CHANDIGARH, November 18:

          In a relentless pursuit to eradicate the drug menace from Punjab as per the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab Police on Tuesday conducted a statewide Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) at identified drug Hotspots— the points of sale of drugs and psychotropic substances— across the state as part of the Yudh Nashian Virudh, marking the 262nd day of the intensified anti-drug campaign.

          The CASO was conducted simultaneously in all 28 Police districts of the state on the directions of Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav.

          During the daylong operation, police teams have conducted raids at 391 identified drug hotspots across the state leading to arrest of 79 persons after registration of 67 first information reports (FIRs). Police teams have also recovered 4.3 kg heroin, 971 intoxicant tablets/capsules and Rs 3.16 lakhs 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.

          Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla, who was personally overseeing the operation, said that        over 400 Police teams, comprising over 3000 police personnel, under the supervision of 79 gazetted officers have conducted this operation.

          He informed that the ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign launched on March 1, 2025, has resulted in arrest of 36,901 drug smugglers after registration of 24,809 first information reports (FIRs) across the state and led to recovery of 1604 kg heroin, 557 kg opium, 263 quintals poppy husk, 529 kg ganja, 41.39 lakh intoxicant tablets/capsules, 14 kg ICE and Rs 14.42 crores drug money from the possession of drug smugglers.

          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 45 persons to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment today.

New Delhi, November 18:

Reiterating the firm commitment of the state government to safeguard the interests of Punjab and Punjabis, the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday said that as the custodian of the rights of the state and its people, he will not allow anyone to snatch them. 

Interacting with the media persons here today, the Chief Minister said that during the meeting of Northern Zonal Council (NZC) held on Monday all the member states had put forth their views. However, he said that ironically majority of the states including Haryana, Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh were hell bent upon infringing the rights of the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it is unfortunate that Haryana, Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh are unnecessary mounting pressure on the state for snatching our rights.

The Chief Minister said that irresponsible leadership of these states have made mock of the platform by making unjust demands seeking share in resources of the state and even river waters. He said that the in the NZC meeting all the member states put forth their views and as the head of the state he also presented the case of Punjab. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that out of total 28 agenda items 11 were related to the state and for the first time due to the strenuous efforts of the state government all of them were deferred.

The Chief Minister said that these issues were basically thorns sown by his predecessors- the Akalis, BJP and Congress before Punjab and its people. However, he said that his government has been making strenuous efforts to resolve these issues. Bhagwant Singh Mann categorically said that the state government is committed for safeguarding the interests of the state. 

The Chief Minister said that those who are making hue and cry over river waters must understand one thing that real time assessment of availability of river waters should be made for which the presence of water must be reviewed. Speaking about the river waters, capital, Panjab university and head works, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that paradoxically every other state is seeking share in rights of Punjab, which is illegitimate. He categorically said that the state government is duty bound to safeguard the interests of Punjab and no stone will be left unturned for it.

The Chief Minister quipped that Haryana has made a very made strange demand that Punjab should be refrained from constructing mini hydel projects on Bhakra Main Line (BML) as it will  hamper the flow of water. He said that it was surprising that the naive leadership of Haryana was indulging in such tantrums which was baseless and far away from facts.  Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the issues of Satluj Yamuna Link (SYL) can be resolved only through Yamuna Satluj Link (YSL), which will ensure judicious use of Yamuna Water adding that the state has no surplus water to spare through SYL and there has been no scientific calculation regarding the availability of water

The Chief Minister categorically said that Punjab has no spare water to share with any state and there is no question about it. In the wake of the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty, he said that there is a great opportunity for the resolution of water-related issues concerning the states being represented here. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that there is a possibility of linking the Chenab river to the rivers Ravi and Beas, over which we already have dams regulating the water flow downstream.

The Chief Minister said that in linking river Chenab with rivers Ravi and Beas, the surplus water inflow could be utilized gainfully by the downstream states, including Punjab, for both power generation and irrigation purposes adding that the extra water will also help the State of Punjab to meet its shortfall of water, particularly in the Border areas. On the issue of Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he had forcefully opposed the proposal to appoint a whole-time Member in BBMB from Rajasthan as the board is a body constituted under the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, which concerns only the successor states of Punjab and Haryana. He said that Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh are already represented as ex-officio members, and creating additional whole-time posts will only increase expenditure most of which is borne by Punjab without serving any useful purpose.

The Chief Minister said that he had vehemently pleaded for handing over Chandigarh to the state of Punjab adding that after the reorganization of the state Indira Gandhi Agreement of 1970 explicitly stated that “the capital project area of Chandigarh will, as a whole, go to Punjab, which was a clear commitment from the Central Government. He said that the Rajiv-Longowal Accord, signed on July 24th, 1985, between the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and Sant Harchand Singh Longowal, explicitly reaffirmed that Chandigarh will be transferred to Punjab. However, Bhagwant Singh Mann bemoaned that despite all promises Chandigarh was not transferred to Punjab which has bruised the psyche of every Punjabi.

On the issue of maintaining the status quo of the 60:40 ratio in the intake of service personnel from Punjab and Haryana in the functioning of the UT of Chandigarh, the Chief Minister said that it is the need of the hour. He said that it is a matter of grave concern that officers of the IAS and the PCS have been excluded from key positions in the Chandigarh administration. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that posts in departments such as Excise, Education, Finance, and Health are being opened to cadres like the state UT cadre (DANICS), thereby adversely affecting the role of the state of Punjab in the effective functioning of the UT administration.

The Chief Minister said that another linked issue is the posting of Punjab Cadre officers to the post of General Manager FCI (Punjab). He said that considering the consistently highest contribution of the state of Punjab towards the Central pool, the established trend of posting of an IAS officer from Punjab Cadre to the Regional Office of the FCI should not be disturbed by the Government of India. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the post of MD CITCO has been held by an IAS officer of Punjab cadre in the past however, UT state service officers are being posted to this position, which is against the convention laid down in the administration of the UT of Chandigarh based on a 60:40 ratio for intake of personnel from Punjab and Haryana.

The Chief Minister said that Punjab suffered massive losses of nearly Rs.13,500 crore but then also we are contributing 150 Lakh Metric Ton (LMT) of paddy in the national food pool. Bhagwant Singh Mann also opposed the proposal to transfer control of the Ropar, Harike and Ferozepur Headworks to BBMB as these Headworks are located entirely within Punjab and have always been physically operated and maintained by the State. He said that nowhere in India are Headworks of one State run by an external agency adding that in case the control of the headworks is also taken away from Punjab, the state will be facing huge difficulties in controlling floods.

The Chief Minister said that he has also raised the issues to provide financial assistance to carry out flood protection works on the Border Outpost (BOP) of BSF and the Army. He said that the proposal is yet to be approved by the Government of India adding that the Government of India should release the entire funds without putting any conditions as it was in the interest of national security. Meanwhile, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that University has a deep connect with the people of Punjab as after partition it moved from Lahore to Hoshiarpur in Punjab and then to Chandigarh, our capital.

The Chief Minister said that the states of Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, unilaterally, withdrew their colleges from Panjab University in 1973 and 1975 respectively and set up their own Universities and stopped funding Panjab University altogether. He said that it is only Punjab which supported and nurtured this University for the last 50 years but now at this stage they do not understand why Haryana wants to affiliate its colleges with Panjab University, when they are already affiliated for the last 50 years with Kurukshetra University a A+ NAAC accredited university. Bhagwant Singh Mann reiterated the stand of the Punjab Government that there should be no change in the status of Panjab University adding that Panjab University is our University and we will continue to support and fund it in future also.

 The Chief Minister said that bowing before the pressure of students, the Union government has taken back its notification but there is no clarity on it. He also slammed Haryana for trying to make backdoor entry into senate and syndicate adding that this will not be tolerated. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Haryana will not be allowed to succeed in its nefarious designs through such desperate and futile efforts.

On the occasion, Chief Secretary KAP Sinha and others were also present.

Chandigarh, November 18:

Chairman of the Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission, S. Jasvir Singh Garhi, has taken suo-moto notice of a serious incident reported in the media, regarding the alleged refusal to keep the body of a Dalit youth in the mortuary. Taking cognizance of the matter, he has issued strict directions to the Deputy Commissioner, Rupnagar to conduct an immediate inquiry and submit a detailed report.

Chairman S. Jasvir Singh Garhi stated that any form of discrimination, negligence, or inhumane behaviour towards Scheduled Castes will not be tolerated under any circumstances. He emphasised that the Commission’s top priority is to ensure thorough investigation, prompt action, and timely justice for the affected individuals. Accordingly, the concerned officials have been ordered to submit factual and responsibility-based reports within the stipulated timeframe.

The Chairman informed that the SDM and Civil Surgeon of Rupnagar have been instructed to personally appear before the Commission on 19 November and present a complete action-taken report.

In addition, Chairman S. Jasvir Singh Garhi has also sought a detailed status report regarding the ₹25 crore funds announced for the Sri Guru Ravidas Study Centre.

For this purpose, the Deputy Commissioner, Jalandhar, has been directed to present all related records, progress reports, and the action plan through the concerned ADC, who must personally appear before the Commission on 26 November at 11:30 AM.

Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir), November 18:

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and National Convener of AAP Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday joined the Sangat here at Gurudwara Chevin Patshahi in a Kirtan Darbar organised by the state government to mark 350th martyrdom day of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur ji.

Addressing the gathering, National Convener of AAP exhorted the people to follow Guru Ji’s universal message of love, secularism, religious tolerance, freedom of faith and peaceful co-existence. Terming it an occasion to spread the message of Guru Sahib’s supreme sacrifice for the sake of humanity and religious freedom, he said that the life and philosophy of the ninth Guru sahib remains a beacon of inspiration for the world. Arvind Kejriwal further said that the Punjab  Government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann had made elaborate arrangements to commemorate this mega event in a befitting manner.

National Convener of AAP said that Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib made the supreme sacrifice to protect the religious rights of humanity to set an example for the world. He called upon the people to follow the path of righteousness in the true tradition of humanity, as propagated  by Guru Sahib. Arvind Kejriwal said that Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji laid down his life in Delhi to protect human rights and religious freedom a sacrifice unmatched in world history.

National Convener of AAP said that Ninth Sikh Guru was a true symbol of secularism, unity, and universal brotherhood, adding that Guru Sahib’s life and philosophy continue to serve as a beacon of light for all humanity. He said that the core objective of these events is to educate people about the Guru’s philosophy, his life of sacrifice, and the eternal message of peace and humanity that continues to inspire millions across the globe. Arvind Kejriwal said that Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji raised his voice for the protection of religious freedom and was martyred in 1675 at Chandni Chowk, Delhi. 

National Convener of AAP said that Pandits of Kashmir, seeking protection for their faith, had came to Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji for help. He said that despite several offers from the erstwhile rulers, Guru Ji refused to bow before tyranny and chose the path of martyrdom to defend freedom of religion. Arvind Kejriwal said that Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji is remembered across the world as the first martyr who sacrificed his life for the protection of human rights. 

The National Convener of AAP said that the pages of world history are filled with events of austerity, restraint, bravery, sacrifice, and service, yet the sacrifice of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji for religious freedom and human dignity opened a new chapter unparalleled in human history. He said that instead of bowing before the rulers and their  power, Guru ji shook the very roots of tyranny with his unmatched sacrifice. Arvind Kejriwal said that before his martyrdom, Guru ji’s grandfather, Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji had also endured severe torture from rulers, offering his life with the divine acceptance.

Meanwhile, in his address, the Chief Minister said that Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s sacrifice for the protection of faith and righteousness transformed the course of India’s history. He said that on this occasion, homage and deep respect are paid to Pandit Kirpa Ram Ji, who had unwavering faith in the Sikh faith.  Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Pandit Kirpa Ram Ji was a resident of the town of Mattan, located about 65 kilometers from Srinagar and under his leadership Kashmiri Pandits sought refuge with Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji to protect their religion. 

The Chief Minister said that it is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that Kashmiri Pandits will also participate in the Nagar Kirtan being organized from Srinagar, a beautiful reflection of communal harmony and brotherhood. He said that the sacrifices of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur ji was not for personal gain but for the welfare of all and for truth and justice. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that 24 years after Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s martyrdom, in 1699, the Khalsa was born on the sacred land of Sri Anandpur Sahib. 

The Chief Minister said that the tenth Master, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, sacrificed his entire family for the honor of the faith, an unparalleled example in world history. He said that Punjabis have inherited their spirit of resistance against oppression, tyranny and injustice from Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the spirit of sacrifice runs in our blood, and Punjabis

take pride in their glorious heritage.

The Chief Minister said that the objective of commemorating this great occasion is to spread the philosophy of the ninth Guru Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji throughout the world so that ideals of peace, harmony, and secularism for which Guru ji sacrificed himself may be preserved. He said that the nations that forget their glorious heritage fade quickly from the pages of history. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that those who take inspiration from their past and walk in the light of martyrdom can find rays of hope even in darkness.

The Chief Minister said that the ninth Sikh Guru was an advocate of unity and religious tolerance adding that his life and teachings stand as a beacon for all humanity. He said that to commemorate Guru Sahib’s martyrdom day, the Punjab Government has organized series  events both within and outside the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government is committed for perpetuating Guru ji’s life, philosophy, and his sacrifice for religious freedom and human rights.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, chaired the 32nd meeting of the Northern Zonal Council (NZC) held on 17th November 2025 in Faridabad, Haryana. Convened by the Inter-State Council Secretariat, Ministry of Home Affairs, and hosted by the Government of Haryana with its Chief Minister as Vice-Chairperson, the meeting witnessed participation from the Chief Ministers of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Delhi; the Lt. Governor of Delhi and Ladakh; the Administrator of Chandigarh; along with senior ministers and officers from member States, Central Ministries, and the Inter-State Council Secretariat.

Shri Gulab Chand Kataria, Governor of Punjab and Administrator of UT Chandigarh, along with Shri H. Rajesh Prasad, Chief Secretary
UT Chandigarh, attended the meeting.

At the outset, the meeting observed a minute of silence to pay respect to those who lost their lives in the November 10 blast near the Red Fort.

The Council deliberated on key issues of national and regional importance and reviewed the progress of twenty seven priority agenda items, out of which thirteen points pertained to UT Chandigarh. These included the speedy investigation and disposal of cases involving sexual offences against women and children with a focus on strengthening Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs); implementation of the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS-112) to enhance public safety; expansion of rural and postal banking services and compliance with the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. Discussions also covered urban planning, power sector challenges, food safety and malnutrition among girl children, Ayushman Bharat–PMJAY, reduction of school dropout rates, and the Sahkar-Se-Samriddhi initiative, with each issue examined in detail for targeted follow-up and timely resolution.

During the meeting, the Administrator, UT Chandigarh, Sh. Gulab Chand Kataria, highlighted that Chandigarh is emerging as a model of good governance with significant strides across key sectors. He noted that Chandigarh is the first Union Territory to fully implement the three new criminal laws, achieving an exemplary 91% conviction rate under the reformed system. In the power sector, the UT has successfully completed the privatization of its electricity distribution network, ensuring greater efficiency and transparency.

The Administrator also underscored that Chandigarh has been declared the Best Performer under the PracheSHTA-1 category by the Ministry of Education. He further mentioned the Administration’s strong focus on sports promotion, with honorariums of up to ₹6 crore for medal-winning athletes and dedicated support for differently-abled sportspersons, reflecting UT Chandigarh’s commitment to inclusivity, excellence, and holistic development. He also shared that the forest cover of UT Chandigarh has increased from 47% to 51.4%.

Reaffirming the vision of TEAM BHARAT articulated by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Council highlighted the pivotal role of Zonal Councils in reinforcing cooperative federalism by offering a structured platform for dialogue, coordination, and consensus-building on inter-state and Centre–State matters.

The meeting fostered coordination between the Centre, States, and Union Territories to assess progress, identify bottlenecks, and outline time-bound action plans with emphasis on inter-ministerial convergence and strengthened monitoring mechanisms.

Shri Mandeep Singh Brar, Home Secretary; Shri Sagar Preet Hooda, DGP Chandigarh; and Shri Amit Kumar, Additional Secretary (Home) were also present during the meeting.

Panchkula, 17 November 2025: Fulfilling its social responsibility, the Purushottam Das Rungta Charitable Trust organized its 189th community Kitchen or ‘ann bhandara’ with a spirit of service at Industrial Area, Phase-1, Panchkula. During the camp, food was distributed with devotion to the needy and to passersby.

Amitabh Rungta, the founder of the Trust and a noted social worker, said that organizing such community kitchens or ‘ann bhandaras’ is not only religiously significant but also socially important. He stated that those who lead public service with a selfless spirit are always viewed with respect by society. Their goodwill spreads to such an extent that not only the needy but many others also wish to stay connected with them.

He further said that service initiatives like community Kitchen inspire various sections of society, encouraging people to contribute to public service in their own ways and establish a positive identity in the community. According to Amitabh Rungta, such initiatives strengthen the spirit of service, cooperation, and humanity in society.

Anupama Rungta, Chaitanya Rungta,  Sukhpal Singh, Suresh Jangra, and Nidhi Sandhu were prominently present at the event. All of them, along with the Trust members, actively participated in the service activities and distributed food with devotion.

Chandigarh, November 17 – Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Sh Amit Shah today chaired the 32nd meeting of the Northern Zonal Council (NZC) in Faridabad, Haryana. The meeting was attended by Haryana Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini, Punjab Chief Minister Sh Bhagwant Mann, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sh Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Rajasthan Chief Minister Sh Bhajan Lal Sharma, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Sh Omar Abdullah, Delhi Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta, Administrator of the Union Territory of Chandigarh Sh Gulab Chand Kataria, Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Sh Manoj Sinha, Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Sh Vinai Kumar Saxena, and Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Sh Kavinder Gupta, along with senior ministers from these states and union territories.

Union Home Secretary, Secretary of the Inter-State Council Secretariat, Chief Secretaries/Advisors of the member states, and senior officers from state governments as well as various central ministries and departments were also present during the meeting.

At the beginning of the meeting, tributes were paid and two minutes of silence observed in memory of those who lost their lives in the recent car bomb blast in Delhi and the explosion at Nowgam Police Station in Jammu and Kashmir. The Union Home Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi, eliminating terrorism from its roots is our collective commitment. He said that in line with the track record of the Modi government so far, the culprits of the Delhi bomb blast will be traced even from the netherworld, brought before the country’s judicial system, and given the strictest possible punishment.

Sh Amit Shah said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision is that strong states create a strong nation, and Zonal Councils play a very important role in translating this into reality on the ground. Zonal Councils are extremely important for dialogue, cooperation, coordination, and ‘policy synergy’. Many types of problems have been resolved through these councils. He said that even now there are several issues such as delays in ensuring speedy justice in crimes against women and children, malnutrition, and stunting that the country needs to be freed from. Emphasising speedy investigation in cases of sexual offences and rape under the POCSO Act against women and children, Sh Shah said that no civilised society can accept such heinous crimes. He said that the safety of women and children is our top priority, for this the number of Fast Track Special Courts (FTSC) should be increased.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that the sectors of cooperation, agriculture and fisheries can become important means of eradicating poverty and providing employment. He said that poverty is being eradicated and employment is increasing through cooperation, agriculture, and fisheries. Referring to Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi’s mantra of “Sahkar Se Samriddhi” (Prosperity through Cooperation), Sh Shah said that the cooperative sector holds immense potential for employment. He said that only through growth in employment — especially self-employment — along with Gross Domestic Product can we realise the dream of a Developed India. He said that GDP alone is not an indicator of a country’s prosperity; true prosperity is achieved only when every individual rises above the poverty line. He said that the Government of India’s Ministry of Cooperation has initiated 57 measures across the country to strengthen the cooperative sector. These include computerisation of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), establishment of three new national-level cooperative societies, and the setting up of Tribhuvan Sahkari University.

Sh Amit Shah said that the original spirit and role of Zonal Councils is advisory, but in the last decade they have been accepted as action-oriented platforms and have delivered results. He said that with follow-up, we have not only accepted issues between states, between regions and states, and between the Centre and state governments, but also created concrete pathways for their resolution. Sh Shah said that our goal is clear — Regional Strength along with National Progress and India’s Global Leadership in every field, which will lead us towards the creation of a Great India. The Home Minister said that all states should work in mutual coordination to resolve water resource management and water-related problems.

Union Home Minister said that compared to 2004–2014, the number of Zonal Council meetings from 2014 to 2025 has increased by about two-and-a-half times, and we have made these meetings meaningful. He said that between 2004 and 2014 there were a total of 25 meetings of Zonal Councils and Standing Committees, whereas from 2014 to 2025 till now, 64 meetings have been held. He said that more than doubling the number of meetings reflects Prime Minister Modi’s concept of TEAM Bharat. In these meetings, 1600 issues were discussed and 1303 issues (81.43%) were resolved. This has been possible due to the cooperation of all state governments, union territories, and central ministries and departments, with the Inter-State Council Secretariat playing an active role.

Sh Amit Shah said that this year marks the 150th anniversary of the creation of Vande Mataram. At one time, Bankim Chandra Chatterjee’s great composition Vande Mataram became the clarion call for our country’s freedom. Today, the Government of India and all states are working together to once again make it the clarion call for building a Great India. He said that this is an effort to instil the values of patriotism in India’s younger generation. Sh Shah appealed to all states and union territories to rekindle the spirit of patriotism among the country’s youth through the Vande Mataram song.

Referring to the implementation of the three new criminal laws, the Union Home Minister said that their enforcement has yielded very positive results. Under the new laws, the conviction rate has increased by approximately 25 to 40 percent and culprits are receiving timely punishment. He said that state governments need to make further efforts for effective implementation of these laws. At the same time, the Home Minister requested all state governments to upgrade technology from investigation and forensic analysis to online linking of courts.

Sh Amit Shah appreciated Rajasthan’s contribution to the campaign to promote millets and said that all states should increase the production and consumption of millets. He appealed to state governments to include millets in the scheme of providing 5 kg of free food grains to the poor every month. Sh Shah said that this will increase millet production, the new generation will develop the habit of eating millets, and people’s health will also improve.

In today’s meeting, along with issues of the member states, several extremely important national issues were also discussed, which included the implementation of Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) for speedy investigation and prompt disposal of rape cases against women and children, availability of brick-and-mortar banking within the designated radius of every village, issues related to water sharing, environment, higher education, etc., the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS-112), and other matters of common interest at the regional level.

In addition, six issues of national importance were included in the agenda, which are — urban master planning, power supply system, strengthening of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACSs), eliminating malnutrition in children through the ‘Poshan Abhiyan’, reducing school dropout rates, and participation of public hospitals in the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana.

Union Home Minister said that the energetic land of Surajkund is not only historic but also a living testimony to rich cultural and artistic heritage and economic consciousness. The land of Surajkund and the example of Lord Suryanarayan’s Bhagirath-like efforts inspire us. It was here that Lord Krishna himself first uttered the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita with his divine mouth, and evidence of the ancient civilisation of the Indus Valley has also been found here. Sh Shah said that Haryana and Punjab are the land of the great Sikh Gurus, who not only contributed to strengthening the country’s spiritual consciousness but also made immense sacrifices for the country’s honour and freedom. Today our country is moving forward on the basis of its original traditions, but had Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji not been there, the country would not be moving on the basis of its original traditions today. He said that the great sacrifice of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and the sacrifice of the Tenth Guru gave the country great strength and showed the path of struggle.

Report Sought from Senior Superintendent of Police, Tarn Taran by November 26

Chandigarh, November 17:

The Punjab State Commission for Scheduled Castes has taken serious note of the misuse of the sacred images of Bhai Jeevan Singh (Bhai Jaita Ji) and Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib during the Tarn Taran Assembly by-election campaign. In this regard, the Commission has directed the Senior Superintendent of Police, Tarn Taran to appear through the concerned police captain on November 26, 2025, and present a factual action-taken report.

Sharing this information, the Chairman of the Punjab State Commission for Scheduled Castes, Jasvir Singh Garhi, stated that the matter came to the Commission’s notice through social media and newspaper reports. Following this, a notice had been issued by the Commission to Shri Pratap Singh Bajwa.

Chairman Garhi informed that the Returning Officer-cum-SDM, Tarn Taran, has already appeared before the Commission regarding this case. A notice for personal appearance was also issued to senior Congress leader Shri Pratap Singh Bajwa, who through his counsel sought time to appear after November 17. The Election Commission has issued a censure letter to the Congress party and its candidate, acknowledging that the use of religious images in this context constitutes a violation of the Model Code of Conduct.

Chandigarh, November 17:

As part of the series of events being organised by the Punjab Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to commemorate the 350th Martyrdom Anniversary of the Ninth Guru, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, Light & Sound shows were held on Monday at Tarn Taran, Moga, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar and Bathinda. A large number of devotees attended these events, which were attended by the Speaker of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Cabinet Ministers, MLAs and local leaders.

A spokesperson informed that at the Police Stadium in Tarn Taran, Jail and Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar and Khemkaran MLA Sarvan Singh Dhun were present during the show. Similarly, at the New Grain Market in Moga, Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan, Moga MLA Dr. Amandeep Kaur Arora, Baghapurana MLA Amritpal Singh Sukhanand, Nihal Singh Wala MLA Manjit Singh Bilaspur and Dharamkot MLA Davinderjit Singh Laddi Dhose attended the programme dedicated to the supreme sacrifice of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji.

At the ITI Ground in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Finance, Planning, Excise and Taxation Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema participated in the event along with the sangat. Meanwhile, at the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Stadium in Bathinda, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian, Bathinda Urban MLA Jagroop Singh Gill and Bhucho Mandi MLA Master Jagsir Singh joined the gathering.

Devotees who attended these Light & Sound shows appreciated the initiative of the Punjab Government. Using modern laser lights and 3D projection technology, the shows highlighted the entire life journey, philosophy, teachings and the unparalleled sacrifice made by Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji for the protection of religion and human values.

It is noteworthy that the final phase of the Light & Sound shows will be held on November 20 at Sri Anandpur Sahib, Malerkotla and Mansa.

Faridabad (Haryana), November 17:

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann vehemently reiterated claim over Chandigarh, Panjab University, river waters besides advocating genuine federal structure in the country before the Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the 32ndmeeting of the Northern Zonal Council held here Monday.

Flagging the issues, the Chief Minister said that the Indian Constitution clearly demarcated areas in which the Union and the States have to function to exercise their respective authority. He said that Federalism remains one of the basic pillars of our Constitution but unfortunately, there has been a trend towards centralization of authority during the past 75 years. Bhagwant Singh Mann underlined that the state governments, being at the cutting edge, are in a much better position to understand, address and solve the problems of their people.

Vehemently pleading for handing over Chandigarh to the state of Punjab, the Chief Minister said that after the reorganization of the state Indira Gandhi Agreement of 1970 explicitly stated that “the capital project area of Chandigarh will, as a whole, go to Punjab, which was a clear commitment from the Central Government. He said that the Rajiv-Longowal Accord, signed on July 24th, 1985, between the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and Sant Harchand Singh Longowal, explicitly reaffirmed that Chandigarh will be transferred to Punjab. However, Bhagwant Singh Mann bemoaned that despite all promises Chandigarh was not transferred to Punjab which has bruised the psyche of every Punjabi.

Raising the issue of maintaining the status quo of the 60:40 ratio in the intake of service personnel from Punjab and Haryana in the functioning of the UT of Chandigarh, the Chief Minister said that it is the need of the hour. He said that it is a matter of grave concern that officers of the IAS and the PCS have been excluded from key positions in the Chandigarh administration. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that posts in departments such as Excise, Education, Finance, and Health are being opened to cadres like the state UT cadre (DANICS), thereby adversely affecting the role of the state of Punjab in the effective functioning of the UT administration.

The Chief Minister said that another linked issue is the posting of Punjab Cadre officers to the post of General Manager FCI (Punjab). He said that considering the consistently highest contribution of the state of Punjab towards the Central pool, the established trend of posting of an IAS officer from Punjab Cadre to the Regional Office of the FCI should not be disturbed by the Government of India. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the post of MD CITCO has been held by an IAS officer of Punjab cadre in the past however, UT state service officers are being posted to this position, which is against the convention laid down in the administration of the UT of Chandigarh based on a 60:40 ratio for intake of personnel from Punjab and Haryana.

In the wake of the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty, the Chief Minister said that there is a great opportunity for the resolution of water-related issues concerning the states being represented here. He said that there is a possibility of linking the Chenab river to the rivers Ravi and Beas, over which we already have dams regulating the water flow downstream. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that in linking river Chenab with rivers Ravi and Beas, the surplus water inflow could be utilized gainfully by the downstream states, including Punjab, for both power generation and irrigation purposes adding that the extra water will also help the State of Punjab to meet its shortfall of water, particularly in the Border areas.

Raising the issue of Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), the Chief Minister forcefully opposed the proposal to appoint a whole-time Member in BBMB from Rajasthan as the board is a body constituted under the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, which concerns only the successor states of Punjab and Haryana. He said that Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh are already represented as ex-officio members, and creating additional whole-time posts will only increase expenditure most of which is borne by Punjab without serving any useful purpose. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Punjab has already submitted a panel for appointment of Members and the Government of India should continue with the original arrangement of one Member each from Punjab and Haryana.

The Chief Minister also strongly opposed any proposal to raise the Full Reservoir Levels (FRLs) of Bhakra and Pong dams. After the catastrophic 1988 floods, he said that the FRLs were reduced in the interest of protecting lives and property in Punjab, the only state affected by these floodwaters. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the severe floods of years 2019, 2023 and 2025 have reconfirmed that present FRLs must be maintained.

The Chief Minister said that Punjab suffered massive losses of nearly Rs.13,500 crore last year while Rajasthan faced no impact and has itself stated that it cannot take any additional water during floods. He said that with increasing siltation and signs of structural stress, raising the FRLs will compel emergency releases, endangering downstream habitations in Punjab. Thus, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the correct solution is therefore desiltation, not elevation of FRLs, and Punjab urges that BBMB be directed to maintain the current levels as the state has been suffering huge losses due to floods during the last so many years. It is therefore imperative that the partner states also share the loss in the same ratio as they share the water during the lean seasons, he added.

Reiterating that the state has no surplus water to spare through SYL, the Chief Minister said that there has been no scientific calculation regarding the availability of water even in the year 1976, 1981 when the ratio of waters to be shared among the states was decided by the Government of India unilaterally. He said that Punjab has been disputing the availability of water at 17.17 MAF since 1981 itself particularly when all international water agreements mention that the water availability needs to be assessed every 25 years. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the water availability in 1981 itself was taken on the basis of the flow series 1921-1960 i.e. already more than 20 years had passed.

The Chief Minister said that the availability of Ravi–Beas waters has significantly declined, 75% of Punjab’s blocks are over-exploited, and the matter is under adjudication before the Ravi–Beas Tribunal. He said that all proceedings on SYL should therefore be kept in abeyance until the Tribunal gives its final award adding that Punjab has already conveyed that future discussions may be possible only after a fresh, scientific reassessment of water availability and only after Punjab’s essential requirements are fully secured. In wake of suspension of the Indus Water Treaty, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it is high time that the Government of India should explore the diversion of water of all western rivers to India in view of the suspension of this Treaty.

The Chief Minister said that until this exercise is carried out, any decision regarding the distribution of Ravi Beas waters should be kept on hold as Punjab cannot agree to any step that threatens its agriculture, groundwater security, and long-term sustainability. Bhagwant Singh Mann also opposed the proposal to transfer control of the Ropar, Harike and Ferozepur Headworks to BBMB as these Headworks are located entirely within Punjab and have always been physically operated and maintained by the State. He said that nowhere in India are Headworks of one State run by an external agency and even Haryana itself maintains HathniKund on the Yamuna.

The Chief Minister said that Punjab is always at the mercy of BBMB and its bureaucratic controls adding that in case the control of the headworks is also taken away from Punjab, Punjab will be facing huge difficulties in controlling floods. On the allocation of Yamuna waters, he said that if Haryana is the successor to the Ravi-Beas water so is Punjab to Yamuna waters adding that while the state shares Ravi–Beas waters with Haryana, Punjab was excluded from the 1994 MoU on Yamuna waters without any justification. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the 1954 Agreement between undivided Punjab and Uttar Pradesh entitled Punjab to two-thirds of Yamuna waters,and the1972 Irrigation Commission recognized Punjab as part of the Yamuna basin.

The Chief Minister said that serious efforts need to be made by the Center and the respective States to stop any flood waters going to Bay of Bengal through Yamuna. With the MoU due for review after 2025, he demanded that Punjab’s claim should be duly considered to ensure fairness and parity. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Punjab has already requested the Union Government to include it as a beneficiary in the Yamuna and Sharda–Yamuna Link projects also, but our request has not been considered so far.

Raising the issues to provide financial assistance to carry out flood protection works on the Border Outpost (BOP) of BSF and the Army, the Chief Minister said that the proposal is yet to be approved by the Government of India. He urged the Government of India to release the entire funds without putting any conditions as it was in the interest of national security. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Harike barrage was constructed in the year 1950 to divert water into the Rajasthan Feeder serving the areas of Rajasthan.

The Chief Minister said that due to absence of desilting it causes floods in the upstream areas right up to district Kapurthala and Jalandhar. He urged the Union government to assist the State Government both financially as well as in granting the environmental clearances. Raising the issue of havoc caused by river Ghaggar, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that in a stretch of about 17 km in district Sangrur from Makror Sahib to Karail where the width of the river is too small to carry the waters.

The Chief Minister said that the state government has been raising this issue since long and have even acquired land in the nearby areas. However, he said that due to the objections raised by Haryana, the cross section has not been widened. Bhagwant Singh Mann urged the Government of India to persuade Haryana to agree to this request.

On the issue of Panjab University, the Chief Minister said that the university has a deep connection with the people of Punjab adding that it is only Punjab which has been supporting and nurturing this University for the last 50 years. Now at this stage, he said that we do not understand why Haryana wants to affiliate it’s colleges with Panjab University, when they have already been affiliated for the last 50 years with Kurukshetra University, an A+ NAAC accredited university. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he fails to understand What Has changed for Haryana to now seek this affiliation having ignored Panjab University for the last 50 years.

The Chief Minister said that as far as funding of Panjab University is concerned, Punjab has always financially supported this University and is committed to doing this in the future also, as per a mutually consultative process. He said that the Centre’s recent attempts to restructure the university’s governance have been seen as interference in Punjab’s rights and to its state identity and autonomy. Bhagwant Singh Mann cautioned that Panjab University is not just an academic institution but forms an integral part of Punjabi identity adding he urged for the restoration of democratic processes, including the announcement of elections for the original 91-member Senate.

Flagging another important issue regarding the smuggling of weapons from within the country, the Chief Minister said that they are posing a grave threat to law and order in the state. He said that it is unfortunate that the number of weapons smuggled from within the country (especially from states like Madhya Pradesh) is much more than that smuggled from across the border. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this needs to be checked with a heavy hand in the larger interest of national security.

Raising the legitimate concerns of the state, the Chief Minister reiterated that the success of a federal set-up lies in the equitable prosperity of its states which are not merely constituents but partners in progress. He said that Water, the elixir of life, has been the driver of growth in Punjab as an agriculture-oriented state for decades and it still is. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that protection of our waters is tantamount to protection of the people of Punjab, a Diaspora which has been contributing to progress across the states of our nation and also and most importantly, in protecting our vulnerable borders.

The Chief Minister said that the Punjab government has taken path breaking initiatives for the welfare of its people during the last more than three years adding that Punjab has become the first state in India to guarantee every family free electricity, free healthcare, free education, and free bus travel for women. He said that despite announcing a deadline of 45 days, the state government has disbursed flood compensation worth Rs 20,000 per acre, the highest in the country, to the farmers within 30days after the assessment through Special Girdawari. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that though the natural calamity had severely disrupted life across many districts of Punjab but with the grace of our Guru Sahibs, the state has succeeded in overcoming this disaster.

The Chief Minister said that Mukhyamantri Sehat Yojana is being launched to provide insurance to cover free medical treatment of upto Rs 10 lakh per family to every person adding that nearly three crore residents of the state will be benefited from it. He said that 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics are functioning in the state to provide free quality treatment to people adding that 200 more will be opened soon. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that under the Sehatmand Punjab initiative, the CM Yogshala campaign has been launched to promote fitness and well-being.

The Chief Minister said that government schools in the state are being upgraded into Schools of Eminence and due to concerted efforts of the state government, Punjab has secured the top position nationwide in the National Assessment Survey conducted by the Government of India, surpassing Kerala, for the first time in education outcomes. He said that from government schools, 848 students have qualified NEET, 265 cleared JEE Mains, and 45 cleared JEE Advanced. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Principals and teachers are being sent to Singapore, Finland, and Ahmedabad for professional training.

The Chief Minister said that the Roshan Punjab Project has been launched to eliminate power cuts,with an investment of Rs 5,000 crore in infrastructure. He said that since July 2022, 90% of households have received free electricity, leading to zero bills and an annual saving of nearly Rs 35,000 per family. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government has created history by acquiring the Goindwal Power Plant from GVK Power, renaming it after Sri Guru Amardas Ji.

The Chief Minister profusely thanked the Ministry of Home Affairs for convening this meeting to resolve the issues concerning Punjab and neighboring states through inter-state consultations. He said that it is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction for us that the state government is organizing a series of events to commemorate the 350th martyrdom year of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur ji –the Ninth Sikh Guru. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state Government has already chalked a number of events to commemorate this once in a lifetime event across the state in a befitting manner.

The Chief Minister said that these series of events are being organized with deep reverence and respect across the state and these historic events will primarily take place on the sacred land of Sri Anandpur Sahib under the auspices of the state government. He said that the underlying message of the series of events is to encourage the people to follow the high ideals of secularism, humanism and the spirit of sacrifice as preached and practiced by Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, who had laid down his life to protect the right of freedom to worship and to preserve human rights along with secular values. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the supreme sacrifice of Sri Guru Tegh BahadurJi was unique and unparalleled in the history of mankind and symbolized the crusade against injustice, tyranny and oppression.

The Chief Minister bemoaned that a few months back, the state had witnessed the worst natural catastrophe in the form of floods. He said that the floods submerged over 2,300 villages, affected more than 2 million people, and destroyed crops across five lakh acres of land. Tragically, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that around 60 lives were lost, and seven lakh people were rendered homeless and 3,200 government schools were damaged, 19 colleges were reduced to rubble, 1,400 clinics and hospitals were ruined, 8,500 kilometers of roads were destroyed, and 2,500 bridges collapsed.

The Chief Minister said that as per estimates, the total damage amounts to approximately Rs 13,800 crore, but with their indomitable spirit of Chardi Kala, the Punjabis have started the rebuilding exercise in the state. He said that it is a matter of immense pride for us that irrespective of the flood fury, Punjab is contributing more than 150 LMT of paddy to the national pool. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that besides being the nation’s food bowl, Punjab also has a distinction of being the sword arm of the country and its people are well known all over the world for their courage, resilience and spirit of enterprise.

Revisiting the purpose of setting up the Zonal Councils under the provisions of the State Reorganization Act, 1956, the Chief Minister said that this is an excellent platform to raise the level of interstate cooperation for our economic development. He said that it is in the interest of states to sit together and explore the best possibilities of socio-economic development in the region, which is otherwise geographically disadvantaged, being landlocked and with hostile borders. Batting for a genuine federal structure in the country, with more financial and political power to the States, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it’s need has been felt across the entire spectrum of political opinion.

The Chief Minister said that there is a wide consensus, cutting across party lines, that the State governments need to be given much greater operational freedom in choosing and financing their development priorities. He said that the northern states share common historical and cultural ties and the Government of Punjab is fully committed to mutual cooperation and good relations with all these States. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Northern Zonal Council is a useful platform which is instrumental in mutual resolution of the long-standing issues between the Centre and States and amongst the States through open discussions and consultations.