Chandigarh, 19 December – Haryana Energy,Transport and Labour Minister Anil Vij said that Congress has nothing to say, and the no-confidence motion brought by Congress during the Winter Session of the Haryana Legislative Assembly will fall flat in the House.

 Vij was responding to questions from media persons today.

Responding to a question regarding Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge’s warning of protests over the renaming of MGNREGA, Sh. Vij said that Congress is now idle, having lost everywhere, and therefore has to give its workers some program or the other to keep them busy. He said, what problem do they have with renaming it? The problem is that the name of Lord Ram has been added, and that troubles them. Congress has had a problem with Lord Ram from day one. When the Ram Temple was being built, they were troubled; now that it has been built, they are troubled; now devotees are visiting the temple, and again they are troubled. Their problem is with Ram and Lord Ram.

 Reacting sharply to the statement made by former Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan that not a single Rafale aircraft flew in Operation Sindoor, Energy Minister Anil Vij said that Prithviraj Chavan is a traitor to the country who is insulting our brave soldiers, for which he has no right. A case should be registered against him to determine how he has knowledge of confidential intelligence matters and with whom he is coordinating. Sh.Vij said that the language he is using cannot be that of an Indian; it appears as if he is speaking at the behest of someone from Pakistan. An investigation should also be conducted to find out which Pakistani individuals he is in contact with.

Chandigarh

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Friday said that the opposition has been left unsettled after being decisively rejected by the people. Having lost public confidence and political credibility, opposition leaders are now resorting to allegations like “vote theft” out of sheer frustration, he added.

The Chief Minister asserted that the mandate of the people is clear and decisive, and it reflects total rejection of the Congress’s policies and past governance. This rejection, he said, has left the opposition frustrated, prompting them to make irresponsible and unfounded statements.

The Chief Minister was responding during Question Hour on the second day of the Winter Session of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha on Friday to a question raised by MLA BB Batra regarding the number of BPL cards.

 Saini said that he had already given a detailed reply on this matter in the House during the previous session. He explained that the government introduced a transparent process under which people were asked to self-declare their economic status and fill out the forms themselves if they fell below the poverty line. He pointed out that under earlier governments, the income limit was Rs. 1.20 lakh, whereas the present government increased it to Rs. 1.80 lakh, after which people applied for BPL status.

The Chief Minister recalled that he had clearly informed the House at that time that verification would be carried out after the elections and that ineligible names would be removed. Questioning the opposition’s allegations, he asked how this could be termed a “scandal.”

Referring to the figures quoted by MLA BB Batra, the Chief Minister, said that the claim of eight lakh cards was misleading, as the number of ration cards in 2022 exceeded 30 lakh. He questioned the source of such data and, in a sharp remark,  he said that during the Congress regime, even eligible beneficiaries were deprived of essential supplies, while others wrongfully availed benefits meant for the poor.

 Taking a strong dig at the opposition, the Chief Minister said it was ironic that they were accusing others of vote theft. Voting, he emphasized, is a democratic right of the people, and through their mandate, the public has unequivocally rejected Congress and its policies.

Mohali, December 18,2025 Janta Land Promoter Private Limited, which has always been at the forefront of real estate business and social service work, has made the patient waiting room of the government hospital located in Phase-6 of Mohali ultra-modern at a cost of Rs 30 lakh, including the necessary equipment, it is worth mentioning here that in this -patient waiting room – where more than 100 patients can sit daily, an air conditioner, an LED. Equipment worth a total cost of Rs 30 lakh was also provided.  In this waiting hall, about 100 chairs were installed for the patients to sit, four fans for relief from the heat and 2 ACs were also installed, so that the patients coming for treatment could get a comfortable environment. During the brief but impressive function held on this occasion, MLA Kulwant Singh dedicated this – patient waiting house – built by the company to the patients.

  In his address on this occasion, MLA Kulwant Singh said that under the leadership of Bhagwant Singh Mann, continuous efforts are being made by the Aam Aadmi Party to improve the health services of Punjab and now, compared to before, most of the patients are giving priority to getting their treatment in government hospitals instead of private hospitals. He said that whenever they need it, they get their treatment done in the government hospital.

MLA Kulwant Singh also said that Janata Land Promoter Private Limited has been continuously working in the field of education along with health services, for which the students who are not good in studies are provided with fees and necessary materials to pursue higher education, so that those students can stand on their own feet when they grow up and bring glory to their parents and the state. On this occasion, almost everyone present on behalf of JLPL Company gave a strong shout-out to this public welfare initiative.  And said that such initiatives prove to be a big relief for the patients in government hospitals. On this occasion, apart from Dr. Satinder Singh Bhavra Paramjit Singh Chauhan, Dr. Bhavneet Bharti Principal Medical College, Dr. Sangeeta Jain- Civil Surgeon Mohali, Dr. H. S. Cheema SMO.  Dr. Parminder Singh SMO, Sukhwinder Singh Sandhu- Chief Engineer, Kuldeep Singh Samana, Dr. Kuldeep Singh, Harpal Singh Channa, Avtar Singh Mauli, Rajinder Prasad Sharma, Gurinder Singh Billa, Bikram Singh Sandhu, Pargat Singh Councilor Gurmeet Kaur, Harmeet Singh Mohali, Satwinder Singh, Hardeep Singh JLPL, Akwinder Singh Gosal, Manpreet Singh Mani, Rajinder Singh Raju, Sarpanch Barmajra Malkit Singh Block President Raipur, Jaspal Singh Mataur, Gurvinder Singh Pinky, Harpal Singh Brar, Sukhwinder Singh Gogi, Vicky Mohali, Harmesh Singh Kumbhra, Swaran Singh, Astra Balongi, Rita Balongi, Neha Bajaj, Gurpreet Singh Chahal Bariali, Dharampreet Singh Panch, Bhupinder Singh Panch, Mauli were also present, 

Chandigarh: Allegations of corruption, financial irregularities and administrative failures have surfaced in the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC) as fellow members have accused President Jagdish Singh Jhinda of misusing donations from the Guru’s Golak (donation boxes), mismanaging gurdwaras and undermining religious, educational and social initiatives. The members demanded Jhinda’s immediate resignation during a press conference held at Chandigarh Press Club on Thursday, 

Present at the conference were senior and junior vice presidents, interim members, committee chairpersons and representatives including Gurmeet Singh Ramsar, Gurbir Singh Talakour, Jagtar Singh Maan, Tajinderpal Singh Narnaul, Jathedar Baljit Singh Daduwal, Diddar Singh Nalvi, Rajinder Singh Barada, Gurtej Singh Ambala, Mayor Bhupinder Singh Panipat, Swarn Singh Bunga Tibbi, Sarpanch Bhupinder Singh Ladi Saunkra, Bhupinder Singh Saini, Captain Dilbag Singh Saini and Sukhvinder Singh Mandebar.

Members stated that none of the promises made by Jhinda at the time of his election including opening a university school, banning misuse of gurdwara vehicles, abolishing VIP culture and fair treatment of staff have been fulfilled. Instead, allegations include distributing honorary awards to unworthy individuals, personal use of committee vehicles and staff, misappropriation of funds collected in the name of Black Day, flood relief and the 350-year celebration.

Members further claimed that honest staff are being removed due to personal biases, arbitrary transfers are rampant and some employees are colluding in financial misuse. In education, irregular transfers in the Nursing College and Tilokewala School have reportedly disrupted the system.

Jhinda is accused of authoritarian conduct with two general house and three executive meetings failing so far. Former colleague Bhupinder Singh Ladi’s serious allegations remain unaddressed. Members also criticized the inefficiency of the Gurdwara election system and judicial commission, stating that Jhinda’s election violated the Gurdwara Act 2014, challenged before the Election Commissioner. The no justice has been served in eight months. Orders from the Judicial Commissioner to halt arbitrary transfers and provide monthly accounts have allegedly been ignored while illegal fund approvals point to collusion between the commission and the president.

Committee members demanded the immediate removal of the commissioners and appointment of impartial authorities. 

Chandigarh, December 18

Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee President Rao Narender Singh strongly criticized the policies of the Central Government and BJP-ruled state governments regarding the recent redefinition of the Aravalli mountain range. He described it as disastrous for the environment and a grave threat to the future of coming generations.

Rao Narender Singh stated that the Aravalli range is a natural heritage of North India and functions as a strong “green wall” that prevents the expansion of the Thar Desert. This region plays a crucial role in water conservation, maintaining biodiversity, and preserving air quality. However, under the recent definition, hills below 100 meters in height are no longer being considered part of the Aravalli range, which will push the entire region toward large-scale destruction.

He alleged that the BJP government is deliberately manipulating the definition of the Aravalli to promote mining, real estate, and industrial activities. This will severely disrupt ecological balance, leading to declining groundwater levels, increased air pollution, and loss of biodiversity. If the Aravalli is not protected, the threat of desertification will rapidly increase in Delhi-NCR and surrounding regions, the consequences of which will be borne by future generations.

Rao Narender Singh warned that this anti-environment policy not only weakens the natural protective shield but also reflects an anti-people mindset. The Congress Party will fight at every level to protect the Aravalli and will not tolerate any compromise with the environment. He demanded that the Central Government immediately reconsider this definition.

Ropar:

Prof. Rajeev Ahuja, Director, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar welcomed Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India, to the institute and briefed him on IIT Ropar’s expanding research, innovation and technology-driven initiatives. Prof. Sood is also the Chief Guest of the ongoing International Conference on Physics Education (ICPE) 2025 being hosted at IIT Ropar.

During the interaction, the Prof. Rajeev Ahuja highlighted IIT Ropar’s growing contributions in frontier areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, advanced materials, clean energy, agriculture technology and education innovation, supported by strong industry partnerships and national missions. Prof. Sood appreciated IIT Ropar’s integrated approach to research, innovation and societal impact, and underscored the importance of aligning academic research with national priorities.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Rajeev Ahuja said, “It was an honour to welcome Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood to IIT Ropar. As a premier institution committed to cutting-edge research and innovation, we are continuously strengthening our capabilities in physics and interdisciplinary sciences to address national and global challenges. ICPE 2025 reflects our commitment to advancing physics education through research-driven pedagogy and international collaboration.”

Prof. Rajeev Ahuja, himself a distinguished physicist with an extensive research career, discussed the institute’s strong emphasis on fundamental and applied physics research. He is one of the most highly cited researchers as well as top 5 materials Scientist in Sweden & India. He outlined ongoing work in experimental and theoretical physics, interdisciplinary collaborations and the institute’s commitment to strengthening physics education through research-led teaching and global engagement.

Prof. Sood also interacted with faculty members and conference participants, sharing insights on strengthening India’s science ecosystem through modern pedagogy, translational research and innovation-led growth.

ICPE 2025 saw strong academic engagement on December 17 and 18, with plenary and invited talks on active learning, physics education research, quantum education, AI-enabled learning and gender equity, including a key panel discussion on inclusivity in Indian physics education. A major highlight on December 18 was Padma Shri Prof. H.C. Verma’s candid interaction with Mr. Prateek Shukla, MASAI School, Prof. Shilpi Chaudhary, Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh and students which drew an enthusiastic response from participants and sparked deep discussions on experiential learning, conceptual clarity and the future of physics education in India.

ICPE 2025, a five-day international conference being held from December 16 to 20, has brought together over 3000 students. With two more days remaining, the conference will continue to host major discussions on emerging trends in physics education, quantum technologies, artificial intelligence, industry-academia linkages and future-ready curriculum.

Through ICPE 2025 and high-level engagements such as the visit of the Principal Scientific Adviser, IIT Ropar continues to strengthen its position as a leading hub for innovation-driven research, global academic collaboration and excellence in science and engineering education.

CHANDIGARH, December 18:

          Continuing the war against drugs “Yudh Nashian Virudh” waged by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to eradicate drug menace from state consecutively for the 292nd day, Punjab Police conducted raids at 268 locations on Thursday leading to the arrest of 51 drug smugglers after registration of 40 first information reports (FIRs) across the state. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 40,623 in 292 days.

          The raids have resulted in recovery of 3.9 kg heroin, 500 grams opium, 165 intoxicant tablets/capsules and Rs 8190 drug money from the possession of arrested drug smugglers.

          Notably, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann has asked the Commissioners of Police, Deputy Commissioners and Senior Superintendent of Police to make Punjab drug free state. The Punjab government has also constituted a 5-member Cabinet Sub Committee led by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema to monitor the war against drugs.

          Over 100 Police teams, comprising over 800 police personnel, under the supervision of 54 gazetted officers have conducted 268 raids across the state. Police teams have also checked as many as 253 suspicious persons during the day-long operation.

          The state government has enforced a three-pronged strategy— Enforcement, Deaddiction and Prevention (EDP)— to eradicate drugs from the state, the Punjab Police as part of ‘De-addiction’ has convinced 17 persons to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment today.

Chandigarh: The doctors at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Mohali, successfully restored

The movement and functional use of the arm were restored successfully in a 26-year-old woman from Tanzania who was living with a complete brachial plexus injury for more than six months. Brachial plexus injury is a severe nerve condition that resulted in complete paralysis of her left arm.

Loveness Ahmed, a resident of Tanzania, sustained severe nerve damage in a road traffic incident earlier this year, affecting the network of nerves connecting the spinal cord to the shoulder, arm, and hand. The trauma resulted in total loss of movement and sensation in her left arm, profoundly affecting her independence, daily activities, and emotional well-being.

After undergoing conservative treatment in her home country with little improvement, she travelled to India in search of specialised care.

At Max Hospital, Mohali, a detailed clinical examination and nerve assessment revealed that her condition required advanced nerve transfer surgery, a highly specialised microsurgical procedure.

The complex reconstructive surgery was performed by Dr. Rishi Dhawan associate director plastic surgery, using a state-of-the-art microsurgical technique.

The procedure involved redirecting healthy, functioning nerves from within the patient’s own body to restore nerve signals to paralysed muscles. The aim was to re-establish communication between the brain and the affected muscles and help regain essential arm function.

Dr. Dhawan said, “Complete brachial plexus injuries are among the most challenging nerve conditions to treat. They require precise planning, meticulous microsurgery, and strong patient commitment. Brachial plexus injuries, though relatively uncommon, are increasingly seen due to a rise in high-velocity road accidents. These injuries can cause weakness, loss of sensation, or complete paralysis of the arm. In this case, timely intervention and the patient’s dedication to rehabilitation played a crucial role in achieving a meaningful functional recovery.”

Chandigarh: PGIMER Chandigarh, has been conferred the title of Best Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Institute in the Country for the second consecutive year by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India. The award was presented at a national conclave titled ARISE 2025, held at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, New Delhi, and organized by Health Technology Assessment in India (HTAIn)—the central HTA body under the MoHFW. The honour was jointly conferred by Prof. V. K. Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog, and Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Director-General, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Secretary, Department of Health Research (DHR).
This marks the second time PGIMER has received this national recognition, having earlier been adjudged the best HTA institute at the ICMR–DHR Health Summit held in New Delhi last year. PGIMER’s leadership in the field of HTA is anchored in the HTA Resource Hub established by the Department of Health Research at the Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, PGI. The Hub is led by Prof. Shankar Prinja, Professor of Health Economics, who has played a pivotal role in building national capacity for evidence-informed health decision-making.
The ARISE 2025 ceremony witnessed participation from over 35 premier medical colleges and ICMR institutes engaged in HTA activities across the country. Addressing the gathering, Prof. V. K. Paul underlined that the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’ can be realized only through strong, credible institutions, and emphasized that the role of Health Technology Assessment is quintessential for ensuring that public money is allocated to interventions that deliver the greatest health gains in an equitable and efficient manner. Reflecting on India’s HTA journey over the past eight years, Dr. Rajiv Bahl noted that HTA has emerged as a powerful policy tool for the Government of India, enabling more rational and transparent resource allocation. He highlighted its role in designing reimbursement rates under Ayushman Bharat–PMJAY, facilitating procurement of high-value medical devices at value-based prices, and supporting evidence-based coverage decisions. Dr. Bahl commended Prof. Prinja and the PGIMER team for their sustained efforts in strengthening HTA capacity nationwide, while also stressing the need to further expand institutional and human resource capacity to keep pace with rapid advances in medical science.
Director PGIMER Prof. Vivek Lal  lauded PGI’s contribution to policy-relevant research, and noted that the Institute will continue to strengthen the efforts in building more capacity in this field in the entire country. Prof Arun Kumar Aggarwal highlighted the commitment of Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health in creating more advanced courses in the field of health economics and HTA. Speaking at the ceremony, Prof. Prinja talked about the challenges faced by institutions in conducting and applying HTA for policy use. He outlined a clear roadmap for advancing HTA in India, emphasizing that closer and more sustained engagement with policymakers and key health system stakeholders, along with continuous improvement in the way studies are designed and evidence is generated, is essential to ensure that findings meaningfully inform decisions and translate into real-world impact.
The recognition reinforces PGI Chandigarh’s position as a national leader in health and medical research and its continuing contribution to strengthening evidence-based, value-oriented decision-making within India’s health system.

Chandigarh, 17 December.

Former Deputy Chief Minister of Haryana, Dushyant Chautala, has once again raised serious questions over the deteriorating law and order situation in the state. Sharing a video on social media of the clash that took place on Wednesday at Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU), Rohtak, Chautala asked the state government whether this is what law and order has come to in Haryana.

He said that miscreants entered the university premises in a bulletproof vehicle with the intention to attack, and demanded an answer from Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on how such an incident could happen. Chautala further stated that if the government truly intends to take action, it must begin by acting against those criminal elements who roam around in bulletproof vehicles.

The former Deputy CM said that the poor law and order situation in the state is no longer hidden from anyone. He added that frequent incidents of loot, robbery, murder and abduction have created an atmosphere of fear in Haryana, and now even educational institutions are no longer safe.

Chautala said that stone pelting and sticks were used in broad daylight inside MDU, and shockingly, a bulletproof vehicle even rammed into students. He said there was no one present to stop these miscreants. These horrifying visuals, he added, clearly show that there is no semblance of law left in the state and that criminal elements have no fear of the police.

Expressing concern, Dushyant Chautala said that the atmosphere of insecurity in the state is alarming, and they have been consistently demanding that Chief Minister Nayab Saini—who also heads the Home Department—take strict measures. However, due to the government’s failure to act decisively, Haryana’s law and order situation has completely collapsed.

The former Deputy CM said that the government must urgently fill the shortage of police personnel through new recruitments, and instead of indulging in hollow publicity, it must work on the ground to improve the current situation.