Chandigarh, August 27 – Haryana’s Energy, Transport and Labour Minister Sh. Anil Vij today, during the ongoing Monsoon Session of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha, placed a resolution regarding the tragic loss of lives and property in Vaishno Devi, Jammu’s Doda, and Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu and Manali, as well as other affected regions. Under this resolution, all members of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha stood in silence for two minutes to pray for peace to the departed souls of those who lost their lives in these disasters.

While moving the resolution, Sh. Vij said that the previous day, over 30 lives were lost due to a landslide on the route leading to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine. Similarly, the popular tourist destinations Kullu and Manali also witnessed heavy loss of life and property. In Jammu’s Doda district, cloudbursts caused major devastation, although the complete figures are still awaited. Therefore, he urged that prayers be offered for the peace of those who lost their lives in these calamities.

Following this, Speaker Sh. Harvinder Kalyan directed all members of the Assembly to stand in silence for two minutes in memory of the departed souls.

Chandigarh, August 27:

          Punjab has registered a record labour cess collection of Rs 310 crore in the financial year 2024–25, the highest in the past four years. This marks a significant increase from Rs 203.94 crore in 2021–22, Rs 208.92 crore in 2022–23, and Rs 180 crore in 2023–24.

          Labour Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond said that this achievement reflects the concerted efforts of the Punjab Government to enhance compliance, improve transparency, and strengthen monitoring mechanisms related to labour welfare. The Labour Department, under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has streamlined cess collection processes, and leveraged digital platforms to ensure accountability and efficiency.

          He said that the government has reiterated its commitment to utilizing the collected funds for the welfare of construction workers, including better access to healthcare, education, skill development, and social security schemes. Sond further said that the robust increase is not only a financial milestone but also an indicator of improved governance and proactive policy implementation in the labour sector. It is pertinent to mention that the Labour Cess is primarily collected from construction-related activities and projects within the state to ensure safety, health and welfare of workers.

          Labour Minister said that the Punjab Building & Other Construction workers welfare board & the Punjab Building Workers Welfare Board has simplified the terms and conditions of the various welfare schemes including Stipend Scheme, LTC Scheme, Shagun Scheme and all services/industrial schemes provided by Labour department under various Acts have been digitized.

Chandigarh, August 27

Punjab Finance Minister and Chairman of the Cabinet Sub-Committee for resolving employees’ issues, Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema, today met with delegations from the various Art and Craft Teachers’ Unions, ETT TET Pass Adhyapak Association (Jai Singh Wala), AIE Kacche Adhyapak Union, Associate Pre Primary Adhyapak Union, All Punjab DST/CTS Contract Instructor Union and Beruzgar Multipurpose Health Worker Union. During these meetings held at the Finance Minister’s office in the Punjab Civil Secretariat, Minister Harpal Singh Cheema listened to the issues and demands raised by the union leaders with sympathy and discussed with senior officials from the concerned departments to find solutions.

In a joint meeting with the Art and Craft Teachers’ unions, Minister Cheema urged the leaders to create a Common Minimum Program to help identify a suitable solution. He also asked them to submit their arguments and supported documents to the Education Department, which will then initiate further action. The Finance Minister also heard the concerns of leaders from the ETT TET Pass Teachers Association (Jai Singh Wala), AIE Temporary Teachers Union, and the Associate Pre-Primary Teachers Union. He gave directives to the Education departments to resolve their legitimate demands soon.

Similarly, during his meeting with the All Punjab DST/CTS Contract Instructors Union and the Unemployed Multipurpose Health Workers Union, the Finance Minister directed the concerned departments to ensure swift action is taken to address the unions’ genuine demands.

In meeting with the Art and Craft Teachers’ unions, President Sandeep Singh of the Berujgar Drawing Masters Sangharash Committee, President Ranjit Singh of the B.Ed PST TET Pass Arts and Craft Teachers Union, President Harjinder Singh of the Art and Craft TET Pass Berujgar Adhyapak Union, and President Rakesh Kumar of the Berujgar PS TET Pass Art and Craft Sangharsh Union, presented their respective cases.

Representatives from other unions including Kamal Thakur (President), Sohan Singh (General Secretary), and Gurmukh Singh (Committee Member) from the ETT TET Pass Adhyapak Association (Jai Singh Wala); Tejinder Kaur (President), Kiranjeet Kaur (Secretary), and Tejinder Singh (Treasurer) from the AIE Kacche Adhyapak Union; Sukhchain Singh (President), Makhan Singh (Secretary), and Sukhbir Kaur from the Associate Pre Primary Adhyapak Union; Sandeep Singh (President) and Jaswinder Singh (General Secretary) from the All Punjab DST/CTS Contract Instructor Union; and Sukhwinder Singh Dhilwan (President) and Raman Kumar (Convener) from the Beruzgar Multipurpose Health Worker Union also presented their demands and issues.

Chandigarh, August 27:

Punjab Water Resources Minister Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal today said that state-wide flood control rooms are working 24×7 for public assistance during emergency situations. He urged the people to contact these numbers in case of any emergency.

The Cabinet Minister said that district flood control room numbers are Ludhiana: 0161-2433100, Ropar: 01881-221157, Gurdaspur: 01874-266376 and 18001801852, Mansa: 01652-229082, Pathankot: 0186-2346944 and 97791-02351, Amritsar: 0183-2229125, Tarn Taran: 01852-224107, Hoshiarpur: 01882-220412, Jalandhar: 0181-2224417 and 94176-57802, SBS Nagar: 01823-220645, Sangrur: 01672-234196, Patiala: 0175-2350550 and 2358550, SAS Nagar: 0172-2219506, Sri Muktsar Sahib: 01633-260341, Faridkot: 01639-250338, Fazilka: 01638-262153, Ferozepur: 01632-245366, Barnala: 01679-233031, Bathinda: 0164-2862100 and 0164-2862101, Kapurthala: 01822-231990, Fatehgarh Sahib: 01763-232838, Moga: 01636-235206 and Malerkotla: 01675-252003.

All these control rooms are operational 24×7 to ensure immediate response during emergency situations, said Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal, adding that the state government has implemented robust flood mitigation measures and comprehensive preparedness protocols to tackle every potential scenario.

Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal said that the control rooms are equipped with modern communication systems and are manned by trained personnel who can coordinate rescue and relief operations effectively. He urged citizens to remain vigilant and immediately contact the control rooms in case of any emergency.

Chandigarh, August 27:

The Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission has summoned the Director Social Justice and Empowerment , taking suo moto notice of the news regarding Dr. Ambedkar Institute of Careers and Courses, Mohali.

Giving information in this regard, the Chairman of the Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission said that it has come to his notice through the newspaper that the Punjab Government’s Dr. Ambedkar Institute of Careers and Courses, Mohali located in Mohali is in a dilapidated  position, for which the Commission has taken suo moto notice and has asked the Director Social Justice and Empowerment to appear in person on September 2, 2025.

CHANDIGARH, August 27:

          Continuing the war against drugs “Yudh Nashian Virudh” waged by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to eradicate drug menace from state consecutively for the 179th day, Punjab Police conducted raids at 333 locations on Wednesday leading to the arrest of 99 drug smugglers after registration of 68 first information reports (FIRs) across the state. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 27,409 in 179 days.

          The raids have resulted in recovery of 985 grams heroin, 21 kg poppy husk, 1625 intoxicant tablets/capsules and Rs 9850 drug money from the possession of arrested drug smugglers.

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

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

          Divulging details, Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla informed that over 100 Police teams, comprising over 900 police personnel, under the supervision of 64 gazetted officers have conducted raids across the state. Police teams have also checked as many as 364 suspicious persons during the day-long operation, he added.

          The Special DGP said that with 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 54 persons to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment today.

Chandigarh, August 26, 2025: In a significant move, the Haryana Human Rights
Commission has taken a stern stance against arbitrary rejections and delays in the Deen
Dayal Upadhyaya Antyodaya Parivar Suraksha Yojana (Dayalu) caused by clerical
errors.
While adjudicating Complaint No. 519/8/2025, the Commission observed that a claim under
the scheme was rejected solely because of a mismatch in the deceased’s age recorded in the
death certificate and the Family ID. The Commission ruled that such rejections are arbitrary
and defeat the very purpose of the welfare scheme.
The complainant had stated that the variation in age was a minor clerical mistake that had
since been corrected. Despite submitting a revised death certificate, authorities failed to
reopen and reconsider the claim.
The Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Antyodaya Parivar Suraksha Yojana is designed to provide
financial assistance to families of deceased earning members from economically weaker
sections, as per the verified Family ID. Denying benefits even after correction of official
records, the Commission said, undermines the scheme’s objective and reflects administrative
apathy.
Justice Lalit Batra, Chairperson of the Commission, observed in his order:
“Denying any eligible person the benefits of welfare schemes due to clerical errors amounts
to a violation of basic human dignity under Article 21 of the Constitution. As an organ of the
State, authorities are duty-bound to ensure timely delivery of welfare benefits, particularly to
the economically weaker sections.”
The Commission directed that the Chief Executive Officer of the Haryana Family Security
Trust, the Deputy Commissioner of Jind, and the Administrative Officer of the Trust submit
detailed reports explaining why the case was not reopened despite submission of corrected
documents. The reports were also required to outline the provisions for review and measures
to prevent such lapses in future.
Subsequently, reports received from the authorities confirmed that the complainant’s claim
has now been reopened, revised documents uploaded, and the case is under process.
However, Justice Batra expressed concern that earlier rejection letters merely cited
discrepancies without guiding the applicant on corrective measures. He emphasized the need
for reasoned (speaking) orders that clearly state the grounds for rejection and provide the
applicant with options for rectification.

Dr. Puneet Arora, Protocol, Information & Public Relations Officer, informed that The
Commission strongly recommended the following systemic reforms:
 Reopen claims upon submission of corrected documents without subjecting applicants
to a fresh process.
 Establish a clear correction mechanism, allowing applicants to reactivate claims
through a simple application and revised documents.
 Set up district-level grievance redressal cells comprising representatives from the
Social Welfare Department and the Birth & Death Registrar.
 Ensure that grievance cells record complaints, provide guidance, and deliver time-
bound solutions.
 Launch public awareness campaigns and display scheme-related information at key
public locations.
Justice Batra concluded: “Clerical errors cannot become a ground to deprive eligible
beneficiaries of welfare rights. Transparency and reasoned orders are the backbone of
welfare governance.”

Chandigarh, August 24 – Under the Haryana Uday Programme, a Youth Marathon was organized on Sunday in Dabwali, Sirsa. Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini flagged off the marathon. A large number of residents from the area, especially the youth, participated enthusiastically in the marathon. The Chief Minister himself also ran during the marathon to encourage the youth.

The programme began early morning at 5 AM with a half marathon. Later, 10 km and 5 km marathons were held, where the excitement of the youth was clearly visible.

On this occasion, the Chief Minister said that drugs are a deep-rooted evil which not only weakens the very foundation of society but also destroy our future. Therefore, to root out drugs, the Central and Haryana governments have made the anti-drug campaign a public movement. Just as Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi launched the ambitious Fit India Movement, Haryana has also launched unique initiatives like Raahgiri, Cyclothon, Marathon and Dhakad to strike hard against the drug problem.

He said Haryana Uday is the biggest outreach programme so far. To strengthen the mental and physical health of youth, 2,482 programmes have already been organized across the state, with participation of over 16.5 lakh people. To eliminate drugs from the roots, strict action is being taken against big drug suppliers through district, range and state-level Anti-Narcotics Cells. The Chief Minister added that the state government has also launched several programmes to help youth caught in drug addiction. Currently, 162 de-addiction centres are operating in the state. De-addiction wards have also been set up in government medical colleges, and de-addiction centres are functioning in district hospitals of 13 districts. As a result of these efforts, 3,350 villages and 876 wards of towns have been declared drug-free.

On this occasion, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini also administered the pledge of Drug-Free Haryana to the public. More than 35 Sarpanches from the area also participated in the marathon and honoured the Chief Minister with a turban. During the programme, famous singers MD (popularly known as Desi Rock Star) and Subhash Fauji gave powerful performances to spread awareness among the youth about the evils of drugs. KL Theatre presented a play on the theme “Nasha Ek Abhishaap”. School children too performed captivating cultural programmes.

Half Marathon Results

In the men’s half marathon, Mohit Kumar secured first position, completing the race in 1 hour, 10 minutes, and 39 seconds. Jaswant stood second with 1 hour, 12 minutes, 50 seconds, while Ram Swaroop came third with 1 hour, 18 minutes, 37 seconds.

In the women’s half marathon, Tamshi Singh stood first, finishing in 1 hour, 29 minutes, 43 seconds. Jaspreet came second with 2 hours, 14 minutes, 28 seconds, while Rajvinder secured third place with 2 hours, 18 minutes.

10 km Race Results

In the men’s 10 km race, Mohan stood first with 31 minutes, 17 seconds, followed by Bittu at 31 minutes, 26 seconds. Sandeep came third with 33 minutes, 11 seconds.

In the women’s 10 km race, Neeta Rani came first with 36 minutes, 37 seconds, Anita stood second with 39 minutes, 21 seconds, and Savita third with 40 minutes, 29 seconds.

On this occasion, the Chief Minister honoured the winners with cash prizes.

Chandigarh, August 24 – Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, taking a jibe at the opposition, said it has no concrete issues today. Those who are questioning law and order know very well that during their rule, the system had completely collapsed. At that time, if any incident happened with a woman, not even an FIR was registered. In contrast, during the present government, the police are working swiftly. If anyone commits a crime, the police ensure that he is put behind bars.

The Chief Minister was interacting with the media after attending the marathon held in Dabwali, Sirsa, on Sunday.

He said the Monsoon Session of the Haryana Assembly will continue till August 27, during which various Bills will be introduced and legislative business business be carried out. The opposition has also given attention-drawing motions, to which the government will respond.

Replying to a question related to the Bill introduced in Parliament, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said the effort of the Central Government is to bring transparency in society and to build people’s trust in political parties and leaders. Otherwise, the situation used to be such that people would win elections even from inside the jail. This is the reason the Central Government has brought this Bill so that transparency and public trust in democracy can be further strengthened.

Answering a question related to bringing Ghaggar river water into the Kharif channel of Kaluana, the Chief Minister said whether it is the work of remodelling canals or delivering water, the government is working speedily in this direction. There were some difficulties regarding water from Punjab, about which the Central Government was also informed. So far, the Central Government has held two meetings on the issue. Certainly, some solution will be found, he added.

Chandigarh, August 24 – Continuous efforts are being made by the administration to transform Panchkula into a cleaner, well-organized and smarter city. In this direction, Chief Executive Officer of Panchkula Metropolitan Development Authority (PMDA) Sh. K. Makarand Pandurang, along with the Commissioner of Municipal Corporation and officers of PMDA, MCP, HSVP, and Traffic Police, inspected all major roads, intersections, and prominent parks of the city.

During the inspection, Sh. Pandurang laid special emphasis on road and lane cleaning, trimming of bushes along the roads, identification and removal of traffic bottlenecks, and tree plantation in green belts and parks. He directed the MCP to ensure proper and regular cleaning of roads and to identify suitable locations for garbage collection so that neither the public nor traffic is inconvenienced.

While inspecting herbal parks, the CEO instructed the construction of additional toilets and renovation of existing ones. He issued strict orders to the contract agency to complete all allotted civil works within the stipulated time frame and with high quality standards.

On the demand of the Traffic Police, the CEO also approved the installation of two sensor-based traffic lights on the dividing road of Sector-20 and 21.

Directions to develop Panchkula parks as per international standards

The CEO visited Tau Devi Lal Park and inspected the roads of Sector 3/21, 20/21, 24/25, 25/26, 26/27, 27/28, and Sector 23. He also visited the multi-specialist park being developed with HSVP. Expressing displeasure over the slow progress of work, he directed the Chief Engineer of HSVP to complete the park at the earliest. He also instructed the Chief Engineer to immediately repair the damaged “Mastic Asphalt” on the bridge near the Golf Club so that the public does not face any inconvenience. In addition, he ordered the proper functioning of music systems and lighting arrangements in all parks.

Inspecting the Cactus Garden of Panchkula, Sh. Pandurang directed officials to develop it as per international standards. During the inspection of Town Park, he instructed the development of a water body for boating for children and the installation of an attractive musical fountain. He also directed that the Bonsai Garden and Meditation Garden should be modernized with the advice of expert agencies.

The CEO further instructed officers to visit their allotted parks daily and regularly submit progress reports so that constant monitoring of quality and pace of works can be ensured.