Chandigarh/Fatehgarh Sahib, July 29

Punjab Water Resources Mr. Barinder Kumar Goyal today inaugurated major development works to strengthen canal irrigation at village Sondha in the Fatehgarh Sahib Assembly Constituency.

Addressing the gathering, the Cabinet Minister said that the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led government has taken historic steps towards conserving groundwater by ensuring the maximum possible supply of canal water to farmers across the state.

Later, while interacting with mediapersons, Cabinet Minister said that projects involving the lining and strengthening of the Saidpura Minor, Rajindergarh Minor and 1-L Rajbaha over a total length of 33.68 kilometres along with the laying of 23.05 kilometres of underground pipelines have been completed in the Fatehgarh Sahib Assembly Constituency at a total cost of Rs.30.71 crore.

He said that underground pipelines are being laid at a cost of Rs.3.75 crore to provide canal water facilities to farmers in the villages of Sanipur, Barha, Chhaleri Kalan, Saifalpur, Muhammadipur, Adampur, Bibipur and Sarana in the Fatehgarh Sahib Assembly Constituency. The project will benefit an agricultural area of 2,332 acres and is expected to be completed soon.

The Cabinet Minister said that during the previous governments, only 26 per cent of canal water reached farmers’ fields in Punjab. However, the Aam Aadmi Party Government has invested Rs.7,500 crore to strengthen the canal irrigation network and increase canal water coverage to 86 per cent of the state’s villages.

The Water Resources Minister said that the Punjab Government is undertaking large-scale works to ensure the supply of canal water to every field across the state and canal water will soon reach every village. He added that strengthening the canal network will not only reduce farmers’ irrigation costs but will also help conserve groundwater for future generations.

On the occasion, Fatehgarh Sahib MLA Advocate Lakhbir Singh Rai thanked Punjab Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann and Water Resources Minister Mr. Barinder Kumar Goyal for the development works undertaken to strengthen canal irrigation in the constituency. He said that these projects would prove highly beneficial for the farming community and would provide a major boost to agricultural activities in the region.

The MLA said that the Punjab Government has accorded priority to the long-pending demand of farmers in the constituency for the supply of canal water and has taken concrete steps to ensure that canal water reaches their fields.

Chhatbir (SAS Nagar, July 29:

International Tiger Day-2026 was celebrated with great enthusiasm at Mahendra Chaudhary (M.C.) Zoological Park, Chhatbir, on Wednesday. A series of awareness programmes, educational activities and interactive sessions were organised to spread awareness about tiger conservation and the protection of wildlife.

The event was held under this year’s global theme, “Their Roar Keeps the Forest Alive.” School and college students, zoo visitors and wildlife enthusiasts participated in the programme and learned about the importance of protecting tigers and their natural habitats.

On the occasion, S. Harpreet Sandhu, State Information Commissioner, Punjab, released a special tiger conservation awareness poster in the presence of Satinder Kumar Sagar, IFS, Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Nalin Yadav, IFS, Field Director, Chhatbir Zoo, and other officials.

Addressing the gathering, S. Harpreet Sandhu said that the tiger is not only India’s National Animal but also an important symbol of a healthy forest ecosystem. He said that protecting tigers helps conserve forests, biodiversity and ecological balance. He encouraged students and young people to become ambassadors of wildlife conservation and contribute towards protecting nature.

During another awareness session, Harpal Singh, Public Relations Officer-cum-Wildlife Education Officer, Ms. Malti Sachdeva, Principal, Government High School, Chhat, Coordinator Teacher Ms. Sushma, and wildlife enthusiast Dr. Sidhartha Sharma highlighted the importance of tigers in maintaining ecological balance. They also spoke about the threats faced by tigers, including habitat loss, poaching and human-wildlife conflict, and stressed the need for greater public participation in wildlife conservation.

Speaking on the occasion, Satinder Kumar Sagar, IFS, said that International Tiger Day was launched in 2010 during the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit in Russia to promote global tiger conservation. He said that although significant progress has been made in increasing tiger numbers, continuous conservation efforts are essential to protect this valuable species.

Nalin Yadav, IFS, Field Director, Chhatbir Zoo, said that the purpose of observing International Tiger Day is to create awareness about conserving and expanding tiger habitats across the world. He described the tiger as a symbol of beauty, bravery, strength and national pride, and appealed to everyone to support the message, “Save the Tiger, Save the Nation’s Pride.”

The zoo staff also presented a creative interpretation of the word “TIGERS” to encourage visitors to actively support tiger conservation.

The programme concluded with students, teachers, visitors and zoo staff taking a pledge to protect wildlife and preserve the environment for future generations.

Chandigarh/Khanna (Ludhiana), July 28:*

Punjab Cabinet Ministers Barinder Kumar Goyal and Tarunpreet Singh Sond today jointly inaugurated major irrigation projects worth Rs 70.52 crore at Bhattian village in the Khanna assembly constituency.

While speaking on the occasion, Mr Barinder Kumar Goyal informed that around Rs 50.02 crore was spent on concrete lining across 68.32 km of canals, including the Khanna Rajwaha, Beed Kishan, Lalheri, Bardhal, Kotla, and Narayangarh minors. An additional Rs 20.50 crore was spent laying 23.40 km of underground pipelines.

He said that canal irrigation has now reached over 37,000 acres across nearly 30 villages. Remaining agricultural land in the area will also be linked to the canal network soon.

He further stated that the area irrigated by canal water in Khanna has increased from 21,506 acres in 2022 to 42,079 acres. He said that the state government has spent Rs 7,572 crore to overhaul Punjab’s canal network. Today, 86% of Punjab’s canal water is being utilized in fields, up significantly from just 26% in 2022.

Mr Goyal said that groundwater levels have shown improvement after a long time—a fact also acknowledged by the Union Water Resources Minister in Parliament. He said that without acquiring new land or spending extra money, the department increased the canal capacity by 12,000 cusecs. Currently, around 39,000 cusecs of water is flowing through 1,511 canals across the state.

While thanking his colleague Mr Barinder Kumar Goyal for giving several irrigation projects to Khanna, Cabinet Minister Mr Tarunpreet Singh Sond said that under previous governments, several areas had turned into “dark zones” due to depletion of groundwater. Under CM Bhagwant Singh Mann’s leadership, prioritizing canal water has drastically reduced groundwater dependence and saved electricity.

He said that now the punjabi farmers are getting 8 hours of uninterrupted daytime electricity for tubewells, meaning they no longer have to spend nights in the fields to irrigate their crops.

Chandigarh/SAS Nagar, July 28:

Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan on Tuesday said that the recent students’ protest would be remembered in the history of India as a “Tree of Resistance” by future generations.

Addressing mediapersons during his visit to Storyline Montessori & Café in Sector 66-A, Mohali, the Speaker said that the spirit of resistance witnessed in the recent students’ movement has its roots in the historic farmers’ agitation against the three farm laws. He said the students’ protest marks another significant democratic movement led by the country’s youth, reflecting their growing awareness and determination to safeguard their rights and interests. He added that the voice of the youth deserves respect as they represent the future of the nation and that the movement has also brought several underlying issues into the public domain.

Accompanied by Punjab Vidhan Sabha Deputy Speaker S. Jai Krishan Singh Rouri and MLAs S. Kulwant Singh Pandori and S. Manjinder Singh Lalpura, S. Sandhwan toured the Montessori learning spaces and the family café. He interacted with the management team comprising S. Gurpreet Singh Brar, S. Harsher Singh Sidhu and S. Davinder Singh Brar, and appreciated the unique concept of creating a child-friendly environment that combines quality early childhood education with a family-oriented café experience.

The Speaker lauded the initiative for promoting learning through creativity, storytelling and experiential activities while providing a welcoming space where parents and children can spend meaningful time together. He said such innovative educational models play an important role in nurturing young minds during their formative years.

Appreciating the vision behind the initiative, S. Sandhwan said the Montessori school aims to provide holistic nurturing for children in the age group of two to five years. He noted that the institution has received an encouraging response from working parents, with enrolment increasing to around 35 children within a short span, reflecting the growing acceptance and success of the concept.

He further observed that the environment created at Storyline Montessori encourages independence, self-reliance and the development of essential life skills, while consciously limiting children’s exposure to mobile phones and television screens. He said such an approach helps children develop teamwork, creativity, confidence and social skills in a natural learning environment.

During the interaction, the Storyline management shared its vision of building a nurturing ecosystem where children can learn, explore and grow in an engaging environment while families enjoy quality time together. The management expressed gratitude to S. Sandhwan for visiting the facility despite his busy schedule and for his encouraging words. They reaffirmed their commitment to providing high-quality early childhood education and creating meaningful experiences for children and families across Punjab.

Responding to questions from the media regarding the upcoming session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, S. Sandhwan said that the tenure of the Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government would be remembered for taking several landmark decisions in the larger public interest. He reiterated that the Punjab Vidhan Sabha has consistently upheld the interests and aspirations of the people of Punjab through its legislative decisions.

CHANDIGARH; July 28:

In a major relief to thousands of sanitation workers across Punjab, the Bhagwant Mann Government on Tuesday announced a comprehensive welfare package for Safai Sevaks and Sewermen working in Urban Local Bodies. The government has decided to bring outsourced sanitation workers with three years of continuous service under direct contracts, regularise contractual workers who have completed five years of service along with those engaged in 2021, and revise the monthly remuneration of contractual sanitation staff to ₹20,520 with effect from August 1, 2026.

Announcing the decisions at a press conference held at Punjab Bhawan, Punjab Local Government Minister Harjot Singh Bains said, “Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has approved the immediate conversion of Safai Sevaks and Sewermen working on outsourcing in Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils and Nagar Panchayats who have completed three years of service into direct contractual employees. This decision will provide major relief to our respected Safai Sevaks and Sewermen.”

Describing it as another landmark decision of the Bhagwant Mann Government, the Local Government Minister said, “CM Bhagwant Singh Mann has also decided that all contractual Safai Sevaks and Sewermen who have completed five years of service, along with all those engaged in 2021, will be regularised. This is a historic step that will ensure the welfare of every Safai Sevak and Sewerman serving Punjab.”

Explaining the implementation process, Minister Harjot Singh Bains said, “All Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils and Nagar Panchayats have been directed to place the matter before their respective Houses and pass resolutions. Urban Local Bodies have complete service records of every worker. Once each House forwards its resolution along with the details of eligible employees, the state government will issue the final approval. The faster a Municipal Corporation, Municipal Council or Nagar Panchayat sends its proposal, the faster we will approve it and complete the process of regularisation in accordance with the directions of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann.”

The Local Government Minister further said, “As announced yesterday, the revised remuneration will come into effect from August 1, 2026. Employees being shifted from outsourcing to direct contract will receive a monthly remuneration of ₹20,520. This will significantly increase their take-home pay, while the applicable statutory contributions will continue to be deposited in their respective funds.”

Calling the decisions a major milestone for sanitation workers, Harjot Singh Bains said, “This decision restores dignity to the very hands that keep our cities clean. Today, the Bhagwant Mann Government has fulfilled its commitment to our sanitation workers. We are building a society rooted in equity, respect and dignity for those who work tirelessly to keep our towns and cities clean.”

The Minister said the decisions were taken after extensive consultations with employee representatives. “We held detailed discussions with several union leaders yesterday. Today, the Cabinet Sub-Committee comprising Finance Minister S. Harpal Singh Cheema and Food and Civil Supplies Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak held marathon meetings with representatives of sanitation workers’ unions. Consensus has been reached on all major issues, and the remaining minor concerns will also be resolved in the coming days,” he said.

Appealing to all sanitation workers to resume duties in the larger public interest, Minister Harjot Singh Bains said, “I request all employee unions to call off the strike, especially during the monsoon season, so that the spread of waterborne and vector-borne diseases can be prevented. The government has already taken major decisions in favour of Safai Sevaks and Sewermen. Now it is our collective responsibility to keep our markets, cities, hospitals, schools, gurdwaras, temples and all public places clean and safe. I sincerely appeal to every Safai Sevak and Sewerman to return to work and continue their invaluable service to the people of Punjab.”

Chandigarh, July 27: Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini has announced five major initiatives aimed at accelerating the growth of the dairy sector, enhancing farmers’ income and economically empowering women self-help groups. These decisions are expected to strengthen the dairy industry while giving a significant boost to the rural economy and the cooperative movement.

The Chief Minister announced that women associated with Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and Women Cooperative Multipurpose Agriculture Credit and Service Societies (CMPACS) supplying milk to VITA will be provided an incentive of ₹10 per litre. This initiative is expected to encourage more women to take up dairy farming as a sustainable source of livelihood.

He also announced the establishment of ‘Sanjhi Dairies’ on Panchayat land in villages. These community dairies will provide modern facilities for livestock owned by women members of self-help groups, helping reduce the cost of dairy farming while increasing their income.

The Chief Minister further announced that the Haryana Dairy Development Cooperative Federation (HDDCF) will facilitate concessional interest loans for women members of Self-Help Groups and Women CMPACS to purchase milch animals. This initiative will enable more women to adopt dairy farming and become financially self-reliant.

In another major decision, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini announced an increase in the incentive under the Mukhyamantri Dudh Utpadak Protsahan Yojana for milk producers supplying milk to the Haryana Dairy Development Cooperative Federation (HDDCF). Under the revised rates, the incentive during the summer season has been enhanced from ₹5 per litre to ₹7 per litre, while during the winter season it has been increased from ₹3 per litre to ₹5 per litre.

The Chief Minister said that the State Government is continuously working to enhance the income of farmers and women, strengthen the dairy sector and infuse new energy into the cooperative movement. He expressed confidence that these initiatives would provide fresh impetus to the rural economy and further establish Haryana among the leading dairy-producing states in the country.

CHANDIGARH; July 27:

Delivering on its commitment to restore dignity to frontline sanitation workers, the CM Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government on Monday approved a major hike in the monthly remuneration of contractual Safai Sewaks and Sewermen. The decision was announced after Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and Local Government Minister Harjot Singh Bains held extensive deliberations throughout the day with Safai Sewak Union representatives led by Chandan Grewal, Chairman, Punjab Raj Safai Karamchari Commission, and Sh. Vijay Danav, Chairman, Punjab Dalit Vikas Board. Following the successful deliberations, the ongoing strike by sanitation staff across the state has been called off.

Addressing a press conference at Punjab Bhawan on Monday evening, Local Government Minister Harjot Singh Bains said, “Safai sewaks are the backbone of our cities. This decision ensures that contractual Safai Sewaks and Sewermen will now receive gross monthly remuneration at par with that being paid to a regular Safai Sewak/Sewerman during the probation period.”

He further said, “Contractual sanitation staff engaged by Urban Local Bodies and Improvement Trusts will now receive ₹20,500 per month, at par with regular employees during probation period, with effect from August 1, 2026.”

The Local Government Minister said, “The revised structure marks a substantial jump from the previous contractual wages, which were recently increased from ₹10,500 to ₹14,000, before this landmark revision to ₹20,500. The Mann Government’s decision will directly benefit thousands of families dependent on sanitation services. I have directed all Urban Local Bodies and Improvement Trusts to take necessary action to implement the order with immediate effect from August 1.”

Addressing the recent unfortunate incident in Barnala, the Local Government Minister said, “A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to probe the matter and ensure swift justice. It reaffirms Mann Govt’s commitment to the welfare of every worker and to building a cleaner, healthier and more equitable Punjab. The State Government remains steadfast in ensuring social justice and equal respect for every individual contributing to public service.”

Chandigarh

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Sunday said that the Central Government is set to introduce an even stricter legal framework to curb offences such as paper leaks and cheating in public examinations. He said this will be a significant step towards protecting the hard work, aspirations and future of crores of young people across the country.

In a statement, the Chief Minister further said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi takes decisions with the future of the nation in mind and accords the highest priority to the welfare and interests of the youth. Strengthening the legal framework against examination-related malpractices reflects the Government’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the interests of honest and deserving candidates, he said.

Saini asserted that the paper leak mafia, cheating syndicates and those who jeopardise the future of the youth will not be spared under any circumstances. He said the Government is determined to take every necessary step against those who undermine the hard work and aspirations of young people.

 Highlighting Haryana’s commitment to transparency in recruitment, the Chief Minister said that the State Government has already translated its promise of Bina Parchi, Bina Kharchi into reality by establishing a transparent and merit-based recruitment system. Today, deserving candidates are securing government jobs purely on the basis of merit, without any recommendation or corruption, he added.

 The Chief Minister said that the interests of the youth will always remain paramount. The Government will continue to take every necessary measure to ensure that the examination system remains transparent, fair and credible, he said.

Taking a swipe at the Opposition, the Chief Minister said it has consistently misled the nation on every important issue. In contrast, the present Government remains fully committed to protecting the future of the country’s youth and strengthening the integrity of the examination system.

 Expressing confidence in the proposed legal reforms, Saini said that the stricter legal provisions will further enhance transparency, fairness and credibility in public examinations while safeguarding the future of millions of young aspirants.

The Resource Centre for Tobacco Control (RCTC), today formally received the WHO Regional Director’s Special Recognition Award at the WHO Country Office for India, New Delhi. The award, announced on the occasion of World No Tobacco Day 2022, recognises outstanding contributions towards advancing tobacco control through innovation, digital public health, evidence generation and policy support. The honour was received by Prof. Sonu Goel, President of the Resource Centre for Tobacco Control and Professor at Department of Community Medicine and School of public Health, PGIMER Chandigarh by Dr. Yvan JF. Hutin, WHO Country Representative (Director) for India.

Conceived as India’s first dedicated digital knowledge repository on tobacco control, the Resource Centre was developed in 2018to supportNational Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP). At a time when tobacco continues to claim over a million lives annually in India and newer nicotine products are rapidly emerging, access to timely, credible and evidence-based information for policymakers, programme managers, researchers, healthcare professionals, civil society organisations and students has become as important to drive policy in the country.It houses one of India’s most comprehensive collections of tobacco control legislation, government notifications, policy documents, implementation guidelines, circulars, educational resources and technical materials, making reliable information available through a single national platform.

Beyond serving as an information hub, the Resource Centre has played a pivotal role in providing technical support to several States and national institutions, contributed evidence to policy formulation, supported the implementation of India’s landmark ban on Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS), strengthened the effective implementation of tobacco control legislation, and worked closely with key stakeholders to strengthen the NationalTobacco Control Programme.

Over the years, it has organised more than 80 national and regional workshops, webinars, consultations, conferences and summits, equipping nearly 19,000 professionals with the knowledge and skills required to implement evidence-based tobacco control interventions. It has also pioneered dedicated online professional learning programmes like 3- and 6-month courses in tobacco control, besides many short-term programs, thus ensuring continuous capacity development for programme managers, healthcare providers, researchers and public health practitioners across the country.

Resource Centre has brought together experienced researchers and early-career professionals and facilitated the publication of more than 70 peer-reviewed scientific papers, strengthening India’s scientific contribution to global tobacco control literature. Complementing these efforts, its flagship bi-monthly newsletter, Tobacco-Free Times, has completed 45 editions, providing regular updates on emerging evidence, policy developments, implementation experiences and best practices from India and around the world.

The Centre has also fostered strong national collaborations, serving as a technical resource partner to initiatives including, the AIIMS Consortium for Tobacco free India,the Consortium of Medical Colleges for Tobacco free India, and the National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS) Task Force and numerous government departments, academic institutions and civil society organisations. These partnerships have created a vibrant national ecosystem for knowledge exchange, innovation and collaborative action against tobacco.

Receiving the honour, Prof. Sonu Goel said:

“This recognition belongs to every individual and institution that has contributed to strengthening tobacco control in India. The Resource Centre was created with a simple yet powerful vision—to make reliable knowledge accessible to everyone who works to protect public health. Today, that vision has evolved into a national movement connecting policy, research, capacity building and innovation. This award motivates us to continue supporting the National Tobacco Control Programme and developing innovative solutions that help move India closer to a tobacco-free future.”

By integrating knowledge management, policy support, research, capacity building and strategic partnerships into a single ecosystem, the Resource Centre has demonstrated how innovation can accelerate public health action at scale.

Looking ahead, the Resource Centre aims to further strengthen its digital platform through emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence-enabled knowledge support, expand its research and implementation collaborations, develop next-generation capacity-building programmes and continue supporting governments, institutions and communities with evidence-informed solutions for tobacco control.