Chandigarh, September 1:

The Punjab Government is leaving no stone unturned to save lives of human  beings as well as animals in this hour of natural calamity. All cabinet Ministers are continuously visiting different flood affected areas  so that necessary aid should reach the affected families at the earliest.

Punjab Finance Minister S. Harpal Singh Cheema today flagged off five trucks of Relief Material for flood affected people of Ajnala sub division from Mohali.  The relief trucks carried 1,000 ration kits, 600 packets of drinking water, 400 mosquito nets, 400 mattresses, and 200 folding beds.

Expressing gratitude to Aam Aadmi Party volunteers and the people of Punjab for their overwhelming contribution towards relief efforts, Mr. Cheema said that Punjab has made countless sacrifices for the nation, and now is the time for the Central Government to stand with its people.Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian visited villages of Sabuana and Badiwala in Fazilka district.

Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains has taken charge of the rescue operations in flood-affected areas of Sri Anandpur Sahib and visited different areas of his constituency. He said our government is standing shoulder to shoulder with them. He is closely monitoring the situation and overseeing rescue and relief operations to ensure public safety.

Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains has launched a helpline number : +91 87279- 62441 for the people of flood affected areas of Sri Anandpur Sahib constituency. This  helpline number  will work twenty four hours.

Punjab Food, Civil Supplies, Forest and Wildlife Protection Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak is continuously visiting the flood-affected villages of Bhoa constituency in Pathankot district to assess the situation and distributing relief materials. He visited villages Tash, Makhanpur, Basau Barwan, Kolian Adda and Bamiyal areas today. He provided financial assistance to four families in village Tash and also distributed fodder for animals. Fodder was also distributed in village Makhanpur. He assured the flood-affected people that the state government is standing with them in this difficult time.

Jail and Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar today visited flood-hit areas of Khadoor Sahib, Fatehabad and Dhunda in Tarn Taran district and took stock of the flood situation. He distributed relief materials like ration, food kits, drinking water etc. to the needy people and also arranged fodder for the animals.  S. Bhullar said that our Government is standing with them in this hour of calamity and due compensation will be given for their financial loss and damage of crops after evaluation of the loss (Girdawari).

Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh E. T. O. today helped the villagers in filling up a 50 feet deep and 200 meters wide pit caused by a landslide in Marr village near Harike town of Tarn Taran district. Apart from this, he also visited the flood-affected areas in Keeri village. He also reviewed the relief work being carried out in the flood-affected areas. He assured the flood victims that our government is committed to provide all kinds of help to them.

During flooding in the Sultanpur Lodhi, Cabinet Ministers Hardeep Singh Mundian and Mohinder Bhagat undertook relief operations to assist affected communities. Both the Cabinet Ministers navigated through waterlogged areas in the Mand region using tractors and reached even the most inaccessible flood-stricken zones.

Lok Sabha Member Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer and MLA Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal reviewed the ongoing relief work for the victims of the flood-affected areas at Dana Mandi located on Chogawan Road in Ajnala.  In this relief, essential items like medical kits, cattle feed for animals etc were distributed to flood affected people.

Chandigarh, September 1

Punjab Finance, Planning, Excise and Taxation Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Monday announced that the state’s fiscal trajectory continues to reflect robust growth, with GST collections in August 2025 registering an impressive 18.66 percent increase compared to the same month last year. He further stated that the cumulative growth in GST collections up to August 2025 stands even higher, at 26.47 percent, underscoring the resilience and efficiency of Punjab’s tax administration.

In a press communiqué issued here, Minister Cheema emphasized that the state’s overall tax collections have demonstrated a significant year-on-year rise, with a 15.39 percent increase recorded up to August 2025 compared to the corresponding period in the previous financial year. He noted that this upward trend spans across various tax categories, reflecting a broader economic momentum and improved compliance.

Providing specific figures, the Finance Minister revealed that the Net GST collection for August 2025 stood at Rs 2138.80 crore, marking a substantial increase of Rs 336.30 crore over the Rs 1802.50 crore collected in August 2024. He added that the net GST collection for the current fiscal year up to August has reached Rs 11,338.47 crore, compared to Rs 8,965.32 crore collected during the same period in FY 2024–25, indicating a growth of Rs 2,373.15 crore.

Highlighting the cumulative tax revenue figures, Minister Cheema stated that the total net collection from VAT, CST, GST, PSDT, and Excise up to August 2025 has touched Rs 19,364.36 crore. This marks a significant rise from the Rs 16,781.08 crore collected during the same timeframe in the previous financial year. He asserted that these figures are a testament to Punjab’s sound fiscal management and the effectiveness of its tax enforcement mechanisms.

Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema reaffirmed the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led Punjab Government’s commitment to maintaining fiscal discipline while ensuring that the benefits of economic growth are translated into public welfare and infrastructure development across the state.

CHANDIGARH, September 1:

          With the ongoing decisive war against drugs ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ launched on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has completed six months, Punjab Police has registered 17,957 first information reports (FIRs) and arrested 27,796 drug smugglers leading to the recovery of 1129 kg heroin since March 1, 2025.

          Since the launch of this anti-drug drive, Punjab Police, under the directions of Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav, has been conducting operations daily simultaneously in all the 28 Police districts of the state. Notably, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann had 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 Director General of Police (Special DGP) Law and Order Arpit Shukla, who has been personally overseeing the operations, revealed that apart from the 1129 kg haul of heroin, police have also seized 384 kg opium, 232 quintals poppy husk, 29 kg charas, 430 kg ganja, 6.3 kg ICE, 33 lakh intoxicant pills/tablets, and ₹12.44 crore drug money.

          Sharing details of outcome of Day 184, the Special DGP said that Punjab Police has arrested 58 drug smugglers and recovered 8.4 kg heroin, 4087 intoxicant pills and Rs 2300 drug money from their possession.

          Over 120 Police teams, comprising over 1000 police personnel, under the supervision of 67 gazetted officers have conducted raids at as many as 309 locations across the state leading to the registration of 43 first information reports (FIRs) across the state, he said, while adding that police teams have also checked as many as 337 suspicious persons during the day long operation.

          Meanwhile, 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 14 persons to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment.

CHANDIGARH, September 1:

          The Punjab Health and Family Welfare Department has taken a decisive step to handle any health-related exigency arising from the floods with the immediate deployment of 138 newly recruited Medical Officers to the seven worst-affected districts. This strategic infusion of frontline medical manpower is a core part of the state’s escalated response to ensure citizen safety and well-being.

          Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh, while directing the new officers to report immediately to the Civil Surgeons of their assigned districts, stated, “The health of our citizens in the flood-affected regions is our paramount concern. The presence of these 138 doctors on the ground is crucial to strengthening our healthcare delivery and tackling medical challenges in these difficult times.”

          Emphasizing the urgency of the situation, Dr Balbir Singh, stated, “A total of 322 Medical Officers have been given appointment orders in the first phase of the total recruitment of 1000 medical officers. Considering the emergency situation in the wake of floods,138 Medical Officers have been directed to immediately report to the Civil Surgeon of the flood-affected district for carrying out critical medical duties. Their presence on the ground is crucial to strengthening our healthcare delivery in these challenging times.”

          He informed that this major manpower push is further amplified by the support from the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Punjab, Nursing Colleges, Private Hospitals, and Government & Private Medical Colleges, who have all stepped forward to bolster the state’s relief efforts.

          Dr Balbir Singh revealed that Health Department has deployed massive infrastructure of 818 Rapid Response and Mobile Medical Teams which are conducting daily medical camps in affected villages and shelter homes.” To combat water-borne diseases, a large-scale distribution of chlorine tablets is underway, with teams ensuring house-to-door delivery. Furthermore, extensive spraying and fogging operations are being carried out to prevent vector-borne diseases in waterlogged areas.” he added.

          Ensuring rapid medical response Dr Balbir Singh said that a fleet of 424 ambulances, comprising 170 from the department and 254 with the support of the IMA and NGOs, is now operational across the affected districts. The Department of Health & Family Welfare reaffirms its commitment to working round the clock to protect lives and provide uninterrupted healthcare and preventive services throughout this crisis.

Chandigarh September 1, 2025 : The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB), during its ongoing drive against corruption in the state, on Monday has arrested Amandeep Singh, Forest Guard, holding additional Block Incharge, Forest Range Office, Patiala red-handed while he was accepting a bribe Rs. 1,50,000.

Disclosing this here today, an official spokesperson of the state VB said the arrested accused was demanded bribe in lieu of a complainant for issuing a No Objection Certificate (NOC) related to land purchased for a Nursing Home at Devigarh Road, Patiala.

The complainant has informed the VB that bribe was demanded jointly by Swaran Singh, Forest Range Officer, Patiala and aforementioned Amandeep Singh.

The spokesperson added that after preliminary verification of this complaint the VB team laid a trap during which the accused Amandeep Singh was apprehended in the presence of two official witnesses and the bribe money was recovered on the spot from the accused.

In this regard a case under section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act and under section 61(2) of the BNS has been registered against the said accused at VB Police Station Patiala range. The other co-accused Swaran Singh, Forest Range Officer will be arrested soon. Further investigation of this case is under progress, he added.

Tanda (Hoshiarpur), September 1:

Asserting that Punjab is facing the worst floods in the recent history, the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday assured the people that the state government is with them in this hour of crisis and every effort will be made to bail them in this hour of crisis.

The Chief Minister, who undertook a whirlwind tour of the flood affected areas in Hoshiarpur, also interacted with the people in Shelter Home at Government Senior Secondary School Miani. During the interaction he said that natural fury has caused unprecedented damage across the state but the state government is carrying out massive operations for the rescue and relief of the flood affected people. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government has already taken several steps to give relief to the people in this unprecedented situation.

The Chief Minister said that the state government is committed for bailing out the people in the flood ravaged districts of the state adding that directions have been passed to evacuate the people in marooned areas and immediately provide relief to them. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that all the departments across the districts have been asked to work in unison to ensure that people get maximum relief in this hour of crisis. Asserting that the state government will compensate the people for the loss of every single penny incurred by the people, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he is regularly monitoring the situation unfolding in the state due to the natural disaster.

The Chief Minister also visited Rara Bridge to take stock of the situation at ground level in the flood affected areas. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he had already written a letter to the Prime Minister and urged him to release Rs 60,000 crore that was stuck with the Government of India. He said that the recent floods have impacted more than 1000 villages across the state and has affected lakhs of people.

The Chief Minister said that heavy monsoon rains, coupled with the release of waters from dams, have caused extensive flooding in more than 10 districts. He said that the situation is still evolving as there is a grave concern that conditions may further deteriorate in the coming days. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that at present, about three lakh acres of farmland, primarily paddy fields have submerged under floodwater, leading to devastating crop losses just weeks before harvest.

In addition, the Chief Minister said that there has been a widespread loss of livestock, which is severely impacting rural households whose livelihoods are heavily dependent on dairy and animal husbandry. He said that a strong multi-department workforce is already working round the clock, on the ground, to complete the relief and rescue work. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the breaches along the flooded rivers are being plugged and medical teams are being deployed to provide preventive care against diseases in every village.

The Chief Minister said that along with relief works, the teams are undertaking water sampling, outdoor and indoor spray, water chlorination, fever survey, card tests for timely detection of malaria and dengue, distribution of sanitary napkins and mosquito nets in coming times. He also said that the water supply and sanitation department is pressing in water tankers for providing clean and potable drinking water in the villages until the supply through water supply schemes is fully restored. Likewise, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Water testing teams are being deployed to check water quality in all the villages to avoid any epidemic outbreak.

The Chief Minister said that besides water, dry ration kits, sugar, rice, wheat flour, ghee, milk powder are being provided to the people in marooned villages. He said that pumping operations are already in progress on a war footing adding that inundated villages are being cleared of water. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that medical relief is being provided to the affected people in relief camps, medical camps and even at their doorsteps.

Likewise, the Chief Minister said that Mobile Medical Units are being deployed in the villages to impart quality health facilities. He also said that Dedicated anti larva teams are also being deployed to detect dengue larva in flood-hit villages. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that special teams will be visiting villages to teach the people about measures to prevent diseases like malaria, dengue, diarrhoea, typhoid and skin problems, since community engagement is necessary to combat these diseases.

The Chief Minister further said that Veterinary teams will also be deployed in large numbers for the treatment and vaccination of the affected cattle, deworming of the animals and provision of feed/fodder. He said that a major sanitization drive is being launched in the villages and fogging teams will be deployed to check the spread of water borne diseases. Likewise, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that sanitary workers and MGNREGA workers will be assigned the task of professionally cleaning the villages.

The Chief Minister said that bleaching powder will be sprayed in the drains to ward off foul smell and prevent the outbreak of related diseases. He assured the people that the state government will leave no stone unturned to help the people in this hour of distress. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the fury of flood is an unforeseen natural calamity but the state government is fully capable of dealing with such a situation.

The Chief Minister was accompanied by Cabinet Minister Dr. Ravjot, Lok Sabha Member Dr. Raj Kumar Chabbewal and others.

Chandigarh/ Sri Anandpur Sahib, September 01

To tackle the flood-like situation in his constituency, Cabinet Minister Harjot Bains has personally taken charge of the relief efforts. He is leading the work of repairing breaches and erosion along river and canal embankments with the support of the administration, AAP volunteers, local residents, and social service groups. Mr. Bains himself is on the ground, supervising and participating in the rescue and relief operations.

      Early this morning, upon receiving information about a breach in the Nangal Hydel Channel canal near Jhinjri/Mehdwa, Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains immediately reached the site with his colleagues. Senior officials including Deputy Commissioner Mr. Varjeet Walia, SSP Gulneet Singh Khurana, Additional Deputy Commissioner Chandarjyoti Singh, SDM Jaspreet Singh, DSP Ajay Singh, and officers of various departments also rushed to the spot. As news spread quickly on social media, AAP volunteers, local residents, and Baba Satnam Singh of Kila Anandgarh Sahib along with his team of volunteers also reached the site with JCB machines, tractors, and trolleys. Work to plug the breach began immediately.

      Harjot Singh Bains himself was seen actively filling sandbags with soil, tarpaulins, and other materials from tractors and trolleys to close the erosion site. His commitment and spirit of service inspired hundreds of people to join, bringing along the required supplies. Under his leadership, the repair work with sandbags and tarpaulins continued late into the night, with Mr. Bains staying at the site to ensure progress. He has also been closely monitoring the flood-affected areas in his constituency, as well as across Rupnagar district and other parts of Punjab hit by today’s heavy rainfall.

      On the occasion, Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains said, “We have prayed to the Almighty to show mercy, as the next two days are predicted to bring extremely heavy rainfall. The water level in the Bhakra Dam is rising rapidly. With increasing inflows from the dam and hilly areas, our region faces a high-risk situation. Though there has been no loss of life, property, or livestock so far, if heavy rains continue or excess water is released from the dam in the coming days, damage may occur. Therefore, people must strictly follow the administration’s instructions.”

       He further appealed to the public not to believe in rumors. For any requirement—be it food supplies, medical help, livestock fodder, or any personal need—the helpline number 87279-62441 has been activated. He assured, “I am personally present in the area, constantly monitoring every situation. The administration is fully alert. All officials and staff are on duty. Our party volunteers, leaders, social organizations, panchayats, local residents, and Baba Satnam Singh Ji’s sewa team are all working with full dedication. This is a natural calamity, and people must extend their cooperation.”

Meanwhile, S. Harjot Singh Bains also extended a helping hand in filling sandbags to reinforce the banks of the Bakhra Canal near Dadhi village, demonstrating his commitment to mitigating the impact of the floodlike situations.

Chandigarh, September 1 – Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini today held an important meeting with all Deputy Commissioners through video conferencing, reviewed in detail the situation of heavy rainfall and floods across the state, and gave necessary directions to the district administrations. The Chief Minister made it clear that as a precautionary measure, in those districts where orders have been issued to close schools, the administration must ensure that all schools remain completely closed.

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini directed that people coming into Haryana from flood-affected Punjab should immediately be provided arrangements for shelter, food, and other necessary facilities. He said there should be adequate storage of food grains and timely availability of meals, along with proper arrangements for fodder for animals.

He gave clear instructions that there should be no waterlogging in residential areas, and for this, the administration should make all necessary arrangements. Also, continuous monitoring should be kept on waterlogging in fields and remote areas as well as on the water level of rivers. The Chief Minister directed that Executive Engineers of Irrigation and Public Health Engineering Department, all SDMs, Tehsildars, Patwaris, DROs, DDPOS, and other concerned officers must remain stationed in their respective areas and keep a constant watch on the situation.

He directed the district administration to actively involve Panchayat representatives, Resident Welfare Associations, and Civil Society organizations in relief and rescue work, so that help can reach the affected people at the earliest.

Directing the Health Department to remain on alert, the Chief Minister said all hospitals and mobile medical teams must ensure adequate availability of medicines, ORS, vaccines, and ambulance services. Similarly, the Animal Husbandry Department was directed to ensure fodder, medicines, vaccination, and active veterinary teams in the affected areas.

The Chief Minister instructed that Haryana Disaster Relief Force (HDRF) should be kept on alert. If any assistance is required from headquarters, all departmental heads must remain ready to provide it promptly. Also, adequate numbers of pumping sets must be ensured, and urban cleanliness systems should be kept in proper order so that there is no obstruction in drainage of rainwater.

The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Sh. Arun Kumar Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary of Power Department Sh. A.K. Singh, Commissioner & Secretary of Public Health Engineering Department Sh. Mohammed Shayin, Director General of Information, Public Relations, Languages & Culture Department Sh. K. Makarand Pandurang, Special Secretary (Monitoring & Coordination) Smt. Priyanka Soni, along with other officials.

Chandigarh, August 31:

Punjab Revenue, Rehabilitation and Disaster Management Minister S. Hardeep Singh Mundian, on Sunday, informed that so far 14,936 people have been evacuated to safer places from flood-affected areas across the state.

He said the entire state machinery along with NDRF, SDRF, Army and Punjab Police personnel are working tirelessly round-the-clock to safeguard lives and property. Giving district-wise details, the Cabinet Minister said 1700 people have been rescued in Amritsar, 25 in Barnala, 1599 in Fazilka, 3265 in Ferozepur, 5456 in Gurdaspur, 1052 in Hoshiarpur, 362 in Kapurthala, 163 in Mansa, 115 in Moga, 1139 in Pathankot and 60 people have been rescued in district Tarn Taran.

S. Mundian further said that the number of relief camps has also been increased alongside the evacuation drives. Currently, 122 relief camps are operational in affected districts sheltering 6,582 affected people.

Giving district-wise breakup, the Cabinet Minister said 16 camps have been set up in Amritsar, 1 in Barnala, 7 in Fazilka, 8 in Ferozepur, 25 in Gurdaspur, 20 in Hoshiarpur, 4 in Kapurthala, 1 in Mansa, 5 in Moga, 14 in Pathankot, 1 in Sangrur and 20 in Patiala. All Deputy Commissioners have been directed to ensure availability of essential supplies in these camps, he added.

S. Mundian said  that district Amritsar camps are sheltering 170 persons, Barnala 25, Fazilka 652, Ferozepur 3987, Gurdaspur 411, Hoshiarpur 478, Kapurthala 110, Mansa 163, Moga 115, Pathankot 411 and Sangrur 60.

While expressing gratitude to NDRF, SDRF, Army, Punjab Police and NGOs for standing firmly with the government in this critical time, the Cabinet Minister informed that at present, 6 NDRF teams are deployed in Gurdaspur and one each in Fazilka, Ferozepur, Pathankot and Amritsar. Similarly, 2 SDRF teams are operational in Kapurthala. The Army, Navy and Air Force have also been pressed into service in Kapurthala, Gurdaspur, Ferozepur and Pathankot while one BSF team each is carrying out relief works in Gurdaspur and Ferozepur. Punjab Police and Fire Brigade are assisting the administration in affected areas of Kapurthala and Ferozepur. He said that 15 boats in Kapurthala, 12 in Ferozepur and 4 in Pathankot are engaged in evacuations and wherever needed, airlifting operations are being executed.

The Revenue Minister informed that so far a total of 1312 villages have been impacted by floods across Punjab. These include 93 in Amritsar, 26 in Barnala, 21 in Bathinda, 1 in Fatehgarh Sahib, 92 in Fazilka, 107 in Ferozepur, 324 in Gurdaspur, 86 in Hoshiarpur, 55 in Jalandhar, 123 in Kapurthala, 26 in Ludhiana, 4 in Malerkotla, 77 in Mansa, 35 in Moga, 81 in Pathankot, 14 in Patiala, 2 in Rupnagar, 22 in Sangrur, 1 in SAS Nagar, 3 in SBS Nagar, 74 in Sri Muktsar Sahib and 45 in Tarn Taran.