state. On this occasion, he also sought blessings from Gaddinashin Baba Brahmdas Maharaj.

Sh. Krishan Kumar Bedi said that it is the responsibility of every citizen to firmly oppose the social evils prevailing in society and the country, and to contribute towards the service of the nation. He especially described Shaheed Udham Singh as an ideal and a source of inspiration for the youth, whose entire life was dedicated to the service of the nation.

He said that he felt fortunate to be part of the programme organised on the occasion of the 278th Mahaparinirvan Day. The lives of great personalities and brave martyrs are a source of inspiration for all of us. Their courage and dedication give us the strength to do something for society and the nation. He added that we should firmly oppose social evils prevalent in society and the country and contribute towards national service.