CHANDIGARH; 13th September 2026:

Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday attended the closing ceremony of the inaugural Sher-e-Punjab T20 League at the IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali, describing the tournament as a powerful platform to identify, nurture and propel Punjab’s emerging cricketing talent towards the national stage. With 119 players showcasing their skills and Naman Dhir and Prabhsimran Singh earning selection to India A, the Chief Minister said the Punjab Government is committed to making the state the sports hub of the country and will continue its efforts to revive the sporting culture and connect the youth with sports grounds.

Sharing a few snippets from the occasion, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated on X: “Attended the final match and closing ceremony of the ‘Sher-e-Punjab T20 League’ at the IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali today. Starting on August 30, the tournament has provided an excellent platform for young cricketers from Punjab to showcase their talent. Heartiest congratulations to all participating teams, including finalists Ludhiana Lions and Amritsar Surmaaz, for their outstanding performances and fighting spirit. Our efforts to revive the sporting culture in Punjab and connect our youth with the sports grounds will continue unabated. Inquilab Zindabad.”

Interacting with players at the conclusion of the Sher-e-Punjab T20 Cricket League, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The Sher-e-Punjab T20 League has been organised for the first time by the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA). This prestigious tournament has provided a platform to emerging cricketers of Punjab, and this sporting extravaganza has concluded today.”

Congratulating the organisers of the Punjab Cricket Association for successfully conducting the league, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “I congratulate the Punjab Cricket Association for the successful conduct of this league and extend my best wishes to all the participating teams and all the other teams for the upcoming season.”

The Chief Minister stated, “During this two-week-long league, several promising young cricketers from the villages and towns of Punjab came into the limelight. Many of these talented players are likely to go on to represent Punjab and India in the years to come.”

Congratulating all the players for participating in their own state league with great enthusiasm, commitment and determination, the Chief Minister said, “As many as 119 players from Punjab showcased their talent and skills during this league.”

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “At present, the captains of both the Indian men’s and women’s cricket teams, Shubman Gill and Harmanpreet Kaur respectively, hail from Punjab.”

The Chief Minister said, “As many as 21 players from Punjab are currently playing in the IPL. During the Sher-e-Punjab T20 League, talent scouts and selectors from various IPL teams also attended the matches. Following this league, we are hopeful that several more talented cricketers from Punjab will earn opportunities to play for different IPL teams.”

Highlighting the early results emerging from the league, he said, “The performances showcased during this league have already begun yielding results. Naman Dhir and Prabhsimran Singh from Punjab have been selected for the India A team. This demonstrates how such platforms can provide a pathway for emerging players to progress to the national level.”

The Chief Minister said, “I am particularly delighted to share that the Player of the Tournament will be honoured with the Yuvraj Singh Award.”

Describing the significance of the league, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The Sher-e-Punjab T20 League is not merely a cricket tournament. It is an important initiative to identify, nurture and promote the immense cricketing talent present across the villages, towns and cities of Punjab.”

He expressed hope that “the young cricketers who have showcased their talent here will go on to bring greater glory to Punjab and the country in the future.”

^Amritsar Surmaaz, Ludhiana Lions Clash In Sher-e-Punjab T20 League Final*

The final match is being played today between Amritsar Surmaaz and Ludhiana Lions. CM Bhagwant Singh Mann also met the players competing in the final.

Six teams participated in the league, with Fazilka Falcons led by Shubman Gill, Ludhiana Lions led by Arshdeep Singh, Amritsar Surmaaz led by Abhishek Sharma, Jalandhar Warriors led by Prabhsimran Singh, Mohali Kings led by Ramandeep Singh and Bathinda Royals led by Gurnoor Brar.

These six teams participated in the league, featuring some of Punjab’s leading cricketing stars. Besides them, cricketers including Anmolpreet Singh, Naman Dhir, Vihaan Malhotra, Imanjot Singh Chahal, Ashwani Kumar, Krish Bhagat, Sahil Bhaskar and Rahul Kumar also participated in the league.

Lok Sabha MP Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer and others were also present on the occasion.

Chandigarh, September 12 – Haryana Industries and Commerce Minister, Sh. Rao Narbir Singh, on Saturday, chaired an important review meeting with Municipal Corporation Gurugram (MCG) officers at the Public Works Department Rest House in Gurugram. During the meeting, he took detailed stock of ongoing, completed and upcoming development works in the Municipal Corporation area. The Minister directed officials to accelerate development works while ensuring quality execution within the stipulated timelines.

Officers apprised the Cabinet Minister that a large number of works related to roads, sewerage, drainage, water supply and other infrastructure are underway in various wards of the Municipal Corporation. The total value of ongoing works from Ward No. 1 to Ward No. 18 is Rs. 366.40 crore.

*Special Attention to Levelling During Road Construction*

Industries and Commerce Minister,  Rao Narbir Singh, directed officers to pay special attention to road levels during construction so that rainwater does not accumulate on roads. He said that the road level should be in accordance with the surrounding area and the drainage system.

He also directed that sewer manhole covers be kept level with the road surface so that uneven manholes do not inconvenience citizens and the drainage system is not affected.

*Focus on Drainage Projects to Prevent Waterlogging*

In the meeting, a review was also done regarding various works underway to strengthen the city’s drainage system. According to the engineering report, an RCC stormwater drain from Euro School to the GMDA Bus Stand and from Basai Road to Alpine School and Krishna Nagar in Ward No. 9 is being constructed at a cost of Rs. 4.22 crore, with December 16, 2026, as the stipulated completion date.

In the same ward, cleaning and desilting of the stormwater drain from Umang Bhardwaj Chowk to Gadoli culvert, along with conversion of the pipe drain from the HP pump to Gadoli culvert into a box drain, is underway at a cost of Rs. 1.69 crore. The work is scheduled for completion by November 30, 2026.

In Ward No. 16, work is also underway to connect the internal stormwater drains of the Uppal Southend area with the master drain, install a motor in the low-lying area and construct an RCC box-type stormwater drain from Vega School to the GMDA master drain. The project is being executed at a cost of Rs. 1.80 crore.

Similarly, a stormwater drain for Sector 9 in Ward No. 8 is being constructed at a cost of Rs. 7.41 crore, while stormwater disposal work in Sector 9A is underway at a cost of Rs. 5.16 crore. Both works are scheduled for completion by November 10, 2026.

In addition, a 900-mm diameter RCC stormwater drain from Rezang La Road to Vyapar Kendra Market and further up to the Bajghera Railway Flyover in Ward No. 4 is being constructed at a cost of Rs. 1.03 crore. Another 900-mm diameter stormwater drain from Sector 23 to the H-Block Water Booster is under construction at a cost of Rs. 1.02 crore.

*Focus on Road Construction and Model Road Projects*

Road construction and reconstruction works were also reviewed during the meeting. In Ward No. 15, work on an RCC model road, footpath and stormwater drainage from Baani Square Market to the Ward Councillor’s office at F-Block Market, South City-2, is underway at a cost of Rs. 1.83 crore and is scheduled for completion by September 25, 2026.

In the same ward, reconstruction of the model road from A-Block, South City-2, to the Nirvana Country main road is underway at a cost of Rs. 4.56 crore. Reconstruction of the Nirvana Country main road from Aspire Road to Baani Square Road is also in progress at a cost of about Rs. 5 crore. The stipulated completion timelines for these works are January and February 2027, respectively.

*Sewerage and Water Supply Infrastructure in Villages to be Strengthened*

Sewerage and water supply works in rural areas are also being expedited. Work to provide a sewerage system in the newly extended area of Dhankot is underway at a cost of more than Rs. 8 crore.

In Palra village, work on an underground tank, pump chamber, clear-water rising main and distribution water supply pipeline system is underway at a cost of Rs. 1.97 crore and is scheduled for completion by October 30, 2026. Sewer line and road restoration work in Palra is also underway at a cost of more than Rs. 1.32 crore. Residents have been asked to obtain sewer connections before road construction begins.

*2 MLD STP Under Construction at Begumpur Khatola*

As part of efforts to strengthen the sewerage system, construction of a 2 MLD capacity STP at Begumpur Khatola village in Ward No. 17 is also an important project. The project is being executed at a cost of Rs. 6.94 crore, with a target to begin the trial run by December 31, 2026.

*Several Important Projects Completed*

Officers also apprised the Minister of the development works that have been completed. These include construction of an RMC road connecting Khandsa with Mohammadpur Jharsa and the JBM company in Ward No. 9 at a cost of Rs. 1.74 crore.

Similarly, stormwater pipe drain work in Malibu Town, Ward No. 11, has been completed at a cost of Rs. 66.60 lakh. In Ward No. 14, construction of 18-metre RMC roads in Sector 46 has been completed at a cost of Rs. 4.83 crore, while road construction in Mayfield Garden has been completed at a cost of Rs. 2.13 crore.

*Directions to Shift RMC Plants Outside Municipal Limits*

Industries and Commerce Minister,  Rao Narbir Singh, also directed officers to take necessary action to shift RMC plants operating within the Municipal Corporation limits outside the municipal area. Issues relating to the quality of road construction and damage to road surfaces caused by the movement of heavy vehicles were also discussed.

Regarding the RMC road from Noorpur Mor to Aklimpur village, officials informed the meeting that regular movement of vehicles to and from the RMC plant, as well as spillage of RMC material on the road, is affecting the road surface. The Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) has been requested to take action in the matter.

*Encroachments on Dhankot Main Road to be Removed Before Construction*

Rao Narbir Singh also issued specific directions regarding the Dhankot main road. He said that encroachments in the area should be removed before road construction begins so that the road can be constructed according to the prescribed design and width and no obstruction arises in the future.

*Availability of Land for Development Works Discussed*

Information regarding the availability of land required for future public amenities and infrastructure was also presented during the meeting. The report indicated the requirement of land in various wards for community centres, STPs, boosting stations, dispensaries, sports complexes, cremation grounds and other public amenities.

*No Compromise on Timelines and Quality*

Industries and Commerce Minister,  Rao Narbir Singh, directed officials that merely commencing development works is not enough and that equal attention must be paid to their quality, utility and timely completion.

He particularly emphasised coordination in the execution of road and drainage projects so that roads do not have to be dug up again for another work after one project has been completed.

Commissioner, Municipal Corporation Gurugram, Sh. Pradeep Dahiya, Additional Municipal Commissioners, Sh. Yash Jaluka, Sh. Ravindra Yadav, Dr. Jaiveer Yadav and Sh. Kushal Kataria, Joint Commissioners, Dr Naresh Kumar, Dr Preetpal Singh, Sh. Ravindra Malik, Smt. Sapna Yadav and Dr Ashish Singla, Chief Engineer, Sh. Vijay Dhaka and other officers were present at the meeting.

Panchkula: The Purushottam Das Rungta Charitable Trust organised its 232nd Community Kitchen (Ann Bhandara) in Panchkula’s Industrial Area Phase 1, providing freshly prepared meals to needy and underprivileged people.

Speaking on the sidelines of the bhandara, Amitabh Rungta, Founder, Purushottam Das Rungta Charitable Trust and Social Worker, said community kitchens could play an important role in addressing hunger while promoting responsible use of food.

“Food is a basic necessity, and no one should have to go hungry when food is available in society. Regular community kitchens can ensure that wholesome meals reach those who need them while also encouraging people to value food and avoid unnecessary wastage,” Rungta said.

He added that food grains represented the hard work of farmers and the use of valuable resources such as water, land and energy. “We must learn to save food, avoid wastage and share surplus responsibly. Feeding someone in need is not only an act of charity but also a meaningful way of respecting the food we have,” he said.

Rungta said the Trust would continue organising Ann Bhandaras and community kitchens at regular intervals and encouraged individuals and organisations to adopt the principle of “save food, share food and do not waste food” in their daily lives.

CHANDIGARH, September 12:

         In a major breakthrough against transnational organised crime amidst the ongoing campaign ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’ launched on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab Police’s Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) and Overseas Fugitive Tracking and Extradition Cell (OFTEC), with the assistance of Central Agencies has secured the extradition of fugitive criminal Amritpal Singh alias Amrit Dalam, a key operative of the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria Gang, from the Republic of Moldova, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Saturday.

         The accused is wanted in multiple cases of murders, attempt to murder, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), Arms Act, Narcotic offences, etc.

         Pertinently, accused Amrit Dalam was detained by Moldovan authorities on February 24, 2026, while he was attempting to cross the Otaci state border towards Ukraine, following which, the extradition process against him was initiated through OFTEC Punjab. During these proceedings, the ‘Court of Chisinau’ granted the extradition of Amritpal Singh to the India on May 26, 2026. His appeal against the extradition order was also rejected by the ‘Court of Appeal Centru’ on July 16, 2026, thereby making the extradition order final.

         DGP Gaurav Yadav said following the extradition of the accused, a four member team of Punjab Police was sent to Moldova to bring him back to India. The team, led by SP AGTF Bikramjit Singh Brar, comprised Inspector Pushvinder Singh, SI Jaspreet Singh and ASI Varinder Kumar as members.

         Accused Amrit Dalam was taken into custody by the team of Punjab Police from Chisinau Airport, Moldova on Friday, and arrived at IGI Airport in New Delhi on Saturday morning, he said, while adding that the accused is being brought back to face the law in Punjab.

         “This is the first-ever extradition secured by Punjab Police from a European country, marking a significant milestone in our fight against organised crime,” said the DGP, while adding that the operation marks the successful culmination of ‘Operation Eastern Reach’— a six-month-long intelligence-led international manhunt involving sustained surveillance, strategic intelligence gathering and close coordination with national and international agencies.

         While commending the relentless efforts of AGTF Punjab and OFTEC Punjab, DGP Gaurav Yadav also thanked the Moldovan authorities, Azerbaijan authorities, International Police Cooperation Unit of the Central Bureau of Investigation (IPCU-CBI), Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of External Affairs and all other central agencies as part of this international cooperation.

         Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) AGTF Promod Ban said that accused Amrit Dalam is wanted in at least seven murder cases including the murder of Dalbir Singh in Batala in 2019, double murder case of Amrjeet Lal and Kashmiri Lal in Hoshiarpur in 2024, murder of Dharamjit Singh alias Dharma in 2025, double murder case of Kanav Mahajan and Sarabjit Singh alias Kaka in 2025 and murder of Jasdeep Singh alias Deep Cheema in 2025. The accused had fled abroad in October 2024, using a fake passport prepared on particulars of Gurpal son of Hira Singh resident of Kurukshetra, Haryana India, he said. 

         Accused Amrit Dalam’s movements were tracked across multiple countries, while he was on run, said the ADGP, while adding that Punjab Police had issued Red Notice against the accused and shared inputs regarding his fake passport and whereabouts with central agencies at different intervals, which subsequently led to extradition of the accused.

         Inspector General of Police (IGP) Counter Intelligence Ashish Choudhary said that since establishment of OFTEC, nine high-priority fugitives have been deported from different countries in addition to the current extradition. Due to the meticulous efforts of the Cell, two extradition requests sent this year, have resulted in success, the earlier being the case of Amritpal Mehron from UAE, he said.

         The IGP said that the OFTEC is vigorously pursuing extradition matter of 11 other foreign-based fugitives.

CHANDIGARH, September 12:

Drawing a sharp contrast between the era when Akali and Congress leaders traded charges over gangsters on the floor of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha and the Bhagwant Mann Government’s crackdown that has now brought a wanted gangster back from Europe, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab President and Cabinet Minister Aman Arora on Saturday said the first-ever extradition of a gangster from Europe marks the Mann Government’s uncompromising stand against gangsterism. He said that while the previous Akali-BJP and Congress governments allowed gangsterism to flourish to the extent that leaders were openly debating in the 2021 Budget Session over “whose gangster” Jaggu Bhagwanpuria was, the AAP Government has pursued such fugitives across borders and ensured they are brought back to face the law.

The AAP Punjab President said that the Mann Government has left no stone unturned to eradicate drugs and gangsterism from Punjab and will not allow such elements to operate either from Punjab or from foreign soil. He said the Overseas Fugitive Tracking and Extradition Cell (OFTEC), established on January 20, 2026, has already secured the deportation or extradition of 10 wanted fugitives in seven months, while 21 more extradition proposals are pending with the Central Government.

Addressing a press conference at Punjab Bhawan, AAP Punjab President and Cabinet Minister Aman Arora said that the Bhagwant Mann Government had made the fight against drugs and gangsters a firm resolve since coming to power. “Our resolve throughout the tenure of the Bhagwant Mann Government has been that we will leave no stone unturned in eliminating drugs and gangsters from Punjab. We believe these are the very elements that previous governments allowed to flourish, whether it was the 10-year Akali Dal-BJP government or the five-year Congress government,” he said.

The AAP Punjab President stated that the situation during the previous regimes had reached such a stage that gangsterism had become a major issue even inside the Punjab Vidhan Sabha. “If you take out the speeches from the 2021 Budget Session of the Vidhan Sabha, when the Akali Dal was in Opposition and Congress was in power, you will see how gangsters had become so emboldened that they were openly being discussed on the floor of the House,” he said.

Referring to the records of the 2021 Budget Session, Aman Arora said Congress leader Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia had openly argued with each other over alleged links of political leaders with gangsters. “On one side Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and on the other side Bikram Singh Majithia would argue on record—‘Jaggu Bhagwanpuria is your product’, ‘that gangster is your product’. These things were happening inside the sacred Punjab Vidhan Sabha. This was the extent of the degradation that these parties had brought into Punjab’s politics,” he said.

The Cabinet Minister also recalled the incident in which a police personnel laid down his life while trying to protect his daughter. “That was also the time when a police personnel was trying to protect the honour of his daughter and bullets were fired into his chest. Punjab has emerged from those circumstances. The morale of the people is high today,” he said.

“Since the day our government came to power, we have tried to ensure that such elements are not allowed to operate on the soil of Punjab,” he added.

The AAP Punjab Chief said that as Punjab Police intensified action against such elements, many fugitives, hardcore criminals and gangsters fled abroad. “You have yourselves been reporting that whenever an incident takes place, an attempt is made to carry out an incident, or an extortion call is received, these activities often originate from foreign countries or other states,” he said.

He said the AAP government’s objective was to ensure that criminals sitting abroad could not disturb Punjab’s peace and security. “With the specific purpose that nobody sitting abroad should be able to disturb peace and harmony on the soil of Punjab, Punjab Police, on the directions of the government and CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, established the special Overseas Fugitive Tracking and Extradition Cell (OFTEC) on January 20, 2026,” he said.

The Minister said, “The specific purpose of this cell was to identify such elements, track them, trace them and ultimately bring them to jail and ensure that they face their consequences.”

He said the cell had achieved significant success within just seven months by coordinating with agencies at every level. “Whether it is state investigation, the Bureau of Investigation, the CBI, Interpol, the Ministry of Home Affairs, local-level police, the Ministry of External Affairs or the National Investigation Agency (NIA), OFTEC remains in coordination with all these agencies,” he said.

Aman Arora said this coordination was particularly important in cases where a crime or attempted crime in Punjab originated from abroad. “If a complaint comes that an attempt is being made to commit a crime here but it has originated in a foreign country, the cell works to connect the dots and reach the person behind it,” he said.

Congratulating CM Bhagwant Singh Mann and Punjab Police for the success achieved by OFTEC, the Minister said 10 wanted criminals have now been brought back to India through deportation or extradition, while 21 extradition proposals are pending with the Central Government. “The extradition process involves the state police sending proposals to the Central Government, which coordinates with the Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs for bringing the fugitives back from foreign countries,” he added.

Among those brought back is notorious gangster Amritpal Singh alias Amrit Dalam, who faces three serious cases and was brought back from Moldova on Saturday.

The AAP Punjab Chief said several other wanted gangsters have also been brought back from Malaysia, Indonesia, the UAE and the USA. “Ajay Singh alias Ajay Malaysia and Pawandeep Singh, both wanted in FIR No. 150 dated 27.10.2025 under the BNS and Explosive Substances Act at Police Station Jodhewal, Ludhiana, were brought back from Malaysia on 19th August of this year,” he added.

Aman Arora noted, “Jaspreet Singh alias Jass Behbal, wanted in three FIRs at Police Station City Kotkapura, Faridkot, and Police Station Tapa, Barnala, was also brought back from Malaysia on 19.08.2026. Manjeet Singh and Gurvinder Singh, both wanted in FIR No. 76 at Police Station Kotwali, Patiala, were brought back from Malaysia on 18.06.2026. Jobanjit Billa, wanted in FIR No. 94 dated 24.05.2023 under the IPC and Arms Act at Police Station Beas, Amritsar, was brought back from Indonesia on 24.07.2026.”

He pointed out, “From the UAE, Amritpal Singh Mehron, wanted in two FIRs at Amritsar and Barnala, was brought back on 10.04.2026. Bhuvnesh Chopra, wanted in seven FIRs registered in Ferozepur, Kharar, Fazilka and Patiala, was brought back from the UAE on 12.03.2026. Kamal alias Kamal Athwal alias Kamalpreet Singh Billa, wanted in FIR No. 132 at Police Station Machhiwara, Khanna, was brought back from the USA on 24.03.2026.”

Aman Arora said that the Bhagwant Mann Government and Punjab Police are effectively pursuing fugitives across countries and ensuring that those trying to disturb Punjab’s peace from abroad were brought back to face the law. While it is the state government’s duty to ensure that crime does not take place in Punjab, the Centre also has an important responsibility in dealing with gangsters operating from outside the state,” he added.

“I will appeal to the Central Government and the BJP Government, and I will also appeal to the Akali Dal, which is trying to enter into an alliance with the BJP, that gangsters who are sitting in jails in BJP-ruled states and operating from safe havens must be curbed,” he said.

The AAP Punjab President said that these gangsters were not merely running local operations but were operating national and international criminal networks. “These gangsters, sitting in jails and safe havens in BJP-ruled states, are running not only national but international rackets. They have hundreds and thousands of gangsters operating under them. They target whichever person they want, whichever state they want and whichever country they want to target,” he said.

He said, “They are in the custody of the Central Government or in the custody of BJP governments. There must be a check on them as well.”

Aman Arora reiterated that Punjab would continue its uncompromising action against gangsters. “As far as Punjab is concerned, I will reiterate once again that the Bhagwant Mann Government and Punjab Police will not allow such elements to operate here. Punjab Police is the force that sacrificed its lives to bring Punjab out of the dark days of terrorism. This is nothing compared to what Punjab Police has already faced,” he said.

However, he stressed that the nature of organised crime had changed with technology. “Today is the age of technology. There are encrypted messages and encrypted voice calls. Tracking these cannot be the responsibility of the state police alone. For this, there is a need for central agencies and a national-level campaign, a national-level movement,” he said.

Aman Arora congratulated Punjab Police on bringing the Moldova-based gangster back to Punjab and said the action reflected the success of the Mann Government’s directions and the work being carried out by OFTEC. “I congratulate Punjab Police on this major success achieved on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann in bringing this gangster back from Moldova,” he said.

Reassuring the people of Punjab, Aman Arora appealed to citizens to immediately inform the local police about any criminal incident, attempted incident or extortion call that comes to their notice. “If any such incident takes place, if you come to know that an incident is going to happen, or if you receive any extortion call, report it to the local police so that the government and police can take firm action,” he said.

The AAP Punjab President assured the people of Punjab that the Bhagwant Mann government would continue to act decisively against criminal networks and protect the state’s peace and security.

Chandigarh,September 12:

          Punjab State Legal Services Authority successfully organized the National Lok Adalat of the year 2026 today across the State of Punjab under the patronage of Mr. Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra, Chief Justice, Punjab & Haryana High Court and under visionary leadership of  Mr. Justice Deepak Sibal, Judge, Punjab and Haryana High Court and Executive Chairman, Punjab State Legal Services Authority.

           Giving information in this regard Mrs. Jagdeep Kaur Virk Member Secretary Punjab state legal services  authority Punjab said that this mega initiative aimed at facilitating speedy, cost-effective and amicable settlement of disputes, thereby advancing access to justice in line with Article 39-A of the Constitution of India.

              The Lok Adalat recorded active participation from litigants, judicial officers, advocates and allied stakeholders. A broad range of cases including civil, matrimonial, property, motor accident claims, banking, insurance and other compoundable matters were taken up and settled through conciliation and mutual consent. The exercise brought instant relief to litigants and also contributed significantly to the reduction of pendency of cases in courts.

               A total of 404 Lok Adalat Benches were constituted across all Districts and Sub-Divisions of the State. Total 6,54,612 cases were taken up, out of which total 5,99,283 cases were settled amicably settled and awards amounting to Rs. 1116,10,96,635/- were passed.

               This National Lok Adalat enabled thousands of litigants across Punjab to resolve disputes within a short span. Several long-pending matters, including disputes spanning over a decade, were successfully settled, leading to substantial decongestion of court dockets. In this Lok Adalat the married couple have been regenerated through after having a prolonged matrimonial dispute and one such success story related to district SAS Nagar in which the court has settled the dispute of the young couple in the case titled as “Karmajeet Kaur Vs Ravinder Singh”. The brief of the case was that the petitioner has filed the petition against the respondent under section 125 Cr.P.C. The Court persuaded the parties to affect the compromise. Finally, the parties settled the dispute in the National Lok Adalat and both husband and wife agreed to live together.

            The Courts witnessed an overwhelming response from Banking Institutions, Insurance Companies, Government Departments, and the general public, reflecting the growing faith in the Lok Adalat mechanism.

              On this occasion, Hon’ble Mr. Justice Deepak Sibal, Executive Chairman, Punjab State Legal Services Authority, appreciated the dedicated efforts of Judicial Officers, District Legal Services Authorities and volunteers across the State, whose collective commitment ensured the successful conduct of this mega event.

Punjab State Legal Services Authority also extends its deep gratitude to the Hon’ble High Court of Punjab and Haryana, all District Legal Services Authorities, the State Judiciary, Members of the Bar, Police Authorities and the Civil Administration for their invaluable support and cooperation.

CHANDIGARH; 12th September 2026:

Punjab Power and Public Works Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond today apprised the people of Punjab about the prevailing power situation in the state, stating that Punjab is currently receiving 1,051 MW less power against its share from the Central Power Pool.

Highlighting the importance of uninterrupted electricity supply for Punjab’s agriculture sector, Power Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond said, “Punjab is an agrarian state and adequate and uninterrupted power supply is essential for our farmers and the state’s economy. The Centre should immediately provide Punjab its due share from the Central Power Pool.”

The Power Minister informed that he has also urged the Union Power Minister, through a written communication, to immediately ensure that Punjab receives its full and rightful share from the Central Power Pool.

Refuting the false allegations regarding shortage of coal, Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond clarified that there is no shortage of coal in the thermal power plants owned by the Punjab Government. “Due to the concerted efforts of CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab has already operationalised the Pachhwara coal mine, ensuring adequate availability of coal for the state’s own power generation facilities,” he added.

“Punjab has started operations at its Pachhwara coal mine and we now have sufficient coal available. The issue is with the supply of coal to the private thermal power plants, for which Coal India is responsible,” he said.

Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond further pointed out that the private thermal power plants at Talwandi Sabo and Rajpura are facing issues pertaining to coal supply, which is to be ensured by Coal India.

The Power Minister further informed that Punjab has 10 thermal power generating units, including four units each at Lehra Mohabbat and Ropar and two units at Goindwal Sahib. Besides these, the Talwandi Sabo and Rajpura thermal power plants are being operated by private companies.

He said, “The technical fault in one of the units has been resolved by our PSPCL officials. Our government and PSPCL are closely monitoring the power situation and taking all necessary measures to ensure reliable electricity supply. Efforts are underway to restore the remaining units of the private thermal power plants at the earliest.”

Minister Tarunpreet Singh reiterated that the state government is committed to safeguarding the interests of Punjab’s farmers and ensuring adequate power availability, particularly during periods of high demand.

PSPCL Chairman–cum–Managing Director (CMD Dr. Basant Garg and Director (Generation) Er. Punerdeep Singh Brar were also present on the occasion.

CHANDIGARH:

Dr. Kusum Sharma, Professor in the Department of Medical Microbiology and Nodal Officer for Extra-Pulmonary Tuberculosis (EPTB) at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, has been selected for the prestigious *National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS) Women in Medicine Award for 2026.

The national honour recognizes Dr. Sharma’s pioneering, two-decade-long contributions to molecular diagnostics, clinical microbiology, and translational research in extrapulmonary and drug-resistant tuberculosis.

 She will be officially honoured with a Scroll of Honor during the NAMSCON 2026 convocation, scheduled for October 10, 2026, at SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre in Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu.

Working in a high-burden nation where complex forms of tuberculosis present severe diagnostic challenges, Dr. Sharma has fundamentally transformed the landscape of EPTB and Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) management. Her research group has successfully bridged the gap between advanced genomic science and routine clinical care, impacting patient outcomes across India.

Key Scientific and Academic Milestones:

 Patented Multiplex PCR Innovation (Indian Patent No. 340788 ): Developed and internationally validated (including at the Jacksonville State Laboratory, USA) a novel multiplex PCR assay that significantly enhances diagnostic sensitivity in paucibacillary conditions such as Tuberculous Meningitis (TBM), ocular TB, and gastrointestinal TB.

 Point-of-Care & Decentralized Diagnostics : Pioneered magnetic bead-based and multi-targeted Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) assays, enabling accurate, battery-operated, instrument-free testing designed for rural and resource-constrained settings.

 Global Breakthroughs in Ocular TB: Led the world’s first global report on drug resistance in ocular tuberculosis, establishing clinical criteria that revolutionized intraocular TB diagnosis and care.

National Leadership on INDEX-TB Guidelines: Served as the Lead Microbiologist for the national Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis Guidelines for India (INDEX-TB Guidelines), formulated by the Central TB Division, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, in collaboration with the WHO and AIIMS, New Delhi.

 Advanced Genomic Surveillance & Make-in-India Integration: Extensively evaluated indigenous platforms like the Truenat MTB-plus assay under the Make in India initiative, while leading cutting-edge research projects involving High-Resolution Melting (HRM) analysis, Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS), Targeted Next-Generation Sequencing (tNGS), Long-Read Nanopore Sequencing, and CRISPR-Cas12a diagnostic platforms.

Excellence in NTM Identification: Standardized molecular, sequencing-based, and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry protocols for species-level identification of Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria, transforming PGIMER into a major national referral center for complex NTM cases.

Dr. Sharma’s election to the NAMS “Women in Medicine” 2026 cohort underscores her enduring commitment to medical excellence, academic leadership, and alleviating the suffering of patients with complex mycobacterial infections.

Chandigarh:

The key to success in public health lies in innovation and its effective implementation, said Dr. Navneet Dhaliwal, Additional Professor-cum-Joint Medical Superintendent, PGIMER, Chandigarh, while briefing the delegates on the concept of a green hospital during the field visit of 45 international delegates from 25 countries participating in the 8th Public Health Policy and Management Program, organized by PGIMER, Chandigarh, with the support of the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.

PGIMER has excelled in providing state-of-the-art digital healthcare services to citizens and has emerged as a torchbearer for the Digital Health Mission, said Dr. Sonu Goel, Program Director. He further added that, over the past decade, the successful delivery of the programme to more than 1,800 professionals has enabled participants to gain insights into PGIMER’s best practices and explore their replication in their respective countries.

During the field visit to PGIMER, Chandigarh, the delegates witnessed several state-of-the-art practices, including the Tele-Evidence facility, the first of its kind in the country, which enables doctors to provide testimony through video conferencing rather than requiring their physical presence in court. This facility has resulted in savings of ₹1.92 crore over a period of two years, besides saving approximately 30,000 hours of doctors’ time, shared the Consultant for Tele-Evidence. The innovative practice of telemedicine was also demonstrated. The service is connected with neighbouring states and SAARC countries, facilitating access to basic as well as highly specialized healthcare services.

The delegates also appreciated the visit to the Green Hospital, the first government hospital in the country to receive the prestigious Platinum Rating Award from the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC). They were also briefed about the Regional Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (ROTTO), a national award-winning centre. The participants expressed that the visit provided an important platform for cross-country learning, exchange of experiences, and strengthening of international cooperation in public health.The program reflects India’s continued commitment to sharing its health-system experiences, innovations, and best practices with partner countries since 2016.

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