Chandigarh, February 21:

          The persistent efforts of Punjab Education Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains have yielded yet another positive outcome with the Public Works (B&R) Department (PWD), Punjab issuing a tender worth Rs. 17.56 crore for the repair of the Algran bridge over Swan Nadi.

          This bridge is a critical lifeline, connecting over 100 villages of Ropar district and also serving a vital link between Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. This development is a significant milestone, given Bains’ long-standing efforts to get this bridge repaired.

          In a press communiqué issued here today, S. Harjot Singh Bains stated that this tender will be for nine months for the repair of this crucial bridge. The interested contractors can visit the official website of the state government to access the tender documents and submit their bids till March 20, 2025.  

          Highlighting the importance of the bridge, S. Harjot Singh Bains stated that the bridge is not only a crucial transportation route between Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, besides connecting Ropar district with Hoshiarpur, but also a key pathway for pilgrims, tourists, and local residents.

          Additionally, the project will provide much-needed respite to daily commuters who have long faced inconvenience due to the bridge’s poor condition. The initiative is also set to alleviate the burden on alternative routes, which have been overburdened due to the bridge’s inaccessibility, thereby improving overall connectivity and safety in the area.

          With the tender now issued, the work is expected to begin soon, sparking a hope among the people of the region for better road infrastructure and social-economic development of the region, the cabinet minister added.

CHANDIGARH/PATIALA, February 21:

          Amidst the ongoing drive to make Punjab a safe and secure state as per directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Patiala Police has busted a target killing module being operated by foreign-based gangster Goldy Dhillon with the arrest of its two operatives from Rajpura, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Friday.

          Those arrested have been identified as Malkit Singh alias Max, a native of village Rodala in Ajnala, Amritsar and presently residing in village Sempali in Fatehgarh Sahib and Sandeep Singh alias Deep, a resident of Sirhind in Fatehgarh Sahib.

          Police teams have also recovered five pistols— including three .32 caliber, one .30 caliber and one .315 caliber country-made pistol— along with 15 cartridges and 1300 intoxicant tablets from their possession, besides, impounding their black-coloured Honda Activa Scooter (PB 23 AA 0795).

          DGP Gaurav Yadav said that preliminary investigations have revealed that both the arrested accused persons were wanted in two criminal cases pertaining to extortion and were also tasked by their handler Goldy Dhillon to execute target killings in Mohali and Rajpura. Both the arrested accused persons have a history of criminal activities, with multiple cases pertaining to NDPS act, Arms Act, attempt to murder, extortion, dacoity, snatching, etc registered against them, he added.

          The DGP said that further investigations are on to establish backward and forward linkages in this case. More arrests and recoveries are likely in coming days, he added.

          Sharing operation details, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Patiala Nanak Singh said that police teams of Special Cell Rajpura received a reliable input that two operatives of Gangster Goldy Dhillon are on the way to deliver intoxicant tablets to someone at Sirhind-Rajpura road, following which, they have a plan to carry out a target killing in Rajpura.

          Acting swiftly, the Special Cell Rajpura led by Inspector Harry Boparai launched an intelligence-based operation and managed to locate and arrest both the accused persons after recovering weapons and drugs from their possession, he said.

          The SSP said that two prominent persons, who had also received threat calls from foreign-based gangster, were on target of the arrested accused persons. Further investigations are on, he added.

          A case FIR no. 13 dated 19/2/2025 has been registered under section 22 of the NDPS act and section 25 of the Arms Act at Police Station Sadar Rajpura in Patiala.

Chandigarh, February 21

Punjab Public Works Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO on Thursday said that the Public Works Department (Buildings and Roads) is currently executingnearly 250 building projects worth approximately Rs 2000 crore across 15 client departments. These works, funded by the respective departments and executed by PWD, demonstrate the department’s commitment to developing and upgrading Punjab’s building infrastructure.

PWD Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO emphasized that PWD (B&R) is prioritizing the construction of Health infrastructure, including 18 Child Care Blocks (CCBs) worth Rs. 264 crore and 18 Integrated Public Health Laboratories (IPHL) labs, with 4 already under construction. The PWD has also made significant strides in constructing Aam Admi Clinics, with around 420 clinics already built across the state. Furthermore, the department will undertake works worth Rs 3000 crore for Medical Colleges at Malerkotla, Sangrur, SAS Nagar, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, SBS Nagar, and Moga in the FY 2025-26. He said that this initiative aims to enhance the state’s capacity for public health diagnostics and provide quality healthcare facilities to its citizens.

Highlighting the PWD’s efforts extended to Education Sector, the another priority sector of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government, Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO said that the PWD (B&R) is working on 56 Schools of Eminence, with 19 ongoing and 10 Schools have already been completed. He said that these schools aim to provide high-quality educationinfrastructure across Punjab to children of all strata of society.

The Minister informed that the judicial infrastructure has also received a significant boost, with granting of administrative approvals amounting to Rs. 250 crore in the current fiscal year 2024-25. He said that the key projects include the development of Judicial Court Complexes (JCC) in Khanna, Patran, and Fazilka, featuring components such as courtrooms, residential accommodations, and computer rooms to accommodate the increasing caseload. “Additionally, the repair and maintenance of judicial complexes, undertaken separately under the head 2059, ensure that existing judicial facilities remain in good condition”, said the PWD Minister.

Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO further added that the PWD (B&R) is committed to ensuring the upkeep and functionality of existing infrastructure, including the repair and maintenance of Judicial Court Complexes, Government Buildings, and Government Quarters. In FY 2024-25, funds amounting to Rs. 40 crore are being spent for the upkeep of Government Buildings.

The PWD Minister also highlighted that the department has played a crucial role in executing numerous monuments, memorials, and public buildings across the State. He said that the Architectural Wing, associated with the Department, provides services such as evolving building plans, designing green buildings, and landscaping for various state government departments. “Special attention is given to ensuring unimpeded access by incorporating ramps, lifts, escalators, and other facilities for persons with disabilities (divyangjan)”, he added.

Chandigarh, February 21

Punjab Finance, Planning, Excise, and Taxation Minister, Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema, today handed over appointment letters to 7 clerks and 1 peon appointed on compassionate grounds in the Excise and Taxation Department.

Congratulating the newly appointed employees, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema emphasized the importance of dedication and hard work in their new roles. He highlighted the crucial role the Excise and Taxation Department plays in strengthening the state’s economy and expressed hope that these employees will fulfill their responsibilities with utmost commitment.

Highlighting the Punjab government’s significant achievement under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the state has successfully employed over 50,000 youth. He said that this initiative not only provides employment opportunities to the maximum number of young people but also addresses the shortage of human resources in various government departments, ultimately strengthening them.

CHANDIGARH/AMRITSAR, February 21:

          In a major to trans-border smuggling networks amidst the ongoing war against drugs as per directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Amritsar Commissionerate Police has arrested four drug smugglers and recovered 5.06 Kg heroin from their possession in two separate cases, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Friday.

          Those arrested have been identified as Gurjant Singh alias Kalu of village Bachiwind in Amritsar, Jagjit Singh of village Rania in Amritsar, Sahil Kumar alias Sahil of village Ghariyala in Tarn Taran and Rinku of Basti Dune Wali in Guru Har Sahai, Ferozepur.

          DGP Gaurav Yadav said that the arrested individuals were in contact with Pakistan-based drug smugglers, who were using drones to smuggle narcotics across the border to further supply in different areas of Amritsar. Two separate first information repots (FIRs) have been registered under relevant sections of the NDPS Ac at Police Stations Cantonment and Sadar Amritsar, he said.

          The DGP said that further investigations are on to establish backward and forward linkages in this case. More arrests and recoveries are likely in coming days, he added.

          Sharing operation details of first case, Commissioner of Police (CP) Amritsar Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said that based on credible intelligence, Police teams from Contonment Police Station under the supervision of DCP Harpreet Singh Mander, ADCP City-2 Harkamal Kaur, and ACP West Shivdarshan Singh conducted a special operation and apprehended the suspects identified as Gurjant Kalu and Jagjit Singh from the Mahal Bypass area and seized 3.067 kg of heroin from their possession.

          He said that, similarly, Police teams from CIA Staff-1 led by Inspector Amolakdeep Singh arrested two more accused— identified as Sahil Kumar and Rinku— based on further investigation and interrogation of arrested accused, recovering an additional 2 kg of heroin from their possession.

          The CP said that preliminary investigation has revealed that accused Rinku is running a big hawala network to transfer the illegal money of drug trade to different suppliers. Further probe in on, he added.

Chandigarh, February 21, 2025:

          The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB), during its ongoing campaign against corruption in the state, has arrested a Junior Engineer (JE) of the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL), Manoj Kumar, red-handed while he was accepting a bribe of Rs 5,000.

          Disclosing this here today, an official spokesperson of the VB stated that the case was registered based on a complaint filed by a resident of New Amar Nagar, Daba, Ludhiana. The complainant, who runs a welding shop, stated that his wife had purchased a two-story house at New Amar Nagar where he intended to set up a small factory on the ground floor, requiring a 10 KW commercial electricity meter.

          According to the complaint, he submitted an application for the new meter at the PSPCL office in Janta Nagar, Ludhiana, and deposited the required fee. Fifteen days later, the aforementioned JE Manoj Kumar visited the site and took Rs 3,000 from him for “miscellaneous expenses.” The JE then demanded a total bribe of Rs 15,000 stating that the meter would only be installed once the bribe was paid.

          On February 19, 2025, when the complainant again visited the PSPCL office to request the installation of the meter, the JE reiterated his demand for a bribe. Upon the complainant’s request, the JE agreed to accept an advance payment of Rs 5,000 with the remaining amount to be collected after the installation. The JE then called the complainant to the office for payment.

          The spokesperson further added that following verification of the complaint, a vigilance team from Ludhiana range laid a trap during which the above said accused was caught red-handed while he was accepting a bribe of Rs 5000 in the presence of two official witnesses at the PSPCL office in Janta Nagar, Ludhiana.

In this regard a case under Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered against JE Manoj Kumar at VB Police Station, Ludhiana Range. The accused would be produced in the competent court tomorrow, and further investigation was under progress, he added.

Chandigarh, February 21:

On the occasion of International Mother Language Day, Punjab’s Higher Education and Languages Minister, S. Harjot Singh Bains, has given clarion call to the people of the state to embrace Punjabi in their daily lives. He emphasised that the mother tongue is vital for identity, education, culture and sustainable development, as it serves as the primary means of communication for sharing knowledge and preserving cultural heritage.

Recognising the rich tapestry of the Punjabi language, the Cabinet Minister asked the Languages department to implement measures aimed at further preserving and promoting the Punjabi language. He highlighted that learning in one’s mother tongue significantly enhances understanding and retention of knowledge, which is essential for effective education.

Additionally, he stressed the deep connection between language and culture, noting that the mother language embodies traditions, stories, and identities that are crucial for fostering community cohesion.

Outlining the state government’s initiatives to promote the mother language, the Cabinet Minister said that the state government has implemented various initiatives to promote the Punjabi language including Best Literary Punjabi Book Award Scheme, in which 48 awards were distributed across various categories from 2020-2024. He said that under the Financial Assistance to Punjabi Literary Societies, as many as 23 societies have received financial assistance to organize literary events, while, Punjabi Literature Creation and Poetry Singing Competitions and Events were also organized at district language offices, with state-level competitions held in Jalandhar and Ludhiana. Additionally, approximately 164 Literary and Cultural Events were organized, including literary workshops, Ru-Ba-Ru functions, and trilingual Kavi Darbar. The state has also celebrated Punjabi Month in November 2023 and 2024, hosting 50 events across Punjab. Furthermore, Punjabi Children’s Literature Quiz Competitions and Events were also conducted in district language offices, with state-level competitions in Ludhiana and Kapurthala.

The Education Minister also highlighted the ambitious initiative to integrate the Punjabi language into Artificial Intelligence (AI). He said that a series of workshops, comprising two one-day sessions and a two-day symposium, has been launched to achieve this goal. “Renowned experts in the field are being consulted to ensure the success of this project. These workshops aim to provide training to writers, students, and Punjabi enthusiasts, enabling them to contribute to the development of AI-powered Punjabi language tools”, he added.

Revealing the initiatives of being in line with the digital age, the Cabinet Minister said that the Languages department has undertaken a massive project to digitize 125,000 books from its library, covering various genres and languages, including Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu, Sanskrit, and English. This endeavor aims to provide readers with easy access to a vast array of digital books. Furthermore, the website prepared by the department is making classic literature from Punjabi and around the world available to Punjabi lovers. Additionally, various types of dictionaries and glossaries are also being made available on this website.