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.

Chandigarh, July 25

Former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda stated that Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation marks a victory for the struggle waged by the youth and students.
“Had Pradhan accepted moral responsibility and resigned at the very beginning, innocent students would neither have had to face lathi-charges nor endure such a prolonged struggle,” he stated, addressing a press conference.
“The government must now apologize to the youth, the country’s future, whom it subjected to lathi-charges and brutality. Furthermore, the examination system must be made transparent enough to eliminate any possibility of future paper leaks,” he added.
The former Chief Minister said the issue of paper leaks has assumed epidemic proportions across the country, and the youth were forced to take to the streets in protest due to the apathy of the BJP government. “In response, the Congress party, under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi, launched a nationwide movement through the ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ (Voice of Students) campaign. Ultimately, the BJP was compelled to yield to this mass movement. The Congress will now demand accountability from the government regarding paper leaks within Parliament,” he said.
Hooda noted that approximately 7.5 crore candidates have been affected by the recurring paper leaks under the BJP government. “This problem is not confined to competitive examinations alone, and rampant paper leaks are also occurring in various recruitment exams. The unemployment crisis is such that 9 crore young people apply for a mere 6 lakh jobs annually,” he said.
He remarked that Haryana has become a hub for paper leaks, citing details of over 30 such incidents that have occurred in the state during the BJP government’s tenure. Prominent among these are- HCS (2023), CET (2023), SI recruitment (March 2022), Dental Surgeon (December 2021), PGI Rohtak exam (2025), Police Constable recruitment (August 2021), Gram Sachiv recruitment (January 12, 2021), Clerk recruitment (December 2016), Electricity Department Clerk recruitment, Excise Inspector (December 2016), Agriculture Inspector (July 2017), Conductor recruitment (September 2017), ITI Instructor recruitment, Excise Inspector, Naib Tehsildar recruitment, PTI recruitment, HTET (November 2015), Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan Primary Teacher (October 2015), Assistant Professor (College) recruitment scam (February 2017), B-Pharmacy paper leak scam (July 2017), HBSE Board 10th-12th paper leak (2025), HTET 2026 (where unsealed papers were distributed, raising suspicions of a leak), among others.
He stated that over 152 paper leaks have occurred across the country. An entire racket trading in exam papers and jobs is active nationwide, including in Haryana. “The problem has become so severe that it is proving fatal; 26 candidates across the country have committed suicide, distressed by the NEET paper leak alone,” he said.
He noted that numerous complaints have also arisen regarding the NEET re-examination. This clearly indicates that the government is not serious about this issue. “When the government repeatedly shirks its responsibility, the public is compelled to take the path of agitation to hold the government accountable, and that is precisely what has been witnessed in this movement,” he said.

Chandigarh, July 25 – Chief Electoral Officer Haryana, Sh. A. Sreenivas said that the first phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in the State has been completed 100 per cent. The draft electoral roll will be published on July 31 and will be made available on the official website as well as at all designated publication centres.

The CEO was addressing a press conference at the Haryana Civil Secretariat, Sector-17, Chandigarh. Additional Chief Electoral Officers Ms Ritu and Sh Apurv and Joint Chief Electoral Officer,  Sh. Raj Kumar Lohan was also present.

Thanking the officers and officials for their cooperation during the Special Intensive Revision, Sh. A. Sreenivas said that 20,629 Booth Level Officers (BLOs) distributed enumeration forms to more than 2 crore 6 lakh 55 thousand electors, out of which 1 crore 72 lakh 71 thousand 361 enumeration forms have been digitised. However, the names of 33 lakh 84 thousand 568 electors could not be recorded. Of these, 13 lakh 75 thousand 278 had permanently shifted, 7 lakh 66 thousand 205 were found to be deceased, 2 lakh 4 thousand 916 were already registered as electors, 9 lakh 36 thousand 646 electors were found absent, while 1 lakh 1 thousand 523 electors did not submit their enumeration forms due to other reasons.

He said that claims and objections may be filed from July 31 to August 30. If the name of any elector does not appear in the draft electoral roll to be published on July 31, he or she may submit Form 6 to get the name included again. The name will be included in the final electoral roll.

He made it clear that the name of any elector will not be deleted without giving an opportunity of hearing. If an elector is aggrieved by the decision of the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO), an appeal may be filed before the District Magistrate within 15 days. If the grievance still persists, a further appeal may be filed before the Chief Electoral Officer within 30 days.

The final electoral roll will be published on October 3. Along with the period for filing claims and objections, the notice phase and disposal of objections will continue up to September 28. During the notice phase, BLOs will issue notices to those electors whose particulars could not be matched with the electoral roll prepared during the previous Special Intensive Revision or where any discrepancy has been found in mapping.

He said that eligible persons may apply for inclusion of their names in the electoral roll through Form 6. Young citizens who attained 18 years of age on or before July 1, 2026, have also been provided the facility to enrol themselves as electors by submitting Form 6. Those whose names have been left out of the electoral roll or who could not submit their enumeration forms may also submit Form 6.

He said that electors whose names are already included in the electoral roll may submit Form 7 for deletion of their names. Form 8 may be used by electors to make corrections in their Elector Photo Identity Card (EPIC) or to rectify any error in the electoral roll. This facility will also be available online.

Sh. A. Sreenivas said that for the successful conduct of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), Booth Level Officers (BLOs), Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and District Election Officers (DEOs) are carrying out the exercise across all Assembly Constituencies in the State. In the next phase, Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs) will also be associated with the exercise.

He further said that 37,055 Booth Level Agents (BLAs) appointed by various political parties are also assisting in the process. These include 19,051 appointed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), 15,818 by the Indian National Congress, 1,476 by the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), 54 by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), 314 by the Communist Party of India (CPI) and 342 by the Jannayak Janata Party (JJP).

Chandigarh, July 25

The atmosphere at the main gate of the residence of Haryana Transport Minister Sh.Anil Vij in Shastri Colony, Ambala Cantonment, changed when the minister himself went among the hundreds of protesting Haryana Roadways employees to receive their memorandum. During the interaction, Vij assured the employees that a meeting would be convened within the next 15 days regarding their demands so that they could be discussed.

Members of the Haryana Roadways karmchari sanjha morcha, who had come from across the state, were protesting at the minister’s residence over their demands. As soon as he reached them, Transport Minister Anil Vij personally went among the employees to receive their memorandum. He took the memorandum from employee leaders and said that he was listening to them.

He said that he did not know how many unions the employees had, but he had earlier called all the unions and heard everyone’s concerns. In the same way, he would now also hear the concerns of the employees who were protesting today. Vij assured the employees that a meeting would be called within the next 15 days regarding their demands so that they could be discussed.

Following the minister’s assurance, the protesting employees ended their protest.

It is worth noting that Cabinet Minister Anil Vij, known for his outspoken style, has also earlier gone among protesting employees and personally received their memorandums.

Chandigarh, July 25: Chandigarh MP and former Union Minister Shri Manish Tewari dedicated a newly installed open-air gym at Leisure Valley, Sector 10, to the public. The facility was developed with a grant of approximately ₹5 lakh from his Members of Parliament Local Area Development fund.

Addressing the gathering, Tewari said he remains committed to promoting better health and a healthier lifestyle among citizens. He noted that the open-air gym would benefit people of all age groups, emphasizing that a healthy individual is better able to fulfill responsibilities towards both family and society. He also added that several other development projects are currently underway across the city.

Chandigarh Congress Committee President H.S. Lucky thanked MP Manish Tewari for fulfilling the long-pending demand of the residents of Sector 10. He said that good health is the right of every citizen and that the Congress Party has always stood for protecting the rights and welfare of the people.

Among those present on the occasion were included, S. Amarjit Singh Kahlon, Sandeep Varmani, Rajinder Kashyap, and a large number of local residents.