CHANDIGARH, October 27:

          Building on the monumental success of the Aam Aadmi Clinics across the state, the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government is now planning a pioneering pilot project to open Aam Aadmi Clinics within Central Jails to provide comprehensive and quality healthcare, including crucial mental health support, to inmates.

          Sharing details about the new initiative, Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh said that apart from treating physical ailments, taking care of the mental health of inmates is equally important. “We recognise that many who are behind bars are mentally disturbed, which can be a factor in them committing crimes,” he said.

          Terming jails as ‘Sudhar Ghars’ or reform homes, Dr Balbir Singh affirmed that true justice lies in reforming individuals. “When an inmate leaves the jail, they should be healthy in both body and mind. This holistic reform is essential for realising Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s dream of a ‘Rangla Punjab’,” he said.

          Dr Balbir Singh stated that psychologists and psychiatrists will be deputed in Aam Aadmi Clinics at jails to provide essential psychosocial counselling to the inmates.

          The expansion into correctional facilities comes on the back of the outstanding performance of the 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics already functional in the state. These clinics have achieved a landmark by providing free treatment to over 4.20 crore people, with more than 2.29 crore diagnostic tests conducted free of cost since their inception on August 15, 2022.

          The Health Minister said that these clinics offer 107 types of free medicines and 47 types of free diagnostic tests, including specialized tests for pregnancy, Hepatitis C, HIV/AIDS, and Dengue, making quality healthcare accessible to all.

Chandigarh, October 27:

As part of the Punjab Government’s initiative to invite leaders from across the Nation for the 350th Martyrdom Anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji, Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains, along with Advisor to Tourism & Cultural Affairs Department Deepak Bali, called on the Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir Mr. Omar Abdullah at Srinagar on Monday evening, and extended a formal invitation to attend the main events scheduled at Sri Anandpur Sahib next month.

The Education Minister briefed Mr. Abdullah about the series of state-level events being organized to pay homage to the supreme sacrifice of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, who laid down his life to protect the values of religious freedom and human dignity. He also apprised him about the key highlights of the commemoration ceremonies, including the main events from November 23 to 25 at Sri Anandpur Sahib.

Accepting the invitation, the Chief Minister acknowledged the profound significance of Guru Sahib’s martyrdom and His eternal message of peace, harmony and universal brotherhood, which continues to inspire humanity.

Apprising about the series of commemorative programmes, S. Harjot Singh Bains said that these special events are being held across various sacred sites associated with the life, divine teachings and supreme sacrifice of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji and His disciples- Bhai Sati Das ji, Bhai Mati Das ji, Bhai Dayala ji and Bhai Jaita ji (Baba Jiwan Singh ji).

Chandigarh, October 27:-* The Municipal Corporation Chandigarh today organized vibrant Chhath Puja celebrations at Sunder Nagar, Mauli Jagran, and New Indra Colony, Manimajra, marking the auspicious festival with devotion, cultural fervor, and a commitment to cleanliness.

In Sunder Nagar, area Councillor Smt. Bimla Dubey warmly welcomed all guests and extended heartfelt greetings to the Chief Guest, Smt. Khushpreet Kaur, SDM (East), Smt. Sarbjit Kaur, Smt. Mohinder Kaur and other councilors amid enthusiastic participation from devotees.

 Similarly, in New Indra Colony, Manimajra Smt. Suman Sharma greeted the Chief Guests — Sh. Jasbir Bunty, Senior Deputy Mayor; Smt. Taruna Mehta, Deputy Mayor, Sh. Saurabh Joshi, Smt. Prem Lata, councilors, and other councillors — while conveying best wishes to all devotees performing the sacred rituals of Chhath Puja.

Hundreds of devotees gathered at both venues to offer prayers to the setting sun and perform traditional rituals with deep faith and reverence. The celebrations were enriched with captivating cultural performances by singers from the Purvanchal community, reflecting the unity and cultural diversity of Chandigarh.

In line with the Municipal Corporation’s commitment to sustainable celebrations, both events were conducted as Zero Waste Events. The MCC Sanitation Department made comprehensive arrangements to ensure cleanliness before, during, and after the festival. Following the rituals, sanitation teams will undertake an immediate cleanliness drive to restore the sites.

The Commissioner Municipal Corporation Chandigarh Sh. Amit Kumar, IAS extended warm wishes to all residents and reaffirmed its dedication to promoting eco-friendly and inclusive celebrations across the city.

Chandigarh, October 27 – The Haryana Government has issued the posting and transfer orders of 9 Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers, effective immediately.

According to an order issued by Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi, Sh.  Shyamal Misra, Chief Administrator of the Trade Fair Authority of Haryana, New Delhi, and Chief Executive Officer of the Faridabad Metropolitan Development Authority and Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority, has been posted as Chief Administrator, Trade Fair Authority of Haryana, New Delhi and Principal Secretary, Energy Department.

Sh. J. Ganesan, Director, HARTRON, Managing Director, Housing for All, Haryana and Secretary, Housing for All Department, Chief Administrator, Housing Board, Haryana, Managing Director, Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam Limited, and Chief Executive Officer, Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for Haryana Al Development Project (HAIDP) and Haryana Clean Air Project for Sustainable Development (HCAPSD) and other externally-aided Projects, will now serve as Chief Executive Officer, Faridabad Metropolitan Development Authority, Chief Executive Officer, Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority, Director General, Housing for All, Haryana and Secretary, Housing for All Department, Chief Administrator, Housing Board, Haryana, and Chief Executive Officer, Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for Haryana Al Development Project (HAIDP) and Haryana Clean Air Project for Sustainable Development (HCAPSD) and other externally-aided Projects.

Sh. Ashok Kumar Meena, Managing Director, Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited and Secretary, Energy Department, has been posted as Director General, Development & Panchayats, Haryana and Secretary, Development & Panchayats Department.

Sh. Dusmanta Kumar Behera, Secretary to Governor, Haryana, Director General, Development & Panchayats and Secretary, Development & Panchayats Department, has been posted as Secretary to Governor, Haryana, Labour Commissioner, Haryana and Secretary, Labour Department.

Sh. Mani Ram Sharma, Labour Commissioner, Haryana and Secretary, Labour Department and Secretary, Home Department, has been appointed Managing Director, Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited, Secretary, Energy Department, and Secretary, Home Department.

Dr. Aditya Dahiya, Special Secretary, Personnel, Training and Parliamentary Affairs Department, Director Training (Ex-Officio), Inquiry Officer, Vigilance, Haryana and Director, Department of Future, Haryana, has been posted as Director, New & Renewable Energy, Haryana and Special Secretary, New and Renewable Energy Department, in addition to his present duties.

Sh. Mahender Pal, Special Secretary, Industries & Commerce Department, Additional Director, Mines & Geology, Secretary, Haryana State Commission for Scheduled Castes and Registrar, Cooperative Societies, Haryana is now the Managing Director, HARTRON and Managing Director, Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam Limited.

Sh. Amar Deep Singh has been posted as Registrar, Cooperative Societies, Haryana.

Smt. Varsha Khangwal, Additional Director (Admn.), Information, Public Relations & Languages, has been posted as Additional Secretary, Vigilance Department, in addition to her present duties.

A large number of devotees belonging to Bihar, Jharkhand, Eastern Uttar pradesh and other parts of the country, residing in Haryana, Punjab and Chandigarh offered ‘arghya’ (prayer) to the setting sun on the banks of rivers and ponds amid tight security arrangements on Monday. The administration had made elaborate arrangements with special lighting and cleanliness, keeping in view the spirit of the festival. Devotees will offer ‘arghya’ to the rising sun on Tuesday. The festival symbolising the confluence of nature and faith — Chhath — has entered its third day on Monday.

In Chandigarh, the Municipal Corporation organized grand Chhath Puja celebrations at Sector 42 Lake, Sunder Nagar, Mauli Jagran and New Indra Colony Manimajra. At these places, the celebrations were enriched with captivating cultural performances by singers from the Purvanchal community, reflecting the unity and cultural diversity of Chandigarh. . Arrangements include tents, electricity, sanitation, drinking water, mobile toilets, cleaning staff and medical vans were made by the administration.

Devotees celebrating Chhath Puja flocked to Sector 42 Lake and other ghats from noon to offer prayers to the Sun God. Devotees and their families carried offerings such as thekua, seasonal fruits, sugarcane, coconut and vegetables in daura or soop (bamboo baskets) to the ghat . They filled a bamboo soop with fruit, thekua, sugarcane, coconut and a lit oil lamp. Devotees stood in knee-deep water and perform traditional rituals with deep faith and reverence and prayed for the well-being and prosperity of their families.

“We wait for this day throughout the year and start preparing for the occasion in advance to offer ‘arghya’ to the setting and rising sun. The ‘arghya’ is offered with mixing milk in sacred Gangajal, symbolizing purity and devotion. We are blessed to get such a chance twice a year as winter Chhath and Chaiti Chhath,” said Anuradha Devi, a devotee at Sector 42 Lake, Chandigarh.

Achutanand Pandey, another devotee, “Offering water to Lord Bhaskar brings mental peace and progress in life. Arghya with red sandalwood and flowers brings fame. By offering ‘arghya’ mixed with jaggery in Gangajal to the Sun, the deity blesses devotees with a son and good fortune. At the same time, by offering water in a copper vessel along with red sandalwood, red flowers and perfume in the morning to the Sun God, one attains age, knowledge, fame and strength.”

This year, Chhath Puja began on Saturday, October 25, and will conclude on Tuesday, October 28. The Puja began with the Nahay-Khay. The second day was the Kharna Puja. Today is the Sandhya Arghya. Tomorrow marks the conclusion, with the Usha Arghya and Paran.

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Chhath festival serves as a bridge of Indian culture and unites nation with a thread of faith: Hry CM


Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said that the Chhath festival not only serves as a bridge to India’s cultural heritage but also unites people across the nation through a shared thread of faith. It is a beautiful symbol of equality and reflects the deep connection between our culture, devotion, and nature.

The Chief Minister was addressing a gathering at the state-level Chhath Puja celebration held in Panchkula today. On this occasion, he extended his greetings and best wishes to everyone on the auspicious festival of faith, Chhath Puja. The Chief Minister also announced that the Chhath Puja Committee, Panchkula, would be supported in fulfilling its demands related to the beautification of the Chhath Ghat.

Earlier, Chief Minister participated in the worship of Chhath Maiya and offered water (Arghya) to the setting Sun at the ghat.

He said that the soil of Haryana possesses both strength and spirit, while the culture of Purvanchal carries devotion and tradition. When these two come together, they strengthen both development and mutual trust. He emphasized that the Chhath festival teaches the values of harmony and equality, where there is no distinction between high and low.

Originally celebrated in Purvanchal, the festival has now transcended state boundaries and is observed with great devotion across the country.

The Chief Minister added that the Chhath festival is a true reflection of the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’. He said that as people from Purvanchal have spread across different states through their hard work and dedication, they have also carried their traditions with them. Wherever they went, the Chhath festival followed, and local devotees of Sanatan culture embraced and began celebrating it with equal devotion and faith.

He said that a ghat has also been constructed in Panchkula for Chhath Puja. Furthermore, a bathing ghat has been constructed in Karnal, the city of the generous Karna, on the Western Yamuna Canal in front of the Suryanarayan Temple at a cost of Rs 4.48 crore. Another ghat has been constructed opposite this ghat on the other side of the canal under the Smart City project. Furthermore, ghats have also been constructed in Panipat and Sonipat.

Speaking as the Chief Guest at a Chhath Puja program organised by the Mithilanchal Navyuvak Seva Samiti near Tangri Dam in Chandrarup Nagar, Ambala Cantonment, late this evening,  Vij said that “I have come here to convey my best wishes for Chhath Puja. People eagerly await this festival all year long, and it is truly inspiring to witness the devotion with which they observe it.” During the program, Minister Vij responded positively to the committee’s request for the construction of a permanent pond for Chhath rituals. He announced that the pond would be built using funds from his discretionary grant. “If the community identifies a suitable location, I will ensure that a permanent pond is constructed there”.

Chandigarh, October 26:
Chandigarh MP and former Union Minister Manish Tewari has written to the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), K. Sanjay Murthy, emphasizing the urgent need for a comprehensive performance audit of the 24×7 Water Supply Project under the Smart City Mission, particularly the Manimajra pilot project in Chandigarh.

In his letter, Tewari stated that he wished to draw the CAG’s attention to the necessity of conducting a detailed performance audit of the 24/7 water supply scheme implemented under the Central Government’s Smart City Mission in Chandigarh.

He noted that this project—funded by public money and supported by international agencies—has failed to deliver on its promises, raising serious concerns regarding financial prudence, implementation efficiency, and governance accountability.

Tewari mentioned that the Smart City Mission, launched in 2015, aimed to develop citizen-friendly and sustainable urban infrastructure. Under this initiative, Chandigarh Smart City Limited (CSCL) was assigned several projects, including a key 24/7 pressurized clean water supply initiative with an estimated total project cost of ₹591.57 crore.

In 2016, Chandigarh signed an agreement with the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) for cooperation in water supply, sanitation, and waste management. Under this framework, the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the citywide 24/7 water supply project was approved by the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh (MCC) in December 2019.

Later, in December 2022, the MCC signed another agreement for the phased replacement of 270 km of water pipelines and coverage of 55 District Metering Areas (DMAs) by 2029. This pan-city project was planned with a total expenditure of ₹510 crore, including an AFD loan of ₹412 crore (to be repaid over 15 years) and a European Union grant of ₹98 crore.

Tewari said that upon completion, the project was expected to make Chandigarh the first city in India with 24-hour access to clean drinking water.

However, the Manimajra pilot project, implemented at a cost of ₹166.06 crore under the Smart City Fund, has completely failed.

He revealed that due to the poor performance of the pilot, the MCC is now considering scrapping the entire citywide project, as not a single area in Manimajra currently receives uninterrupted, high-pressure water supply.

Residents have complained of foul-smelling and dirty water, as well as malfunctioning water meters. These findings contradict residents’ experiences, media reports, and on-ground realities. Tewari stated that citizens consistently report receiving water for only 2–4 hours a day, which is often contaminated and unfit for consumption.

According to several local media reports, MCC officials themselves confirmed that although the project was designed to improve water services, the actual quantity of water reaching households has not increased.

Despite this, the Ministry of Home Affairs, in its reply to Unstarred Question No. 1226 (answered on February 11, 2025) in the Lok Sabha, claimed that the physical infrastructure and trial operations of the project had been completed.

Tewari further pointed out additional discrepancies between government claims and ground reality. In response to his Unstarred Question No. 2768 (answered on December 12, 2024), the government stated that out of 36 projects worth ₹1,537 crore under CSCL, 34 projects worth ₹1,475 crore had been completed.

Regarding the Manimajra project, the government claimed that water supply hours had been increased from 9 to 18 hours per day, 12,700 smart water meters had been installed, water supply had risen from 2.5 to 3.5 MGD, and water quality was being ensured through chlorine analyzers and daily testing.

However, MCC officials have drafted a proposal urging the Central Government to halt the project, warning that it is financially unviable. The original ₹412 crore loan (calculated at 2022 prices) is expected to nearly double due to inflation and rising operational costs. Similarly, water tariffs would need to be almost doubled to meet repayment obligations, placing a heavy financial burden on residents.

The DPR also failed to include major costs such as road re-carpeting, which will require crores of additional expenditure once the underground pipelines are replaced across the city.

Government responses have themselves admitted that the citywide 24×7 water supply project has achieved only 5% physical progress, while another project—an animal carcass incinerator—showed 0% progress as of December 3, 2024.

Tewari also noted that in July 2025, following corruption allegations made by Chandigarh BJP President Jatinder Pal Malhotra, the UT Vigilance Department initiated an inquiry. However, the MCC provided only incomplete records, consisting merely of tender documents and noting files, instead of the complete project documentation.

Media reports have suggested that the vigilance investigation has been deliberately derailed, with vested interests allegedly attempting to suppress evidence and influence the inquiry process.

Taking suo motu cognizance, the Punjab State Human Rights Commission issued notices to both the Vigilance Department and the MCC, directing them to appear on August 31, 2025, and submit reports before the September 2 hearing.

Tewari mentioned that while multiple agencies are investigating the project’s failure, no independent third-party evaluation of water quality or service standards has been conducted so far. He added that reliance on self-reported CSCL data is unreliable, and the lack of clarity over loan arrangements further undermines the credibility of official statements—highlighting the need for independent financial verification.

Given the MCC’s own acknowledgment of the project’s complete failure and its consideration of scrapping the initiative, Tewari said that an independent execution audit has become essential to assess public fund mismanagement and to prevent similar failures in other cities.

He therefore requested the CAG to conduct a comprehensive performance audit, covering the following points:
• Verification of total project cost and funding sources (₹166.06 crore from Smart City Mission, ₹412 crore AFD loan, ₹98 crore EU grant)
• Clarification of financial structure and forensic review of contradictory official statements
• Compliance with procurement procedures for contractor selection and fund allocation
• Fund flow tracking and financial management by CSCL and MCC
• Technical implementation versus specified deliverables, including SCADA systems and water quality benchmarks
• Coordination between implementing agencies and oversight bodies
• Assessment of DPR adequacy, including road restoration and inflation adjustments
• Value-for-money evaluation in light of the project’s failure
• Decision-making processes that allowed continuation despite early warning signs
• Factors leading to MCC’s current decision to consider scrapping the project

Tewari concluded that this issue involves significant public funds and directly affects public health and essential services for the people of Chandigarh. Therefore, it merits an independent and official investigation, which only the CAG’s office is authorized to conduct.

In view of these circumstances, he urged the CAG to intervene immediately to ensure accountability and transparency in the project’s implementation.

Chandigarh, October 26:

Under the directions of Punjab Horticulture Minister Shri Mohinder Bhagat, the Horticulture Department is actively working to promote crop diversification and enhance farmers’ income across the state. The farmer-centric schemes of the Punjab Government are proving to be a boon for cultivators, ensuring every possible support to help them adopt modern farming practices.

Director Horticulture Mrs. Shailender Kaur informed that taking advantage of the government’s schemes, Harbir Singh, a farmer from village Saraba in Ludhiana district, is earning handsome profits through polyhouse farming and has become an inspiration for other farmers. After obtaining a degree in Electrical Engineering, Harbir Singh chose farming as his profession instead of taking a job, setting new benchmarks by integrating traditional farming with modern technology.

Farmer Harbir Singh shared that he received comprehensive guidance on polyhouse cultivation from the Horticulture Department. He is currently cultivating seedless cucumber, coloured capsicum, melon, and potato under polyhouse, earning an average annual profit of ₹12 to ₹14 lakh.

He further mentioned that in 2014, he shifted from conventional vegetable cultivation and received specialized training from the Centre of Excellence for Vegetables, Kartarpur. He said that under the National Horticulture Mission scheme, he availed subsidy support to set up his polyhouse and started growing coloured capsicum and seedless cucumber. He regularly consulted officials of the Horticulture Department to resolve farming-related challenges.

Harbir believes thelat hard work, dedication, understanding problems minutely and consistent guidance from the Horticulture Department officials have been the key factors behind his success.

Chandigarh, October 26, 2025 – Dr. Tarunjit Singh Butalia, Executive Director of Religions for Peace USA, has been honoured with a lifetime achievement award by Minhaj University, Lahore in recognition of his lifelong commitment to interfaith harmony and the preservation of Sikh heritage.

            The award was presented during the two days 8th International Conference on World Religions where Dr. Hussain Qadri, Chairman and Dr. S.M. Shahzad, Vice-Chancellor of Minhaj University conferred the honour upon Dr. Butalia. Bishop Samuel Robert Azariah, Director of the Christian Study Center, Rawalpindi was also presented with the national lifetime award at the same ceremony.

            The conference brought together global faith leaders and scholars under the theme “Building Resilient Societies: Preventing Extremism at its Roots,”. The deliberations focused on fostering interfaith dialogue and promoting social cohesion in an era marked by rising polarization and intolerance.

            Upon receiving the award Dr. Butalia expressed gratitude of university and conference organisers, describing the recognition as a tribute to the collective efforts of those advancing interfaith cooperation worldwide. He underscored the vital role of dialogue in healing divisions and nurturing mutual respect among diverse communities.

            The event celebrated Dr. Butalia’s enduring influence as a global ambassador of peace and a bridge-builder between cultures and religions, reaffirming his distinguished place in the landscape of interfaith leadership.

Chandigarh, 26 October 2025:

Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan attended Bhog and Antim Ardas ceremony of late Y. Puran Kumar IPS at Gurudwara Nada Sahib, Panchkula. He expressed grief over the untimely demise of Y. Puran Kumar IPS. He said society will always remember his work done towards the welfare of the country.

Sandhwan also conveyed the message of AAP National Convenor Sh. Arvind Kejriwal who paid heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and said we are always stood by the family of late Y. Puran Kumar IPS in this hour of sorrow.

Speaker Sandhwan  prayed to God to grant peace to the departed soul. Almighty may give strength to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss in this hour of distress.God may grant place of abode to him at His feet.