SAS Nagar, August 23:

Kamal Kishore Soan, Additional Secretary & Mission Director (NJJM & SBM), Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, visited Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar (Mohali) District today for field inspections and review of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) and Swatchh Bharat Mission (SBM-G) works.
During his visit, Sh. Soan first inspected the Liquid Waste Management (Thapar Model) project at Village Nangal Garhian, Block Majri, District SAS Nagar. He interacted with officials and community members and took note of the innovative efforts being undertaken for sustainable wastewater treatment at the village level. Present on the occasion were the Chief Engineer (South); J J Goyal Director Sanitation, DWSS Punjab; Manoj Malhotra, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Rural Development), SAS Nagar; Sonam Chaudhary and SDM Kharar Smt. Divya P and Executive Engineer, Division No. 3, Mohali; Ramanpreet Singh.
Subsequently, the Additional Secretary GOI visited Village Fatehgarh, Block Majri, District SAS Nagar, where he reviewed the functional household tap connection-based water supply scheme. He observed that a tubewell worth Rs. 19.01 lacs had been installed in 2022 under the scheme. He appreciated the commendable efforts of the Gram Panchayat Water Supply Committee (GPWSC), which has been successfully managing and operating the scheme since 2010, ensuring reliable and safe drinking water to the community.
Sh. Soan lauded the collective efforts of the Department of Water Supply and Sanitation, Punjab, and the local Gram Panchayats in implementing the objectives of Jal Jeevan Mission and SLWM initiatives, reiterating the Government of India’s commitment to providing safe water and improved sanitation services to every rural household.

CHANDIGARH : On India’s 79th Independence Day, Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MP and Founder-Chancellor of Lovely Professional University (LPU), Dr. Ashok Kumar Mittal issued a bold ultimatum to the United States that if the 50% tariff hike on Indian goods is not revoked by August 27, all American soft drinks and beverage companies will be banned from the campus of Lovely Professional University (one of India’s largest private universities, catering to over 40,000 students.

The ultimatum followed Dr. Mittal’s open letter to U.S. President Donald J. Trump on August 7, where he described the tariff hike announced by the United States as ‘unfair’ and disruptive. He urged President Trump to roll back the decision and return to principles of dialogue, not diktats. In the same letter, Dr. Mittal asked a pointed question, ‘What if 146 crore Indians initiate a strategic restriction of U.S. businesses?’ ~ a sentiment that has since ignited a nationwide debate, with several universities and youth organisations across India mulling similar restrictions on American products.

Today, with momentum growing on the ground, Dr. Mittal has once again underlined the importance of cooperation over coercion. He has called for constructive dialogue where the possibility of revoking the tariff hike can be discussed at length and a decision fair to India can be arrived at. However, while urging for collaboration, Dr. Mittal reiterated, ‘India’s economic dignity cannot be compromised. My decision to ban American beverage companies from LPU is not targeted at any single brand but is a symbolic assertion of India’s rising role in global affairs. India is no longer a passive participant in international trade but a rising force to reckon with, that holds self-respect at its core. Hence, a hike that is imposed on India as a penalty for trading with Russia while USA continues to do the same is completely unacceptable. America WILL HAVE to RETHINK and REVOKE!’

RS MP Ashok Mittal’s latest statement comes exactly a week after President Trump’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, post which two things are clear that pressure on the White House is mounting and there is growing compulsion to recognise India as the world’s fourth-largest economy that cannot be subjected to unfair trade diktats.

Dr. Mittal once again cautioned USA, ’Any imbalance of trade with India, would deal a far greater blow to the U.S. than to India.’ He once again called upon world leaders to move beyond zero-sum tactics and resolve this issue peacefully, reminding them that, ‘the real test of diplomacy lies not in rhetoric but in achieving breakthroughs that benefit all sides.’

With his assertive and firm stance against tariff hikes, and his repeated call for constructive global dialogue, Dr. Ashok Mittal stands out as one of the most mature and vocal champions of India’s economic dignity on the global stage. His message remains clear ~ India welcomes cooperation but its dignity is non-negotiable.

Chandigarh, August 20:

In yet another move towards the welfare of labourers, the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government has approved a 10 percent increase in Mandi labour rates. This decision was taken during a Board of Directors meeting chaired by S. Harchand Singh Barsat, Chairman Punjab Mandi Board.

Notably, the Mandi labour rate has been hiked from Rs 17.50 to Rs 19.26 per 37.5 kg bag of paddy, marking an increase of Rs 1.76 per bag.

 S. Harchand Singh Barsat said that the 10% hike in Mandi labour rates is a response to Labour Unions’ demands, reaffirming the Punjab Government’s commitment to labour welfare under CM Mann’s leadership. The revised rates will provide much-needed relief to labourers and their families, promoting fair labour practices and improving lives of those crucial to the agricultural supply chain.

 During the meeting, a detailed discussion was held regarding initiatives being taken to increase the income of Punjab Mandi Board. Chairman Punjab Mandi Board stated that special plans have been formulated to boost the Board’s income and work is being carried out with great enthusiasm. Vacant plots in state grain markets are being auctioned through e-auction and ATMs and Unipols are being installed in various markets.

He informed that Punjab Mandi Board has been making special efforts to provide better facilities to farmers, commission agents, labourers and the general public. Development works are underway in various markets, and robust arrangements are being made for facilities during the Kharif procurement season, keeping everyone’s needs in mind.

Among others, Secretary Punjab Mandi Board Mr. Ramvir, Chairman Punjab Farmers Commission Dr. Sukhpal Singh, Special Secretary Agriculture Ms. Baldeep Kaur and other senior officials were also present in the meeting.

Chandigarh, August 20 — Haryana Environment and Forest Minister, Rao Narbir Singh has directed officials to ensure more effective implementation of the Van Mitra scheme so that plantation becomes a mass movement. He said that Van Mitras will now be able to plant saplings by digging pits not only on private land but also on forest department land.

The Minister gave these directions while chairing a review meeting of the Forest Department here today. Additional Chief Secretary Environment and Forest department, Sh Anand Mohan Sharan, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and other senior officials were present at the meeting.

Van Mitra to Receive Honorarium on Time

The Minister said that there should be no delay in disbursing the monthly honorarium of Rs 15,000 to Van Mitras and directed that it be released immediately.

During the meeting, it was informed that under the Van Mitra Yojana, launched in 2024, as many as 70,000 youth have registered on the portal. They dug more than two lakh pits, out of which 2598 youth were given the status of ‘Van Mitra’ after planting saplings in 10 pits and completing geo tagging.

New System of Verification

The Minister directed that, in place of geo-tagging, the verification and monitoring of pits and plantations will now be carried out personally by the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Conservator, and Forest Guard. This mechanism will ensure accurate evaluation of the work undertaken by Van Mitras and their honorarium can be released transparently through DBT.

Government’s Vision for a Green Haryana

The Haryana Government aims to transform the state into one of greenery and clean air in the coming years. With the spirit of the resolution ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’, the government is actively involving youth, women and all sections of society in environmental protection efforts so that Haryana emerges as a green and healthy state for future generations.

Chandigarh, August 20 – The Haryana Government has decided to provide the benefit of horizontal reservation in direct recruitment to resident ex-Agniveers of the state. After detailed deliberations on the matter, a policy has now been formulated to provide reservation for ex-Agniveers in various state services.

A letter in this regard has been issued by Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi.

According to this policy, ex-Agniveers will get 1 percent horizontal reservation in Group-B posts related to skill expertise, and 5 percent in Group-C posts (excluding some specified categories). In the Home Department, 20 percent reservation will be given for the posts of Police Constables. Similarly, 10 percent reservation has been fixed for the posts of Forest Guard in the Environment, Forest and Wildlife Department, Warder in the Jail Department, and Mining Guard in the Mines and Geology Department.

To ensure fair distribution among all social categories, reservation will be applied at fixed roster points. Selection will be purely on the basis of merit, and ex-Agniveers will be selected against reserved posts within their respective vertical categories. If suitable ex-Agniveers are not available, the vacant posts will be filled by eligible candidates of the concerned category.

The government has also decided that during recruitment for the posts of Police Constable, Forest Guard, Jail Warder, and Mining Guard, ex-Agniveers will be exempted from the Physical Efficiency Test, since their physical fitness and military training are already certified. In addition, ex-Agniveers are already exempted from the Common Eligibility Test (CET) for Group-C recruitments. They will also be exempted from skill-related tests for which they have received training during their military service. However, they will be required to appear in the written examination prescribed by the Haryana Staff Selection Commission for the advertised posts. This exemption will be applicable when they apply in response to advertisements issued by the Commission.

Chandigarh, August 20 – Haryana has significantly intensified its campaign against drug trafficking and substance abuse through a comprehensive strategy combining strict enforcement, widespread awareness programmes, and enhanced rehabilitation measures. This coordinated approach has delivered remarkable results in 2025, as highlighted during the 11th State Narco Coordination (NCORD) meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi here today. The Chief Secretary reaffirmed the government’s determination to achieve the ambitious goal of a completely Drug-Free Haryana through a holistic three-pronged approach that not only tackles the symptoms of drug abuse but also addresses its root causes while strengthening systems of recovery and reintegration.

Dr. Sumita Misra, Additional Chief Secretary (Home), said the state’s enforcement machinery has delivered exceptional results in the first seven months of 2025. Authorities registered 2,161 FIRs compared to 2,022 during the same period last year, while 3,629 accused persons were arrested, representing an impressive 35 percent increase over 2024. Strengthened interstate coordination led to 293 interstate arrests in commercial quantity cases, marking a major step in dismantling cross-border trafficking networks. The state also struck hard at the financial backbone of drug offenders, with property attachments rising sharply from ₹23.41 lakh in 2024 to ₹1.31 crore in 2025. Preventive policing strategies also proved highly effective, with preventive detentions jumping from 8 to 42 cases.

She also called for joint raids with neighbouring districts to dismantle the supply chain of drugs being transported into Haryana by the smugglers. She also directed formation of a smaller task force at the HoD level which shall hold regular meetings to resolve pending issues.

She further stated that Haryana’s massive focus on awareness and youth engagement has been equally noteworthy. Within just seven months, the Haryana State Narcotics Control Bureau (HSNCB) conducted 698 anti-drug awareness programmes across the state, successfully reaching more than 1.15 lakh participants from diverse communities. Youth engagement through sports has emerged as a cornerstone of the campaign, with the “Drug-Free Village/Ward” programme covering 4,270 villages and engaging nearly 2.8 lakh young people in constructive sporting activities. These efforts have been reinforced by door-to-door survey teams deployed to conduct regular audits and ensure active grassroots participation in anti-drug initiatives.

The meeting also reviewed several systemic reforms and strategic initiatives forming the backbone of the anti-drug campaign. These included the rollout of centralized pharmaceutical supply chain monitoring systems to prevent misuse of prescription medicines, systematic inspection of de-addiction centres in all districts to ensure compliance with prescribed standards, and significant upgrades in forensic laboratories with advanced equipment for synthetic drug detection. The state has also expanded the use of national databases such as NATGRID and MANAS, supported by regular training programmes for officials, while intensifying surveillance of closed chemical factories to prevent their illegal reactivation for drug production, she added.

Educational institutions have also been assigned a critical role in sustaining awareness. The School Education Department has been directed to strengthen parental involvement in Prahari Clubs, while the Higher Education Department continues to organize monthly awareness drives in colleges across Haryana. These initiatives ensure that anti-drug messaging reaches young people consistently, meaningfully, and with strong community participation.

Additional Chief Secretary, Health, Sh. Sudhir Rajpal, Additional Chief Secretary, SEWA Department, Dr G. Anupama, Additional Chief Secretary, Energy, Sh. AK Singh, DGP, Haryana State Narcotics Control Bureau, Sh. OP Singh and other snior officers were present in the meeting.

Chandigarh, August 20 – Haryana Environment, Forest and Wildlife Minister, Rao Narbir Singh, said that the proposed Jungle Safari project in the Aravalli region is a special initiative of Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi. The detailed design and project report will be prepared within the next two months, followed by the global tender process, so that work on the project can start soon. The project aims not only to boost eco-tourism, but also to protect biodiversity and create employment opportunities for local people.

Rao Narbir Singh was chairing a review meeting with officers of the Forest Department in Chandigarh today. The Life Science Education Trust gave a presentation on the project. Additional Chief Secretary, Sh. Anand Mohan Sharan, Forest Department, and other senior officers were present at the meeting.

He said that the Aravalli is India’s oldest mountain range, spread across Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Delhi, covering 1.15 million hectares. The central government has entrusted Haryana with the responsibility of the Aravalli Green Wall Project and Jungle Safari, which will prove to be a milestone in environmental conservation.

Inspired by projects in Nagpur and Jamnagar

Rao Narbir Singh said that earlier this project was with the Tourism Department, as per the directions of Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, it has now been handed over to the Forest Department. He personally visited the Gorewada Safari in Nagpur and the Vantara project in Gujarat for inspiration. The Haryana government’s aim is to have this mega project inaugurated by Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi, he added.

Proposed across 10,000 acres in Gurugram and Nuh

It was informed in the meeting that the Aravalli Safari is proposed over nearly 10,000 acres in Gurugram and Nuh districts. In the first phase, it will be developed on around 2,500 acres. The project will be implemented in accordance with the rules of the Central Zoo Authority and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

The Minister further said that this will be a major investment project, and possibilities under the PPP model will be explored for its operation. Just like Gujarat’s Vantara and Kevadia Zoo projects have signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), Haryana too will complete the MoU process soon. He also shared that guidelines for night safari have now been issued. Through the Aravalli Green Wall project, large-scale plantation of indigenous species, soil health improvement, groundwater recharge, and biodiversity conservation will be ensured. 

Inspired by the Prime Minister’s Vision

Rao Narbir Singh said the project is inspired by the vision of Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi. He appealed to the people of the state to pledge their support for the protection and conservation of wildlife, as also emphasised by the Prime Minister in his Mann ki Baat programme.

Chandigarh, August 20:

In yet another move towards the welfare of labourers, the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government has approved a 10 percent increase in Mandi labour rates. This decision was taken during a Board of Directors meeting chaired by S. Harchand Singh Barsat, Chairman Punjab Mandi Board.

Notably, the Mandi labour rate has been hiked from Rs 17.50 to Rs 19.26 per 37.5 kg bag of paddy, marking an increase of Rs 1.76 per bag.

 S. Harchand Singh Barsat said that the 10% hike in Mandi labour rates is a response to Labour Unions’ demands, reaffirming the Punjab Government’s commitment to labour welfare under CM Mann’s leadership. The revised rates will provide much-needed relief to labourers and their families, promoting fair labour practices and improving lives of those crucial to the agricultural supply chain.

 During the meeting, a detailed discussion was held regarding initiatives being taken to increase the income of Punjab Mandi Board. Chairman Punjab Mandi Board stated that special plans have been formulated to boost the Board’s income and work is being carried out with great enthusiasm. Vacant plots in state grain markets are being auctioned through e-auction and ATMs and Unipols are being installed in various markets.

He informed that Punjab Mandi Board has been making special efforts to provide better facilities to farmers, commission agents, labourers and the general public. Development works are underway in various markets, and robust arrangements are being made for facilities during the Kharif procurement season, keeping everyone’s needs in mind.

Among others, Secretary Punjab Mandi Board Mr. Ramvir, Chairman Punjab Farmers Commission Dr. Sukhpal Singh, Special Secretary Agriculture Ms. Baldeep Kaur and other senior officials were also present in the meeting.

Chandigarh August 20, 2025 –

 The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB), during its ongoing drive against corruption in the state has arrested an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Om Prakash, posted at police station Sohana, district Mohali for demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 1. 55 lakh.

Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the state VB said the above mentioned police personnel has been arrested following an investigation of an online complaint lodged by the complainant at the Chief Minister Anti Corruption Action Line.

He further informed that as per the complaint, a police case was registered against Gurjit Singh and his wife at Sohana police station, district Mohali. The accused ASI Om Prakash, who was involved with the said case had demanded a bribe of Rs 2.50 lakh for cancellation of case registered against the complainant and his wife. Subsequently, the accused police official had accepted Rs 1.55 lakh as a bribe for this motive from the complainant.

He added that following a thorough verification, the allegations levelled in the complaint was found to be substantiated. The VB has registered a case under Prevention of Corruption Act at VB Police Station, SAS Nagar, Punjab, at Mohali against the accused ASI Om Prakash.

A spokesperson of the VB reiterated the Punjab government’s unwavering commitment to a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption. This arrest demonstrates the Bureau’s resolve to take stringent action against any public servant involved in corrupt practices, irrespective of their rank or position.

Chandigarh, August 20:

Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian unveiled a Photo Exhibition “Punjab in Frames” at Kala Sangam, Punjab Arts Council in Sector-16, Chandigarh. The exhibition, a labor of love by Mr. Harpreet Sandhu, State Information Commissioner, Punjab, showcases his captivating photographs and dedicated his passionate pictorial work to World Photography Day-2025.

While previewing the rare visuals, Punjab Agriculture Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian said that the ‘Punjab in Frames’ exhibition is a unique endeavour that showcases the state’s vibrant natural beauty, rich heritage and cultural legacy through visually engaging storytelling. He said that Mr. Sandhu’s photographs beautifully capture the essence of Punjab, from its lush green fields to ancient monuments, sacred shrines and rural traditions. This noble gesture aims to instill appreciation, awareness and pride in society, especially among the younger generation, about Punjab’s glorious heritage and natural beauty. Thoughtfully curated, the exhibition offers an immersive experience, transporting visitors through the heart of Punjab, as seen through Mr. Sandhu’s lens, he added.

Meanwhile, the Chief Information Commissioner, Punjab Mr. Inderpal Singh Dhanna appreciated the remarkable initiative of Mr. Harpreet Sandhu, while applauding his sincere commitment to promoting Punjab’s cultural, natural and spiritual identity through the powerful medium of photography.

Punjab Arts Council Chairman Mr. Swaranjit Savi also lauded Mr. Harpreet Sandhu’s commendable service to society, while stating that his artistic capture and preservation of Punjab’s essence in frames reflects a deep sense of responsibility towards the state’s heritage, environment and culture. He further noted that the exhibition would provide the youth with a chance to reconnect with their roots.

The photo exhibition drew an overwhelming response, with prominent academicians, art enthusiasts and distinguished personalities visiting the event and applauding Mr. Harpreet Sandhu’s concept and artistic efforts. The exhibition will remain open to the public until August 21 evening at the Punjab Arts Council in Chandigarh, welcoming students, researchers and art enthusiasts.