Chandigarh, October 8: Former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda in a conversation with reporters, spoke about the current state government’s failures, farmers’ problems, law and order, and the Congress’s organizational strategy. He sharply criticized the government on several issues, giving it a zero rating in the public interest.
Key Points:

1. Government Failure: Hooda described the current government as a complete failure in its one-year tenure. He said the government had neither taken any concrete steps for farmers nor done anything for the welfare of the poor. Describing law and order as completely poor, he said the government had not taken any public welfare decisions and development work had stalled.
2. Farmers’ Plight: Hooda stated that he is regularly visiting the state’s mandis, where farmers’ grain is spoiling. There are not even tarpaulins in the mandis, causing huge losses to farmers. He demanded that the Prime Minister provide compensation and a special package for the farmers’ losses.
3. BJP Factionalism: Targeting the BJP, Hooda said the BJP should address its own factionalism, before talking about the Congress. He called for strengthening the Congress organization and stated that district-level pradhans have been appointed, and that appointments will soon be made at the block level as well.
4. Comment on the Chief Minister’s Japan Visit: Hooda, on Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini’s Japan visit, said Haryana saw the highest investment during his government (until 2014). The BJP has ruined investment and development.
5. Statement on opponents: Hooda said the INLD-JJP cannot even save their deposits, and they continue to speak against the Congress at the behest of the BJP, without any basis.
6. Comment on the Prime Minister’s visit: Regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Haryana on October 17, Hooda said the central government did not provide any major projects to Haryana. Haryana did not receive any metro, rail, or other major projects under the BJP government.
7. Strengthening the Congress organization: Hooda said district, block, division, and booth level presidents will soon be appointed to strengthen the Congress organization.
8. Zero marks for the Haryana government: Assessing the government’s performance, Hooda said marks are given based on performance, and this government has not done any work in many areas such as farmers, women, employment, and security.
   Bhupinder Singh Hooda clarified that the Congress’s priority is to protect the interests of farmers, the poor, and the people of the state.

A day after senior Haryana Police officer Y Puran Kumar allegedly shot himself dead at his Chandigarh residence, police on Wednesday said they are conducting investigations to ascertain what drove him to take the extreme step.
    The deceased officer’s wife, a senior bureaucrat, arrived here from Japan on Wednesday. “We are conducting in-depth investigations…,” a Chandigarh Police officer said.
Puran Kumar’s wife arrived here in the afternoon from Japan, where she had gone as part of an official delegation.
    Amneet P Kumar, an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer and the commissioner and secretary of the Haryana government’s Department of Foreign Cooperation, was in Japan as part of a delegation led by Chief Minister Nayab Saini.
    Y Puran Kumar (52), a 2001-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, was found dead in his Chandigarh residence on Tuesday.
    Some senior Haryana bureaucrats, including Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi, met Amneet Kumar after she arrived here and offered their condolences.
    “He was a very good officer. At this stage, I cannot say anything more and can only say that a colleague has left us,” Rastogi said.
    Meanwhile, sources said in his alleged eight-page typed and signed suicide note, Kumar spoke about various issues he faced during his career. A combination of various factors could have driven him to take the extreme step, they said.
    The sources also said that the deceased mentioned being subjected to “mental harassment” by some officers.
    Senior Congress leader Geeta Bhukkal was among those who went to Amneet Kumar’s official residence in Sector 24 to offer her condolences.
    Puran Kumar had taken the extreme step in his Sector 11 house.
    “What has happened is unfortunate. He should get justice. The government should conduct an in-depth probe. His wife is a senior IAS officer. An IPS officer committing suicide is very concerning. The state has lost an able officer who belonged to the Dalit community,” Bhukkal said.
    She said Puran Kumar had dropped his wife at the airport and had also talked to her over the phone while she was in Japan.
    The post-mortem examination will be conducted by a board of doctors at the Government Medical College and Hospital in Sector 16. The body has been kept in the hospital’s mortuary.
    Amneet Kumar went to the mortuary and was seen struggling to hold back her tears.
    Known for his interventions in matters related to the rights of officers, seniority and other issues, Puran Kumar was recently posted as the inspector general of the Police Training Centre (PTC) in Rohtak’s Sunaria.
    His body with a gunshot wound was found in a room at the basement of the Sector 11 house.
    Physical and electronic evidence, including the weapon the officer allegedly used to shoot himself, were seized by a team from the Central Forensic Sciences Laboratory (CFSL), police said on Tuesday.
    They said a “will” and a “final note” were also found from the scene and seized.
    Meanwhile, a liquor contractor got a complaint lodged against a head constable in Rohtak, alleging that a bribe was being sought from him.
    Head Constable Sushil Kumar was arrested on bribery charges by the Rohtak Police on Monday. He is currently in judicial custody.
    The liquor contractor had alleged that the head constable sought a bribe of Rs 2.5 lakh in Puran Kumar’s name.
    A video, purportedly of the contractor, surfaced on Tuesday, in which he is heard saying the head constable came to his office, tried to put pressure on him to pay the bribe and tortured him “mentally and physically”.
    Police said they are conducting investigations into the case.
    Police personnel had rushed to the Kumar residence in the upscale Sector 11 here on Tuesday, after receiving information about the shooting incident around 1:30 pm.
    Puran Kumar was earlier posted as the Rohtak Range IG and was recently transferred to Sunaria.
    The Chandigarh Police issued a statement on Tuesday about Puran Kumar allegedly shooting himself dead.
    “An information of reported suicide was received by Police Station 11, Chandigarh at around 1:30 pm from Sector 11, Chandigarh. On receiving the said information, the police staff and senior officers of Chandigarh Police reached the spot. The deceased has been identified as Y Puran Kumar, IPS 2001 Batch, Haryana Cadre. The body was found in a room at the basement of the house with a gunshot wound,” the statement read.
    The IPS officer, who served in several Haryana districts, including Ambala, Rohtak and Kurukshetra, was an engineering graduate. He was due to retire in May 2033.
    The officer was vocal about issues related to the representation of the Scheduled Castes in police ranks.
    During last year’s Lok Sabha polls, Kumar had complained to the Haryana chief electoral officer about IAS and IPS officers holding multiple charges.
    A few years ago, he had accused a senior police officer of trying to humiliate and harass him on the basis of his caste. AGENCIES

Congress General Secretary-in-charge of Haryana affairs B K Hariprasad on Tuesday announced that a disciplinary committee will be formed in the state unit soon to ensure discipline and accountability in the organisation. The committee will resolve internal party issues on an official platform, Hariprasad said. Newly appointed Haryana Congress chief Rao Narender Singh, while expressing gratitude to the Congress high command for the new responsibility, said he gave instructions to appoint booth agents to monitor voter lists and accelerate the “Vote Chor-Gaddi Chhod” campaign in a meeting with district presidents and assembly candidates. He accused the NDA alliance in Bihar of “voter list rigging” but expressed confidence that a Congress coalition will form the government there.
     The Congress leader said that the party meeting discussed in-depth issues related to civic elections, district offices, women’s participation and organisational expansion, and issued necessary guidelines.

     Criticising the “failures” of the BJP government in Haryana, Singh alleged that crime and unemployment are rampant in the state. Haryana was number one in development during the Bhupinder Singh Hooda-led Congress government (2005-2014), he claimed.
     The Congress government implemented the “Padak Lao, Pad Pao” policy for athletes, which allowed them to be appointed to high-ranking positions such as DSP, Singh said, asserting that the Congress government eradicated crime, hooliganism, and the mafia from Haryana.
     “The then chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda issued a clear warning to criminals: leave Haryana or give up crime. Many criminals fled the state at that time. But today, crime is at its peak, with incidents of murder, kidnapping, and shootings occurring daily,” he said.
     Leader of the Opposition and former chief minister Hooda said the public has given the Congress the role of opposition, which the party will fulfil with full strength.
     He listed the developments in the state during the Congress regime, including the National Institute of Fashion Technology in Panchkula, the National Institute of Design in Kurukshetra, Kalpana Chawla Medical College in Karnal, the Rajiv Gandhi Education City in Sonipat, AIIMS and the National Cancer Institute in Jhajjar, the IIM in Rohtak, Lala Lajpat Rai University in Hisar, the Indian Defence University in Gurugram, and the Central University in Mahendragarh.

Chandigarh, October 7 – Haryana Energy, Transport and Labour Minister, Sh. Anil Vij, said that by following the teachings and principles shown by Maharishi Valmiki, we can make our lives meaningful. Maharishi Valmiki laid the foundation of religion and culture across the country.

Sh. Anil Vij was addressing devotees as the Chief Guest at a programme organised at the Valmiki Temples in Top Khana Bazaar and Babiyal on the occasion of Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti.

Extending his heartfelt greetings to everyone on the auspicious occasion of Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti, Sh. Vij said that the day is being celebrated with great enthusiasm across the country. He said that Maharishi Valmiki wrote the Ramayana for the welfare of humanity and, by documenting the life of Lord Rama in the scriptures, he paved the way to guide mankind.

*Announces Rs.10 Lakh for Topkhana Valmiki Temple and Rs. 12 Lakh for Babiyal from discretionary Fund*

Sh. Vij inaugurated the newly constructed Valmiki Dharamshala at Topkhana Bazaar, built at a cost of Rs.22 lakh, and announced Rs.10 lakh for its expansion and activities and Rs. 12 lakh for the expansion of the Ambedkar Dharamshala in Babiyal from his discretionary fund.

Chandigarh, October 7:

Punjab Revenue Minister S. Hardeep Singh Mundian today said that the recently launched “Easy Registry” project has emerged as a game-changer in delivering citizen-friendly governance. Designed to make property registration transparent, corruption-free and hassle-free, the initiative ensuring online scrutiny of documents, eliminating the VIP culture of favouritism, empowering citizens with real-time digital updates and even extending doorstep services for drafting and registration of deeds.

S. Hardeep Singh Mundian said that “Easy Registry” ushering in a new era of transparency and efficiency in property registration as the project ensures that unsigned copy of the sale deeds undergo online pre-scrutiny by the Sub Registrar within 48 hours, reducing harassment and closing the door on corruption. All objections raised are monitored by Deputy Commissioners and SDMs to guarantee accountability, with strict action against officers found raising frivolous objections.

The new system has introduced the First In First Out (FIFO) principle for registrations, ending queue-jumping and favouritism. Citizens also have the freedom to register their property documents at any Sub Registrar office within their district, effectively dismantling monopolies of individual offices, the Cabinet Minister categorically added.

He said that applicants now receive automated WhatsApp updates at every stage of the process, including scrutiny, payments and appointments. A direct complaint link has been provided for reporting bribe demands, with immediate redressal ensured by the Deputy Commissioner concerned.

The Revenue Minister said that citizens are now drafting their sale deeds using the “Draft my Deed” module on the portal, visiting a Sewa Kendra counter set up in every Sub Registrar office and manned by the professionals such as Advocate and a retired Patwari who draft deeds at a prescribed fee of Rs.550 or citizens can avail the doorstep delivery service through helpline 1076. All payments including stamp duty and registration fees can be made online in one go through 25 banks compared to just 5 earlier, ensuring complete convenience, he added.

An Integrated Token Management System, the Cabinet Minister said, has also been implemented to prioritize citizens with scheduled appointments and complete documents, eliminating unnecessary waiting time. The uniform system has been rolled out across Punjab with upgraded servers, trained staff and standardized processes, ensuring the same transparent and efficient service in both cities and villages.

Chandigarh, October 7:

Punjab Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond today announced that the State Government has initiated several major projects in connection with the 350th Martyrdom Anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, with the Tourism and Cultural Affairs Department designated as the nodal department for these commemorations.

Addressing a press conference here, the Minister said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Government has embarked on a comprehensive plan to transform Sri Anandpur Sahib into a world-class spiritual and heritage destination.

He said that one of the key highlights of this initiative is the Bhai Jaita Ji Memorial, recently dedicated to the public. The memorial, spread across 5 acres (with 2 acres of covered area and 3,200 sq. ft. of constructed space), showcases five galleries that depict the life, sacrifice, and legacy of Bhai Jaita Ji, a revered figure in Sikh history who carried the “seesh” of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji from Delhi to Anandpur Sahib.

The Minister informed that the design of the memorial was prepared by the Department of Architecture, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar. The project has been completed in two phases, the first phase, costing Rs 17 crore, included the main building construction and was inaugurated in February 2024. The second phase, costing Rs 3 crore, comprised five thematic galleries inaugurated recently by the Chief Minister.

“Bhai Jaita Ji’s life is a golden chapter in Sikh history, an embodiment of unmatched devotion, courage, and sacrifice,” said Sond.

*Details of the Five Galleries:*

(i) Aashirwad: it  depictis the forefathers and birth of Bhai Jaita Ji.

(ii) Jeevan: Depicting the childhood of Bhai Jaita ji followed by atrocities on Kashmiri Pandits.

(iii) Tyaag: Depicting the Shahadat of Guru Teg Bahadur Ji and the journey of Bhai Jaita Ji in bringing back the “Seesh” of Guru Sahib through an immersive experience.

(iv) Rangrete Guru ke Bete: Handing over of the “Seesh” by Bhai Jaita Ji to Bal Guru Gobind Ji and birth of Khalsa Panth

(v) Sangharsh:  Depicting the various real places associated with Bhai Jaita Ji and the life history of Bhai Jaita Ji through an animated Audio-video display.

The complex also features a gift shop and exhibits on major Punjab tourism destinations.

Sond said that the project was stalled due to neglect of the previous Governments but the present Govt has regularly reviewed the project to push it and ensured uninterrupted flow of funds. More than 10 meetings have been taken at different levels in the last 1 year to push the project. He urged devotees to visit the memorial with their families and learn from its inspiring history.

*Heritage Street Project:*

The Minister further revealed that a Heritage Street leading from the main road to Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib is being developed using white marble- sangmarmar, at a cost of Rs 18 crore. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann laid the foundation stone for the project on October 5, and it will be completed within 10 months.

Stretching 580 meters, the path will feature six grand entry gates, including an impressive main gate, gates near the sarovar, parking area, and Guru Tegh Bahadur Museum. Alongside the marble pathway, trees mentioned in the Guru Granth Sahib, such as mango, neem, bohar, pipal, and simbal will be planted to provide shade and spiritual symbolism.

The Heritage Street will also include decorative paintings, and interactive displays depicting the history of the Khalsa Panth and the glory of Sri Anandpur Sahib. Steps and resting spaces will be provided for devotees’ convenience.

Sond said the project will significantly enhance religious tourism in Punjab, making Sri Anandpur Sahib a global spiritual and heritage destination.

The Minister added that the official logo for the 350th Martyrdom Anniversary celebrations was unveiled by Chief Minister on September 25. A high-level meeting was also held recently with Sikh saints, scholars, and spiritual leaders to discuss event preparations. CM Mann appealed to the nation to observe Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s Martyrdom Day as a National Human Rights Day, recognizing Guru Sahib’s supreme sacrifice for religious freedom, secularism, and communal harmony.

He further informed that as part of the commemorations, the celebrations will begin on October 25 at Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib, Delhi. From November 1, Kirtan Darbars will be organized across Punjab.

Starting November 15, seminars on Guru Sahib’s life and philosophy will be held in educational institutions. On November 18, a Kirtan Darbar will be held in Srinagar (J&K), followed by a Nagar Kirtan on November 19, with participation from Kashmiri Pandits.

Simultaneous Nagar Kirtans will also be organized from *Damdama Sahib*, Faridkot, and Gurdaspur on November 20, all culminating at Sri Anandpur Sahib on November 22.

The grand state-level events will be held from November 23 to 25 at Sri Anandpur Sahib, where a tent city named “Chakk Nanaki” will be established to accommodate 12,000 pilgrims, Sond added.

Chandigarh, October 7:

Marking a significant leap towards transforming Punjab’s green energy and agricultural landscape, the Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, to establish a pioneer Pilot Demonstration Project for the production of Green Hydrogen from biomass, particularly paddy straw.

Punjab New & Renewable Energy Minister, Mr. Aman Arora’s visionary leadership drives this strategic partnership by paving a way for a sustainable and thriving future for the state by turning the challenge of paddy stubble management into a lucrative opportunity for green energy production.

The MoU, which was signed by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) PEDA Ms. Neelima and the Registrar of IISc Bangalore, was formally exchanged between Ms. Neelima and Prof. S. Dasappa of the Interdisciplinary Centre for Energy Research (ICER), IISc in the presence of Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy & Power (GoI) Sh. Shripad Naik, during the 5th International Conference on Recent Advance in Bio-Energy Research held at Sardar Swaran Singh National Institute of Bio-Energy (SSS-NIBE), Kapurthala.

Congratulating the PEDA   for this transformative collaboration, Mr. Aman Arora stated that Punjab Government led by Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, is engineering an energy revolution. He emphasised that the collaboration with IISc underscores the state’s commitment to clean energy innovation, leveraging agricultural waste to produce Green Hydrogen. This initiative, he noted, is crucial for creating a circular economy that empowers farmers, cleans the environment and fuels industries with carbon-free energy, ultimately building a robust, pristine and energy-independent Punjab.

Mr. Aman Arora highlighted that this collaboration will establish a pioneering facility to demonstrate the technical and commercial viability of Green Hydrogen production from agricultural residues. The project will tackle stubble burning, improve air quality and boost the rural economy by creating new revenue streams for farmers and generating employment opportunities in the green energy sector. This initiative will significantly advance India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission and support Punjab’s ambitious renewable energy goals, he added.

Chandigarh, October 7:

In a significant move to ensure the seamless procurement and management of the ongoing paddy procurement season, the Punjab Mandi Board has set up a control room. It will help to provide immediate support and address issues of farmers, arthiyas (commission agents) and labourers in real-time across all grain markets (mandis) in the state, informed S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian, Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Punjab.

To ensure robust and responsive operations, the Agriculture Minister said that the control room has been manned by four dedicated officials, divided into two teams working in shifts from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily to provide continuous coverage and real-time assistance to farmers and other stakeholders by ensuring that no query or concern goes unaddressed during critical operational hours.

Elaborating on the initiative, S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian said that farmers and other stakeholders can contact the control room at 0172-5101649 & 0172-5101704. This initiative will ensure smooth operations in mandis across Punjab, by providing timely procurement updates and facilitating inter-agency coordination to enhancing efficiency, minimising delays and upholding the state’s reputation for farmer-friendly agricultural marketing.

Reaffirming Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government’s unwavering commitment to its “Annadaata”, S. Khudian stated, “The success of every procurement season is the success of Punjab. CM Mann led state government is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that our farmers, arthiyas and labourers experience the most streamlined and transparent procurement process. This control room is our proactive command centre, a direct line for our stakeholders to resolve any issue—be it related to logistics, payments or facilities in the mandis—swiftly and effectively”.

Chandigarh, October 7:

Dr. Baljit Kaur, Minister for Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities, Punjab, said that the Punjab Government is fully committed to safeguarding the dignity and rights of Scheduled Caste communities and ensuring justice for victims of atrocities.

She informed that under the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, an amount of ₹1.34 crore has been released to victims and beneficiaries during the financial year 2025–26.

The Minister added that under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the state government is determined to build a Punjab free from discrimination and injustice. “Our government stands firmly with the victims and their families and is ensuring that they receive timely financial assistance, protection, and rehabilitation,” she said.

Dr. Baljit Kaur further stated that continuous awareness campaigns, strict enforcement measures, and swift response mechanisms are being strengthened to ensure the effective implementation of the Atrocities Act across the state. She reaffirmed that promoting equality, human dignity, and social harmony remains one of the top priorities of the Punjab Government.

Chandigarh, October 7:

The paddy procurement during the current season is gathering pace with each passing day as is clear from the fact that till late evening yesterday a total of 824732.78 Metric Tonne (MT) produce has arrived in the mandis of the State.

Out of this, 772965.23 MT of paddy stands procured which amounts to 93 percent. The Government agencies have procured 770241.58 MT paddy and the PUNGRAIN (Punjab State Grains Procurement Corporation Limited) has taken the lead amongst the government agencies in terms of procurement with 323992.64 MT till now.

Furthermore, 66679 farmers so far stand benefitted from the Minimum Support Price (MSP) in the ongoing Kharif Marketing Season. Also, Rs. 1646.47 Crore have been credited into the accounts of the farmers.

The Punjab Government led by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is fully committed to procure every single grain produced so laboriously by the farmers despite adverse weather conditions, reiterated the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Mr. Lal Chand Kataruchak adding that the State Government has secured Cash Credit Limit (CCL) of Rs. 27000 crore for the month of October and Rs. 15000 Crore for September. Directions have been given to the officials to ensure adequate arrangements with regard to bardana, medical facilities and sanitation in the mandis so that no farmer encounters any implication in selling his produce.