Chandigarh, April 22

Haryana Transport Minister Anil Vij has taken cognizance of reports of large-scale irregularities in vehicle registrations in all four Sub-Divisional (Civil) offices of Ambala district and has directed the concerned officers that a thorough investigation of all Sub-Divisional (Civil) offices and Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) across the state be conducted by the State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau.

In this regard, the Transport Minister has issued necessary instructions to the Additional Chief Secretary of the Revenue Department and the Additional Chief Secretary of the Transport Department. Sh. Vij clarified that such irregularities may not be limited to Ambala alone but could exist in other Sub-Divisional offices and RTOs across the state, making a state-wide probe necessary. It is noteworthy that cases have emerged in Ambala where vehicle registrations were carried out through SDM offices using incomplete addresses in Tamil Nadu and other states. These cases are currently under investigation.

Apart from this, the Minister has also taken a strict stance on vehicles transporting dust, sand and other loose construction materials without proper covering. He has directed that all such trucks and transport vehicles must be properly covered with tarpaulin or other suitable means. Orders have been issued to all District Transport Officers-cum-Secretaries and Regional Transport Authorities in the state in this regard. Violators will be fined under the Motor Vehicles Act and Pollution Control guidelines. Additionally, transporters and drivers are to be made aware of these regulations.

Meanwhile, Vij has also directed officials to ensure strict compliance with the Stage Carriage Scheme-2016, notified on February 17, 2017. He said that numerous complaints have been received regarding violations of the scheme by private stage carriage operators. He emphasized that as per the scheme, permit holders are required to provide travel facilities to students, concessional pass holders, and free-pass holders in their buses, without any subsidy from the government. No laxity in this matter will be tolerated.

Furthermore, strict instructions have been issued to curb the unauthorized entry of heavy vehicles into city areas. The Minister noted that such vehicles often divert into congested areas, markets, and sectors to save time and fuel, leading to traffic congestion, damage to public property, and increased risk of accidents.

Chandigarh, April 22, 2026 : The Gatka Association of Punjab, in collaboration with Gatka Association District Faridkot, will host 12th State Gatka Championship 2026 for girls at Baba Farid Gurukul College, Kotkapura, district Faridkot, from May 1 to 3.

            Disclosing this here on Wednesday, Advocate Harjeet Singh Grewal, President of National Gatka Association of India said this three-day championship is set to bring together the young exponents of this ancient Sikh martial art from across the state, in what promises to be a spirited contest of skill, discipline and tradition.

            He informed that teams from all districts would report to the venue on May 1, with competition getting underway on the morning of May 2 at 9 a.m. Gatka promoter Grewal added that the competition would conclude with a formal closing ceremony on May 3 and the prominent dignitaries would grace the occasion.

            Adding further vice president of Gatka Association of Punjab, Sarbjit Singh said the event would feature girls’ teams competing across five age categories in under-14, under-17, under-19, under-22 and under-25, giving young athletes at every stage of their development a platform to test their mettle.

            Dr. Manjit Singh Dillon, President of Gatka Association District Faridkot and Narinderpal Singh Paras, Convener of the championship, have urged all participating teams to submit their entries by 4 p.m. on April 26 without fail so that proper arrangements for accommodation and food could be made in advance.

            Coaches Harsimran Singh and Sherry Singh added that medals and certificates would be conferred upon all winning teams as well as players who distinguish themselves with exceptional performances on the mat. They confirmed that district presidents and secretaries of all district Gatka Associations across Punjab have already set their preparations in motion.

Chandigarh: Ashutosh Gupta, Executive Director and State Head, Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) Punjab State Office on Tuesday assured that supplies of petrol and diesel remain stable in the country despite ongoing supplies triggered by the Middle East conflict. 

Talking to Reporters in Chandigarh, Gupta, said the company currently holds sufficient reserves across Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh and Chandigarh, both at depots and retail outlets.”There is absolutely no shortage of petrol and diesel, there is no shortage of transport fuel at all at our depots and terminals as of date, we have got a stock of 12 days petrol, and diesel is about 16 days,” he said.

Gupta said that fuel availability at petrol pumps is also well within comfortable levels, dismissing any immediate concerns among consumers.”At our retail outlets as of date, we have got a petrol stock of about 13 days and diesel of about 6 days absolutely no reason for any concern on the petrol and diesel side,” Gupta noted.

The statement comes against the backdrop of volatility in global energy markets amid geopolitical tensions in West Asia, a key source of India’s fuel imports.

On liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), Gupta said supply remains steady, though delivery timelines have stretched due to a surge in bookings, which he attributed to precautionary demand from consumers.”The domestic LPG supplies have been normal… however, because of the conflict… There has been an increase in the bookings, and ultimately, resulting in the booking period to delivery period has increased,” he said.

He added that delivery times have risen from around two days to roughly six days at present.

Highlighting India’s dependence on imports for LPG, Gupta said a majority of supplies are sourced externally.”India meets its LPG requirement, almost 60 per cent of that is made through imports and out of that 60 per cent imports, 90 per cent is sourced from the Middle Eastern countries,” he said. Even so, he said supply chains continue to function smoothly with coordinated efforts between the Centre and state governments. Gupta also pointed out that domestic refineries, including those in Panipat and Bathinda, are meeting nearly 80 per cent of LPG demand in Punjab and Chandigarh.He added that priority distribution is being ensured for essential services such as hospitals, educational institutions and the pharmaceutical sector. In addition, IOCL has witnessed a rise in digital adoption for LPG bookings, which Gupta said has enhanced efficiency and transparency.”Digital bookings… were around 81 per cent… which has gone up to 93 per cent… today,” he said.While global developments continue to pose logistical challenges, Gupta said ongoing coordination between oil companies and government authorities is helping maintain uninterrupted fuel supplies across the region.

CHANDIGARH: The Department of ENT at PGIMER Chandigarh observed World Voice Day 2026 today, April 20, with an extensive public awareness program centered on the global theme, “Caring for Our Voices!”. Every year on April 16, otolaryngologists, head and neck surgeons, and Speech-Language Pathologists worldwide join together to recognize the importance of vocal health. This year, PGIMER marked the occasion with interdisciplinary sessions designed for patients, caregivers, and the general public.

Prof. and Head of the ENT Department, Dr. Jaimanti Bakshi, addressed the gathering, explaining the various types, causes, and assessment procedures of voice disorders. She further elaborated on modern medical management and the critical role of speech therapy in restoration. Senior faculty members Dr. Anurag, Dr. Banumathy, Dr. Dharam Vir, and Dr. Noorain Alam also shared their expertise, highlighting the multidisciplinary approach to voice rehabilitation.

The highlight of the program was the presence of special guests, renowned Radio Jockeys RJ Megha and RJ SarvaPriya Nirmohi. RJ Megha talked about the professional importance of voice care, emphasizing the role of hydration, ‘vocal naps,’ and the use of vocal warm-ups for an effective and resilient voice. RJ Nirmohi mentioned that voice is the identity of a person and taking care of it is vital. He suggested that for any voice-related issues, one must consult an ENT doctor or a Speech-Language Pathologist for early identification and intervention.

To further educate the public, students of BASLP and Masters in Audiology performed an insightful skit play. The performance creatively demonstrated the different types of voice disorders and the transformative role of speech therapy in improving quality of life.

Chandigarh: The National Academy of Medical Sciences celebrated its 66^th Foundation Day on 21^st April, 2026. During the award ceremony PGI professors were awarded three of the nine recognitions of academic excellence (RAE) awards. All three made a presentation of the work during the CME organized on that day. 

Prof. Aman Sharma, from the Department of Internal Medicine, has been awarded the prestigious RAE General Amir Chand Award for his transformative contributions to the study of non-communicable diseases. The award recognizes Prof. Sharma’s extensive work in the field of systemic vasculitis—a group of rare diseases involving inflammation of the blood vessels that can lead to organ damage if left untreated.

Prof. Sharma’s research has brought global attention to how these complex conditions manifest specifically in Indian patients. His team’s work on DADA2 (Deficiency of ADA2), a rare genetic inflammatory condition, is now recognized as the largest clinical experience of its kind in the world.

Beyond the laboratory, Prof. Sharma has focused on practical solutions for the Indian healthcare landscape. He successfully led the initiative to create the first data-driven Indian Guidelines for ANCA vasculitis, specifically designed with local economic considerations in mind to ensure that life-saving treatments remain accessible to more patients.

“Our goal has always been to bridge the gap between high-level research and the actual needs of patients in our clinics,” said Prof. Sharma. “By refining how we use imaging to differentiate these diseases from more common conditions like tuberculosis, we can provide faster, more accurate care.”

The impact of this work is being felt globally: His team’s findings on the use of PET scans for evaluating rare cartilage inflammation (relapsing polychondritis) have been integrated into the world’s leading medical resources, including UpToDate.com and a Textbook of Rheumatology.

Prof Naveen Kalra from the Department of Radiodiagnosis got the RAE Dr Khandelwal award for intervention radiology. He presented extensive body of work done in the field of locoregional treatment of liver cancer. He highlighted the new techniques which were done for the first time at PGI including cryoablation and irreversible electroporation. The use of hybrid angio CT in the treatment of liver cancer was also elaborated upon. Prof Kalra has been a leading researcher in this field and has held various leadership positions in task forces formulating guidelines for liver cancer. 

Prof Sonu Goel from the Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health was awarded R V Rajam award for community health. He shared his community level experience of 25 years especially in the field of tobacco control. He further elaborated upon International Public Health Management Development Program sponsored by the Ministry of External Affairs, which is first of its kind program in Asia where senior policy makers from 97 countries have been trained on public health.

Chandigarh:

PGIMER Chandigarh today successfully conducted a dry run of the Neurology and Neurosurgery Outpatient Departments (OPDs) from Level-2 of the Advanced Neurosciences Centre, marking a significant step toward the formal inauguration scheduled on April 30, 2026.

The dry run witnessed a total of 581 patient registrations, including 181 new patients and 400 follow-up (old) patients, reflecting a smooth transition and robust patient response on the very first day.

Describing the initiative as a forward-looking step, Prof. Vivek Lal, Director, PGIMER, stated, “The successful dry run marks a critical milestone in our journey toward creating a truly integrated, patient-centric neuroscience facility. It allows us to fine-tune systems and workflows ahead of the formal inauguration, ensuring that patients receive seamless, efficient, and high-quality care from day one.”

Echoing similar sentiments, Pankaj Rai, Deputy Director (Administration), PGIMER, said, “Today’s dry run has provided valuable operational insights and reaffirmed our preparedness for the formal inauguration. To further facilitate patient movement and accessibility, exclusive parking arrangements and dedicated routes are being worked out, ensuring smoother navigation and reduced congestion in and around the Advanced Neurosciences Centre.”

Following the planned transition, Outpatient Departments (OPDs) of Neurology and Neurosurgery (except Trauma OPD of Neurosurgery) have commenced operations from the new facility to identify and address any operational gaps ahead of the formal launch. The services had ceased functioning from the New OPD Block after the afternoon of April 18, 2026, to facilitate this shift.

The OPD schedules and timings remain unchanged. Neurology OPDs will continue on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, along with a Special Clinic on Thursday (11:30 AM to 1:00 PM), while Neurosurgery OPDs will function on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, with general OPD timings from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM.

Patients and attendants can access the Advanced Neurosciences Centre via Gate No. 3, near SBI Bank and Gol Market. Adequate signage and support systems have been put in place to guide visitors and ensure a hassle-free experience.

PGIMER appeals to all stakeholders to take note of the change and extend their cooperation as the institute moves toward formally dedicating this advanced facility to the nation.

CHANDIGARH/AMRITSAR, April 20:

          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, Amritsar Commissionerate Police has dismantled a cross-border and MP-based illegal arms supply module with the arrest of three accused persons and recovered six pistols from their possession, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Monday.

          Those arrested have been identified as Deepak Singh alias Deepu (22), a resident of Kashmir Avenue in Amritsar; Arun Kumar alias Sabu (26), a resident of Narayangarh in Amritsar; and Sukhjinder Singh alias Sukha (29), a resident of Rehana Jattan in Kapurthala. Recovered pistols include one .30 bore PX5, three .32 bore and two .30 bore pistols along with seven live cartridges.

          DGP Gaurav Yadav said that preliminary investigation has revealed that the arrested accused were procuring illegal weapons from Madhya Pradesh. Accused were also in contact with Pak-based smuggler through social media platforms, who were facilitating supply of illegal weapon through drones and coordinating distribution through local handlers, he said, while adding that the network was actively operating in the Majha and Doaba regions.

          The DGP said that further investigation is underway to establish forward and backward linkages in this case to dismantle the entire network.

          Sharing operational details, Commissioner of Police (CP) Amritsar Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said that in a targeted operation based on secret information, police teams initially arrested Deepak alias Deepu and recovered one pistol from his possession, while another two pistols were recovered from a location pinpointed by him. On his disclosure, his two accomplices identified as Arun alias Sabu and Sukhjinder alias Sukha were also arrested and three pistols were recovered from their possession, he said.

          The CP said that preliminary investigation has also revealed that the accused had procured these illegal weapons to execute a major criminal act, which has been successfully averted due to timely police action. Accused Deepak alias Deepu and Arun alias Sabu have a previous criminal involvement in cases pertaining to attempt to murder, theft and other serious offences, he added.

          In this regard, a case FIR No. 61 dated 04-04-2026 under section 25 of the Arms Act has been registered at Police Station Civil Lines in Amritsar.

Panchkula,April 19

On the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, the Purushottam Das Rungta Charitable Trust organised its 212th ‘Ann Bhandara’,  or community kitchen, at Phase I, Panchkula Industrial Area, continuing its longstanding commitment to serving the community.

Highlighting the significance of the day, social worker and Founder of the Trust, Amitabh Rungta, said, “On Akshaya Tritiya, offering food to those in need is one of the most meaningful ways to celebrate the festival. Such acts of kindness are believed to bring enduring merit and contribute to the well-being of society.”

Akshaya Tritiya is a sacred festival symbolizing prosperity, generosity, and eternal abundance. Acts of charity, especially donating food, are considered highly meritorious and are believed to bring lasting blessings.

The Bhandara saw active participation from volunteers and community members, who came together to serve freshly prepared meals to a large number of people, reflecting the spirit of compassion and selfless service.