Chandigarh

In a major step towards women empowerment, the Haryana Cabinet, which met under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Wednesday, rationalized the 33 percent reservation for women in the allocation of Fair Price Shop licenses. This will be implemented on a roster basis, ensuring that every third license is reserved for women. Within the women’s quota, preference will be given to victims of acid attacks, women’s Self-Help Groups (at least one per block), widows and divorced/single mothers, SC/BC and General category women.

The Cabinet approved amendments to further strengthen and streamline the functioning of the Public Distribution System (PDS) in the state. The Cabinet gave its nod to the Haryana Targeted Public Distribution System (Licensing & Control) Amendment Order, 2026, which amends the existing Haryana Targeted Public Distribution System (Licensing & Control) Order, 2022.

The Government official spokesperson said that the amendments have been introduced with the objective of enhancing transparency, improving efficiency and ensuring greater accountability in the allocation and operation of Fair Price Shops (FPS) across the State. They also seek to promote inclusivity and wider participation, particularly by encouraging women to take part in the system.

Under the revised provisions, the eligibility criteria for obtaining a Fair Price Shop license have been clearly defined and rationalized. The Haryana Resident Certificate of current year has been made mandatory for the applicants. The FPS license shall now be granted as a minimum of 500 beneficiaries ration card/PPP instead of 300 ration cards. Applicants will now be required to have a minimum educational qualification of 10+2 along with basic computer knowledge. The age limit for applicants has been fixed between 21 and 45 years, and it will be mandatory for applicants to possess a valid Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP) and to be residents of the concerned area. Government employees, existing license holders and their close family members, as well as elected representatives of local bodies, have been made ineligible in order to avoid any conflict of interest and ensure fairness in the allocation process. Strict provisions have been incorporated whereby any license holder who subsequently assumes an elected position in a local body or joins government service will be required to surrender the license, failing which it will be cancelled.

In a major step towards women empowerment, the Cabinet has rationalized the 33 percent reservation for women in the allocation of Fair Price Shop licenses. This will be implemented on a roster basis, ensuring that every third license is reserved for women. Within the women’s quota, preference will be given to victims of acid attacks, women’s Self-Help Groups (at least one per block), widows and divorced/single mothers, SC/BC and General category women.

The amendment also places significant emphasis on transparency by mandating adequate advertisements through DPRO which license for FPS are called for. The license for new FPS will be granted online through the SARAL platform that the entire licensing process will be conducted through an online system on the SARAL portal. Applications will be invited through wide publicity, including announcements at the local level and advertisements in newspapers, so that eligible applicants are adequately informed and can participate in the process.

Also the maximum age for FPS owner has been revised to 60 years extendable up to 5 years based on the written request and satisfactory performance. In case an FPS owner dies before 5 years of maximum age i.e. before attaining the age of 55 years, license will be granted to his legal heir.

The amendment further brings clarity to various definitions and operational aspects to align them with the National Food Security Act, 2013. It defines key terms such as ‘commodity’ and ‘family’ in a more precise manner by linking them with ration card and Parivar Pehchan Patra records.

The revised order also strengthens the legal and grievance redressal framework for Fair Price Shop owners. A new revision mechanism has been introduced, allowing any party aggrieved by a decision of the Deputy Commissioner to file a revision application before the Divisional Commissioner within 30 days.

IPE Chandigarh

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, while reviewing the progress of the Haryana AI Development Programme (HAIDP) in Chandigarh on Wednesday said that Rs 474 crore initiative being developed jointly with the World Bank under a 70:30 funding arrangement between the Bank and the state. It was informed in the meeting that the Preliminary Project Report (PPR) of the programme has been approved by the Department of Economic Affairs, Government of India, in January this year, following clearances from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and NITI Aayog. A Detailed Project Report (DPR) for HAIDP is expected to be submitted in June. The programme aims to skill over one lakh residents in artificial intelligence and incubate more than 100 startups, among other objectives. It is structured around five key pillars aligned with the IndiaAI Mission, namely skilling and workforce development, startup financing and incubation, compute and datasets, use cases and applications, and ethical AI governance.

The review meeting was held following a two-day visit by a World Bank mission team to Panchkula on April 6 and 7. On the first day, various government departments were requested to identify potential AI use cases. Departments have been given 15 days to submit their inputs, after which priority use cases will be finalised for the state’s AI Innovation Sandbox.

The AI Innovation Sandbox is envisaged as a “test before invest” platform that will identify, validate and pilot AI solutions across priority sectors. The sandbox is fully funded by the World Bank.

On the second day of the visit, the mission team held a roundtable interaction with private sector firms. Discussions focused on compute procurement models, skilling initiatives and startup incubation frameworks.

Separately, the state is also pursuing two AI hubs under the IndiaAI Mission. The Haryana Advanced Computing Facility (HACF), proposed to be set up in Panchkula in partnership with Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), is designed as a compute-intensive research facility. The Global Artificial Intelligence Centre (GAIC), planned in Gurugram in collaboration with NASSCOM, is envisaged as an incubation and industry collaboration hub. Fresh proposals for both facilities have recently been submitted to MeitY.

Chandigarh, April 08 – Haryana Labour Minister Sh. Anil Vij said that the state government has given a major gift to workers by increasing the rates of minimum wages, which will come into effect from April 1, 2026. He informed that approval in this regard was given in the Cabinet meeting held today.

Giving further details, Sh. Vij said that Haryana is the first state which, under the leadership of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi and following the historic and visionary decision of implementing four new labour codes (the Code on Wages, 2019; the Industrial Relations Code, 2020; the Social Security Code, 2020; and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020), has significantly increased minimum wages for workers in the state.

Minimum wage rates increased by around 35% – Vij

He said that this historic decision will benefit lakhs of workers in the state. He informed that the wages of unskilled workers have been increased from ₹11,274.60 to ₹15,220, reflecting an increase of about ₹3,945.40, which is approximately 35 percent. Similarly, the wages of semi-skilled workers have been increased from ₹12,430.18 to ₹16,780.74, showing an increase of ₹4,350.56, also around 35 percent.

Sh. Vij further said that the wages of skilled workers have been increased from ₹13,704.31 to ₹18,500.81, marking an increase of ₹4,796.50 (around 35%). Likewise, the wages of highly skilled workers have been increased from ₹14,389.52 to ₹19,425.85, reflecting an increase of ₹5,036.33, also approximately 35 percent.

He said that the four new labour codes—the Code on Wages, 2019; the Industrial Relations Code, 2020; the Social Security Code, 2020; and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020—were implemented on November 21, 2025. With their implementation, 29 old and fragmented labour laws in the country have been simplified and rationally consolidated.

This is a significant increase in workers’ income – Vij

He further said that this decision reflects the state government’s sensitivity and commitment towards the welfare of workers. He said that this notable increase in workers’ income will not only improve their standard of living but also give a new impetus to the state’s economy.

Protecting workers’ interests is a priority – Vij

Sh. Vij also said that his priority has always been to safeguard the interests of workers and provide them with better working conditions. He assured that similar concrete and effective decisions in the interest of workers will continue to be taken in the future.

Workers are the backbone of the nation and the state’s economy – Vij

Sh. Vij said that workers are the backbone of both the national and state economies, and without their empowerment, overall development is not possible. With this perspective, the state government is continuously implementing worker-friendly policies. He also said that further comprehensive steps will be taken in the future to strengthen social security, health facilities, and safe working conditions for workers.

He expressed confidence that this historic wage increase will bring positive changes in the lives of workers and provide economic strength to their families.

IEP Chandigarh

Aam Aadmi Party’s National Media In-charge, Anurag Dhanda, launched a scathing attack on the BJP government of Haryana and Chief Minister Nayab Singh, accusing them of playing double politics over the water issue. He stated that the BJP has turned even the most sensitive issue connected to people’s lives—water—into a tool for its power games.

Anurag Dhanda mentioned that recent media reports have revealed the Delhi government is preparing to buy additional water from Haryana to meet its growing summer demand. This is the exact same BJP government that previously created hurdles at every level when the elected Arvind Kejriwal government in Delhi attempted to purchase water from Himachal Pradesh. At that time, instead of facilitating water for the people of Delhi, the BJP government in Haryana and at the Centre deliberately worked to harass them. However, today, with a BJP government in power in Delhi, the Haryana government is instantly ready to supply water. This clearly exposes the BJP’s political character and its true priorities.

Anurag Dhanda highlighted that Haryana itself is going through a severe water crisis, yet despite this, the BJP government is talking about giving water to other states. According to official data, the state faces an annual water deficit of approximately 14 billion cubic meters, and more than 1,700 villages are suffering from a severe water shortage. Over the past five years, the groundwater level has continuously plummeted, dropping from 21.17 meters down to 23.02 meters. The situation is extremely alarming in districts like Mahendragarh, where the water level has sunk below a depth of 50 meters. In many districts, people are struggling for clean drinking water and are forced to consume contaminated water.

Anurag Dhanda pointed out the glaring irony: on one hand, people in Haryana’s villages are yearning for a drop of water, while on the other, the Nayab Saini government is preparing to supply water to Delhi and Rajasthan. He questioned whether this decision is actually based on necessity or if it is being driven purely by political gain. Citing the 1994 water-sharing agreement to justify giving additional water is merely an excuse; the reality is that the BJP operates on a policy designed to benefit states it rules while actively harming opposition-ruled states.

Anurag Dhanda stated that when Arvind Kejriwal’s government was in power in Delhi, the BJP weaponized water to torment the public. But today, that same BJP government is ready to provide water without a single hurdle. This is a highly dangerous sign for our democratic system and federal structure, where vital resources are being exploited for political interests rather than the public good.

Anurag Dhanda demanded that the Haryana government must first take concrete steps to resolve its own state’s water crisis, formulate a clear policy on groundwater conservation and water management, and transparently inform the public about the conditions and exact quantities of water being planned for transfer.

Anurag Dhanda concluded by stating that the BJP’s double politics is now fully exposed before the public. Turning a fundamental human right like water into a political weapon perfectly reflects the BJP’s mindset, and the Aam Aadmi Party will continue to expose this truth on every available platform.

Chandigarh, April 6: ‘G.S. Banga U-19 T20 Challenger Cup’ commenced on Monday with great उत्साह and enthusiasm. Chief Guest Gurnam Kaur formally inaugurated the tournament during a ceremony held at Guru Nanak Public School Sector 36. The tournament is being organized by GNPS Cricket Academy with the aim of providing a competitive platform to budding cricketers.

On this occasion, jerseys of the participating teams were also unveiled in the presence of PMS Banga, son of Late G.S. Banga, along with other distinguished guests and officials. A total of 83 balloons were released into the sky as a tribute to Late G.S. Banga.

All league matches of the tournament will be played at Guru Nanak Public School, where young players from across the region will showcase their talent and compete at a high level.

Speaking on the occasion, PMS Banga and organizer Jagteshwar Singh said that the primary objective of the tournament is to nurture emerging players and prepare them for professional cricket through a competitive environment.

The tournament will continue until April 14, while the final match will be played under floodlights at the Sector 16 Cricket Stadium. Organizers have expressed confidence that the tournament will conclude on an exciting and grand note.

CHANDIGARH/AMRITSAR, April 6:

          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, Counter Intelligence (CI) wing of Punjab Police has busted an ISI-backed terror module being operated by Pakistan Intelligence Operatives (PIOs) with the arrest of three accused persons and recovered two Arges hand grenades along with a foreign-made Glock pistol from their possession, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Monday.

          Those arrested have been identified as Sarabjit Singh, a resident of village Ammishah in Tarn Taran, Bikramjit Singh, a resident of village Nangal Pannuwan in Amritsar and Amandeep Singh, a resident of Indra Colony in Amritsar.

          DGP Gaurav Yadav said that the recovered grenades bear markings of Pakistan Ordnance Factory (POF), indicating cross-border linkages.

          The DGP said that preliminary investigation has revealed that the module was involved in systematic targeting of police establishments across multiple states, which has now been successfully averted. Efforts are ongoing  to identify, track, and apprehend other members of the module, he added.

          Sharing operational details, AIG State Special Operations Cell (SSOC) Amritsar Sukhminder Singh Mann said that in an intelligence led operation, police teams from SSOC arrested Sarabjit Singh and Amandeep Singh, and recovered hand grenades and pistol from their possession.

          The AIG said that preliminary investigations revealed that the key operative and primary contact of PIOs in the group, Bikramjit Singh was operating from Deesa in Gujarat. The information was immediately shared with ATS Gujarat and with their active cooperation, accused Bikramjit Singh was arrested by a team of SSOC Amritsar, he said.

          AIG Sukhminder Mann said that during investigation it was revealed that all accused were in touch with PIOs via social media platforms. Probe has also revealed that acting on directions from ISI handlers, the group was also planning to carry out grenade attacks on various Police establishments in Punjab and other states, he added.

          In this regard, a case FIR No. 21 dated 03-04-2026 has been registered under section 4 of the Explosive Substances (Amendment) Act, section 25 of the Arms Act, and section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Police Station SSOC Amritsar.

Chandigarh, April 6:

In a major push to transform state’s agrarian landscape, Chief Minister S Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government has finalised an annual action plan of Rs 1,388 crore to execute various projects of the Agriculture Department for FY 2026-27, informed S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian, Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

Chairing a high-level meeting to review projects at his office here on Monday, S. Khudian said that the action plan, which has already been submitted to the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare for approval, lays special emphasis on crop residue management, water conservation, diversification, and natural farming.

The single largest outlay of Rs 600 crore has been allocated under the Crop Residue Management (CRM) scheme to tackle the issue of farm fires, informed the Agriculture Minister, while stating, “Our goal is to provide in-situ and ex-situ machinery to farmers at subsidised rates to ensure a permanent solution to stubble burning.”

To address depleting water tables, Rs 33.33 crore has been earmarked for the ‘Per Drop More Crop’ component, which will promote efficient water application devices like drips, sprinklers and rain guns. Meanwhile, Rs 51.85 crore will go towards seed improvement and cotton demonstration projects, and Rs 95 crore has been kept under the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanisation (SMAM) to boost farm efficiency.

The Agriculture Minister highlighted that Rs 50.30 crore has been set aside for crop diversification to steer farmers away from water-guzzling paddy towards maize, pulses and oilseeds. In line with the national push for chemical-free agriculture, Rs 8.25 crore has been proposed for natural farming. Additionally, Rs 4.17 crore will support Atmanirbharata in pulses.

Other key allocations include Rs 20 crore for soil health and fertility management, Rs 60.59 crore for agricultural extension activities. These integrated interventions will not only raise farm incomes but also secure Punjab’s ecological future, S. Khudian asserted.

S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian directed the department officials to gear up for the upcoming kharif season, emphasising timely preparation and implementation of plans.

PATIALA; 6 April 2026:

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday sharpened his attack on the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), stating that leaders who were caught stealing electricity at a public rally have not abandoned their habit of looting Punjab, and warned that even out of power they continue such acts, raising serious concerns about the damage they would inflict if they returned to government. Calling them habitual offenders who earlier looted sand and buses and are now resorting to power theft, he said such conduct reflects their entrenched mindset of exploiting public resources.

Building on this, the Chief Minister on Monday called upon people to socially boycott leaders of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), asserting that those responsible for beadbi (sacrilege) and atrocities against the people must be held accountable.

Addressing a gathering in Patiala, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “These people bruised the psyche of every common man by allowing the sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji during their regime. These traitors can never be forgiven as they are responsible for desecration of Sri Guru Granth Sahib and their hands were drenched with the blood of innocent masses.”

He added, “Support to Akali Dal means consent to bring back an era of sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji, firing on innocent protestors, and atrocities on the common man.”

Calling for firm public action, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Those who have ruined the generations of the state and were responsible for sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji deserve no leniency and must be taught a lesson. Social boycott of these leaders is the need of the hour so that they are not able to cause any further loss to the state and its people.” He wondered how some people, due to vested interests, were raising slogans in favour of such leaders despite their actions.

Highlighting the political functioning of the Akali leadership, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann asserted, “These people have always mixed politics and religion for their vested interests and have always undermined the authority of Sri Akal Takht Sahib.” Citing examples, he added, “Jathedars are appointed and ousted as per the whims and fancies of the Akali leadership, giving a severe blow to their position.”

Taking a dig at the Akali Dal’s so-called ‘Punjab Bachao Yatra’, he remarked, “The so-called Punjab Bachao Yatra is actually a ‘Parivar Bachao Yatra’. After looting the state for 15 years, they must explain from whom they are trying to save Punjab.”

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The Akalis have plundered the state mercilessly, bruised the psyche of Punjabis emotionally, and patronised several mafias in the state. The Akali leadership can never be forgiven as it was responsible for the genocide of several generations of the state as the drug trade was patronised by them and flourished during their long era of misrule.”

Referring to Sukhbir Singh Badal, he added, “Sukhbir Singh Badal frequently defames AAP karyakartas because they raise the voice of the people.”

Continuing his criticism, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “These people became affluent and amassed huge wealth by usurping facilities meant for the common man. The former Deputy Chief Minister has forgotten that the state deteriorated during their long misrule when the mafia ruled the roost.” He further added, “Even late Parkash Singh Badal had never made Sukhbir the head of the state as he knew the former Deputy Chief Minister would put the state in disarray.”

Targeting priorities of the opposition, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Instead of talking about education and welfare schemes, Sukhbir is talking about buffaloes, which reflects his myopic mindset that he does not want the youth of the state to become officers.”

He added, “The Akali leader is begging for one chance from the people, probably forgetting that they were given a chance five times. Instead of serving the people, they looted the masses and the state, due to which they were shown the door by the people.”

Referring to a recent incident, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “At a function in Sri Muktsar Sahib, the Akali leadership was caught stealing power, and the state government will lodge a case against them. What welfare can be expected from such people who indulge in petty crimes like power theft?” He contrasted this by stating that his government is making strenuous efforts for the well-being of every section of society.

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann further said, “Sukhbir Singh Badal is a convent-educated political leader who is not aware of the basic topography of Punjab but wants to attain political power in the state. These leaders plundered the state mercilessly and minted money illegally during their days in power. They deserve no mercy as they derailed the development of the state for their vested political interests.”

He added, “These people have only ‘one-way’ pockets as they acquire money through illegal means rather than giving it to the people. The former Deputy Chief Minister distributed money from Golaks during floods rather than from his own business.” He further remarked, “The former Deputy Chief Minister is totally ignorant about the history, topography, and culture of the state and cannot even differentiate between crops.”

Taking aim at traditional political parties, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The Congress and Akali Dal acted like termites that ruined the state after independence, causing Punjab to lag behind in development. They damaged the state economically, socially, politically, and even religiously, but Punjab is now back on the right track due to the steps taken by our government.”

Highlighting the social impact of past policies, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Due to the wrong policies of these leaders, youth got addicted to drugs and many left the country in search of better opportunities. These parties only wait for their turn in power to plunder the wealth of the state. They are never concerned about the welfare of people and only seek to satisfy their lust for power.”

Drawing a contrast in governance approach, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “From our stage, we speak about education, health, power, agriculture, and other sectors, whereas other parties focus only on grabbing power. These opportunist leaders are baffled as people are not responding to them because their agenda is limited to their families rather than the public.” He added that people had elected the AAP due to the incompetence and misrule of previous governments.

Referring again to opposition parties, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “These traditional parties have never been loyal to Punjab and its people. They are envious because AAP has set the agenda of welfare of the common people.” He quipped that the Congress leadership is a divided house, stating that more leaders are seen on stage than karyakartas in their rallies, and added that they lack vision for Punjab.

Emphasising long-term solutions, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann asserted, “No freebie or concession can eliminate poverty or social evils; education is the key to lifting people out of this cycle by improving their standard of living.” He added, “Education is the light that dispels darkness, and that is why the government is focusing on transforming government schools, leading to improved student performance.”

On power and agriculture, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “For the first time in the state’s history, more than eight hours of uninterrupted power was supplied to farm tube wells during the paddy season, and farmers are now receiving daytime electricity, transforming their lives.” He reiterated that every penny of public money is being used judiciously for welfare.

Highlighting investment and healthcare, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The best parameter of law and order is investment, and the fact that Tata Steel has set up its second-largest plant in Punjab reflects confidence in the state.” He added, “Under Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, health cards are being issued to 65 lakh families, entitling them to free treatment up to ₹10 lakh, with over 30 lakh beneficiaries already covered.”

He further said, “Around 1.65 lakh people have already received free treatment under the scheme, and people should take maximum benefit of these cards. Tax money belongs to the people and is being spent on their welfare through development, schools, hospitals, and roads.” He added that the government has provided free electricity to 90% of households, created over 65,000 government jobs without corruption, improved roads, closed toll plazas saving ₹70 lakh daily, and is strengthening infrastructure.

On social welfare measures, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Under Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna, every woman will receive ₹1,000 per month and ₹1,500 for women belonging to Scheduled Castes, with direct transfer to bank accounts. Women already receiving social security pensions will also be eligible.” He added, “Around 97% of women in Punjab are expected to benefit, and ₹9,300 crore has been allocated in the budget.”

Responding to critics, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Those mocking this scheme or raising baseless questions do not understand the value of ₹1,000 for a common person. Those who spend more than ₹5,000 per meal from illegally earned money do not value this support, which is crucial for households that struggle even during festivals.” He added that such affluent leaders are disconnected from the realities of ordinary families.

Cabinet Ministers Harpal Singh Cheema, Aman Arora, Lal Chand Kataruchak, Harbhajan Singh ETO, Barinder Goyal, Tarunpreet Singh Sondh, and Hardeep Singh Mundian, along with Vice Chancellor Maharaja Bhupinder Singh Punjab Sports University Dr. Pushpinder Singh Gill, were also present on the occasion.