Chandigarh: Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Wednesday said the State Government stands firmly with power employees and will strongly represent their case before the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL) against HERC’s decision to grant a private company a licence to supply electricity in Gurugram and Nuh.
He said the Government is ready to engage lawyers trusted by the power unions to pursue the case. Reiterating that the Government’s doors are always open for dialogue, he appealed to the unions to defer their strike in the public interest.
The Chief Minister was chairing a key review meeting with Administrative Secretaries at the Haryana Civil Secretariat to assess arrangements for the three-day statewide strike called by the Haryana Power Employees and Engineers Joint Struggle Front.
The Chief Minister said that the Government, along with the power unions, has opposed HERC’s decision to allow a private company to supply electricity in Gurugram and Nuh from the outset. In keeping with the demand of the power employee unions, the Government has decided to challenge the decision before APTEL. He reiterated that the Government stands firmly with power employees on this issue and its doors are always open for talks. He told the unions that, if they so wished, the Government was prepared to pursue the case through lawyers of their choice. The Chief Minister appealed to the power unions to defer the strike in the public interest.
The Chief Minister directed all Deputy Commissioners to ensure that the public does not face any inconvenience during the three-day statewide strike called by the Power Employees and Engineers Joint Struggle Front. He said that all departments must work proactively to prevent any disruption during the strike and ensure that no power installation is damaged. He also directed that drones be deployed to monitor sensitive installations.
He said that adequate police personnel should be deployed in all districts as required to prevent antisocial elements from creating disturbances under the cover of the strike. He added that Deputy Commissioners could also enlist technical staff working in different departments, employees working in industries and final-year students of polytechnic colleges and ITIs to help maintain smooth power supply. However, they must be provided with safety kits before being assigned work, and all safety measures must be followed.

Saini directed all Deputy Commissioners to constitute district-level committees to submit regular reports to the high-level committee headed by the Chief Secretary in Chandigarh. Deputy Commissioners should remain in contact with headquarters through hotline numbers, while separate control room numbers should be publicised to receive complaints from the public.
The Chief Minister said that disturbances under the cover of the power employee unions’ strike would not be tolerated under any circumstances. Strict legal action would be taken against any antisocial element attempting to damage a power station or power grid, as such acts would amount to a waste of public money, which the Government would not tolerate.

Chandigarh, October 15, 2026: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Chandigarh Pradesh, today criticised the Congress leadership over remarks attributed to AISA leader Neha Bora on Bangladesh’s 2024 uprising, demanding clarity on the party’s stand on political resistance and constitutional democracy.

BJP Chandigarh President Jatinder Pal Malhotra questioned Congress MP Manish Tewari and Rahul Gandhi over what he described as the Congress’s ambiguous position on movements associated with political upheaval.

“India changes governments through the ballot, not bloodshed. Political opposition is a constitutional right, but anarchy cannot be justified in the name of resistance. Rahul Gandhi and Manish Tewari must clarify whether Congress stands unequivocally with constitutional democracy,” Malhotra said.

The BJP referred to reports that Bora had described Bangladesh’s Gen-Z movement as having “shown the way” and offered a “red salute” in an October 14 video message. Citing the violence during Bangladesh’s 2024 unrest, the party demanded that Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra clearly reject political violence.

“Democracy cannot be held hostage to political ambition, ” added Malhotra.

Taking exception to Congress’s allegations against the Election Commission and Rahul Gandhi’s earlier remarks about fighting the “Indian State”, Malhotra said criticism of the government must not undermine constitutional institutions without substantiated evidence.

“Challenging a government is legitimate opposition, but violence and political destabilisation cannot be passed off as democratic resistance. Congress must make its position clear,” Malhotra asserted.

Reiterating the need to safeguard public order and communal harmony, particularly during the festive season, the BJP called upon all political parties to uphold constitutional methods and reject violence.

“Ballots or bloodshed? Democracy or destabilisation? Congress must answer,” said Malhotra in conclusion.

Chandigarh:

The Vigilance Cell of the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, organised a workshop on “Essentials of Public Procurement, GeM Procedures and Rules” today as part of the three-month Preventive Vigilance Campaign (August 17–November 16, 2026), being observed under the guidance of the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC). The campaign’s theme is “Probity for Prosperity” (सत्यनिष्ठा से समृद्धि).

The technical session was conducted by Prof. Rakesh Kapoor, Professor In-charge (EP), PGIMER, who spoke on public procurement, GeM procedures and applicable rules, emphasising awareness of prescribed processes and compliance in institutional decision-making.
In his introductory remarks, Prof. Sunil Dogra, Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO), PGIMER, outlined the objectives of the CVC campaign and its relevance to faculty members and officials. He highlighted the importance of preventive vigilance in strengthening transparency, integrity, fairness and accountability, and preventing procedural lapses through greater awareness of rules, proper documentation and responsible use of public funds.

The workshop was attended by Sh. Rattan Lal Thakur, Senior Administrative Officer (Vigilance), PGIMER, along with faculty members, administrative staff and other employees of the Institute. Employees of the PGIMER Satellite Centre, Sangrur, also joined the workshop through online mode. The workshop witnessed enthusiastic participation from approximately 165 participants, including doctors, nursing staff, paramedical personnel and administrative employees, reflecting the Institute-wide commitment to promoting vigilance awareness, transparency and integrity in official functioning.
The workshop forms part of PGIMER’s continuing efforts to promote ethical conduct, transparent processes and good governance. It reinforced the message that integrity and accountability are shared responsibilities across the Institute.

Chandigarh, 15 October 2026: The National Institute of Nursing Education (NINE) and the Department of General Surgery, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, organised a Breast Cancer Awareness Day programme at Ayushman Aarogya Mandir, Sarangpur, U.T. Chandigarh, to promote awareness regarding breast cancer prevention, early detection, screening, and the importance of dispelling myths and misconceptions associated with the disease. This centre is adopted by the NSS unit of NINE, PGIMER, Chandigarh.

The programme aimed to educate community members about breast cancer risk factors, warning signs, preventive practices and the importance of timely medical consultation. It also emphasised the role of community participation and health education in promoting breast health and encouraging early diagnosis.

The programme commenced with a welcome address by Dr Amandeep Kaur, Medical Officer, Dispensary, Sarangpur, followed by the inaugural session and introduction to the theme by Dr Sukhpal Kaur, Principal, National Institute of Nursing Education (NINE), PGIMER, Chandigarh.

Dr Divya Dahiya, Department of General Surgery, PGIMER, Chandigarh, delivered an educational talk on “Know Breast Cancer,” covering risk factors, warning signs, and preventive measures. Dr Veenu Singla, Department of Radiodiagnosis, PGIMER, Chandigarh, discussed breast cancer screening guidelines and highlighted the importance of appropriate screening and early detection. Dr Budhi Singh Yadav, Department of Radiotherapy & Oncology, PGIMER, Chandigarh, led an expert session on common myths and misconceptions about breast cancer, emphasising evidence-based information and timely access to healthcare.

An engaging role play/street play titled “Early Detection Saves Lives” was presented by nursing students to communicate key messages about breast health, early recognition of symptoms and the importance of seeking professional medical advice. The programme also included an interactive question-and-answer session, allowing participants to clarify their doubts with the experts, followed by a poster walk highlighting important messages on breast cancer awareness and prevention.

The programme was made possible through the collective efforts of the faculty and organising team. Special acknowledgement goes to Dr Monika Dutta, Dr Meenakshi, Dr Shabana, Dr Manisha, Dr Maninder, Dr Ruchi, and Dr Mandeep, whose dedicated behind-the-scenes efforts supported the planning, coordination, and organisation of the event.

The organisers expressed their sincere gratitude to Sadu Singh, Ex-Sarpanch of Sarangpur, and villagers for their valuable support and cooperation in facilitating community participation. Special thanks were also extended to Dr Amandeep Kaur, Medical Officer, Sarangpur, for her coordination and support in organising the programme at the community level.

The programme concluded with a health pledge and vote of thanks, reinforcing the collective responsibility of healthcare professionals, nursing educators, students and community representatives in spreading breast cancer awareness.

Through this collaborative initiative, NINE and the Department of General Surgery, PGIMER, Chandigarh, reaffirmed their commitment to community health education, cancer awareness and the promotion of early detection practices to improve breast health outcomes.

CHANDIGARH:

  In a landmark moment for Indian healthcare and academic medicine, Prof. Akshay Kumar Saxena, Professor and Head of the Department of Radiodiagnosis at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, has been elected as an  Honorary Fellow of the American College of Radiology (ACR).

This prestigious global honor places Prof. Saxena in an extraordinarily elite echelon of Indian medical history.

 Following Dr. Sneh Bhargava—the iconic former Director and head of the legendary radiology department at AIIMS—Prof. Saxena stands as the only other leader from a premier apex medical institute in India to receive this distinction. His induction marks a historic first for PGIMER Chandigarh and North India, cementing the institution’s world-class standards in patient care, research, and diagnostic innovation.

The American College of Radiology, one of the world’s largest and most influential medical imaging societies, confers honorary fellowships exclusively to individuals who have made extraordinary, internationally transformative contributions to the science and practice of radiology.

Recognized by the ACR as an eminent radiologist, Prof. Saxena has been instrumental in providing groundbreaking care to the pediatric population in India, while making exceptional contributions toward the advancement of the practice of radiology both nationally and abroad. His scholarly impact spans more than 175 publications and 23 book chapters.

Furthermore, he has played a foundational role in shaping standard operating protocols at PGIMER Chandigarh and developing crucial imaging guidelines in both India and the USA.

A prominent leader within the global medical community, Prof. Saxena has held several leadership positions in professional radiology societies, serves as the president of the Society for Emergency Radiology in India, and has routinely lent his expertise by delivering lectures and moderating sessions globally.

This international honor further validates India’s rapid stride toward global leadership in specialized medical sciences, proving that PGIMER Chandigarh stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the finest medical centers in the world.

Following Dr. Sneh Bhargava—the iconic former Director and head of the legendary radiology department at AIIMS—Prof. Saxena stands as the only other leader from a premier apex medical institute in India to receive this distinction.

Chandigarh: In a joint media briefing convened at Chandigarh Press Club on Wednesday, Rashtriya Jan Udyog Vayapar Sangathan (RJUVS), Federation of All India Petroleum Traders (FAIPT), Petroleum Pump Dealers Association Punjab (PPDAP), and Petroleum Dealers Welfare Association Haryana (PDWAH) raised serious concerns regarding government digital transaction levies, severely inadequate dealer margins, widespread inter-state fuel smuggling, and the growing operational distress suffocating retail fuel outlets across Northern India.

The conference was jointly addressed by Monty Sehgal, National Spokesperson of FAIPT, Paramjit Singh Doaba, President of PPDAP, Sanjeev Chaudhary, President of PDWA Haryana, and Gulshan Dang, Haryana State President of RJUVS.

Addressing the recently introduced Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) charges on UPI payments, the Monty Sehgal strongly criticized the naming convention, stating that calling it a discount is a complete misnomer.

The associations emphasized that there is no discount involved in this charge, characterizing it instead as a digital recovery levy imposed by the government. Although the implementation of these charges has been temporarily deferred until Diwali, the intention remains to enforce them. Because petroleum dealers operate under strictly regulated, fixed margins, absorbing these transaction costs is impossible, said Monty Sehgal.

Consequently, we demanded a complete, one-hundred percent exemption from all MDR charges on petroleum products and retail dealers, Monty informed.

The associations highlighted that retail fuel operators across the country are facing an unprecedented financial crisis and heavy debt burden.

“Dealer’ margin, which were revised in 2017 and given only a nominal increase in late November 2024, remain entirely inadequate to meet fixed establishment costs. Over eighty percent of a dealer’s margin goes directly toward reimbursing fixed operational expenses, including staff salaries, electricity bills, rising bank interest on capital investments, and extensive compliance mandates enforced by Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs).”

The minor margin increase in late 2024 failed to address these inflationary pressures, and low-volume dealers selling less than 100 kilolitres per month received virtually no financial benefit, said Sanjeev Chaudhary.

Moreover we can’t afford to meet proposed MDR charges on digital payments, he asserted.

Paramjit Singh Doaba said,” Following aggressive outlet expansions advertised in 2018 and 2023, the total number of petrol pumps nationwide has crossed one lakh, causing average monthly sales throughput per pump to plummet from 170 kilolitres down to 130 to 140 kilolitres. In Punjab and Haryana, the crisis is far more severe, with average sales dropping below 100 kilolitres per month, pushing numerous outlets to the brink of financial collapse.”

To ensure the basic survival of retail outlets and maintain consumer service quality, the associations appealed to the Central Government and OMCs to urgently revise dealer margins to seven percent of the billed value, with special priority given to the small dealers with 100 kilolitres of volume sold each month. The leadership urged the government to announce this revised seven percent margin structure before Diwali so that dealers can sustainably continue their operations.

“The operational environment at petrol pumps has deteriorated significantly due to low margins and the falling volumes. Thus we urge the government and OMCs to formulate a supportive proposal that ensures low-volume dealers earn enough to meet basic establishment costs.”

The associations appealed to the state governments of Punjab and Haryana to take immediate action against large-scale fuel smuggling occurring from Union Territory Chandigarh into border districts, driven by lower VAT rates in the capital. This tax differential is inflicting severe financial losses on border petrol pump operators while causing massive revenue leakage for both state exchequers. PPDAP and PDWA Haryana urged both state governments to consider equalizing their oil VAT rates with Chandigarh to eliminate illegal fuel trade, protect dealer livelihoods, and safeguard state revenues.

During the conference, the leaders expressed deep grief and unequivocal condemnation regarding the recent horrific incident where a Sales Officer was tragically killed by a dealer’s kin, while discharging his official duty to seal a petrol pump.

The incident was a failure of the system and we also called for a thorough investigation into the extreme pressure points and underlying conditions that led to the tragedy, said Doaba.

The Vigilance Cell of the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, organised a workshop on “Essentials of Public Procurement, GeM Procedures and Rules” today as part of the three-month Preventive Vigilance Campaign (August 17–November 16, 2026), being observed under the guidance of the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC). The campaign’s theme is “Probity for Prosperity” (सत्यनिष्ठा से समृद्धि).

The technical session was conducted by Prof. Rakesh Kapoor, Professor In-charge (EP), PGIMER, who spoke on public procurement, GeM procedures and applicable rules, emphasising awareness of prescribed processes and compliance in institutional decision-making.

In his introductory remarks, Prof. Sunil Dogra, Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO), PGIMER, outlined the objectives of the CVC campaign and its relevance to faculty members and officials. He highlighted the importance of preventive vigilance in strengthening transparency, integrity, fairness and accountability, and preventing procedural lapses through greater awareness of rules, proper documentation and responsible use of public funds.

The workshop was attended by Sh. Rattan Lal Thakur, Senior Administrative Officer (Vigilance), PGIMER, along with faculty members, administrative staff and other employees of the Institute. Employees of the PGIMER Satellite Centre, Sangrur, also joined the workshop through online mode. The workshop witnessed enthusiastic participation from approximately 165 participants, including doctors, nursing staff, paramedical personnel and administrative employees, reflecting the Institute-wide commitment to promoting vigilance awareness, transparency and integrity in official functioning.

The workshop forms part of PGIMER’s continuing efforts to promote ethical conduct, transparent processes and good governance. It reinforced the message that integrity and accountability are shared responsibilities across the Institute.

Chandigarh:

The Sirsa MP, Former Union Cabinet Minister, General Secretary of All India Congress Committee, Congress Incharge of Uttarakhand and Congress Working Committee member Kumari Selja on Monday, while speaking to journalists in New Delhi ahead of the Congress’s proposed march, said the time had come for a decisive fight against alleged vote theft through the purported collusion between the BJP government and the Election Commission. She asserted that the people’s votes were not the property of any government but a right guaranteed by the Constitution. The Congress would firmly oppose any attempt to weaken or take away this right.

Kumari Selja said Congress workers were mobilising in New Delhi on October 12 under the leadership of party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi to protect democracy and voting rights. A march from Barakhamba Road Junction to the Supreme Court has been called for 1.30 pm. She said the struggle was not limited to the Congress but concerned the rights of every citizen who had been given the power to vote under the Constitution.

Kumari Selja alleged that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls could adversely affect the voting rights of poor people, Dalits, backward classes and minorities. She said the Election Commission had a constitutional responsibility to ensure free, fair and transparent elections. The names of all eligible voters must remain on electoral rolls, and no citizen should be deprived of the right to vote. She said Rahul Gandhi had consistently raised concerns over alleged irregularities in the electoral process and vote theft. Questions raised by the Congress, she added, should be answered transparently.

Kumari Selja further alleged that attempts were being made to suppress democratic dissent through police action and arrests. Expressing disagreement and questioning the government, she said, were constitutional rights of every citizen. She asserted that the country would be governed by the values and principles of the Constitution framed under the leadership of Dr B.R. Ambedkar, not by the arbitrary wishes of any government.

Kumari Selja called upon citizens to remain aware and united in protecting democratic rights. She said the Congress would continue its struggle to safeguard the impartiality of democratic institutions, transparency in elections and the people’s right to vote, adding that there would be no compromise on the protection of the Constitution and democracy.

Chandigarh, October 10, 2026: EDUTHON 6.0 brought more than 1,200 school leaders, educators, policymakers, entrepreneurs, educationists and industry representatives to Hyatt Regency, Chandigarh, to discuss “AI and the Future of School Education”. Presented by TRINITi and powered by Chitkara University, the sixth edition built on a platform that has grown from 70 school leaders at its first gathering into a national forum recognised by the India Book of Records.
A fireside conversation between Shantanu Deshpande, Founder of Bombay Shaving Company and Bombae, and Ankur Malhotra, Founder Director of TRINITi, was among the key sessions. Deshpande also launched the Anandi Fellowship, an initiative aimed at identifying, mentoring and funding young business talent in India.
Speaking at the event, Ankur Malhotra, Founder Director of TRINITi, said, “Education cannot afford to simply react to every new technology that comes along. Our responsibility is to understand what is changing and ensure that in the process of becoming future-ready, we do not lose sight of what makes education meaningful in the first place.”

Participants included Dr. Madhu Chitkara, President and Co-Founder of Chitkara University; Shreya Yashwanth Rao, Architect, Femina Miss India Runner-up 2018 and Founder of Simplify.Ed; Poonam Singh Jamwal, Chief Business Officer at Extramarks Education; Dr. Niyati Chitkara, Vice President of School Education at Chitkara Educational Trust; Harpreet Grover, Founder of The Curious Parent, widely known as the Parenting Guru; and Samriti Sharma, former Middle School Vice Principal at Future Bilingual School for Girls, Kuwait.

School associations were represented by Dr. Jagjit Singh Dhuri, President of the Joint Association of Colleges and Federation of Private Schools and Associations of Punjab; Dr. Kulbhushan Sharma, President of the National Independent Schools Alliance; Anubhavv Arora, Executive Chairman of the Confederation for Equality in Early Childhood Care and Education; and Ashish Sharma, President of the Independent Schools Association, Chandigarh.
Since its inception, EDUTHON has grown from a gathering of 70 school leaders into a national platform, bringing together more than 1,200 participants at its sixth edition. As artificial intelligence reshapes teaching and learning, the platform provides a space for school leaders, educators and industry voices to consider how technology can serve education while keeping human judgement, meaningful engagement and the role of educators at the centre. Its growth reflects the increasing reach of a forum dedicated to conversations about the future of school education.