Chandigarh, April 9

A rare pictorial artwork compiled by State Information Commissioner Punjab Harpreet Sandhu on “Sukhna Lake ” portraying the serenity of the sunrise at Sukhna Lake Chandigarh was today unveiled by Hon’ble Governor of Haryana Bandaru Dattatraya at Raj Bhavan, Haryana.

While unveiling the artwork, Governor Bandaru Dattatraya acknowledged the masterpiece portrait highlighting the natural beauty of Sukhna Lake and much applauded the pictorial work and stated that this splendid artistic portrayal of Sukhna Lake truly showcases the soul of Chandigarh’s natural heritage; rather it’s a heartfelt tribute to the beauty and serenity of nature bestows at Sukhna lake.

Governor further said that such creative expressions serve as a reminder of the importance of preserving our environment and appreciating the natural wonders that surround the serene beauty and natural ambiance of the iconic Sukhna Lake during the early morning hours.

The artwork showcases the golden rays of sunrise reflecting upon the still waters of the lake, the image evokes a sense of tranquility and spiritual calmness. Through this pictorial composition, Harpreet Sandhu aims to reflect not only the scenic grandeur of Sukhna Lake, but also its deeper significance as a space of harmony, reflection and inspiration for the people of Chandigarh and the neighboring state of Haryana.

Harpreet Sandhu expressed his gratitude to the Hon’ble Governor for graciously unveiling his artwork dedicated to citizens of Chandigarh with hope that the artwork will adorn a meaningful space within the Raj Bhavan Haryana and other significant locations, serving as a lasting symbol of natural splendor.

Chandigarh/Rupnagar, April 8:

Rural Development and Panchayat Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond, accompanied by former Delhi Education Minister Manish Sisodia, conducted an inspection of schools and sports grounds in various villages of Rupnagar district on Tuesday. The villages visited included Chairian, Bahrampur, Chandpur, Dakala, Lohgarh Phidde, as well as the government primary school and sports ground in Bahrampur Chaklan.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister Sond announced that in an effort to promote a culture of sports and protect the youth from drug addiction, the Punjab Government will construct sports grounds in every village across the state. He shared that approximately 13,000 villages will benefit from this initiative, with sports facilities tailored to local youth demand. The grounds will include provisions for football, cricket, hockey, athletics, volleyball, handball, and other disciplines.

He highlighted that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government has earmarked a budget of ₹979 crore to engage youth in sports and fitness. In addition to sports grounds, gyms will be established in villages to encourage a healthy lifestyle.

 Sond emphasized the importance of engaging youth in sports to deter them from social evils. He also mentioned that athletes representing Punjab at national and international levels are recognized with cash rewards and given government job reservations to secure their future.

During the visit to the Government Primary School in Chaklan,  Manish Sisodia noted the remarkable transformation the school has undergone over the past three years. He recalled that the school previously had dilapidated infrastructure, lacking basic amenities such as benches, clean drinking water, and functioning toilets. Today, it boasts modern facilities including benches, a sports ground, toilets, high-tech laboratories, a library, and secure boundary walls.

Sisodia reiterated the Punjab Government’s commitment to enhancing the quality of education through the “Punjab Sikhiya Kranti” initiative. He emphasized that the aim is to make Punjab a hub of excellence in education, ensuring a brighter and more prosperous future for the state.

Also present on the occasion were MLA Sri Chamkaur Sahib Dr. Charanjit Singh, MLA Rupnagar Advocate Dinesh Chadha, Deputy Commissioner Varjeet Singh Walia, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development) Ms. Chandarjyoti Singh, District Planning Board Chairman Harminder Singh Dhahe, and other senior officials.

CHANDIGARH, April 8:

The Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government’s groundbreaking “School Mentorship Program” has received an extraordinary response, with 100 top bureaucrats—including IAS, IPS, and PCS officers—volunteering as mentors within just three days of its launch on April 4, said the School Education Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains here on Tuesday.

Pertinently, the Punjab Government has introduced one-of-its-kind “School Mentorship Program” wherein top brass bureaucrats are being roped in to inspire and guide young minds to aim high in life. The initiative aims to bridge aspirations and opportunities for government school students by connecting them with civil servants.

Addressing a press conference here at Punjab Bhawan today, S. Harjot Singh Bains said that a detailed analysis of applications has revealed that over half of the applications are from young officers, specifically those who joined the service between 2015 and 2024. Among the 100 applicants, 41 are IAS officers, including seven from pre-2005 batches, 14 from 2005-2015 batches, and 20 are from Batch 2016 onwards. Similarly, 48 IPS officers including nine from pre-2005 batches, 16 from 2005-2015 batches, and 23 from Batch 2016 onwards have joined the initiative. Furthermore, three PCS officers and eight from other services have also shown interest.

S. Harjot Singh Bains, while expressing his delight at the overwhelming participation, said that schools that are located at border, far-flung and challenging areas, including Pathankot, Tarn Taran and Ferozepur, have also received a huge interest from the officers. “Such huge number of officers coming forward for this noble cause is truly inspiring,” said the Minister, while adding that having our bureaucrats guiding students in our most underserved schools will create transformational change in Punjab’s education landscape.

The Education Minister said that the program is still open for the interested officers, who want to adopt a school, can fill the Google Form (link:https://forms.gle/V4kcHjjVfsomdJz9A) by April 20, 2025. Outstanding contributions will be acknowledged at state-level education events to honour the efforts of mentor officers, he added.

Meanwhile, the mentor officers will be frequently visiting, and collaborating with their schools and facilitating students’ career counselling, exposure visits, teachers’ training on innovative pedagogies, increasing parental participation in school, piloting innovative ideas, and improving the learning environment of the schools. Officers will engage with students, teachers, and principals to motivate students to dream big and pursue ambitious goals, besides, supporting teachers in adopting innovative pedagogy and leveraging their experience and networks to bring improvements in school infrastructure, resources, and exposure opportunities.

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Teachers Deserve Respect: Punjab Govt Committed to Ensure Supportive Environment for Teachers: Bains

During the press conference, the Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains today strongly condemned the remarks made by his fellow MLA Chetan Singh Jauramajra during “Sikhya Kranti” function held yesterday in Patiala district, while emphasising the vital role teachers play in society.

“We believe that teachers deserve to be valued for their hard work and dedication,” S. Bains stated, reiterating the Punjab government’s commitment to ensuring all teachers are treated with respect and dignity. The government is dedicated to fostering a supportive environment where teachers feel appreciated and empowered to excel in their roles.

Chandigarh/Ludhiana, April 8

In a significant push for infrastructure development in Ludhiana, Punjab Housing and Urban Development Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian is set to lay the foundation stones for two key road projects on Wednesday aimed at enhancing connectivity and improving the quality of life in the region.

The first ambitious project involves the construction of a 200-foot-wide bituminous road from Malerkotla Road to Sidhwan Canal Lohara bridge, with an estimated cost of Rs 31.14 crores. This 1.7 km stretch, part of the missing link-2 (part-C), includes civil works, public health facilities, horticulture, and electrical lighting poles, along with medians for smoother traffic flow. The project will complete within a year, and will have a five-year maintenance plan by the contractual firm, ensuring durability and quality. He also highlighted that this road will boost economic growth and improve accessibility for commuters in Sidhwan Canal Lohara and surrounding areas.

The second initiative is the special repair of a 3.85-kilometer link road from GT Road to Khasi Kalan via Tajpur to Dhanansu, with a budget of Rs 3.31 crores. This key corridor, widely used by commuters, addresses a long-pending demand of residents around Tajpur road, offering them much-needed relief. He emphasized that the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led state government is committed to prioritizing high-quality road infrastructure to make Punjab a leading state in this domain.

Speaking about the projects, Mundian stated, “The state government is making continuous and sincere efforts to ensure world-class infrastructure in Punjab. These initiatives reflect our dedication to enhancing connectivity, fostering economic development, and fulfilling the aspirations of our people.”

Both projects underscore the state government’s vision to transform Ludhiana into a world-class city with robust transportation networks.

CHANDIGARH, April 8:

          In a major breakthrough amidst the ongoing drive to make Punjab a safe and secure state as per directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab Police has cracked the hand grenade attack at BJP leader’s house case masterminded by Pak-ISI backed terror module with arrest of two accused persons in this case in less than 12 hours, said Special Director General of Police (Special DGP) Law and Order Arpit Shukla here on Tuesday.

          “Preliminary investigations have revealed a larger conspiracy orchestrated by Pakistan’s ISI to disrupt communal harmony in Punjab. The plot was masterminded by Zeeshan Akhtar, a close associate of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and Pakistan-based ISI-sponsored gangster Shahzad Bhatti,” he said, while not ruling out the possible links of the accused with Pakistan-based Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) mastermind Harwinder Singh alias Rinda and gangster Happy Passia.

          Special DGP Arpit Shukla accompanied by IGP Headquarters Dr Sukhchain Singh Gill, while addressing a press conference, said that police teams have also recovered an E-rickshaw used by the accused persons in executing the crime.

          As per the information, an explosion occurred at the residence of Senior BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia located in Central Town Jalandhar on the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday. Police teams from Jalandhar Commissionerate immediately rushed to the spot, and the forensic team collected samples and relevant evidence from the scene.

          Sharing more details, Commissioner of Police (CP) Jalandhar Dhanpreet Kaur said that the case is being investigated in coordination with central intelligence agencies to trace the entire terror network and ensure strict action against all conspirators.

          She said that an FIR no. 27 dated 8/4/2025 has been registered under sections 109, 324(3) and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and sections 3, 4 and 5 of the Explosive Substances Act has been registered at Police Station Division number 3 in Jalandhar.

Chandigarh, April 8, 2025 – In line with the Punjab Government’s zero-tolerance policy against corruption, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) Bathinda Range during a surprise inspection at the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) office Bathinda, has found that unfit vehicles, without any physical verification, were registered using fake documents and the agents had further sold them to the public at inflated prices. On the basis of these malpractices, the VB has registered a case against accused Naveen Kumar, a resident of NFL Colony, Bathinda and Inderjeet Singh, a resident of Dhobiana Road, Bathinda. Meanwhile, the Bureau has nominated and arrested Naresh Kumar, owner of Nagpal Body Maker, Sirsa Road, Dabwali in Haryana in this case and has launched raids to arrest the other accused. 

A spokesperson for the state VB informed that during the inspection, it was discovered that the said accused, in collusion with transport officials, had obtained No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from Gujarat state for five condemned jeeps/vehicles (Mahindra & Mahindra models from 1993 and 1996), even though these vehicles never actually arrived in Bathinda. The accused individuals had purchased five scrapped vehicles from different states and fraudulently obtained their NOCs from Gujarat. They then used a rental agreement with a person named Rajesh Tuteja, without his consent, to manipulate records. Subsequently, the accused got these scrapped vehicles modified at Nagpal Body Maker, Sirsa Road, Dabwali in Haryana and fraudulently got registered them at the RTA Bathinda office using fake documents in connivance with concerned officials/private agents. Afterwards, these vehicles were sold to unsuspecting buyers at high prices, committing fraud. The Vigilance Bureau’s Bathinda Range conducted a raid at aforementioned Nagpal Body Maker in Dabwali and seized the five modified jeeps, estimated to be worth around Rs 25 lakh. 

The spokesperson further added that in this regard a case FIR No. 11, dated 07/04/2025 has been registered against above said Naveen Kumar and Inderjeet Singh under sections 7-A and 13(1)(A) read with 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act along with sections 318(4), 336(2), 338, 336(4), 340(2) and 61 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. In addition to this Naresh Kumar, owner of Nagpal Body Maker, Dabwali has also been nominated and arrested. Raids are ongoing to arrest the other accused.

He further added that during further investigation the involvement of RTA Bathinda officials/employees or other private individuals would also be probed and would be nominated if found guilty in the case.

Chandigarh/Sangrur, April 8:

Punjab Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Mr. Lal Chand Kataruchak today held a review meeting with officials on the arrangements made for wheat procurement in 7 districts of Punjab including Sangrur district at the District Administrative Complex. He said that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has given clear instructions that farmers, arhtiyas, laborers or any other stakeholder in wheat procurement process should not face any problem in any grain market during the entire season. He said that the mandis of Punjab are fully prepared to welcome the farmers bringing their produce and all the necessary arrangements for procurement, lifting, loading, crates and payment have been completed in the mandis.

Cabinet Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak said that during the meeting of the officers, good feedback has been received regarding the arrangements made in the mandis such as drinking water, sanitation, lighting arrangements, cleaning of washrooms etc. and this time too the wheat procurement season will be excellent. He said that there is a possibility of a bumper crop of wheat this year and a target of purchasing 124 lakh metric tonnes of wheat has been set. He also said that Punjab has arranged a Cash Credit Limit (CCL) of Rs 28,894 crore. He said that around 8 lakh farmers will bring their produce to the mandis of Punjab during the season and keeping it in view, as many as 1864 procurement centres have been set up. Apart from this, 600 temporary mandis have also been set up which will be used as per the requirement.

Cabinet Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak said that the state’s grain markets will start receiving a bountiful crop near Baisakhi and the Punjab government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is fully committed to ensure the purchase of every grain of wheat coming to the markets and to make payment within 24 hours.

Cabinet Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak instructed the District Food Supply Controllers, Food Supply Officers, District Managers of government procurement agencies of Sangrur, Bathinda, Mansa, Malerkotla, Fatehgarh Sahib, Muktsar Sahib and Fazilka districts that they will not take leave without any valid reason so that the farmers do not have to face any kind of problems in the markets.

Deputy Commissioner Sandeep Rishi, Additional Deputy Commissioner Amit Bamby, SP Navreet Singh Virk, SDM Charanjot Singh Walia, Deputy Director Food and Civil Supplies Patiala, Faridkot and Ferozepur Divisions were also present during the meeting.